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INDY 500: Luyendyk to make Indy comeback with Treadway-Hubbard

6 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

INDIANAPOLIS-- Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk announced Jan. 5 that he will end a two-year retirement and return to competition in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing this May, driving for Treadway-Hubbard Racing.

Luyendyk, 47, won auto racings most prestigious event in 1990 and 1997. He last drove in the 1999 Indianapolis 500, where he earned pole position and led strongly until eliminated in a mid-race accident with another car. That was to have been his final event as a driver, but Luyendyk said he is returning because his passion to race, and win, at Indy remains strong. "My desire to keep racing at Indianapolis has never stopped," said Luyendyk, a native of Holland who now resides in Scottsdale, Ariz. "I was in the broadcast booth at Indy last year, working as a commentator for ABC-TV, and realized that probably wasnt where I really wanted to be.

"When I said I was going to retire after the 1999 race, it was part of a plan. Well, as we all know, things change in life, and I now feel this is the right thing for me to do and I have the support of my wife, Mieke, and family.

"You can put it this way: Im coming back for the love of the sport, and especially, the love of Indy."

Luyendyk will drive Treadway-Hubbards G Force/Oldsmobile/Firestone entry with sponsorship to be announced later. Chief mechanic Skip Faul and engineer Tim Wardrop, both part of the 1997 Indy-winning Treadway/Luyendyk combination, will return in those roles.

Luyendyk has started 15 Indianapolis 500s and owns five major records: The one-lap qualifying mark, 237.498 mph, set in 1996.

The four-lap qualifying standard, 236.986 mph, also set in 1996. Luyendyk started 20th that year because he was a second-day qualifier.

The 500-mile average speed record, 185.981 mph, in 1990.

The single-event prize money total of $1,568,150, in 1997, and all-time prize total with some $5.5 million in earnings.

Luyendyk debuted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1985 and finished seventh to earn Rookie of the Year honors. He started third in 1990, led 37 laps, and set the race average speed standard en route to victory lane. After a third-place result in 1991, Arie claimed the pole in 1993, ran in front for 14 laps, and finished second. He started and finished first in 1997, leading 62 laps, to become one of only 15 drivers to have won the race more than once.

Treadway Racing is one of the most successful teams in Indy Racing Northern Light Series history. Luyendyk first joined the team in 1996.

"Arie and I are good friends," said team owner Fred Treadway. "I have told Arie all along that I would support whatever decision he made. Now that Arie has decided to drive again in the Indianapolis 500, I am very happy he will do so with Treadway Racing."

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

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