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-based series in 1988. With an emphasis on cost savings, ex-CART Indy car chassis were 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, Canada, and Mexico. AIS raced on mostly short ovals and road courses, occasionally splitting a bill with Weekly racing series, Late models, and other short track series. A few street circuits and "roval" races were also held.
The original American Indycar Series ceased at the end of the 2000 season. The AIS was sold to a group led by Barry Brooke and Bobby Brooks. However, the series subsequently folded permanently after only two race meets had been held in 2002. A new management team formed the United States Speedway Series (USSS), which started racing in 2001. The USSS ran for five years under mostly the same format, featuring older chassis from CART and the first generation of IRL (G-Force and Dallara); with a variety of normally aspirated and turbocharged engines. The final season of the USSS was in 2005.
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] |
O Oval
R Road course
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 RY | 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. For 1989, most entries continued to utilize the normally aspirated, stock block Chevrolet V-8 engines. However, some reportedly fielded the Cosworth DFX.
The race meet at Shangri-La was originally scheduled for August 5, but was postponed to September due to rain. [25]
O Oval
R Road course
Pos | Driver | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Robby Unser | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | DNF | 1 | 2 | 1 | 392 |
2 | Bill Scott | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ? | 3 | ? | ? | 3 | 10 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
3 | Richard Griffin RY | 4 | 5 | 7 | DNS | ? | 10 | 6 | ? | 4 | 9 | ? | ? | 2 | 1 | ? | ? | ? |
5 | Bill Tempero | 11 | 12 | 10 | DNS | ? | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 12 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 185 |
The 1990 Machinist Union American Indycar Series was the third season of the AIS. The season consisted of eight races, but one event was rained out. [69] Doubleheader weekends were eliminated, and the series conducted its first race on a street circuit. Bill Tempero, founder of the series, won four of the seven rounds, and won the championship for the first time. Johnny Unser won two races, finished second in points, and was named the rookie of the year. Robby Unser, the 1989 champion, only drove a part-time schedule for 1990, and managed to win one race, the 14th of his AIS career.
The season finale was held on a street course in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Canadian Thanksgiving. Johnny Unser was leading the 25-lap Moosehead Grand Prix on the final lap when he crashed just short of the finish line. Bill Tempero speed by to take the checkered flag, and in doing so, clinched the points championship. [70]
Rd. | Date | Type | Track | Location | Winner | Chassis | Engine | Laps | Miles | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | May 6 | R | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Bill Tempero | March 88C | Chevrolet | 25 | 62.5 | [71] |
2 | June 3 | O | I-70 Speedway | Odessa, Missouri | Robby Unser | Lola T900 | Chevrolet | 300 | 150 | [72] [73] [74] |
3 | June 17 | R | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Hallett, Oklahoma | Bill Tempero | March | Chevrolet | 35 | 63 | [75] |
4 | July 1 | O | Lee USA Speedway | Lee, New Hampshire | Johnny Unser | Lola | Chevrolet | 200 | 75 | [76] |
5 | July 15 | O | Colorado National Speedway | Dacono, Colorado | Johnny Unser | Lola | Chevrolet | 150 | 56.25 | [77] |
6 | September 2 | O | Hawkeye Downs Speedway | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Cancelled due to rain | 125 | 62.5 | [78] | ||
7 | September 16 | R | Gateway International Raceway | Madison, Illinois | Bill Tempero | March | Chevrolet | 100 | 90 | [79] [80] |
8 | October 8 | R | Citadel Hill Park street course | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Bill Tempero | March | Chevrolet | 25 | 28.75 | [81] |
Pos | Driver | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bill Tempero | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | C | 1 | 1 | 150 |
2 | Johnny Unser RY | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | C | 2 | 3 | 145 |
3 | Bill Hansen | ? | 4 | 8 | 6 | ? | C | 3 | ? | 100 |
The 1991 American Indycar Series was the fourth season of the AIS. Bill Tempero won five of the nine races, and won his second consecutive AIS championship. Jimmy Santos, winner of one race, was declared the rookie of the year. A race on a temporary circuit at the Indiana State Fairgrounds was planned, but failed to materialize. [82] A replacement race at Indianapolis Raceway Park was tentatively slated for October 13, but it too was cancelled. Instead, the series races at Benton County Speedway in Chase, Indiana. [83] It was the first Indy car race in the state of Indiana (outside of the Indianapolis 500) since the 1970 Hoosier Hundred. [84] For the first time, the AIS traveled to Mexico, with two separate events.
Pos | Driver | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bill Tempero | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 179 |
2 | Robby Unser | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 158 |
3 | Kevin Whitesides | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 5 | 150 |
4 | Ken Petrie | 3 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 145 |
5 | Johnny Unser | 8 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 11 | 3 | DNP | 109 |
An eleven-race schedule was announced in May 1992, but multiple revisions were made. The final schedule consisted of five races, with Rod Bennett the season champion. Races at Blackhawk Farms, Biggs Army Airfield, Birmingham, Colorado, Utah, San Juan, Garza García, and Guadalajara were all either cancelled or failed to materialize.
Rd. | Date | Track | Location | Winner | Chassis | Engine | Laps | Miles | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | June 21 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Hallett, Oklahoma | Bill Tempero | March | Pontiac | 35 | 63 | [94] |
2 | August 1 | Bonneville Raceway Park | West Valley City, Utah | Jimmy Santos | March | Chevrolet | 150 | 56.25 | [95] |
3 | August 23 | Second Creek Raceway | Denver, Colorado | Ken Petrie | March | Chevrolet | 88 | 149.6 | [96] |
4 | September 13 | Citadel Hill Park street course | Halifax, Nova Scotia | Ken Petrie | March | Chevrolet | 75 | 86.25 | [97] |
5 | November 1 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Johnny Unser | Lola | Cosworth DFX | 60 | 152.4 | [98] |
The 1993 AIS season schedule consisted of 8 to 10 races. Rick Sutherland was the season champion. Races at ARCO Arena, I-70 Speedway (rained out), Sears Point, and possibly other venues were either cancelled or failed to materialize. The season finale was a doubleheader at Willow Springs.
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Laps | Miles | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 9 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Rick Sutherland | 60 | 152.4 | [99] |
June 6 | Reno Hilton street course | Reno, Nevada | Rick Sutherland | 150 | 150 | [100] |
June 20 | Mountain View Motorsports Park | Mead, Colorado | Rod Bennett | [101] | ||
August 7 | Bonneville Raceway Park | West Valley City, Utah | Jimmy Santos | 150 | 56.25 | [102] |
September 25 | I-70 Speedway | Odessa, Missouri | Rained out | 200 | 100 | |
November 20 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | John Morton | 40 | 101.6 | [103] |
November 21 | Bill Tempero | 40 | 101.6 | [104] |
Bill Tempero was the 1994 season chammpion.
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 30 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Bill Tempero | [105] |
May 1 | Bill Tempero | [106] | ||
June 6 | Tri-City Raceway | West Richland, Washington | Ken Petrie | [107] |
July 17 | Mountain View Motorsports Park | Mead, Colorado | Ken Petrie | [108] |
August 27 | Suntana Raceway | Springville, Utah | ||
November 6 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California |
Date | Track | Location | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
May 14 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Bill Tempero [109] |
May 27 | Suntana Raceway | Springville, Utah | Bill Tempero [110] |
July 2 | Toledo Speedway | Toledo, Ohio | Race cancelled |
July 29 | Fort Collins Airpark | Fort Collins, Colorado | |
July 30 | |||
September 2 | Las Vegas Speedway Park | North Las Vegas, Nevada | Jimmy Santos |
September 17 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Hallett, Oklahoma | |
October 8 | Lakeside Speedway | Kansas City, Kansas | |
October 29 | Baja California | Ensenada, Mexico | |
November 12 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California |
Date | Track | Location | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
June 1 | Suntana Raceway | Springville, Utah | Ken Petrie |
June 29 | Race City Speedway | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Jimmy Santos |
June 30 | Bill Tempero | ||
July 13 | Fort Collins Airpark | Fort Collins, Colorado | Ken Petrie |
July 14 | Jaques Lazier | ||
August 4 | I-94 Speedway | Sauk Centre, Minnesota | Greg Gordon |
November 24 | San Juan street circuit | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Date | Track | Location | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
June 30 | Baja California | Ensenada, Mexico | Jimmy Santos |
June 1 | Suntana Raceway | Springville, Utah | |
August 10 | Hawkeye Downs Speedway | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Greg Gordon |
August 16 | Race City Speedway | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Bill Tempero |
September | Tri-City Raceway | West Richland, Washington | Greg Gordon |
In May 1998, the original founder Bill Tempero sold the series to Pan American Motorsports Inc. The original ten-race schedule was reduced to five rounds.
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Chassis | Engine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | Chassis | Engine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | Buick-Menard |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Chassis | Engine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | Sears Point Raceway | Sonoma, California | Juan Carlos Carbonell | Lola | Buick-Menard |
November 26 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona | Mike Lee | G-Force | Oldsmobile Aurora |
The original Bill Tempero-created series ceased after the 2000 season. A continuation of the original AIS was attempted by a group led by Barry Brooke and Bobby Brooks. Five races were scheduled for 2002, but only two weekend meets (three races) are known to have been held. A tentative schedule for 2003 was announced, but the series folded before any were held.
Rd. | Date | Track | Location | Winner |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | April 21 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | North Las Vegas, Nevada | Ehud "Eddie" Nahir |
– | May 19 | Thunderhill Raceway Park | Willows, California | Race cancelled |
2 | June 23 | California Speedway road course | Fontana, California | Ehud "Eddie" Nahir |
3 | June 23 | California Speedway road course | Fontana, California | Ehud "Eddie" Nahir |
– | October 6 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Race cancelled |
– | November 24 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona | Race cancelled |
– | December 15 | Aloha Grand Prix | Honolulu, Hawaii | Race cancelled |
Date | Track | Location |
---|---|---|
February 19 | Fundidora Park | Monterrey, Mexico |
March 23 | California Speedway road course | Fontana, California |
April 27 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | North Las Vegas, Nevada |
May 18 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California |
September 21 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona |
October 5 | Laguna Seca Raceway | Monterey, California |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Chassis | Engine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Motorsports Park | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Mike Lee | Hoffpauir Lola | Buick-Menard |
July 14 | Dodge City Raceway Park | Dodge City, Kansas | Phil Erickson | Fast Line Lola | Buick-Menard |
August 25 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 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 Aurora |
November 25 | Firebird International Raceway | Chandler, Arizona | Greg Gorden | G-Force | Oldsmobile Aurora |
Date | Track | Location | Winner | Chassis | Engine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Aurora |
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 Lola | Buick-Menard |
September 7 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque, New Mexico | 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 | Chassis | Engine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Aurora |
May 18 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Ken Petrie | March | Chevrolet |
June 22 | California Speedway (road course) | Fontana, California | Mike Koss | Lola | Buick-Menard |
July 26 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Mike Koss | Dallara | Oldsmobile Aurora |
August 16 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Mike Lee | Lola | Buick-Menard |
September 1 | St. Johns Airport | St. Johns, Arizona | Ken Petrie | Precision March | Chevrolet |
September 14 | Pikes Peak International Raceway (road) | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force | Oldsmobile Aurora |
October 4 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada | Mike Lee | Lola | Buick-Menard |
Date | Track | Location | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
February 1 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona | Greg Gordon |
March 9 | California Speedway | Fontana, California | |
May 9 | Pikes Peak International Raceway road course | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gordon |
June 26 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Greg Gordon |
July 7 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Andrew Furia |
August 29 | Pikes Peak International Raceway road course | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gordon |
October 3 | Pikes Peak International Raceway road course | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gordon |
November 7 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Greg Gordon |
Date | Track | Location | Winner |
---|---|---|---|
May 8 | Pikes Peak International Raceway road course | Fountain, Colorado | Jim Webb |
July 17 | Pikes Peak International Raceway road course | Fountain, Colorado | Ken Petrie |
September 4 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Bailey Dotson |
October 10 | Pikes Peak International Raceway road course | Fountain, Colorado | Jim Webb |
November 6 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Ken Petrie |
Season | Driver |
---|---|
American Indycar Series | |
1988 | Buddy Lazier |
1989 | Robby Unser |
1990 | Bill Tempero |
1991 | Bill Tempero |
1992 | Rod Bennett |
1993 | Rick Sutherland |
1994 | Bill Tempero |
1995 | Bill Tempero |
1996 | Ken Petrie |
1997 | Ken Petrie |
1998 | Greg Gorden |
1999 | Bill Tempero |
2000 | Mike Lee |
2002 | Eddie Nahir |
United States Speedway Series | |
2001 | Ken Petrie |
2002 | Ken Petrie |
2003 | Mike Koss |
2004 | Greg Gorden |
2005 | Bailey Dotson |
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Race results from the automobile and motorcycle races contested at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Races have been held on seven different track configurations:
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.