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IRL, Indy 500: Champ Brack Earns $1.4 Million of Record '500' Purse

1 June 1999

INDIANAPOLIS - Kenny Brack earned $1,465,190 of the largest purse in motorsports history for winning Sunday's 83rd Indianapolis 500, according to final prize figures announced during the race's Victory Celebration Monday night.

The total 1999 Indianapolis 500 purse of $9,047,150, was an event and motorsports record. The previous event record was $8,722,150, set by last year's Memorial Day classic. The purse is comprised of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Pep Boys Indy Racing League awards, as well as other designated awards.

Brack, from Karlstad, Sweden, beat 32 other starters from the closest qualifying field in the history of the Indianapolis 500. His A.J. Foyt PowerTeam Racing Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear crossed the finish line's yard of bricks 6.562-seconds ahead of Jeff Ward.

Ward, driving his Yahoo-MerchantOnline Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear, earned $583,150 for his performance. The Californian's performance launched him to the top of the Pep Boys Indy Racing League point standings after three races.

Brack's two A.J. Foyt Racing teammates, Billy Boat (3rd) and Robbie Buhl (6th), earned $435,200 and $257,500, respectively. The Foyt drivers earned his team a total of $2,157,890.

Robby Gordon earned $253,270 for finishing fourth. Bank One Rookie of the Year winner Robby McGehee finished fifth and earned $247,750.

Pole-sitter and early race leader Arie Luyendyk earned $382,350 for his 22nd place finish in his last Indianapolis 500 race. Luyendyk's winnings were boosted by the $100,000 earned by claiming the PPG Pole Award.

Brack's winner's purse was the second largest in "500" history, trailing only the $1,568,150 won by Arie Luyendyk in 1997. Luyendyk's total was larger because he won the event from the pole position, earning the PPG Pole Award and other pole-related designated awards.

Prize amounts ranged from Brack's record to 33rd place finisher Eliseo Salazar's $141,000.

The 84th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 28, 2000.

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