*IRL team releases Roberto Guerrero*

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By Bruce Martin 
Contributing Editor 

INDIANAPOLIS -- Roberto Guerrero, one of the top names in Indy
car racing before suffering a serious head injury in 1987, today
was released as driver for Pagan Racing in the Indy Racing
League. 

Team owners Jack and Allan Pagan called the decision "one of the
toughest things we've ever had to do." 

In four IRL starts this season, Guerrero has yet to post a
top-20 finish and that has left Pagan Racing 31st in the Pep
Boys Indy Racing League standings. 

"To say that this was difficult would be a gross understatement,
because I consider Roberto to be a friend," Allan Pagan said.
"Roberto has been a part of our team since 1994, but after
examining the situation, we decided that this was a move that
had to be made. 

"I wish Roberto all the best and I hope he understands that
business decisions are not always easy to make. Hopefully this
will be the best move for both Pagan Racing and Roberto
Guerrero. I guess only time will tell." 

Guerrero competed in his 14th Indianapolis 500 in May and
finished 22nd, 75 laps down. 

Guerrero was earmarked for greatness in the Indianapolis 500 in
the 1980s, putting together one of the most impressive four-race
streaks in Indy 500 history. He finished second in the 1984
Indianapolis 500 and was co-rookie of the year with Michael
Andretti. He was third in 1985, fourth in 1986 and second in
1987. That year, he was leading the race late in the event
before his car stalled in the pits on its final stop. 

Guerrero's promise took a hit on September 10th, 1987 when he
suffered serious head injuries when he crashed at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway in testing. Since then, Guerrero's
best finish in the Indianapolis 500 was fifth in 1996. 

Pagan Racing announced it would not compete in upcoming IRL
events at Loudon, New Hampshire, this Sunday and Dover, Delaware
on July 19th so the team could have enough time to select a new
driver and acclimate him with the car and crew. 

"We will be racing at Charlotte on July 25, make no mistake
about that," said Pagan, when asked about the remainder of the
IRL season. "I want to make sure we take our time making this
decision because the remaining events we run in 1998 will be
important for the future of this team. Performance is the name
of the game in racing and we believe this move was necessary to
help us regain our competitive edge."