Birthdate: May 14, 1969, Neufchateau, France Residence: Vittel, France Ht./Wt.: 5-11, 140 Marital Status: Married (Virgiane) IRL Races: 7 1996 IRL Rank: 13 1996 Prize Money: $255,353 Stephan Gregoire Indianapolis "500" Record (Passed Driver's Test 1993) Car Speed Qual Laps Laps Speed or Year Name Rank Speed SP FP Comp Led Reason Out --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1993 Formula Project 7 220.851 15 19 195 1 Flagged 1996 Hemelgarn/Delta Faucet/Firestone 19 227.596 13 27 59 -- Coil Pack Fire --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total: 2 Races 254 1
Stephan Gregoire was born May 14, 1969, in Neufchateau, France. He started his career behind the wheel of a go-kart, competing in his own country. In 1987, he became the French Karting Champion, the winner of the Volant Motul and the winner of the Best French Young Hope award. By 1990, he had graduated to French Formula 3 cars, winning the "B" title in that series, with nine victories. In 1991, he advanced to the "A" category, finishing the French Formula 3 Championship in ninth place. The next year, he moved up the ladder to the fifth position.
In 1993, he landed on U.S. soil to prepare for the Indy "500." He passed the driver's test on the second day of practice, qualified for a 15th starting position and finished 19th. He had to wait three more years before he could secure a starting position in the Indy again. That day came in 1996; he started 13th and finished 27th (sidelined by coil pack fire). He joined the IRL in 1996, competing in the Indy 200 at Walt Disney World and the Dura-Lube 200 in Phoenix. Gregoire ending the season ranking 13th in points. The next year, he finished 8th at the season opener in Loudon.
1996-97 IRL Season Results Event FP SP Laps Reason Out IRL PTS Prize Money ------------------------------------------------------------------- True Value 200 8 14 192 Running 27 $45,250 Las Vegas 500K 26 25 27 Accident 9 $10,000 Indy 200 19 19 2 Fuel pump 16 $16,300 Phoenix 200 5 19 199 Running 30 $40,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------