Scheckter

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tomas Scheckter went to school, picking up tips and learning strategy from Al Unser and Johnny Rutherford.

Though Scheckter enjoyed his tutorial session, he would have preferred being in the action Tuesday rather than watching from the pits.

For the third straight day, Scheckter's No. 52 car was in the Red Bull Cheever Racing garage, unable to practice after a three-day suspension.

Scheckter was suspended last week for the first three days of Indianapolis 500 practice because of unsportsmanlike conduct at the Firestone Indy 225.

He also was fined an undisclosed amount, placed on probation for the rest of this season by the IRL and forced to review proper racing techniques with Unser and Rutherford -- who between them have seven Indy 500 victories.

He returns to practice Wednesday, but team-owner Eddie Cheever Jr. said valuable time has been lost.

"His lack of patience has had a negative effect on the team that needs to go away," Cheever said. "He needs to start acting like a professional race-car driver. A professional race-car driver takes the interest of his team at heart."

Scheckter's rookie season already has been tarnished by two accidents.

He attempted to pass Jaques Lazier during last month in Nazareth, Pa., when the wheels of their cars touched, causing them both to crash into the outside wall.

"I was aggressive in the move I did," said Scheckter, son of 1979 Formula One champion Jody Scheckter. "It's always the wrong decision when you end up in the wall. I just have to make a rule for myself that I'm not going to try to pass people going into the corner. It's not worth the risk. It was a waste of a good car."

The accident also knocked Lazier out for the rest of the IRL season. He had surgery last week to repair spinal fractures. Lazier was released from the hospital Tuesday and must wear a brace for 8-to-12 weeks.

"It hurt me that he was hurt," Scheckter said. "It's never, never good to see anybody hurt in a race car."

Scheckter visited Lazier in the hospital and even baked him some chocolate chip cookies. He said he was unsure what kind of reaction he would get from Lazier.

"He was so supportive," he said. "I had to really think about it for a lot of nights. I got upset about it. He said, 'It's racing. You don't worry. Just do the job you've been doing.' It gave me a better feeling inside."

The crash left Scheckter hospitalized for two days with a bruised lung and a concussion, but he has been cleared to drive.

"I've never hit a wall and felt like I felt after that," he said. "It shocked me."

The run-in wasn't Scheckter's first this year on the track. He also collided with Cheever during the IRL's season-opening Grand Prix of Miami.

	Tomas Schecker, right, got a little too close for comfort with boss Eddie Cheever, left, in the season-opener.

Trying to pass Cheever on the third lap, Scheckter brushed his boss and knocked him into the wall in Turn 4. Cheever was not injured but was knocked out of the race.

The two had a meeting and Cheever explained that Scheckter had to change his ways. Cheever said he liked Scheckter but the 21-year-old driver needed to mend his ways.

"That is a self-inflicted handicap that he didn't need to go through," Cheever said. "Tomas has all the natural ability coupled with a really good work ethic and a fierce determination.

"What he has to understand is you don't race in a void. He acts like he's the only one on the race track and what other people do is irrelevant. You have to have the utmost of respect for your peers because there are no small accidents."

The accidents have tagged Scheckter with an image he doesn't think he deserves.

"I try to stay out of trouble, but it seems trouble follows me," he said.

A repentant Scheckter said he learned from his mistakes and was ready to start fresh at the Indianapolis 500.

"I enjoyed my spectating and my learning, but it's time to go racing now," he said.