1981 CART PPG Indy Car World Series

Last updated
1981 CART season
PPG Indy Car World Series
CART logo (1979-1991).svg
Season
Races11
Start dateMarch 22
End dateNovember 8
Awards
Drivers' champion Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears
Constructors' Cup Flag of the United States.svg Penske
Manufacturers' Cup Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cosworth
Nations' Cup Flag of the United States.svg United States
Rookie of the Year Flag of the United States.svg Bob Lazier
  1980
1982  

The 1981 CART PPG Indy Car World Series season, the third in the CART era of U.S. open-wheel racing, consisted of 11 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 22 and concluding at the same location on October 31. The PPG Indy Car World Series Drivers' Champion was Rick Mears despite missing Round 2 at Milwaukee due to injuries sustained in the Indianapolis 500. Rookie of the Year was Bob Lazier. After the disagreement with the USAC during the previous season, the 65th Indianapolis 500 was not part of the Series, however no competing race was scheduled and most CART teams and drivers did take part.

Contents

Drivers and constructors

The following teams and drivers competed for the 1981 CART World Series.

Team/Car OwnerChassisEngine#DriversRounds
Flag of the United States.svg Chaparral Cars Chaparral Cosworth 1 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford All
Flag of the United States.svg Jerry O'Connell Racing Phoenix Cosworth 2 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva 1
32 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Cogan 2-3, 5-7
Flag of the United States.svg Bignotti-Cotter Racing March (5-11)

Phoenix (2)

Cosworth 2 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva All except 1 and 3-4
Phoenix21 Flag of the United States.svg Salt Walther 5
Flag of the United States.svg Team Penske Penske Cosworth 3 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser All
6 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears All except 2
7 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup All except 1 and 8-9
Flag of the United States.svg Alex Morales Motorsports Penske (all except 2, 9)
Lightning (2, 9)
Cosworth 5 Flag of the United States.svg Pancho Carter All
Lightning75 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Chassey 4
Flag of the United States.svg Longhorn Racing Longhorn (All except 8)

Eagle (8)

Cosworth 8 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser All
Flag of the United States.svg Rhoades Competition Wildcat Cosworth 12 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone 3
Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen 5, 7
Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Smiley 6, 10-11
Flag of the United States.svg Gilmore Racing Coyote Cosworth 14 Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt 5
Flag of the United States.svg Tempero Racing McLaren Chevrolet 15 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Tempero All except 2
Flag of the United States.svg Bettenhausen Racing McLaren (1-6)

Longhorn (7)

Phoenix (8-11)

Cosworth 16 Flag of the United States.svg Tony Bettenhausen Jr. All except 1
Flag of the United States.svg Leader Card Racing Watson Cosworth (All except 7-8)

Offenhauser (7-8)

22 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Simon All except 3-4.
Flag of the United States.svg Spike Gehlhausen 3-4
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Racing Wildcat Cosworth 20 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock All
40 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti 1-4, 8-9, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 5, 7
Flag of the United States.svg Brayton Racing Penske Cosworth 21 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley 11
Flag of the United States.svg Chip Ganassi 12
37 Flag of the United States.svg Scott Brayton All
Flag of the United States.svg McElreath Racing Eagle Offenhauser

(1, 9-11)Chevrolet (8)

23 Flag of the United States.svg Jim McElreath 1, 8-11
Flag of the United States.svg Luxury Racers Kingfish Chevrolet 24 Flag of the United States.svg Wally Pankratz6
65 Flag of the United States.svg Wally Pankratz11
Flag of the United States.svg Buick Racing Eagle Chevrolet 26 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Buick 1
86 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Buick 2-5
Flag of the United States.svg Menard Racing Lightning (1-8)

Eagle (9-11)

Chevrolet 28 Flag of the United States.svg Herm Johnson All except 1-2, 4, and 8
Flag of the United States.svg Beaudoin Racing McLaren Cosworth 29 Flag of the United States.svg Billy Engelhart 2, 5, 7
Flag of the United States.svg Machinists Union Racing Penske Cosworth 31 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Dickson All except 1
Flag of the United States.svg Theodore Racing McLaren (5, 10-11)

March (6)

Cosworth 33 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan 5-6, 10-11
Flag of the United States.svg Wysard Racing Eagle Cosworth 34 Flag of the United States.svg Hurley Haywood 6, 9-10
Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Parsons 11
Flag of the United States.svg Bob Fletcher Racing Penske (1-6)

March (7-11)

Cosworth 35 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Lazier All
Flag of the United States.svg Karl Racing McLaren (1)

Karl (2-7, 9-10)

Chevrolet 38 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Karl All except 8 and 11
Flag of the United States.svg Alsup Racing Penske Cosworth 41 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup 1, 8-9
McLaren Chevrolet 47 Flag of Italy.svg Phil Caliva 3-7, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Frey Racing Eagle Offenhauser 42 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Frey 1
71 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Frey 2, 5
Flag of the United States.svg Rattlesnake Racing Watson Offenhauser 42 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Vukovich II 5-6, 8, 10
Flag of the United States.svg AMI RacingArmstrong Cosworth 43 Flag of the United States.svg Greg Leffler 11
Lola 45 Flag of the United States.svg Harry MacDonald 5
Flag of the United States.svg Rager Racing Wildcat Chevrolet 44 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Rager 11
66 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Rager 5-9
Flag of Mexico.svg Orio Trice10
Flag of the United States.svg All American Racers Eagle Chevrolet 48 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley 2-3, 5, 7-8, 11
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham 6, 10
Flag of the United States.svg Rocky Moran 9
Flag of the United States.svg Space Racing Eagle Cosworth 49 Flag of the United States.svg Chip Mead 5, 11
Flag of Mexico.svg Garza Racing Penske Cosworth 54 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham 1
Flag of Mexico.svg Josele Garza 2
55 Flag of Mexico.svg Josele Garza All except 2
Flag of the United States.svg Gohr Racing Penske Chevrolet 56 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bigelow 3, 5, 7-8, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Metro Racing McLaren Offenhauser 57 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cliff Hucul 2, 5, 8
Flag of the United States.svg Hamilton RacingRiley Chevrolet 63 Flag of the United States.svg Ken Hamilton6, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Jet Engineering Eagle Chevrolet 64 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Chassey All except 4 and 10
Flag of the United States.svg Mergard Racing McLaren (2, 9)

IAM (10)

Chevrolet (2, 9)

Donovan (10)

67 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Threshie 2
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Teddy Pilette 9-10
Flag of the United States.svg Hodgdon Racing Penske Cosworth 72 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Chandler 5
74 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Chandler 6, 10-11
Flag of the United States.svg Davis Racing Wildcat Offenhauser (3-4, 7-9, 11)

Chevrolet (6)

77 Flag of the United States.svg Ross Davis 3-4, 6-9, 11
Flag of the United States.svg Joe Hunt Magneto Eagle Chevrolet (1, 6, 10)

Offenhauser (11)

89 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Krueger 1, 6, 10-11
Flag of the United States.svg Intercomp Penske Offenhauser (2, 6-7)

Chevrolet (11)

92 Flag of the United States.svg John Mahler 2, 6-7, 11
Flag of Mexico.svg Grupo-Acypsa Penske Offenhauser 93 Flag of Mexico.svg Michel Jourdain Sr. 10
Flag of the United States.svg Whittington Bros. Racing March Cosworth 94 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Whittington 5
Flag of the United States.svg Cannon Racing Wildcat Offenhauser 95 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Cannon 1
Flag of the United States.svg Herm Johnson 4
96 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Frantz 1
Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson 5
99 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Cannon 2-5
Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson 6-7, 10-11
Flag of the United States.svg Vetrock Racing Eagle Chevrolet X Flag of the United States.svg Dean Vetrock 2
Flag of the United States.svg Ohio Racing Associates Longhorn Cosworth 49 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 8

Notable team and driver changes

Notable equipment changes

Schedule

Of note was the addition of the inaugural Michigan 500 to replace the California 500 at the now-closed Ontario Motor Speedway. The Tony Bettenhausen 200 at Milwaukee was originally scheduled for August 2, but was rained out and postponed until September 5.

RdDateNameCircuitLocationTV Broadcaster
1March 22 Flag of the United States.svg Kraco Car Stereo 150  O  Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona NBC
NCMay 24 Flag of the United States.svg Indianapolis 500  O  Indianapolis Motor Speedway Indianapolis, Indiana ABC
2June 8 Flag of the United States.svg Gould Rex Mays Classic  O  Milwaukee Mile West Allis, Wisconsin ESPN
3June 28 Flag of the United States.svg Kraco Twin 125  O  Atlanta Motor Speedway Hampton, Georgia NBC/ESPN
4
5July 25 Flag of the United States.svg Norton Michigan 500  O  Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, Michigan NBC
6August 30 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles Times 500  R  Riverside International Raceway Riverside, California ESPN
7September 5 Flag of the United States.svg Tony Bettenhausen 200  O  Milwaukee Mile West Allis, Wisconsin NBC
8September 20 Flag of the United States.svg Detroit News Grand Prix  O  Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn, Michigan Untelevised
9October 4 Flag of the United States.svg Watkins Glen 200  R  Watkins Glen International Watkins Glen, New York Untelevised
10October 18 Flag of Mexico.svg I Copa México 150  R  Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Mexico City, Mexico Untelevised
11November 8 Flag of the United States.svg Miller High Life 150  O  Phoenix International Raceway Avondale, Arizona NBC

- The Detroit News Grand Prix was supposed to run for 150 miles, but was shortened due to a scoring error.
 O  Oval/Speedway  R  Dedicated road course

Season Summary

Race Results

RdRacePole PositionWinning driverWinning teamRace time
1 Flag of the United States.svg Kraco Car Stereo 150 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Chaparral 1:17:08
NC Flag of the United States.svg Indianapolis 500 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Team Penske 3:35:42
2 Flag of the United States.svg Gould Rex Mays Classic Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley All American Racers 1:19:03
3 Flag of the United States.svg Kraco Twin 125 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 0:51:29
4 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 0:45:20
5 Flag of the United States.svg Norton Michigan 500 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva Flag of the United States.svg Pancho Carter Alex Foods 3:45:45
6 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles Times 500 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 2:43:40
7 Flag of the United States.svg Tony Bettenhausen 200 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva Bignotti-Cotter1:41:41
8 Flag of the United States.svg Detroit News Grand Prix Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 1:10:30
9 Flag of the United States.svg Watkins Glen 200 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 1:52:17
10 Flag of Mexico.svg I Copa México 150 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears Team Penske 1:24:48
11 Flag of the United States.svg Miller High Life 150 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva Bignotti-Cotter1:20:10
  Non-championship event

Note, the total time of the Norton Michigan 500 does not include red flag stoppage time as the race was stopped for nearly 1 hour due to a bad pit lane fire

Final driver standings

PosDriver PHX1 Flag of the United States.svg MIL1 Flag of the United States.svg ATL1 Flag of the United States.svg ATL2 Flag of the United States.svg MIC1 Flag of the United States.svg RIR Flag of the United States.svg MIL2 Flag of the United States.svg MIC2 Flag of the United States.svg WTG Flag of the United States.svg MXC Flag of Mexico.svg PHX2 Flag of the United States.svg Pts
1 Flag of the United States.svg Rick Mears 411*31*21118304
2 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Alsup 588431143517175
3 Flag of the United States.svg Pancho Carter 720551*1010181565166
4 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Johncock 61644362651033142
5 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Rutherford 1*62*3222142022621120
6 Flag of the United States.svg Tony Bettenhausen Jr. 127112DNS141081119107
7 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Unser 221136169371715*299
8 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Sneva 3423241*1921201*96
9 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Lazier  RY 12131791051613441392
10 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser 175671114531422290
11 Flag of the United States.svg Mario Andretti 113322*16*481
12 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Bigelow 952491160
13 Flag of the United States.svg Scott Brayton  R 15119107821242023DNQ57
14 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Dickson 101012916128722DNQ49
15 Flag of the United States.svg Gary Bettenhausen 61942
16 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Simon 107316222511252038
17 Flag of the United States.svg Herm Johnson 2222173371398938
18 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Chandler 27416DNQ37
19 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Mosley 1*DNS18DNS2672432
20 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Chassey DNQ242322201515125DNQ31
21 Flag of Mexico.svg Josele Garza 2114121819128232418630
22 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Caliva 19158DNSDNSDNQ27
23 Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Cogan 21628112323
24 Flag of the United States.svg Dick Ferguson 3018610720
25 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Krisiloff 1771718
26 Flag of the United States.svg Rocky Moran  R 616
27 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Geoff Brabham  R 919914
28 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Karl 8232121142225191913
29 Flag of the United States.svg Billy Engelhart 835911
30 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Cannon 201511201210
30 Flag of the United States.svg Roger Rager 13131821DNQDNQ10
32 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Tempero 181514342817152312DNQ7
33 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Krueger  R 142014166
33 Flag of the United States.svg Bill Vukovich II 15DNQ14276
35 Flag of the United States.svg Gordon Smiley 2518105
36 Flag of the United States.svg Jim McElreath 1911DNQ13DNQ4
36 Flag of the United States.svg Ross Davis DNQ19DNQDNS1613DNQ4
36 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vern Schuppan 241721154
36 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Buick  R 16192016DNS4
40 Flag of the United States.svg Hurley Haywood 2612173
41 Flag of the United States.svg Spike Gehlhausen 14132
41 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Frey 1317DNQ2
41 Flag of the United States.svg John Mahler 252720DNQ2
44 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Sneva DNS121
44 Flag of the United States.svg Chip Mead 29141
44 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Threshie 181
44 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dennis Firestone 181
44 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Parsons 181
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Harry MacDonald 210
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cliff Hucul 2625220
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Frantz 220
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Teddy Pilette 220
Flag of the United States.svg Ken Hamilton230
Flag of the United States.svg Greg Leffler 230
Flag of Mexico.svg Michel Jourdain Sr. 240
Flag of the United States.svg A. J. Foyt 260
Flag of the United States.svg Salt Walther 320
Flag of the United States.svg Bill Whittington 370
Flag of the United States.svg Chip Ganassi DNQ0
Flag of the United States.svg Wally PankratzDNQDNQ0
Flag of Mexico.svg Orio TriceDNQ0
Flag of the United States.svg Dean Vetrock DNQ0
PosDriver PHX1 Flag of the United States.svg MIL1 Flag of the United States.svg ATL1 Flag of the United States.svg ATL2 Flag of the United States.svg MIC1 Flag of the United States.svg RIR Flag of the United States.svg MIL2 Flag of the United States.svg MIC2 Flag of the United States.svg WTG Flag of the United States.svg MXC Flag of Mexico.svg PHX2 Flag of the United States.svg Pts
ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th & 5th place
Light Blue6th-10th place
Dark BlueFinished
(Outside Top 10)
PurpleDid not finish
RedDid not qualify
(DNQ)
BrownWithdrawn
(Wth)
BlackDisqualified
(DSQ)
WhiteDid not start
(DNS)
BlankDid not
participate
(DNP)
Not competing
In-line notation
Bold Pole position
ItalicsRan fastest race lap
*Led most race laps
 RY Rookie of the Year
 R Rookie

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References