INDY 500: Heritage Motorsports files entry for 85th Indianapolis 500

April 6, 2001

INDIANAPOLIS - Heritage Motorsports, a new team with historic ties to the Indianapolis 500, filed an entry April 5 for the 85th edition of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

1997 Indianapolis 500 Bank One Rookie of the Year Jeff Ward was named as the driver for Heritage, formed in November 2000 and partially owned by John Mecom III and Jim Rathmann Jr.

Mecom's father, John, owned the car that Graham Hill drove to victory in the 1966 Indianapolis 500. Rathmann's father, Jim, beat Rodger Ward in a classic duel to win the 1960 Indianapolis 500.

The 85th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 27. Entries must be postmarked by April 11. All drivers will compete for one of the 33 starting spots in the world's most prestigious auto race.

Ward, from San Juan Capistrano, Calif., will drive the No. 35 Heritage Motorsports Firestone Menards G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone, with an identical backup car entered. Tim Whiting is the chief mechanic, and Mitch Davis is the team manager.

Few drivers have enjoyed more success recently at Indianapolis than Ward. He finished third as a rookie in 1997, 13th in 1998, second in 1999 and fourth last year.

Ward finished seventh in the season-opening Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200 last month at Phoenix in the debut of the team.

Text provided by Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos and racing art, please visit The Racing Image Galleries and The Visions of Speed Art Gallery

.