IRL: Luyendyk Entered for Final Drive at Indianapolis
23 March 1999
By Paul Kellyindy500.com
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Barnhart Motorsports entered Davey Hamilton and Brant Racing submitted an entry for Andy Michner.
Luyendyk, winner in 1990 and 1997, will retire as an open-wheel driver after this year's Indianapolis 500, May 30.
He holds many records at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including:
.Fastest race average speed: 185.981 mph, 1990.
.Fastest qualifying speed, one lap: 237.498 mph, 1996.
.Fastest average qualifying speed, four laps: 236.986 mph, 1996.
Luyendyk also has won the PPG Pole at this event twice, in 1993 and 1997. He also recorded the fastest unofficial practice lap, 239.260 mph, in 1996. He will attempt to become just the ninth driver to win the world's most prestigious race three times. He has made 14 consecutive starts in the Indianapolis 500, starting with his debut in 1985. He was named the event's Rookie of the Year in 1985 after finishing seventh.
This year Luyendyk will drive the #5 Sprint PCS-Meijer G Force/Aurora/Firestone fielded by Treadway Racing. He won the 1997 Indianapolis 500 for Treadway.
Rick Hurford is chief mechanic, with Skip Faul as team manager. Two-time Pep Boys Indy Racing League runner-up Hamilton will drive the #25 Barnhart Motorsports-Spinal Victory Dallara/Aurora/Goodyear. Hamilton joined the new Barnhart team in March 1999 and will make his debut with the team at the MCI WorldCom 200 on March 28 at Phoenix International Raceway. Brian Nott is the chief mechanic.
Hamilton's best finish in this event was fourth in 1998, in his third career start at the Speedway.
Michner will drive the #3 Brant Racing R&S MKV Riley & Scott/Aurora/Goodyear. He finished eighth last year at Indianapolis in his Pep Boys Indy Racing League debut, one of four rookies in the top 10. Mike Anderson will serve as Michner's chief mechanic, with Mark Scott as team manager.
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