Wheldon Wins IRL Rookie of the Year Award
25-Year-Old England Native Notches Fourth Rookie Crown
DEERFIELD, Ill. - Oct. 15, 2003 - Dan Wheldon won the 2003 Bombardier Rookie
of the Year title for the Indy Racing League Indy Car Series following the Oct. 12
Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. He has now won the Rookie of the Year title in
every series in which he has competed.
Although Wheldon, the 25-year-old driver of the No. 26 Klein Tools/Jim Beam
Dallara/Honda/Firestone, did not compete in the first two events this season, he still
finished 11th in series points and claimed the Rookie-of-the-Year crown. He finished
third in the season finale, his best finish during a season in which he earned five top-
five finishes and nine top-10 finishes. He won the title by 11 points over his closest
pursuer, Roger Yasukawa.
"It's a real pleasure and honor to be Rookie of the Year in this series because, boy, I
tell you, it's so competitive," Wheldon said. "It's the best championship in the world.
It's so, so competitive. I think that shows you what a good series this is, and I'm
looking to be part of it for a very long time."
"We congratulate Dan on his Rookie of the Year win and are proud to be part of such
a great team," said Adam Dettman, brand manager for Jim Beam. "Our partnership
with Dan and Team AGR has been very rewarding. We are proud to be associated
with such a great competitor and spokesperson. "
Wheldon joined the IRL circuit full time this season after being hired to drive for
Andretti Green Racing. In Team AGR, Wheldon found a wealth of experience in team
owners Michael Andretti, Kim Green and Kevin Savoree. The trio combined to
achieve one Indianapolis 500 victory, two Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART)
championships and countless other accolades. Wheldon is part of a three-car
operation, which includes teammates Tony Kanaan and Bryan Herta.
A native of Emberton, England, and resident of Indianapolis, Wheldon has been fast
since he first set foot on U.S. soil. He moved to the U.S. in 1999 and soon found
himself behind the wheel of a U.S. Formula Ford Series car. He won his first Rookie-
of-the-Year title that season along with the series championship. In 2000 he moved
to the Toyota Atlantic Series. He won another Rookie-of-the-Year title and finished
second in the series championship standings. He repeated those accomplishments in
2001, only in the Indy Lights Series. Wheldon served as a test driver for Panther
Racing's IRL team in 2002 and drove in the final two races of the season as Sam
Hornish Jr.'s teammate.
While the 2003 Bombardier Rookie-of-the-Year title is Wheldon's fourth career
Rookie-of-the-Year honor, it marks the first such title for Jim Beam Brands Co. The
international distilled spirits and fine wines company joined Wheldon's team to
reinforce its No. 1 brand position in the bourbon category with Jim Beam and to
support the company's overall commitment to social responsibility. Wheldon carried
the "Drink Smart" logo throughout the year on his firesuit and car to communicate
the importance of responsible decision-making for those adults of legal age who
choose to drink.
Jim Beam Brands Co. is an operating company of Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc.,
an international distilled spirits and fine wines company that manufactures and
markets more than 80 brands in 160 countries. Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc.
has leadership positions in bourbon, with Jim Beam® and Jim Beam® Black, the
number one selling bourbon worldwide; Knob Creek® bourbon and The Small Batch
Bourbon Collection®; and cordials, with DeKuyper®, the number one cordial line in
the United States. In addition to spirits, the Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc.
portfolio includes Geyser Peak® and Canyon Road®. A joint venture between Jim
Beam Brands Co. and The Absolut Spirits Company, Incorporated, called Future
Brands LLC, provides sales and distribution services in the United States for the
company's spirits and wine brands. Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc. is part of
Fortune Brands, Inc. , the consumer products company.
