Jeff Ward (motorsports)

Last updated

Jeff Ward
JeffWardWithJersey2007.jpg
Ward in 2007
Nationality Flag of the United States.svg American
Born (1961-06-22) 22 June 1961 (age 62)
Glasgow, Scotland
Motocross career
Years active1978–1992
Teams Kawasaki
Championships 125cc (1984)
250cc (1985, 1988)
250 SX (1985, 1987)
500cc (1989, 1990)
Wins56
IndyCar Series career
61 races run over 7 years
Best finish5th (1998)
First race 1998 Indy 200 (Disney)
Last race 2005 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis
First win 2002 Boomtown 500 (Texas)
WinsPodiums Poles
182
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Summer X Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2006 Los Angeles Moto X Super Moto
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2008 Los Angeles Moto X Super Moto
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2007 Los Angeles Moto X Super Moto
Last updated on: 9 December 2021.

Jeffrey Ward (born 22 June 1961) is a British-American former professional motocross racer, auto racing driver and off-road racer. [1] He won the AMA Motocross Championship five times and the AMA Supercross Championship twice and the Motocross des Nations seven times. [1] After retiring from motorcycle competition, Ward turned to auto racing, finishing in second place at the Indianapolis 500 and winning a race at the Texas Motor Speedway. He then competed in off-road truck racing and rallycross. Ward was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and, was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on 12 August 2006. [1] [2]

Contents

Motocross racing career

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Ward moved to the United States with his family when he was four years old. [1] He began to compete in mini-bike motocross racing in Southern California in the 1960s, just as the sport of motocross was experiencing a burgeoning popularity in the United States. [1] Ward became one of the most accomplished mini-bike motocross racers of his era. [1] He appeared in the 1971 motorcycle documentary film, On Any Sunday when he was 10 years old, performing a long wheelie on his mini-bike. [1]

Ward began his professional motocross career in 1978 riding a Suzuki in the 125cc class. [1] The following year, he joined the Kawasaki factory racing team and, would remain with the company for the duration of his motocross career. [1]

Ward won his first AMA national in 1982 and, in 1984 he won his first AMA national championship in the 125cc class, winning eight out of 10 races. [1] It also marked the first 125cc national title for Kawasaki. [1] Ward continued to improve in 1985, edging out Broc Glover to win the Supercross national championship and then capturing the 250cc motocross national championship. [3] [4] He competed in both the 250cc and 500cc national championships in 1986, finishing fourth in the 250cc series and third in the 500cc championship. [5] Ward won his second AMA Supercross championship in 1987 over Ricky Johnson however, he finished second to Johnson in the 250cc national championship. [6] [7] The rivalry with Johnson continued in the 1988 250cc motocross national championship with both Ward and Johnson winning three races, but Ward prevailed by seven points to claim the championship over Johnson. [8]

In 1989, Ward finished second to Jeff Stanton in the 250cc national championship but, defeated Stanton in the 500cc championship thus, becoming the first rider to win AMA motocross national championships in the 125, 250 and 500cc classes. [1] [9] He successfully defended his 500cc crown in 1990 then, finished second in the 1991 500cc championship, nine points behind Jean-Michel Bayle. [10] [11] Ward retired from professional motocross competition after finishing in third place in the 1992 500cc national championship. [12]

In 15 seasons, Ward won a total of 56 national races placing him third on the all-time AMA motocross/Supercross win list at the time of his retirement. [1] He won a total of seven AMA national championships, tying Bob Hannah and Ricky Johnson for the most career motocross and Supercross championships at the time of his retirement. [1] In international motocross competition, Ward was a member of 7 winning U.S. Motocross des Nations teams, and a member of 2 Trophée des Nations winning teams. [1]

Auto racing career

After the end of his motocross career, Ward still had a desire for competition and turned his attention to open-wheel auto racing in the Indy Racing League. [2] He quickly proved to be competitive with a fourth-place finish in the Phoenix round of the 1993 Indy Lights season and a third-place finish at the Nazareth Speedway during the 1994 season. [13] At the 1997 Indianapolis 500 while competing for the Cheever Racing team, Ward qualified on the third row and led the race for 49 laps before finishing the race in third place. [2] His performance earned him the 1997 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award. [14] He improved to a 6th-place finish in the 1998 Indy Racing League season while competing for the ISM Racing team. [13] Ward was contracted to drive for the Pagan Racing team during the 1999 Indy Racing League season and, began the year with a third place at the season opening round at the Walt Disney World Speedway and a second place in Phoenix. [13] He followed this with an impressive second place at the 1999 Indianapolis 500. [2] Ward suffered inconsistent results for the remainder of the 1999 season to finish 11th in the championship. [13] He won the 2002 race at Texas Motor Speedway for the Chip Ganassi Racing team, marking his first and only Indy Car victory. [2] [13] During his open-wheel auto racing career, Ward garnered three top five finishes in seven starts at the Indianapolis 500. [13]

Return to motorcycle racing

At the age of 43, Ward returned to motorcycle racing and won the 2004 AMA Supermoto Championship competing against riders half his age. [1] He won a second Supermoto championship in 2006 at the age of 45. [15] Ward also won the Moto X category at the 2006 X Games, becoming the oldest male gold medalist and the oldest Moto X medalist in X Games history. [16] In 2008, he repeated as the winner of the Moto X category of the 2008 X Games. [17]

Off-road racing

From Indy Car racing, Ward progressed to off-road truck racing, competing in the 2009 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series for the Speed Technologies team. [18] He also competed in the 2013 Stadium Super Trucks Series, finishing 10th in the inaugural race at University of Phoenix Stadium. [19] [20] Ward competed in the Global RallyCross Championship for the Chip Ganassi Racing team in 2015, serving as a replacement driver for former motocross racer Brian Deegan. [21] [22]

Awards and championships

Awards

Championships

AMA Motocross / Supermoto

  • 1984—Won AMA 125cc national motocross title.
  • 1985—Won AMA national 250cc motocross and Supercross titles.
  • 1987—Won second AMA national 250cc Supercross championship.
  • 1988—Captured second AMA national 250cc motocross title.
  • 1989—Won AMA national 500cc motocross championship to become first rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title.
  • 1990—Won second consecutive AMA national 500cc motocross championship.
  • 2004—Won AMA Supermoto Championship at 43 years of age.
  • 2006—Won X-Games Supermoto Championship at 45 years of age.
  • 2006—Won AMA Supermoto Championship (second title)
  • 2008—Won X-Games Supermoto Championship at 47 years of age (second title).

Indy Racing League

  • 1997—Finished third at Indianapolis 500 in maiden effort, finished 30th in IRL season point standings.
  • 1998—Earned career-first pole position at Phoenix IRL race, four top five finishes, finished career-best 6th in IRL season point standings.
  • 1999—Finished career-best second at Indianapolis 500, three top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.
  • 2000—Finished fourth at Indianapolis 500, two top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.
  • 2001—Two top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.
  • 2002—Winner of Boomtown 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, finished ninth at Indianapolis 500, two top five finishes, finished 11th in IRL season point standings.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

  • 2009—Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Rookie of the Year
  • 2009—Dirt Sports Rookie of the Year
  • 2009—2nd Place in Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Championship, behind by 1 point

Racing record

Complete American Open Wheel Racing results

(key)

IRL IndyCar Series

YearTeamChassisNo.Engine1234567891011121314151617RankPointsRef
1996-1997 Galles Racing G-Force GF014 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 NHM LVS WDW
16		 PHX 30th69 [24]
Team Cheever 52 INDY
3		 TXS PPIR CLT NH2
ISM Racing w/ Sinden Racing Services Dallara IR735 LV2
17
1998 ISM Racing G-Force GF01B WDW
2		 PHX
5		 INDY
13		 TXS
17		 NHM
22		 DOV
19		 CLT
2		 PPIR
20		ATL
6		TX2
3		LVS
21		6th252 [25]
1999 G-Force GF01CWDW
3		11th206 [26]
Pagan Racing Dallara IR921PHX
2		 CLT
C		 INDY
2		TXS
18		PPIR
9		ATL
26		DOV
13		PPI2
23		LVS
10		TX2
21
2000 A. J. Foyt Racing G-Force GF0514WDW
7		PHX
11		LVS
21		 INDY
4
TXS
19		PPIR
15		ATL
19		KTY
6		TX2
8		11th176 [27]
2001 Heritage Motorsports G-Force GF05B35PHX
7		HMS
5		ATL
7		 INDY
24		TXS
16		PPIR
12		RIR
8		KAN
Wth		NSH
20		KTY
10		STL
7		CHI
4		11th238 [28]
Infiniti VRH35ADE V8 TX2
24
2002 Chip Ganassi Racing G-Force GF05C9 Chevrolet Indy V8 HMS
4		PHX
18		FON
10		NZR
19		 INDY
9		TXS
1		PPIR
20		RIR
8		KAN
12		NSH
11		MIS
25		KTY
16		STL
13		 CHI
21		TX2
25		11th268 [29]
2005 Vision Racing Dallara IR-0522 Toyota Indy V8 HMSPHXSTPMOT INDY
27		TXSRIRKANNSHMILMISKTYPPIRSNMCHIWGLFON35th10 [30]
Source: [13]

Indianapolis 500

YearChassisEngineStartFinishTeam
1995 Lola Ford-Cosworth Failed to Qualify Arizona
1997 G-Force Oldsmobile 7th3rd Cheever
1998 G-Force Oldsmobile 27th13th Team Tabasco
1999 Dallara Oldsmobile 14th2nd Pagan
2000 G-Force Oldsmobile 6th4th Foyt
2001 G-Force Oldsmobile 8th24th Heritage
2002 G-Force Chevrolet 15th9th Ganassi
2005 Dallara Toyota 31st27th Vision

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233NWCCPtsRef
1998 BMR Motorsports 45 Chevy DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL CLT DOV RCH MCH POC SON NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI NHA DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT TAL DAY PHO
DNQ		 CAR ATL NA- [31]

Complete Global RallyCross Championship results

Supercar

YearEntrantCar123456789101112GRCPoints
2015 Chip Ganassi Racing Ford Fiesta ST FTADAY1
6		DAY2
4		MCASDET1DET2DC
9		LA1LA2BAR1BAR2LVNC-
2016 SH Rallycross Ford Fiesta ST PHO1
7		PHO2
8		DAL
9		DAY1
5		DAY2
7		MCAS1
9		MCAS2†DCACSEALA1LA29th 134

†Race cancelled.

Stadium Super Trucks

(key) (Bold – Pole position. Italics – Fastest qualifier. * – Most laps led.)

Stadium Super Trucks results
Year1234567891011121314SSTCPtsRef
2013 PHO
10		 LBH
8		 LAN
12		 SDG
8		 SDG STL TOR TOR CRA CRA OCF OCF OCF CPL 16th69 [32]
2021 STP STP MOH MOH MOH MOH NSH
6		 NSH
7		 LBH
6		 LBH
7		12th59 [33]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Motorcycle Hall of Fame". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Motorsports Hall of Fame". mshf.com. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "1985 Overall Supercross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "1985 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "1986 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "1987 Overall Supercross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "1987 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "1988 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "1989 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "1990 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "1991 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  12. ↑ "1992 Overall Motocross Points Standings". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Jeff Ward career results". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  14. ↑ Foyt Drivers Dominate Indy Trials
  15. ↑ "Jeff Ward Wins 2006 AMA Supermoto Championship". roadracingworld.com. 9 November 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Jeff Ward Wins X Games Supermoto". motocross.transworld.net. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "X Games 14 - Moto X SuperMoto results". espn.go.com. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "Jeff Ward Switches To Off-Road Trucks". motocrossactionmag.com. 7 April 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "Jeff Ward Enters Stadium SUPER Trucks Debut at University of Phoenix Stadium". Stadium Super Trucks . 26 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  20. ↑ "MacCachren Claims Inaugural Stadium SUPER Trucks Race at University of Phoenix Stadium". Stadium Super Trucks . 7 April 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  21. ↑ "Jeff Ward: Between The Motos". racerxonline.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "Jeff Ward Profile". redbullglobalrallycross.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  23. ↑ Jeff Ward at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
  24. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 1997 Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  25. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  26. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  27. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 2000 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  28. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 2001 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  29. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 2002 Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  30. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 2005 IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  31. ↑ "Jeff Ward – 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  32. ↑ "2013 SST Point Standings". Stadium Super Trucks . Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  33. ↑ "2021 Overall Point Standings". Stadium Super Trucks . Retrieved 9 December 2021.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Indianapolis 500
Rookie of the Year
1997 		Succeeded by
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