2001 Indy Lights season

Last updated

2001 Indy Lights season
PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Championship Powered by Buick
Season
Races12
Start dateMarch 11
End dateNovember 4
Awards
Drivers' champion Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell
Teams' champion Flag of the United States.svg Dorricott Racing
Rookie of the Year Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon [1]
  2000
2002 (IPS) 

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, CART, decided to drop the Indy Lights series and concentrate its efforts on the Toyota Atlantic Championship. [2] Most former Indy Lights teams that wished to stay in business went either to the Atlantic series, which replaced Indy Lights as the support race at most CART events, or the new Infiniti Pro Series, which ran in support of Indy Racing League events.

Contents

All teams used the Lola T97/20-Buick spec car. Each round of the championship seldom had more than 12 entries.

The scoring system was 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 points awarded to the first 12 (twelve) finishers, with 1 (one) extra point given to the driver who took pole-position, and another extra point given to the driver who led most laps in the race.

Team and driver chart

All teams utilized Lola T97/20 chassis with Buick V6 engines.

TeamNo.DriversRound(s)
Brian Stewart Racing2 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Mason2
3 Flag of New Zealand.svg Andy Booth 2
Conquest Racing 11 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby 1–8
Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday 12
214–11
Flag of Brazil.svg Nilton Rossoni 1
Dorricott Racing30 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell All
31 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner All
32 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fogarty 1–4, 10–11 [3] [4]
Flag of the United States.svg Geoff Boss 7–8
Indy Regency Racing 12 Flag of the United States.svg Cory Witherill 1–2, 4–12
Mexpro Racing15 Flag of Mexico.svg Rudy Junco Jr.1–6, 8–9, 11–12
16 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins All
PacWest Lights 1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon All
17 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez All
Roquin Motorsports 64 Flag of Mexico.svg Rolando Quintanilla All
65 Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz All

Schedule

Rd.DateTrackLocation
1March 11 R  Fundidora Park Monterrey, Mexico
2April 8 R  Long Beach street circuit Long Beach, California
3April 28 O  Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Texas
4June 3 O  Milwaukee Mile West Allis, Wisconsin
5June 24 R  Portland International Raceway Portland, Oregon
6July 8 O  Kansas Speedway Kansas City, Kansas
7July 15 R  Exhibition Place Toronto, Canada
8August 12 R  Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio
9August 26 O  Gateway International Raceway Madison, Illinois
10October 5 R  Road Atlanta Braselton, Georgia
11October 14 R  Laguna Seca Raceway Monterey, California
12November 4 O  California Speedway Fontana, California

Race results

RoundCircuit Pole position Fastest lap Most laps ledRace winner
DriverTeam
1 Flag of Mexico.svg Fundidora Park Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing
2 Flag of the United States.svg Long Beach street circuit Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
3 Flag of the United States.svg Texas Motor Speedway Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fogarty Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing
4 Flag of the United States.svg Milwaukee Mile Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell [a] Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
5 Flag of the United States.svg Portland International Raceway Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing
6 Flag of the United States.svg Kansas Speedway Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Exhibition Place Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
8 Flag of the United States.svg Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
9 Flag of the United States.svg Gateway International Raceway Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell [a] Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights
10 Flag of the United States.svg Road Atlanta Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fogarty Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights
11 Flag of the United States.svg Laguna Seca Raceway Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
12 Flag of the United States.svg California Speedway Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell [a] Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing

Race summaries

Monterrey

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1116 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing3554:48.1283522
2330 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing35+0.179016
3532 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fogarty Dorricott Racing35+5.799014
4417 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 35+6.334012
5101 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 35+9.437010
Race average speed: 80.625 mph (129.753 km/h)
Lead changes: 0
Cautions: 0

Long Beach

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1630 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing3857:13.430520
231 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 38+3.7753317
3516 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing38+5.342014
4117 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 38+5.862013
5711 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 38+12.326010
Race average speed: 78.412 mph (126.192 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 3 for 11 laps

Texas

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1131 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing6739:35.6326522
2416 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing67+0.349116
3311 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 67+0.529014
4765 Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 67+0.737012
51064 Flag of Mexico.svg Rolando Quintanilla Roquin Motorsports 67+1.127010
Race average speed: 150.491 mph (242.192 km/h)
Lead changes: 3 between 3 drivers
Cautions: 2 for 8 laps

Milwaukee

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1130 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing10043:27.50310021
2617 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 99-1 lap016
351 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 98-2 laps014
4965 Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 97-3 laps012
5815 Flag of Mexico.svg Rudy Junco Jr. Mexpro Racing97-3 laps010
Race average speed: 142.481 mph (229.301 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 1 for 4 laps

Portland

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1331 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing3858:58.7911621
2815 Flag of Mexico.svg Rudy Junco Jr. Mexpro Racing38+16.134016
3713 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing38+20.501014
41021 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 3828.936012
5964 Flag of Mexico.svg Rolando Quintanilla Roquin Motorsports 38+28.936010
Race average speed: 76.116 mph (122.497 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 3 for 8 laps

Kansas

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1611 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 6740:25.3221920
2731 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing67+0.001016
341 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 67+0.213014
4321 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 67+0.962312
5230 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing67+0.017‡2711
Race average speed: 151.323 mph (243.531 km/h)
Lead changes: 9 between 4 drivers
Cautions: 2 for 7 laps

‡Townsend Bell was penalized two positions for aggressive driving.

Toronto

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1130 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing4351:18.5934322
2117 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 43+7.002016
3431 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing43?014
4921 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 43+8.333012
5665 Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 43+10.658010
Race average speed: 88.959 mph (143.166 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 3 for 6 laps

Mid-Ohio

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1130 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing3450:19.9403422
221 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 34+0.235016
3331 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing34+0.466014
4411 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 34+1.771012
5521 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 34+2.148010
Race average speed: 91.518 mph (147.284 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 3 for 9 laps

Gateway

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
131 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 8043:31.0811120
2417 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 80+23.822016
3821 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 80+624.573014
4516 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing79-1 lap012
5231 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing79-1 lap010
Race average speed: 140.080 mph (225.437 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 1 for 6 laps

Road Atlanta

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
161 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 2942:57.299120
2130 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing29+0.2562818
3331 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing29+2.536014
4517 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 29+4.780012
5232 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fogarty Dorricott Racing29+5.791010
Race average speed: 102.889 mph (165.584 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 1 for 4 laps

Laguna Seca

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1130 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing3444:34.5213422
2232 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fogarty Dorricott Racing34+2.963016
3465 Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 34+9.974014
4631 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing34+16.433012
551 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 34+17.532010
Race average speed: 102.423 mph (164.834 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: none

Fontana

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1130 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing4429:22.6674421
251 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 44+0.051016
3711 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 44+17.354014
4816 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing44+17.356012
5917 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 44+17.361010
Race average speed: 182.334 mph (293.438 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 1 for 3 laps

Championship standings

Drivers' championship

Scoring system
Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th  11th  12th 
Points20161412108654321
PosDriver MTY
Flag of Mexico.svg
LGB
Flag of the United States.svg
TEX
Flag of the United States.svg
MIL
Flag of the United States.svg
POR
Flag of the United States.svg
KAN
Flag of the United States.svg
TOR
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
MOH
Flag of the United States.svg
GAT
Flag of the United States.svg
ATL
Flag of the United States.svg
LAG
Flag of the United States.svg
FON
Flag of the United States.svg
Points
1 Flag of the United States.svg Townsend Bell 2181*165*1*1*9*12*1*1*1192
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dan Wheldon 52*103103721152149
3 Flag of Ireland.svg Damien Faulkner 7131*71*2335347141
4 Flag of Mexico.svg Mario Domínguez 446211102624105120
5 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins 1*32DNS3119124664113
6 Flag of New Zealand.svg Matt Halliday 94445387389
7 Flag of Mexico.svg Luis Díaz 1194497511673688
8 Flag of Denmark.svg Kristian Kolby 65368110480
9 Flag of Mexico.svg Rudy Junco Jr.887529779867
10 Flag of Mexico.svg Rolando Quintanilla 1011585889898962
11 Flag of the United States.svg Jon Fogarty 3129105248
12 Flag of the United States.svg Cory Witherill 9711761181010111044
13 Flag of the United States.svg Geoff Boss 61011
14 Flag of New Zealand.svg Andy Booth 68
15 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Mason103
16 Flag of Brazil.svg Nilton Rossoni 121
PosDriver MTY
Flag of Mexico.svg
LGB
Flag of the United States.svg
TEX
Flag of the United States.svg
MIL
Flag of the United States.svg
POR
Flag of the United States.svg
KAN
Flag of the United States.svg
TOR
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
MOH
Flag of the United States.svg
GAT
Flag of the United States.svg
ATL
Flag of the United States.svg
LAG
Flag of the United States.svg
FON
Flag of the United States.svg
Points
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
(1 point)
ItalicsRan fastest race lap
*Led most race laps
(1 point)
1Qualifying cancelled
no bonus point awarded
  • Ties in points broken by number of wins, or best finishes.

See also

Footnotes

    1. 1 2 3 Qualifying was cancelled due to rain. The grid was set by entrant points entering the race.

    References

    1. "Dan Wheldon wins Rookie of the Year award". Press release. DanWheldon.com. November 5, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
    2. "CART to drop Indy Lights, focus on Atlantic". Press release. CART. September 10, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
    3. "Jon Fogarty out for remainder of 2001". Press release. Dorricott Racing. August 13, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
    4. "Dorricott Racing season finale Fontana preview". Press release. Dorricott Racing. November 1, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.