This article needs additional citations for verification .(October 2009) |
Sport | Auto racing |
---|---|
Jurisdiction | United States |
Abbreviation | AIS |
Founded | 1988 |
President | Bill Tempero |
Closure date | 2005 |
The American Indycar Series (AIS) was an American open wheel racing series founded in 1988 by racing driver, owner, and businessperson Bill Tempero. The series utilized year-old (and older) chassis and engines from the CART series and later the Indy Racing League. CART and IRL drivers including Buddy Lazier, Jaques Lazier, Robby Unser, and Johnny Unser found early career success in the AIS.
In the mid-1980s, the once-popular Can-Am series was withering, and most teams had already defected to CART or IMSA. The last holdouts formed "CAT" (Can-Am Teams) in 1986 to take over sanctioning of the series as part of the SCCA. Two plans emerged, one keeping the Formula 5000-based cars, and others, led by Bill Tempero who favored using old CART Indy car machines. During 1986 and 1987, the CAT races were run essentially as two-class races, with the familiar full-bodied Formula 5000 cars racing alongside ex-CART Indy cars. [1] [2] CAT folded after the 1987 season.
Tempero then broke off and started his Indy car series in 1988. With an emphasis on cost savings, the cars would be powered by 5.9 L (360 in3) normally aspirated, stock block Chevrolet V-8 engines. Buddy Lazier was the first season champion. Tempero himself won one race that year, and placed third in the final season points standings.
As the series slowly began to gain competitors, the teams were allowed to run a choice of two powerplants. The aforementioned stock block Chevy, or the Buick V-6 in turbocharged or normally aspirated configuration. An equivalency formula was determined to provide for competitive balance among the different engine combinations. The chassis utilized were the March, Lola, Reynard, Eagle, and Penske from CART competition. In later years, G-Force and Dallara chassis from IRL competition saw use as well. Over the years, the AIS series had a predominantly western-based schedule, but did also have races in New York, the South, and Canada. AIS ran on mostly short ovals and road courses.
The series was reborn with new management in 2001–2002. A new management team formed the United States Speedway Series (USSS), while a new AIS under different management conducted races as well. The USSS ceased racing after 2005; the AIS shut down after 2002.
The 1988 Valvoline-Machinists Union American Indycar Series [3] was the inaugural season of the American Indycar Series. After running mixed-class races with ex-Indy car chassis alongside the full-bodied Formula 5000-based machines in the Can-Am series in 1986–1987, this represented the first full season for Bill Tempero's Indy car series. The cars were powered by stock block Chevrolet engines, ranging from 275 to 400 cubic inch displacement. [3] The chassis were mostly used Marches and Lolas from CART competition in 1985–1986.
The season consisted of eight races beginning at Willow Springs in California. Three of the events were to be hosted as twin-race weekends, with the season finale consisting of twin races at Willow Springs. Three of the races were held on 1⁄2 mile ovals, and rest were held on road courses. Buddy Lazier won the first season championship, with six wins out of the eight contested races. Kevin Whitesides placed second in points, posting three runner-up finishes, and was declared the rookie of the year.
Rd. | Date | Type | Track | Location | Winner | Chassis | Engine | Tire | Laps | Miles | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 1 | R | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Buddy Lazier | March 85C | Chevrolet | H | 40 | 101.6 | [4] |
2 | June 19 | R | Gateway International Raceway | Madison, Illinois | Buddy Lazier | March 85C | Chevrolet | H | 54 | 118.8 | [5] |
3 | July 3 | R | Mountain View Motorsports Park | Mead, Colorado | Robby Unser | Lola | Chevrolet | H | 100 | 100 | [6] |
4 | July 23 | O | Shangri-La Motor Speedway | Owego, New York | Buddy Lazier | March 85C | Chevrolet | H | 100 | 50 | [7] |
July 23 | Cancelled due to rain | 100 | 50 | ||||||||
5 | September 3 | O | Race City Speedway | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Buddy Lazier | March 86C | Chevrolet | H | 125 | 62.5 | [8] |
6 | September 4 | O | Bill Tempero | Lola | Chevrolet | H | 125 | 62.5 | [9] | ||
7 | October 9 | R | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Buddy Lazier | March 85C | Chevrolet | H | 24 | 60.96 | [10] |
8 | October 9 | R | Buddy Lazier | March 85C | Chevrolet | H | 24 | 60.96 | [11] |
Pos | Driver | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Buddy Lazier | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 152 |
2 | Kevin Whitesides | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 112 |
3 | Bill Tempero | 9 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 110 |
4 | Robby Unser | DNS | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 97 |
5 | John Eskuri | 5 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 73 |
The 1989 Machinists Union American Indycar Series was the second season of the AIS. The season consisted of eight doubleheader weekends, for a total of sixteen races. Robby Unser won 12 of the 16 races, and won the season championship. Buddy Lazier only ran a part-time schedule, splitting time with his CART commitments. Lazier won three races, and finished 7th in points. Richard Griffin won one race and was declared the rookie of the year.
The race meet at Shangri-La was originally scheduled for August 5, but was postponed to September due to rain. [25]
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2012) |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 5 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Hallett, Oklahoma | Shayne Stephens | Lola/Buick-Menard |
June 13 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Mike Lee | March/Chevrolet |
July 28 | Hawkeye Downs Speedway | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Ken Petrie | March/Chevrolet |
September 20 | Race City Speedway | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Ken Petrie | March/Chevrolet |
September 20 | Birmingham International Raceway | Birmingham, Alabama | Greg Gorden | Lola/Buick-Menard |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 23 | La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway | West Salem, Wisconsin | Ken Petrie | March/Chevrolet |
June 20 | Mountain View Motorsports Park | Mead, Colorado | Bill Tempero | Lola/Buick-Menard |
July 10 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Jimmy Santos | Lola/Chevrolet |
September 5 | Exposition Park street circuit | Los Angeles | Bill Tempero | Lola/Menard |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 19 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Hallett, Oklahoma | Greg Gorden | Lola/Buick-Menard |
July 3 | St. Johns Airpark | St. Johns, Arizona | Jimmy Santos | Reynard/Ilmor-Mercedes-Benz |
August 14 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Juan Carlos Carbonell | Lola/Buick-Menard |
October 16 | Infineon Raceway | Sonoma, California | Juan Carlos Carbonell | Lola/Buick-Menard |
November 26 | Phoenix | Avondale, Arizona | Mike Lee | G Force/Aurora |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 8 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway (road) | Las Vegas, Nevada | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
May 13 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
June 16 | Sandia Motor Speedway | Albuquerque | Mike Lee | Hoffpauir Lola/Menard Buick |
July 14 | Dodge City Raceway Park | Dodge City, Kansas | Phil Erickson | Fast Line Lola/Buick-Menard |
August 25 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
September 30 | Firebird International Raceway | Chandler, Arizona | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
October 14 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
November 25 | Firebird International Raceway | Chandler, Arizona | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 20 | San Antonio Speedway | San Antonio | Ken Petrie | Fast Line Lola/Buick-Menard |
May 5 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
June 15 | Dodge City Raceway Park | Dodge City, Kansas | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
July 27 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
August 18 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Mike Lee | Hoffpauir Menard Lola |
September 7 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
October 5 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
December 1 | Firebird International Raceway | Chandler, Arizona |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 12 | San Antonio Speedway | San Antonio | Eric Koselke March/Chevrolet | |
May 4 | Pikes Peak International Raceway (road) | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
May 18 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Ken Petrie March/Chevrolet | |
June 22 | California Speedway (road) | Fontana, California | Mike Koss Lola/Menard-Buick | |
July 26 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Mike Koss | Dallara/Oldsmobile |
August 16 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque | Mike Lee | Lola-Menard Buick |
September 1 | St. Johns Airport | St. John's Arizona | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
September 14 | Pikes Peak International Raceway (road) | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
October 4 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada | Mike Lee | Lola-Menard Buick |
Robert Buddy Lazier is an American auto racing driver, best known for winning the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and the 2000 Indy Racing League season championship.
Jaques Lazier 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.
Team Menard was an auto racing team that competed in the Indianapolis 500, CART, Indy Racing League, NASCAR Cup Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team was owned by Menards founder, John Menard Jr. Founded in 1980 to compete in CART, from 1991 to 1996 they modified their own Buick V6 engines for racing. This combination won pole for the 500 with Scott Brayton in 1995 and 1996; Tony Stewart used this combination for the first part of his 1996-1997 IRL Championship. With more stringent regulations, the team continued to shine winning the 1999 championship with Greg Ray. However, with the influx of former CART teams to the IRL in the early 2000s, Team Menard struggled to compete for wins and the team merged in 2004 with Panther Racing, although their car continued to carry Menard's colors and be driven first by Mark Taylor, who was then replaced by Townsend Bell. In 2005, Menard's was an associate sponsor for another team and the former Menard No. 2 car driven by Tomáš Enge carried no identification to its Menard lineage. For 2006, the No. 2 car was dropped by Panther and all vestiges of the once dominant Team Menard lineage disappeared until the spring of 2008 when Menards became a primary sponsor on the No. 20 Vision Racing Dallara driven by Ed Carpenter in the IndyCar Series.
Panther Racing was an American open wheel auto racing team. It was one of the oldest continually operating teams in the IndyCar Series.
The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series was dominated by two teams, Andretti Green Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing. While there was great parity in 2003 between Honda and Toyota powered teams, in 2004 Honda began to outshine Toyota bringing their teams Penske Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing down with it, leaving Scott Dixon winless and in 10th place in his attempt to defend his 2003 championship.
The 1996–97 Indy Racing League was the second season contested by the Indy Racing League. Tony Stewart was the champion, while Arie Luyendyk won the Indianapolis 500. The lengthy season was a result of the league abandoning the concept of ending each season with the Indianapolis 500. The 1996–97 season would ultimately consist of the two races that followed the Indy 500 in the calendar year of 1996, and all events contested in the calendar year of 1997. It also saw the introduction of a new chassis and engine package.
The 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League was one of relative stability compared to the previous two seasons. For the first time the season consisted of a single and complete spring, summer, and fall like all other motorsports. 15 drivers completed the entire 11 race schedule, twice as many as the previous season. It was also the first complete season for the new Riley & Scott chassis, though it proved unpopular due to its late introduction. A. J. Foyt Enterprises drivers captured 4 wins, the Indy 500 pole, and the championship, arguably the most successful year in the team's history.
The 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League was highly competitive and parity was the order of the year. Team Menard had a very good season with their driver Greg Ray capturing 3 race wins and the series championship. This was the last year before CART teams began to break ranks and jump to the IRL.
The 2000 Indy Racing Northern Light Series was another season that saw a high level of parity, as only one driver, champion Buddy Lazier, won more than a single race. It also saw the beginning of the jump from CART as Al Unser Jr. moved to the series full-time and Chip Ganassi Racing came over to run the Indy 500, which it won with driver Juan Pablo Montoya. It was also the final season for the Riley & Scott chassis, which also saw its first series win in 2000.
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 returned to the Indy 500 with four cars and were joined on the grid by Penske Racing and Team Kool Green. Sam Hornish Jr. won 3 races on his way to the championship while the less consistent Buddy Lazier won four races on his way to second place in his title defense.
The 2002 Indy Racing League (IRL) was one of transition, with two reigning CART championship teams, Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi Racing, joining the series with full time entries. The Oldsmobile engine was rebranded as a Chevrolet, and both Honda and Toyota announced their participation in the series starting in 2003 while Infiniti announced its withdrawal.
The 2003 IRL IndyCar Series brought some of the biggest changes in its history. The league adopted the name IndyCar Series, after a settlement with CART prohibiting its use had expired. Several former CART teams brought their full operations to the IRL, most notably major squads Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Green Racing, as well as former CART engine manufacturers Toyota and Honda, replacing Infiniti who shifted its efforts to the new feeder series Infiniti Pro Series. Many of the IRL's old guard including Robbie Buhl, Greg Ray, and Buddy Lazier had difficulty competing in this new manufacturer-driven landscape. The league also added its first international race this year, taking over the CART date at Twin Ring Motegi.
Hemelgarn Racing was an American auto racing team owned by Ron Hemelgarn. The team debuted in 1985, and competed in the CART and Indy Racing League ranks until the team originally shut down in 2010. The team returned to competition in 2015, and currently competes full-time in the USAC Silver Crown Series with driver Justin Grant. Grant won the 2020 championship for the team.
The 80th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 26, 1996. This was the first Indy 500 contested as part of the new Indy Racing League, under the overall sanctioning umbrella of USAC. It was the third and final race of the 1996 IRL season. Veteran driver and former AIS champion Buddy Lazier won the race, his first career victory in top-level Indy car competition. Lazier's victory came just over two months after he suffered a broken back in a crash at Phoenix. Lazier's victory marks the last Indy victory for Ford, the second of two all-time victories for Reynard, and was the first victory for Firestone since 1971.
The Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 was an IndyCar Series race held at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, United States.
The Michigan 500 was an IndyCar Series race held at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Held from 1981 to 2001, the event was held in high prestige, constituting part of Indy car racing's 500-mile "Triple Crown".
The 1980 CART PPG Indy Car World Series season was the second in the CART era of U.S. open-wheel racing. It consisted of twelve races, beginning in Ontario, California on April 13 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 8. The PPG Indy Car World Series Drivers' Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford. Rookie of the Year was Dennis Firestone. The entire season, including the 64th Indianapolis 500, was to be co-sanctioned by both the USAC and CART under the banner of the Championship Racing League (CRL). However, USAC withdrew from the arrangement after five races.
Project Indy was a car racing team owned by Andreas Leberle that competed in the CART Championship Car series and the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. Leberle was a former chief mechanic for Euromotorsport, and like Euromotorsport, Project Indy's cars were often driven by pay drivers. The team was founded in 1994 and operated through the 1998 CART season. Their only appearance in the IRL was with Johnny Unser for two of the three races of the 1996 season and the two 1996 races of the 1996–1997 season, which were competed with CART-spec equipment. The best race finish registered by a Project Indy driver was 7th place by Christian Danner in the 1995 Marlboro Grand Prix of Miami. In 1998 the team was known as Project CART due to not being allowed to use the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's "Indy" trademark as the team by then only participated in CART.
The 1996 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World was the first round of the 1996 Indy Racing League, and the inaugural event for the Indy Racing League, who initiated the American open-wheel split that would last for 12 years. The race was held on January 27, 1996, at the 1.000 mi (1.609 km) Walt Disney World Speedway in Bay Lake, Florida. The race was won by a rookie driver, Buzz Calkins, after leading 130 laps. Future Indy Racing League and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart also made his Indy car debut, finishing second after a late-race duel with Calkins.
The 2002 Delphi Indy 300 was an Indy Racing League (IRL) motor race that took place on September 8, 2002, at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, in front of approximately 50,000 spectators. It was the 14th of 15 scheduled rounds of the 2002 Indy Racing League and the second annual running of the event. Panther Racing driver Sam Hornish Jr. won the 200-lap race from pole position with the closest margin of victory in the IRL of 0.0024 seconds over Al Unser Jr. of Kelley Racing. Third place was Hemelgarn Racing's Buddy Lazier.