INDY 500: Four former winners; 94 cars entered for 85th Indianapolis 500
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 18, 2001
INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, April 18, 2001 - Indianapolis 500 champions Eddie Cheever Jr., Buddy Lazier, Arie Luyendyk and Al Unser Jr., along with notable drivers Michael Andretti, Gil de Ferran, Scott Goodyear and Sam Hornish Jr. headline an all-star field entered for the 85th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indianapolis 500.
Fifty entries totaling 94 cars were officially filed for the Indy Racing Northern Light Series-sanctioned event, scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m. (EST) Sunday, May 27.
Cheever, the 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner and owner and full-time driver for the Cheever Indy Racing team, will pilot the #51 Excite@Home Indy Race Car Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone. Joining him at Indianapolis is Goodyear, Cheever Indy Racing's test driver and twice a runner-up at the "500." Goodyear will drive the No. 52 Cheever Indy Racing Dallara/Infiniti/Firestone.
Lazier, the defending Northern Light Series champion, won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has been the most consistent driver at the race since his win. He finished fourth in the grueling race in 1997, second in 1998 and 2000, and seventh in 1999. Lazier, of Vail, Colo., will drive the No. 91 Tae-Bo/Coors Light/LifeFitness/Delta Faucet Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone for Hemelgarn Racing in his quest for a second Indianapolis 500 championship.
Luyendyk is coming out of retirement from Northern Light Series competition and will drive the No. 5 Meijer G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone for Treadway Racing. Luyendyk won the "500" in 1997 and 1990, when he set the race record with an average speed of 185.981 mph. He had a commanding lead in 1999, his last Indianapolis 500 appearance, when a crash relegated him to a 22nd-place finish.
Unser, the 1992 and 1994 Indianapolis 500 champion, returns with Galles Racing in the No. 3 Galles Racing Starz SuperPak G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone with unfinished business after a disappointing return in 2000. The 2000 Indianapolis 500 was his first since 1994, and Unser's car suffered overheating problems after it was damaged by debris. Unser completed 89 laps and finished 29th.
The 2001 Indianapolis 500 also marks the return of drivers Michael Andretti and Gil de Ferran to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Andretti, the son of 1969 Indianapolis 500 champion Mario Andretti, will drive the No. 39 Motorola/Archipelago Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone for Team Green. Despite 40-career wins in the CART series, Andretti has led the most laps of any driver at the Indianapolis 500 - 382 laps - without a victory.
Andretti narrowly lost to Rick Mears in a late-race duel in 1991, the same year he won his only CART series championship, and was leading in 1992 when his car suffered fuel pressure problems with only 11 laps to go.
de Ferran, the defending CART series champion, is returning to the "500" along with Roger Penske-owned Penske Racing, the winningest race team in Indianapolis 500 history. de Ferran and teammate Helio Castroneves, an Indy rookie, will attempt to add to Penske's record 10 Indianapolis 500 victories.
de Ferran's one previous start at Indianapolis came in 1995 for Hall Racing. He was involved in a first-lap accident and was credited with completing one lap before retiring in 29th.
Hornish is the hottest driver in open-wheel racing after winning the first two Northern Light Series races of 2001. The sensational 21-year-old driver from Defiance, Ohio, will drive the #4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara/Oldsmobile/Firestone for Panther Racing.
Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, which won the 2000 Indianapolis 500 with driver Juan Montoya, is returning to Indianapolis this year with rookie drivers Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian. Both will drive Target/Chip Ganassi Racing G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone entries.
The Indianapolis 500 returns to a three-week format this year, with Opening Day scheduled for Sunday, May 6. MBNA Pole Day is May 12, the second day of qualification is May 13 and Bump Day is May 20.
500 Festival Community Day is May 23 and Coors Carb Day, featuring the final practice session for the elite 33-car starting field, is May 24.
ENTRY SUMMARY:
DRIVERS (38)
Former race winners (4): Arie Luyendyk, 2 (1990, 1997); Al Unser Jr., 2 (1992, 1994); Eddie Cheever Jr. (1998); Buddy Lazier (1996).
Former pole winners (4): Arie Luyendyk, 3, (1993, 1997, 1999); Billy Boat (1998); Greg Ray (2000); Al Unser Jr. (1994).
Rookies (10): Didier André, Helio Castroneves, Brandon Erwin, Felipe Giaffone, Shigeaki Hattori, Jon Herb, Bruno Junqueira, Casey Mears, Nicolas Minassian, Cory Witherill.
U.S. born (25): Michael Andretti, Billy Boat, Robbie Buhl, Buzz Calkins, Eddie Cheever Jr., Mark Dismore, Brandon Erwin, Sarah Fisher, Robby Gordon, Davey Hamilton, Jon Herb, Sam Hornish Jr., Buddy Lazier, Jaques Lazier, Robby McGehee, Casey Mears, Jack Miller, John Paul Jr., Greg Ray, Jeret Schroeder, Scott Sharp, Al Unser Jr., Johnny Unser, Stan Wattles, Cory Witherill.
Foreign born (13): Didier André, France; Helio Castroneves, Brazil; Airton Daré, Brazil; Gil de Ferran, France; Felipe Giaffone, Brazil; Scott Goodyear, Canada; Stephan Gregoire, France; Shigeaki Hattori, Japan; Bruno Junqueira, Brazil; Arie Luyendyk, The Netherlands; Nicolas Minassian, France; Eliseo Salazar, Chile; Jeff Ward, Scotland.
Youngest: Sarah Fisher, 20.
Oldest: Arie Luyendyk, 47.
Most previous starts: Arie Luyendyk, 15.
CARS (94)
Chassis: Dallara 62, G Force 30, TBA 2.
Engines: Oldsmobile 84; Infiniti 8, TBA 2.
Indy Racing Northern Light Series
85th Indianapolis 500
At Indianapolis Motor Speedway
May 27, 2001
Official Entry List
Car
Driver
Hometown
Car Name
C/E/T
Entrant
Chief Mechanic
2
Greg Ray
Plano, Texas
Johns Manville/Menards
D/O/F
Team Menard
Gary Neal
2T
Greg Ray
Plano, Texas
Johns Manville/Menards
D/O/F
Team Menard
Gary Neal
3
Al Unser Jr.
Albuquerque, N.M.
Galles Racing Starz SuperPak Budweiser
G/O/F
Galles Racing
Donnie Miller
3T
Al Unser Jr.
Albuquerque, N.M.
Galles Racing Starz SuperPak Budweiser
G/O/F
Galles Racing
Donnie Miller
4
Sam Hornish Jr.
Defiance, Ohio
Pennzoil Panther Dallara
D/O/F
Panther Racing
Kevin Blanch
4T
Sam Hornish Jr.
Definace, Ohio
Pennzoil Panther Dallara
D/O/F
Panther Racing
Kevin Blanch
5
Arie Luyendyk
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Meijer
G/O/F
Treadway-Hubbard Racing
Skip Faul
5T
Arie Luyendyk
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Meijer
G/O/F
Treadway-Hubbard Racing
Skip Faul
6
Jon Herb (R)
Chicago
Tri Star Motorsports Inc.
D/O/F
Tri Star Motorsports
Bill Curry
7
Stephan Gregoire
Vittel, France
Jack K. Elrod Co./Tokheim/NADA Guides
D/O/F
Dick Simon Racing
Rich Simon
7T
Stephan Gregoire
Vittel, France
Jack K. Elrod Co./Tokheim/NADA Guides
G/O/F
Dick Simon Racing
Rich Simon
8
Scott Sharp
Norwalk, Conn.
Delphi Automotive Systems
D/O/F
Kelley Racing
Robert Perez
8T
Scott Sharp
Norwalk, Conn.
Delphi Automotive Systems
D/O/F
Kelley Racing
Robert Perez
9
Jeret Schroeder
Vineland, N.J.
Purity Products
D/O/F
PDM Racing
Paul Murphy
9T
Jeret Schroeder
Vineland, N.J.
Purity Products
D/O/F
PDM Racing
Paul Murphy
10
Robby McGehee
St. Louis
Cahill Racing
D/O/F
Cahill Racing
Kevin Hertle
10T
Robby McGehee
St. Louis
Cahill Racing
D/O/F
Cahill Racing
Kevin Hertle
11
Jack Miller
Indianapolis
Olympus/Opalescence/Cahill Racing
D/O/F
Cahill Racing
Kevin Hertle
11T
Jack Miller
Indianapolis
Olympus/Opalescence/Cahill Racing
D/O/F
Cahill Racing
Kevin Hertle
12
Buzz Calkins
Denver
Bradley Food Marts/Sav-O-Mat
D/O/F
Bradley Motorsports
Todd Tapply
12T
Buzz Calkins
Denver
Bradley Food Marts/Sav-O-Mat
D/O/F
Bradley Motorsports
Todd Tapply
14
Eliseo Salazar
Santiago, Chile
Harrah's A.J. Foyt Racing
D/O/F
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Bill Spencer
14T
Eliseo Salazar
Santiago, Chile
Harrah's A.J. Foyt Racing
D/O/F
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Bill Spencer
15
Sarah Fisher
Commercial Point, Ohio
Walker Racing Kroger Special
D/O/F
Walker Racing
Ron Catt
15T
Sarah Fisher
Commercial Point, Ohio
Walker Racing Kroger Special
D/O/F
Walker Racing
Ron Catt
16
Cory Witherill (R)
Santa Monica, Calif.
WSA/MOTORS/Indy Regency Racing
G/O/F
Indy Regency Racing
Marc Walpot
17
TBA
TBA
Dick Simon Racing
TBA
Dick Simon Racing
TBA
17T
TBA
TBA
Dick Simon Racing
TBA
Dick Simon Racing
TBA
18
Johnny Unser
Hailey, Idaho
Truscelli Team Racing
D/O/F
Truscelli Team Racing
TBA
19
TBA
TBA
Della Penna Motorsports
D/O/F
Della Penna Motorsports
TBA
20
TBA
TBA
TBA
D/O/F
Kelley Racing
TBA
20T
TBA
TBA
TBA
D/O/F
Kelley Racing
TBA
21
Felipe Giaffone (R)
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Hollywood
G/O/F
Treadway-Hubbard Racing
Phil McRobert
21T
Felipe Giaffone (R)
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Hollywood
G/O/F
Treadway-Hubbard Racing
Phil McRobert
22
TBA
TBA
Johns Manville/Menards
D/O/F
Team Menard
Gary Neal
22T
TBA
TBA
Johns Manville/Menards
D/O/F
Team Menard
Gary Neal
23
TBA
TBA
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
G/I/F
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
John O'Gara
23T
TBA
TBA
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
G/I/F
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
John O'Gara
24
Robbie Buhl
Cleveland
Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
G/I/F
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
John O'Gara
24T
Robbie Buhl
Cleveland
Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
G/I/F
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
John O'Gara
25
TBA
TBA
Walker Racing Special
D/O/F
Walker Racing
TBA
25T
TBA
TBA
Walker Racing Special
D/O/F
Walker Racing
TBA
27
TBA
TBA
Blueprint Racing Special
G/O/F
Blueprint Racing Enterprises
Russ Glashan
27T
TBA
TBA
Blueprint Racing Special
G/O/F
Blueprint Racing Enterprises
Russ Glashan
28
Mark Dismore
Greenfield, Ind.
Delphi Automotive Systems/Bryant Heating & Cooling
D/O/F
Kelley Racing
Glenn Scott
28T
Mark Dismore
Greenfield, Ind.
Delphi Automotive Systems/Bryant Heating & Cooling
D/O/F
Kelley Racing
Glenn Scott
30
Brandon Erwin (R)
Denton, Texas
WorldBestBuy.com/McCormack Motorsports
G/O/F
McCormack Motorsports
Larry Sisk
30T
Brandon Erwin (R)
Denton, Texas
WorldBestBuy.com/McCormack Motorsports
G/O/F
McCormack Motorsports
Larry Sisk
31
Casey Mears (R)
Bakersfield, Calif.
Galles Racing SportsLine.com Budweiser
G/O/F
Galles Racing
John King
32
Didier André (R)
Lyon, France
Galles Racing
G/O/F
Galles Racing
Brian Heriza
32T
Didier André (R)
Lyon, France
Galles Racing
G/O/F
Galles Racing
Brian Heriza
33
Nicolas Minassian (R)
Marseilles, France
Target Chip Ganassi Racing
G/O/F
Chip Ganassi Racing Teams
Simon Hodgson
33T
Nicolas Minassian (R)
Marseilles, France
Target Chip Ganassi Racing
G/O/F
Chip Ganassi Racing Teams
Simon Hodgson
35
Jeff Ward
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Heritage Motorsports/Firestone/Menards
G/O/F
Heritage Motorsports
Tim Whiting
35T
Jeff Ward
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Heritage Motorsports/Firestone/Menards
G/O/F
Heritage Motorsports
Tim Whiting
37
TBA
TBA
TBA
D/O/F
Brayton Racing
TBA
37T
TBA
TBA
TBA
D/O/F
Brayton Racing
TBA
38
TBA
TBA
Nienhouse Motorsports
D/O/F
Nienhouse Motorsports
TBA
38T
TBA
TBA
Nienhouse Motorsports
D/O/F
Nienhouse Motorsports
TBA
39
Michael Andretti
Nazareth, Pa.
Motorola/Archipelago
D/O/F
Team Green
Simon Morley
39T
Michael Andretti
Nazareth, Pa.
Motorola/Archipelago
D/O/F
Team Green
Simon Morley
41
Robby Gordon
Orange, Calif.
A.J. Foyt Racing
D/O/F
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Dave Milby
41T
Robby Gordon
Orange, Calif.
A.J. Foyt Racing
D/O/F
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Dave Milby
44
Bruno Junqueira (R)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Target Chip Ganassi Racing
G/O/F
Chip Ganassi Racing Teams
Barry Wanser
44T
Bruno Junqueira (R)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Target Chip Ganassi Racing
G/O/F
Chip Ganassi Racing Teams
Barry Wanser
51
Eddie Cheever Jr.
Phoenix
#51 Excite@Home Indy Race Car
D/I/F
Cheever Indy Racing
Owen Snyder
51T
Eddie Cheever Jr.
Phoenix
#51 Excite@Home Indy Race Car
D/I/F
Cheever Indy Racing
Owen Snyder
52
Scott Goodyear
Toronto
Cheever Indy Racing
D/I/F
Cheever Indy Racing
Dane Harte
52T
Scott Goodyear
Toronto
Cheever Indy Racing
D/I/F
Cheever Indy Racing
Dane Harte
55
Shigeaki Hattori (R)
Okayama, Japan
EPSON
D/O/F
Vertex-Cunningham Racing
Jamie Nanny
55T
Shigeaki Hattori (R)
Okayama, Japan
EPSON
D/O/F
Vertex-Cunningham Racing
Jamie Nanny
60
TBA
TBA
Tri Star Motorsports Inc.
D/O/F
Tri Star Motorsports
Bill Curry
60T
TBA
TBA
Tri Star Motorsports Inc.
D/O/F
Tri Star Motorsports
Bill Curry
66
Gil de Ferran
Paris
Marlboro Team Penske
D/O/F
Penske Racing
Matt Jonsson
66T
Gil de Ferran
Paris
Marlboro Team Penske
D/O/F
Penske Racing
Matt Jonsson
68
Helio Castroneves (R)
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Marlboro Team Penske
D/O/F
Penske Racing
Rick Rinaman
68T
Helio Castroneves (R)
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Marlboro Team Penske
D/O/F
Penske Racing
Rick Rinaman
77
Jaques Lazier
Vail, Colo.
Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria TeamXtreme
G/O/F
Jonathan Byrd TeamXtreme Racing
Tommy O'Brien
77T
Jaques Lazier
Vail, Colo.
Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria TeamXtreme
G/O/F
Jonathan Byrd TeamXtreme Racing
Tommy O'Brien
81
John Paul Jr.
Muncie, Ind.
Zali Racing Capital Funding LLC
G/O/F
Zali Racing
Richard Moyer
88
Airton Daré
Bauru, Brazil
1-800-BAR NONE TeamXtreme
G/O/F
TeamXtreme Racing
Derrick Stepan
88T
Airton Daré
Bauru, Brazil
1-800-BAR NONE TeamXtreme
G/O/F
TeamXtreme Racing
Derrick Stepan
91
Buddy Lazier
Vail, Colo.
Tae-Bo/Coors Light/Life Fitness/Delta Faucet
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
Dennis LaCava
91T
Buddy Lazier
Vail, Colo.
Tae-Bo/Coors Light/Life Fitness/Delta Faucet
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
Dennis LaCava
92
Stan Wattles
Sewall's Point, Fla.
Hemelgarn/Firestone/Dallara/Oldsmobile
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
Ron Heck
92T
Stan Wattles
Sewall's Point, Fla.
Hemelgarn/Firestone/Dallara/Oldsmobile
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
Ron Heck
93
TBA
TBA
Metro Management/Super Fitness/Firestone
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
TBA
93T
TBA
TBA
Metro Management/Super Fitness/Firestone
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
TBA
94
TBA
TBA
Hemelgarn Racing
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
TBA
94T
TBA
TBA
Hemelgarn Racing
D/O/F
Hemelgarn Racing
TBA
98
Billy Boat
Phoenix
CURB Records
D/O/F
Curb-Agajanian-Beck Motorsports
Rob Long
98T
Billy Boat
Phoenix
CURB Records
D/O/F
Curb-Agajanian/Beck Motorsports
Rob Long
99
Davey Hamilton
Las Vegas
Sam Schmidt Motorsports Racing Special
D/O/F
Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Steve Dunlap
99T
Davey Hamilton
Las Vegas
Sam Schmidt Motorsports Racing Special
D/O/F
Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Steve Dunlap
Legend: Chassis: D=Dallara, G=G Force. Engine: O=Oldsmobile, I=Infiniti. Tire: F=Firestone. (R)=Indianapolis 500 Rookie. Issued: 04/17/01
Text provided by Paul Kelly
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit
The Racing Photo Museum and the
Visions of Speed Art Gallery.