The 2001 Indy Racing Northern Light Series saw the addition of five races and loss of one to bring the total to 13.
Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing, LLC (CGR), also sometimes branded as Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, is an American auto racing organization competing in the NTT IndyCar Series. They have formerly competed in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, Global Rally ...
returned to the Indy 500 with four cars and were joined on the grid by
Penske Racing
Team Penske (formerly Penske Racing) is an American professional auto racing organization, competing in the IndyCar Series, NASCAR Cup Series, IMSA SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship. Debuting at the 1966 24 Hours of Da ...
and
Team Kool Green.
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
won 3 races on his way to the championship while the less consistent
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
won four races on his way to second place in his title defense.
Confirmed entries
All drivers and teams used
Firestone Tires.
Schedule
* This race was originally scheduled for September 16 but was postponed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.
Results
Note: All races running on Oval/Speedway.
Race summaries
Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200
This race was held March 18 at
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix Raceway (formerly known as ISM Raceway from 2018–2020, Phoenix International Raceway from 1964–1973 and 1976–2017, and FasTrack International Speedway from 1973–1976) is a dogleg oval track in Avondale, Arizona. The track has ...
.
Greg Ray
Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver.
After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.
In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#14-
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (; born 14 November 1954) is a Chilean former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Salazar remains the only Chilean driver to compete in Formula One.
Salazar made his Formula One debut at the 1981 Uni ...
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
#35-
Jeff Ward
#10-
Robby McGehee
Robby McGehee (born July 20, 1973) is an American former race car driver. He competed in the Indy Racing League and won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth. He then raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the ...
#12-
Buzz Calkins
Bradley Hobson "Buzz" Calkins Jr. (born May 2, 1971 in Denver, Colorado) is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley ...
#88-
Airton Daré
Airton Daré (born 9 February 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a Brazilian race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. Daré began his racing career in jet ski racing in 1990. He won six Brazilian championships, one South American champ ...
Inaugural Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami
This race was held April 8 at
Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Jeff Ward won the pole.
Top ten results
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#15-
Sarah Fisher
Sarah Marie Fisher (born October 4, 1980) is an American retired professional race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League (IRL, now IndyCar Series) and the Indianapolis 500 intermittently from 1999 to 2010. She also raced in the ...
#14-
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (; born 14 November 1954) is a Chilean former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Salazar remains the only Chilean driver to compete in Formula One.
Salazar made his Formula One debut at the 1981 Uni ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
#35-
Jeff Ward
#3-
Al Unser Jr.
#28-
Mark Dismore
Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney' ...
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#51-
Eddie Cheever
Edward McKay Cheever Jr. (born January 10, 1958) is an American former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to , CART between 1986 and 1995, and IndyCar between 1996 and 2006. In American open-wheel racing ...
#32-
Didier André
Didier André (born 3 September 1974) is a race car driver born in Lyon, France. In the late 1990s he competed in Indy Lights, driving in the Indy Racing League in 2001 and Nissan World Series from 2003 until the present day. During 2006 he dro ...
*
Sarah Fisher
Sarah Marie Fisher (born October 4, 1980) is an American retired professional race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League (IRL, now IndyCar Series) and the Indianapolis 500 intermittently from 1999 to 2010. She also raced in the ...
's second place was the highest finish in an Indy car race by a female driver at the time.
zMax 500
This race was held April 28 at
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway (currently known as EchoPark Speedway for sponsorship reasons, formerly known as the Atlanta International Raceway from 1960 to 1990) is a quad-oval Oval track racing#Intermediate, intermediate speedway in Hampton, Georg ...
.
Greg Ray
Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver.
After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.
In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#2-
Greg Ray
Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver.
After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.
In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#12-
Buzz Calkins
Bradley Hobson "Buzz" Calkins Jr. (born May 2, 1971 in Denver, Colorado) is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley ...
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#14-
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (; born 14 November 1954) is a Chilean former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Salazar remains the only Chilean driver to compete in Formula One.
Salazar made his Formula One debut at the 1981 Uni ...
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#35-
Jeff Ward
#55-
Shigeaki Hattori
was a Japanese professional race car driver and team owner based in the United States. As a driver, he competed in the CART and IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
As an owner, Hattori owned Hattori Racing Enterprises, which ...
#88-
Airton Daré
Airton Daré (born 9 February 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a Brazilian race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. Daré began his racing career in jet ski racing in 1990. He won six Brazilian championships, one South American champ ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
*A huge 11-car pileup occurred on lap 54, sending
Dr. Jack Miller to the hospital with a concussion. It would be Miller's final race.
*This was the final Indy car race held at Atlanta to-date.
*Fifth and final career win for Greg Ray.
85th Indianapolis 500
The 85th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held May 27 at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a motor racing circuit located in Speedway, Indiana, United States, an enclave suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, and and formerly the home of the U ...
.
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
sat on pole.
Top ten results
#68-
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves (; born Hélio Alves de Castro Neves; 10 May 1975) is a Brazilian auto racing driver. He competes part-time in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 06 Dallara-Honda for Meyer Shank Racing. He is one of four drivers to have w ...
#66-
Gil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran (11 November 1967 – 29 December 2023) was a Brazilian professional racing driver and team owner. De Ferran was the 2000 and 2001 Champ Car champion driving for Team Penske and the winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500. He also ...
#39-
Michael Andretti
Michael Mario Andretti (born October 5, 1962) is an American former racing driver, and current team owner. Statistically one of the most successful drivers in the history of American open-wheel car racing, Andretti won the 1991 CART champions ...
#44-
Jimmy Vasser
James "Jimmy" Vasser Jr. (born November 20, 1965) is an American former racing driver who competed primarily in the Championship Auto Racing Teams, CART series and Champ Car World Series, Champ Car. Vasser won ten CART series races and won the ...
#50-
Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira (born November 4, 1976) is a Brazilian race car driver who most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.
Racing career
Early ca ...
#33-
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne Stewart (born May 20, 1971), nicknamed "Smoke", is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver, and former NASCAR team co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. He currently competes in the NHRA Top Fuel class. He is a four-t ...
#14-
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (; born 14 November 1954) is a Chilean former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Salazar remains the only Chilean driver to compete in Formula One.
Salazar made his Formula One debut at the 1981 Uni ...
#88-
Airton Daré
Airton Daré (born 9 February 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a Brazilian race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. Daré began his racing career in jet ski racing in 1990. He won six Brazilian championships, one South American champ ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
*Polesitter Sharp crashed on the opening lap, and finished last.
*Team Penske returned to Indy after failing to qualify in 1995 and boycotting the race due to the IRL/CART "split" from 1996 to 2000. Penske finished 1st–2nd with
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves (; born Hélio Alves de Castro Neves; 10 May 1975) is a Brazilian auto racing driver. He competes part-time in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 06 Dallara-Honda for Meyer Shank Racing. He is one of four drivers to have w ...
and
Gil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran (11 November 1967 – 29 December 2023) was a Brazilian professional racing driver and team owner. De Ferran was the 2000 and 2001 Champ Car champion driving for Team Penske and the winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500. He also ...
, Roger Penske's first-ever 1–2 at Indy as an owner.
*Second straight 500 victory for a race rookie.
Casino Magic 500
This race was held June 9 at
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway (formerly known as Texas International Raceway from September to December 1996) is a quad-oval Oval track racing#Intermediate, intermediate speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. It has hosted various major races since its inaugura ...
.
Mark Dismore
Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney' ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#11-
Donnie Beechler
Donnie Beechler (born May 18, 1961) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He was born in Springfield, Illinois.
Beechler raced in the 1998–2001 seasons with 36 career starts, including 4 Indianapolis 500 showings. His best c ...
#14-
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (; born 14 November 1954) is a Chilean former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Salazar remains the only Chilean driver to compete in Formula One.
Salazar made his Formula One debut at the 1981 Uni ...
#3-
Al Unser Jr.
#77-
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier (born January 25, 1971) is an American former race car driver. He is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier.
Racing career
The younger Lazier ran in U.S. Formula ...
#55-
Shigeaki Hattori
was a Japanese professional race car driver and team owner based in the United States. As a driver, he competed in the CART and IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
As an owner, Hattori owned Hattori Racing Enterprises, which ...
*A serious crash on lap 72 involved
Davey Hamilton
David Jay "Davey" Hamilton (born June 13, 1962, in Nampa, Idaho) is a race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series and Stadium Super Trucks. He has made 56 series starts and while never winning a race, finished second thr ...
, who lost control after
Jeret Schroeder
Jeret Schroeder (born November 13, 1969, Vineland, New Jersey, United States) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1997 and 1999-2002 seasons with 20 career starts, including the 1999-2001 Indianapolis 500. His be ...
blew an engine, and Hamilton drove in the oil. Hamilton then crashed hard into the turn 2 wall, causing serious injuries to both legs and feet. The crash effectively ended Hamilton's full-time racing career.
*
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
stole the win after
Eddie Cheever
Edward McKay Cheever Jr. (born January 10, 1958) is an American former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to , CART between 1986 and 1995, and IndyCar between 1996 and 2006. In American open-wheel racing ...
and
Greg Ray
Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver.
After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.
In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...
crashed hard on the backstretch while battling for the victory in the final laps.
Robby McGehee
Robby McGehee (born July 20, 1973) is an American former race car driver. He competed in the Indy Racing League and won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth. He then raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the ...
, who was running many laps down, was also caught up in the mishap; McGehee suffered leg and head injuries and missed several races.
Radisson Indy 200
This race was held June 17 at
Pikes Peak International Raceway
Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR) is a racetrack in the Colorado Springs area within the city limits of Fountain, Colorado, that by October 12, 1997, was "the fastest 1-mile paved oval anywhere". The speedway hosted races in several series ...
.
Greg Ray
Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver.
After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.
In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#24-
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963) is an American former race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League. He was a color commentator for the IndyCar races on Versus. In 2016, Robbie, along with his brother Tom Buhl, starteBuhl Sport Det ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#88-
Airton Daré
Airton Daré (born 9 February 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a Brazilian race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. Daré began his racing career in jet ski racing in 1990. He won six Brazilian championships, one South American champ ...
#51-
Eddie Cheever
Edward McKay Cheever Jr. (born January 10, 1958) is an American former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to , CART between 1986 and 1995, and IndyCar between 1996 and 2006. In American open-wheel racing ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#99-
Richie Hearn
Richard Edward Hearn (born January 4, 1971) is an American former racing driver.
Hearn was born in Glendale, California. He ran in the Toyota Atlantic championship for two seasons, winning the title in 1995. In 1996, he began driving for John D ...
#15-
Sarah Fisher
Sarah Marie Fisher (born October 4, 1980) is an American retired professional race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League (IRL, now IndyCar Series) and the Indianapolis 500 intermittently from 1999 to 2010. She also raced in the ...
Inaugural SunTrust Indy Challenge
This race was held June 30 at
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond Raceway (RR) is a , ''D''-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in unincorporated Henrico County. It currently hosts one NASCAR Cup Series race weekend and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. It formerly h ...
.
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier (born January 25, 1971) is an American former race car driver. He is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier.
Racing career
The younger Lazier ran in U.S. Formula ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#3-
Al Unser Jr.
#32-
Didier André
Didier André (born 3 September 1974) is a race car driver born in Lyon, France. In the late 1990s he competed in Indy Lights, driving in the Indy Racing League in 2001 and Nissan World Series from 2003 until the present day. During 2006 he dro ...
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#28-
Mark Dismore
Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney' ...
#11-
Donnie Beechler
Donnie Beechler (born May 18, 1961) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He was born in Springfield, Illinois.
Beechler raced in the 1998–2001 seasons with 36 career starts, including 4 Indianapolis 500 showings. His best c ...
#35-
Jeff Ward
#24-
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963) is an American former race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League. He was a color commentator for the IndyCar races on Versus. In 2016, Robbie, along with his brother Tom Buhl, starteBuhl Sport Det ...
#12-
Buzz Calkins
Bradley Hobson "Buzz" Calkins Jr. (born May 2, 1971 in Denver, Colorado) is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley ...
Ameristar Casino Indy 200
This race was held July 8 at
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway (formerly known as Kansas International Speedway in initial planning and construction stages) is a tri-oval Oval track racing#Intermediate, intermediate speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. The track, since its inaugural season of ...
.
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#51-
Eddie Cheever
Edward McKay Cheever Jr. (born January 10, 1958) is an American former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to , CART between 1986 and 1995, and IndyCar between 1996 and 2006. In American open-wheel racing ...
*
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#11-
Donnie Beechler
Donnie Beechler (born May 18, 1961) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He was born in Springfield, Illinois.
Beechler raced in the 1998–2001 seasons with 36 career starts, including 4 Indianapolis 500 showings. His best c ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#88-
Airton Daré
Airton Daré (born 9 February 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a Brazilian race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. Daré began his racing career in jet ski racing in 1990. He won six Brazilian championships, one South American champ ...
#14-
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (; born 14 November 1954) is a Chilean former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Salazar remains the only Chilean driver to compete in Formula One.
Salazar made his Formula One debut at the 1981 Uni ...
#55-
Shigeaki Hattori
was a Japanese professional race car driver and team owner based in the United States. As a driver, he competed in the CART and IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
As an owner, Hattori owned Hattori Racing Enterprises, which ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#10-
Robby McGehee
Robby McGehee (born July 20, 1973) is an American former race car driver. He competed in the Indy Racing League and won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth. He then raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the ...
*Final career win for Eddie Cheever.
Inaugural Harrah's 200
This race was held July 21 at
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a tri-oval intermediate speedway in Lebanon, Tennessee. The track has held a variety of racing events since its opening in 2001, including NASCAR and the IndyCar Series. It is currently owned by Speedway Motorsport ...
.
Greg Ray
Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver.
After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.
In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#99-
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier (born January 25, 1971) is an American former race car driver. He is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier.
Racing career
The younger Lazier ran in U.S. Formula ...
#10-
Robby McGehee
Robby McGehee (born July 20, 1973) is an American former race car driver. He competed in the Indy Racing League and won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth. He then raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the ...
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#55-
Shigeaki Hattori
was a Japanese professional race car driver and team owner based in the United States. As a driver, he competed in the CART and IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
As an owner, Hattori owned Hattori Racing Enterprises, which ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
#12-
Buzz Calkins
Bradley Hobson "Buzz" Calkins Jr. (born May 2, 1971 in Denver, Colorado) is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley ...
#11-
Donnie Beechler
Donnie Beechler (born May 18, 1961) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He was born in Springfield, Illinois.
Beechler raced in the 1998–2001 seasons with 36 career starts, including 4 Indianapolis 500 showings. His best c ...
*
*On lap 103 of the race, Cheever was attempting to lap the slower car of Greg Ray, when the two made contact in turn 2. The resulting accident also caught up Unser, Jr., Beechler, and Dismore, who was struck from behind by a charging Airton Dare. No one was injured in the crash. This was the first caution of the race and lasted 18 laps, with Buddy Lazier in the lead as racing resumed. He would go on to win.
*Second and final career top ten finish for Donnie Beechler.
Belterra Resort Indy 300
This race was held August 12 at
Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway is an inactive tri-oval intermediate speedway in Sparta, Kentucky. It has hosted various major races throughout its existence, including NASCAR and IndyCar races. The track is owned by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) and ...
.
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#91-
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier (born October 31, 1967) is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Lazier began his racing career in the 1980s by competing in su ...
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#3-
Al Unser Jr.
#11-
Donnie Beechler
Donnie Beechler (born May 18, 1961) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He was born in Springfield, Illinois.
Beechler raced in the 1998–2001 seasons with 36 career starts, including 4 Indianapolis 500 showings. His best c ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#55-
Shigeaki Hattori
was a Japanese professional race car driver and team owner based in the United States. As a driver, he competed in the CART and IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
As an owner, Hattori owned Hattori Racing Enterprises, which ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
#24-
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963) is an American former race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League. He was a color commentator for the IndyCar races on Versus. In 2016, Robbie, along with his brother Tom Buhl, starteBuhl Sport Det ...
#35-
Jeff Ward
*Final career win for Buddy Lazier.
*This race was Greg Rays last for Team Menard. He would part ways with the team after finishing 3 laps down to the winner in 13th.
Inaugural Gateway Indy 250
This race was held August 26 at
Gateway International Raceway
Gateway Motorsports Park (currently known as World Wide Technology Raceway for sponsorship reasons) is a motor racing facility in Madison, Illinois, just east of St. Louis, close to the Gateway Arch. It features a oval that hosts the NASCAR Cu ...
.
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#3-
Al Unser Jr.
#28-
Mark Dismore
Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney' ...
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#51-
Eddie Cheever
Edward McKay Cheever Jr. (born January 10, 1958) is an American former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to , CART between 1986 and 1995, and IndyCar between 1996 and 2006. In American open-wheel racing ...
#24-
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963) is an American former race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League. He was a color commentator for the IndyCar races on Versus. In 2016, Robbie, along with his brother Tom Buhl, starteBuhl Sport Det ...
#98-
Billy Boat
William Leonard Boat (born February 2, 1966) is an American former open-wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.
Racing career
Boat began his career in USAC where he won 11 straight Western Series races on his way to the 1995 champion ...
#35-
Jeff Ward
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#88-
Airton Daré
Airton Daré (born 9 February 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a Brazilian race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. Daré began his racing career in jet ski racing in 1990. He won six Brazilian championships, one South American champ ...
#10-
Robby McGehee
Robby McGehee (born July 20, 1973) is an American former race car driver. He competed in the Indy Racing League and won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth. He then raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the ...
*Penultimate career win for Al Unser Jr.
Inaugural Delphi Indy 300
This race was held September 2 at
Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway is an inactive tri-oval Oval track racing#Intermediate, intermediate speedway in Joliet, Illinois. It has hosted various major races throughout its existence, including NASCAR and IndyCar races. The track is currently own ...
.
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier (born January 25, 1971) is an American former race car driver. He is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier.
Racing career
The younger Lazier ran in U.S. Formula ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#2-
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier (born January 25, 1971) is an American former race car driver. He is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier.
Racing career
The younger Lazier ran in U.S. Formula ...
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#51-
Eddie Cheever
Edward McKay Cheever Jr. (born January 10, 1958) is an American former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to , CART between 1986 and 1995, and IndyCar between 1996 and 2006. In American open-wheel racing ...
#35-
Jeff Ward
#11-
Donnie Beechler
Donnie Beechler (born May 18, 1961) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He was born in Springfield, Illinois.
Beechler raced in the 1998–2001 seasons with 36 career starts, including 4 Indianapolis 500 showings. His best c ...
#99-
Richie Hearn
Richard Edward Hearn (born January 4, 1971) is an American former racing driver.
Hearn was born in Glendale, California. He ran in the Toyota Atlantic championship for two seasons, winning the title in 1995. In 1996, he began driving for John D ...
#34-
Laurent Redon
Laurent Redon (born 5 August 1973) is a former race car driver from Loire, France.
Redon began his professional racing career in the French Formula Three Championship, winning it in 1995. He then moved to International Formula 3000 where he finish ...
#3-
Al Unser Jr.
#12-
Buzz Calkins
Bradley Hobson "Buzz" Calkins Jr. (born May 2, 1971 in Denver, Colorado) is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley ...
#21-
Felipe Giaffone
*This was Jaques Laziers only IndyCar win. It was his second start for the Menard team after taking over the car previously driven by Greg Ray.
Chevy 500
This race was originally scheduled for September 16 at
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway (formerly known as Texas International Raceway from September to December 1996) is a quad-oval Oval track racing#Intermediate, intermediate speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. It has hosted various major races since its inaugura ...
but was postponed in the aftermath of the
September 11th attacks
The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, were four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001. Nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing the first two into ...
.
[https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/09/14/texas-track-decides-to-postpone-races/62130931007/] The race was eventually held October 6.
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
won the pole.
Top ten results
#4-
Sam Hornish Jr.
Samuel Jon Hornish Jr. (born July 2, 1979) is an American semi-retired professional auto racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske in 2017.
Hornish began his top-ti ...
#8-
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968) is an American professional racing driver in the United SportsCar Championship. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing Leagu ...
#24-
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963) is an American former race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League. He was a color commentator for the IndyCar races on Versus. In 2016, Robbie, along with his brother Tom Buhl, starteBuhl Sport Det ...
#14-
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (; born 14 November 1954) is a Chilean former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Salazar remains the only Chilean driver to compete in Formula One.
Salazar made his Formula One debut at the 1981 Uni ...
#5-
Rick Treadway
Rick Treadway (born January 15, 1970, in Indianapolis, Indiana), is a former racing driver for the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 2001 and 2002 seasons with 11 career starts, including the 2002 Indianapolis 500.
Rick Treadway is the son of ...
#3-
Al Unser Jr.
#88-
Airton Daré
Airton Daré (born 9 February 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a Brazilian race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. Daré began his racing career in jet ski racing in 1990. He won six Brazilian championships, one South American champ ...
#11-
Greg Ray
Gregory Ray (born August 3, 1966) is an American former race car driver.
After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.
In 1997 he made his Indy Ra ...
#18-
Jon Herb
Jon Allen Herb (born June 1, 1970) is an American former racecar owner, driver in the IndyCar Series, Indy Racing Leaguehttps://archive.today/20130201063259/http://raceday.racingone.com/driver.aspx?driverid=280&seriesID=3&subID=11 and Automobile ...
#12-
Buzz Calkins
Bradley Hobson "Buzz" Calkins Jr. (born May 2, 1971 in Denver, Colorado) is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley ...
*Only career top five finish for Rick Treadway. Also his best finish ever.
*Greg Rays first race back after losing his Team Menard ride. He drove for A.J. Foyts team in this race.
*Final career start for Buzz Calkins. Also his final top ten finish.
*Only career top ten finish for Jon Herb. Also his best ever finish.
Points standings
* Ties in points broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., and then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.
See also
*
2001 Indianapolis 500
The 85th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 27, 2001. Race rookie Hélio Castroneves, a three-year veteran of the CART series, led the final 52 laps and won his first of four Indy 500 ...
*
2001 Indy Lights season
The 2001 CART PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Championship Powered By Buick consisted of 12 races. It was dominated by Townsend Bell who captured six victories on his way to the championship. It was the last Indy Lights season, as the series organizer, CA ...
*
2001 CART season
*
2001 Toyota Atlantic Championship season
* http://www.champcarstats.com/year/2001i.htm
* http://media.indycar.com/pdf/2011/IICS_2011_Historical_Record_Book_INT6.pdf (p. 125–126)
References
{{Indy Racing League Seasons
Indy Racing League
IndyCar, LLC (stylized as INDYCAR), is an auto racing Governing body, sanctioning body for American open-wheel car racing headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization sanctions two Auto racing, racing series: the premier IndyCar Serie ...
IndyCar Series seasons
Indy Racing League
IndyCar, LLC (stylized as INDYCAR), is an auto racing Governing body, sanctioning body for American open-wheel car racing headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The organization sanctions two Auto racing, racing series: the premier IndyCar Serie ...