1997 CART PPG World Series

Last updated
1997 CART season
PPG CART World Series
CART vertical logo (1997-2002).svg
Season
Races17
Start dateMarch 2
End dateSeptember 28
Awards
Drivers' champion Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi
Constructors' Cup Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reynard
Manufacturers' Cup Flag of Germany.svg Mercedes
Nations' Cup Flag of the United States.svg United States
Rookie of the Year Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Patrick Carpentier
  1996 (ICWS)
1998  

The 1997 CART PPG World Series season was the nineteenth in the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) era of American open-wheel car racing. It consisted of 17 races, beginning in Homestead, Florida on March 2 and concluding in Fontana, California on September 28. The PPG CART World Series Drivers' Champion was Alex Zanardi. Rookie of the Year was Patrick Carpentier. Mercedes-Benz won their first and only CART engine-manufacturer's title.

Contents

After a settlement with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, CART relinquished its license of the "IndyCar" trademark for 1997 and beyond. As a result, the series was renamed for the first time since 1980. The CART term, which had been mostly eschewed since 1992, was brought back and embraced, a new logo was unveiled, and participants were encouraged to refer to the machines of the CART series as "Champ Cars". The revival of the historic term (and curtailing the use of the mostly generic term "Indy cars") helped to differentiate the machines from those of the rival Indy Racing League, and was part of a concerted and necessary effort to distance the series from the Indianapolis 500, to which it no longer had any link. [1] This was also the last year of title sponsorship by PPG Industries, although the Driver's Championship continued to be known as the PPG Cup until 1999. This was the first season since 1983 not to feature Emerson Fittipaldi.

Drivers and constructors

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1997 CART World Series season.

TeamChassisEngineTiresNoDriversRoundsPrimary Sponsors
Flag of the United States.svg Target Chip Ganassi Reynard 97i Honda HRR F 1 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Vasser All Target
4 Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi 1–16
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Arie Luyendyk 17
Flag of the United States.svg Marlboro Team Penske Penske PC-26-97 Ilmor-Mercedes
IC108D
G 2 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. All Marlboro
3 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy All
Flag of the United States.svg Walker Racing Reynard 97iHonda HRR G 5 Flag of Brazil.svg Gil de Ferran All Valvoline
Flag of the United States.svg Newman-Haas Racing Swift 007.i Ford XD G 6 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti All Texaco-Havoline
11 Flag of Brazil.svg Christian Fittipaldi 1–2, 9–17 Budweiser
Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Moreno 3–8
Flag of the United States.svg Team Rahal Reynard 97iFord XD G 7 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Rahal All Miller Lite
8 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Herta All Shell
Flag of the United States.svg Hogan Racing Reynard 97iMercedes IC108D F 9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dario Franchitti (R)1–16 Hogan Racing
Flag of the United States.svg Robby Gordon 17
Flag of the United States.svg Bettenhausen Racing Reynard 97iMercedes IC108D G 16 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Patrick Carpentier (R)1–14, 17Alumax
Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Moreno 15–16
Flag of the United States.svg PacWest Reynard 97iMercedes IC108D F 17 Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin All Hollywood Cigarettes
18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Blundell All Motorola
Flag of the United States.svg Payton/Coyne Racing Reynard 97iFord XD G 19 Flag of Mexico.svg Michel Jourdain Jr. 11, 14, 16 Herdez
Lola T97/001–10, 12–13, 15, 17
34 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Moreno 1Data Control
Flag of the United States.svg Paul Jasper (R)2–7 Hype
Flag of Germany.svg Christian Danner 8–9 Payton/Coyne Racing
Flag of the United States.svg Charlie Nearburg (R)10, 13 Nearburg Exploration
Flag of the United States.svg Dennis Vitolo 11–12 Payton/Coyne Racing
Reynard 97i Flag of the United States.svg Charlie Nearburg (R)14, 16 Nearburg Exploration
Flag of Germany.svg Christian Danner 15 Payton/Coyne Racing
Flag of the United States.svg Dennis Vitolo 17 SmithKline Beecham
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Racing Reynard 97iFord XD F 20 Flag of the United States.svg Scott Pruett All Brahma
40 Flag of Brazil.svg Raul Boesel All
Flag of the United States.svg Della Penna Motorsports Lola T97/00Ford XD G 21 Flag of the United States.svg Richie Hearn 1–16 Ralphs
Swift 007.i17
Flag of the United States.svg Arciero-Wells Racing Reynard 97i Toyota RV8B F 24 Flag of Japan.svg Hiro Matsushita All Panasonic
25 Flag of Italy.svg Max Papis All MCI Worldcom
Flag of the United States.svg Team KOOL Green Reynard 97iHonda HRR F 27 Flag of the United States.svg Parker Johnstone All KOOL
Flag of the United States.svg Tasman Motorsports Reynard 97iHonda HRR F 31 Flag of Brazil.svg André Ribeiro 10–17 LCI Communications
Lola T97/001–9
32 Flag of Mexico.svg Adrian Fernández All Tecate
Flag of the United States.svg All American Racing Reynard 96i
Reynard 97i
Toyota RV8B G 36 Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Fangio II All Castrol
98 Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Jones All
Flag of the United States.svg Project Indy Lola T97/00Ford XD G 64 Flag of the United States.svg Dennis Vitolo 1, 3–4, 15–16 SmithKline Beecham
Flag of Germany.svg Arnd Meier (R)2, 5–6, 8–14, 17 Hasseröder
Flag of the United States.svg Davis RacingReynard 97iFord XD G 77 Flag of Brazil.svg Gualter Salles (R)AllDavis Racing 2
Indusval 15
Flag of the United States.svg Forsythe Racing Reynard 96i
Reynard 97i
Mercedes IC108D F 99 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Greg Moore All Player's

Season summary

Schedule

RndDateRace NameCircuitLocationTV Broadcaster
1March 2 Flag of the United States.svg Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami Presented by Toyota  O  Homestead Motorsports Complex Homestead, Florida ABC
2April 6 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sunbelt IndyCarnival  R  Surfers Paradise Street Circuit Surfers Paradise, Australia ABC
3April 13 Flag of the United States.svg Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach  R  Streets of Long Beach Long Beach, California ABC
4April 27 Flag of the United States.svg Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix Presented by Toyota  O  Nazareth Speedway Nazareth, Pennsylvania ABC
5May 11 Flag of Brazil.svg Hollywood Rio 400K  O  Autódromo de Jacarepaguá Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ABC
6May 24 Flag of the United States.svg Motorola 300  O  Gateway International Raceway Madison, Illinois ABC
7June 1 Flag of the United States.svg Miller 200  O  Milwaukee Mile West Allis, Wisconsin ESPN
8June 8 Flag of the United States.svg ITT Automotive Detroit Grand Prix  R  The Raceway on Belle Isle Park Detroit, Michigan ABC
9June 22 Flag of the United States.svg Budweiser/G. I. Joe's 200 Presented by Texaco/Havoline  R  Portland International Raceway Portland, Oregon ESPN
10July 13 Flag of the United States.svg Medic Drug Grand Prix of Cleveland  R  Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport Cleveland, Ohio ABC
11July 20 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Molson Indy Toronto  R  Exhibition Place Toronto, Ontario ABC
12July 27 Flag of the United States.svg U.S. 500 Presented by Toyota  O  Michigan Speedway Brooklyn, Michigan ABC
13August 10 Flag of the United States.svg Miller 200  R  Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio ABC
14August 17 Flag of the United States.svg The Chicago Tribune Presents the Texaco/Havoline 200  R  Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin ESPN
15August 31 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Molson Indy Vancouver  R  Streets of Vancouver Vancouver, British Columbia ESPN
16September 7 Flag of the United States.svg Toyota Grand Prix of Monterey Featuring the Texaco/Havoline 300  R  Laguna Seca Raceway Monterey, California ESPN
17September 28 Flag of the United States.svg Marlboro 500 Presented by Toyota  O  California Speedway Fontana, California ESPN

– The Australian Indy Grand Prix was supposed to run 182 miles, but was shortened due to time constraints.
– Portland was supposed to be 193 miles, but was shortened due to rain.
 O  Oval/Speedway
 R  Road/Street course

Race results

RndRace Pole position Fastest lap Race WinnerRace timeReport
DriverTeamChassisEngine
1 Flag of the United States.svg Homestead Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti Newman/Haas Racing Swift Ford 1:38:45 Report
2 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Surfers Paradise Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of the United States.svg Scott Pruett Patrick Racing Reynard Ford 2:01:04 Report
3 Flag of the United States.svg Long Beach Flag of Brazil.svg Gil de Ferran Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Target Chip Ganassi Reynard Honda 1:46:17 Report
4 Flag of the United States.svg Nazareth Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Marlboro Team Penske Penske Mercedes 1:53:31 Report
5 Flag of Brazil.svg Rio Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin Flag of Brazil.svg Gil de Ferran Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Marlboro Team Penske Penske Mercedes 2:10:47 Report
6 Flag of the United States.svg Gateway Flag of Brazil.svg Raul Boesel Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dario Franchitti Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Marlboro Team Penske Penske Mercedes 2:37:54 Report
7 Flag of the United States.svg Milwaukee Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Greg Moore Forsythe Racing Reynard Mercedes 1:43:32 Report
8 Flag of the United States.svg Belle Isle Flag of Brazil.svg Gil de Ferran Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dario Franchitti Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Greg Moore Forsythe Racing Reynard Mercedes 1:52:45 Report
9 Flag of the United States.svg Portland Flag of the United States.svg Scott Pruett Flag of Brazil.svg Raul Boesel Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Blundell PacWest Reynard Mercedes 2:00:12 Report
10 Flag of the United States.svg Cleveland Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Target Chip Ganassi Reynard Honda 1:41:40 Report
11 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Toronto Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dario Franchitti Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Blundell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Blundell PacWest Reynard Mercedes 1:45:43 Report
12 Flag of the United States.svg Michigan Flag of the United States.svg Scott Pruett Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Target Chip Ganassi Reynard Honda 2:59:35 Report
13 Flag of the United States.svg Mid-Ohio Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Herta Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Target Chip Ganassi Reynard Honda 1:41:16 Report
14 Flag of the United States.svg Road America Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Target Chip Ganassi Reynard Honda 1:57:54 Report
15 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Vancouver Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin PacWest Reynard Mercedes 1:47:17 Report
16 Flag of the United States.svg Laguna Seca Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Herta Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Blundell Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Vasser Target Chip Ganassi Reynard Honda 1:41:38 Report
17 Flag of the United States.svg Fontana Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Greg Moore Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Blundell PacWest Reynard Mercedes 3:02:42 Report

(R) Dedicated road course, (O) Oval/Speedway, (S) Temporary street circuit

Final driver standings

PosDriver MIA Flag of the United States.svg SUR Flag of Australia (converted).svg LBH Flag of the United States.svg NAZ Flag of the United States.svg RIO Flag of Brazil.svg GAT Flag of the United States.svg MIL Flag of the United States.svg DET Flag of the United States.svg POR Flag of the United States.svg CLE Flag of the United States.svg TOR Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg MIC Flag of the United States.svg MDO Flag of the United States.svg ROA Flag of the United States.svg VAN Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg LAG Flag of the United States.svg FON Flag of the United States.svg Pts
1 Flag of Italy.svg Alex Zanardi 741*1144132611121*1*143Wth195
2 Flag of Brazil.svg Gil de Ferran 22521411373*22*25363356162
3 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Vasser 3129595341913724582*1*2144
4 Flag of Brazil.svg Maurício Gugelmin 617292265166*156672194132
5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Tracy 219*71*116DNS771042728282626121
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mark Blundell 14813198241217191*22616*721115
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Greg Moore 4223162131*15242327218172413111
8 Flag of the United States.svg Michael Andretti 1*32222111*22823421826162719108
9 Flag of the United States.svg Scott Pruett 513103199241785149518167102
10 Flag of Brazil.svg Raul Boesel 1778851446316818421682091
11 Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Herta 1022676221572131752411862172
12 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Rahal 161010610*20119245917362419570
13 Flag of the United States.svg Al Unser Jr. 27274371820825420202275112267
14 Flag of Brazil.svg André Ribeiro 1261426151026251314323102210417*45
15 Flag of Brazil.svg Christian Fittipaldi 2628461116214921942
16 Flag of the United States.svg Parker Johnstone 82151712725209101225122311121136
17 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Patrick Carpentier  RY 9151512282815161216151527Wth27
18 Flag of Mexico.svg Adrián Fernández 1311112326824271017142623121923327
19 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Moreno 2424141825105151016
20 Flag of Brazil.svg Gualter Salles  R 15241824191222212319181020132671410
21 Flag of the United States.svg Richie Hearn 1113271814923231428272213922251510
22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dario Franchitti  R 259121327171613261126191125131310
23 Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Manuel Fangio II 20202615202321102221191125101215279
24 Flag of Italy.svg Max Papis 1914252213261911282715814152014128
25 Flag of the United States.svg Dennis Vitolo 23DNSDNQ2872720166
26 Flag of the United States.svg Robby Gordon 85
27 Flag of Japan.svg Hiro Matsushita 2125202523151719152022919241428234
28 Flag of the United States.svg P. J. Jones 28261621162114142025212817142517103
29 Flag of Mexico.svg Michel Jourdain Jr. 18181720171627221218131318202122181
30 Flag of Germany.svg Arnd Meier  R 1625DNS18182224121619251
31 Flag of Germany.svg Christian Danner 1227231
32 Flag of the United States.svg Charlie Nearburg  R 262817180
33 Flag of the United States.svg Paul Jasper  R 2319DNQ24Wth180
34 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Arie Luyendyk 240
PosDriver MIA Flag of the United States.svg SUR Flag of Australia (converted).svg LBH Flag of the United States.svg NAZ Flag of the United States.svg RIO Flag of Brazil.svg GAT Flag of the United States.svg MIL Flag of the United States.svg DET Flag of the United States.svg POR Flag of the United States.svg CLE Flag of the United States.svg TOR Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg MIC Flag of the United States.svg MDO Flag of the United States.svg ROA Flag of the United States.svg VAN Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg LAG Flag of the United States.svg FON Flag of the United States.svg Pts
ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th–6th place
Light Blue7th–12th place
Dark BlueFinished
(Outside Top 12)
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

Nations' Cup

PosCountryPts
1 Flag of the United States.svg United States 252
2 Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil 238
3 Flag of Italy.svg Italy 198
4 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada 190
5 Flag of England.svg England 115
6 Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico 27
7 Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 10
8 Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina 9
9 Flag of Japan.svg Japan 4
10 Flag of Germany.svg Germany 2
11 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 0
PosCountryPts

Chassis Constructors' Cup

PosChassisPtsWins
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reynard 97I/96I34613
2 Flag of the United States.svg Penske PC-26 1563
3 Flag of the United States.svg Swift 007.i 1431
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lola T9700450
PosChassisPtsWins

Engine Manufacturers' Cup

PosEnginePtsWins
1 Flag of Germany.svg Mercedes 3169
2 Flag of Japan.svg Honda 2906
3 Flag of the United States.svg Ford XD/XB2302
4 Flag of Japan.svg Toyota 150
PosEnginePtsWins

See also

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References

  1. "Cart 1997". The Indianapolis Star. 2 March 1997. p. 46.