1996–97 Indy Racing League

The 1996–97 Indy Racing League was the second season contested by the Indy Racing League. Tony Stewart was the champion, while Arie Luyendyk won the Indianapolis 500. The lengthy season was a result of the league abandoning the concept of ending each season with the Indianapolis 500. The 1996–97 season would ultimately consist of the two races that followed the Indy 500 in the calendar year of 1996, and all events contested in the calendar year of 1997. It also saw the introduction of a new chassis and engine package.

1996–97 Indy Racing League season
Indy Racing League
1996–97 Indy Racing League
Season
Races10
Start dateAugust 18, 1996
End dateOctober 11, 1997
Awards
Drivers' championUnited States Tony Stewart
Manufacturers' CupUnited States Oldsmobile
Rookie of the YearUnited States Jim Guthrie
Indianapolis 500 winnerNetherlands Arie Luyendyk
Tony Stewart (left) won his first and only Drivers' Championship while Davey Hamilton (right) finished second in the championship.

The 1996–97 season was originally scheduled to begin at New Hampshire in August 1996 and end with the Indianapolis 500 in May 1997. At some point in the summer of 1996, the consensus regarding the unusual split-calendar season was decidedly unfavorable. Omitting the normal winter offseason caused potential difficulty with driver contracts, sponsor contracts, and equipment purchasing, which all traditionally followed a calendar-based schedule.[1] In addition, the months of November, December, and most of January were not expected to be filled with race dates, since few suitable venues (outside of Orlando) were available in warm-weather locations. It was felt the long winter gap between races was disruptive and disjointed, and came at a time of year when auto racing was traditionally on hiatus anyway.

Following the 1996 races at New Hampshire and Las Vegas, on October 9, 1996, the Indy Racing League announced that the league would revert to a calendar-based schedule for 1998.[1] To avoid awarding four championships in less than two and a half years, all events contested in the calendar year of 1997 were added to the two aforementioned races held in 1996. Now combined, a single seventeen-month 1996–1997 championship would be awarded in October 1997.

The two remaining races in 1996 (New Hampshire and Las Vegas) were contested with the same equipment as the 1996 season. All races that took place in the calendar year of 1997, starting with the race at Orlando, were contested with all new purpose-built oval chassis from G-Force and Dallara with stock block naturally aspirated 4.0 liter V8's from Oldsmobile and Infiniti. Only seven drivers competed in all ten races of this seventeen-month-long marathon schedule.

Confirmed entries

Team Chassis Engine Tires No. Driver(s) Round(s)
United States ABF Motorsports Lola T92/00 Buick G 96 United States Joe Gosek  R  1
United States Dave Steele  R  2
United States A. J. Foyt Enterprises Lola T95/00[N 1]
Dallara[N 2]
G-Force
Ford-Cosworth[N 1]
Oldsmobile
G 1 United States Scott Sharp[N 3] 1–5, 7
United States Johnny O'Connell 5
United States Paul Durant  R [N 4] 5
United States Billy Boat  R  6, 8–10
11 5
14 United States Davey Hamilton All
United States Arizona Motorsports[N 5]
United States Sinden Racing Services
Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth G
F[N 6]
40 Brazil Marco Greco[N 7] 1–2
Dallara Oldsmobile
Infiniti[N 8]
United States Dr. Jack Miller  R  3–10
44 United States Steve Kinser  R  5
United States Allen May  R  6
United States Beck Motorsports Lola T94/00 Ford-Cosworth F 54 United States Robbie Buhl 1–2
Dallara Infiniti United States Dennis Vitolo 5
United States Blueprint Racing Lola T93/00[N 1]
Dallara
Menard[N 9]
Buick[N 10]
Oldsmobile
F 16 United States Johnny Parsons 2
United States Sam Schmidt  R  4–6
27 United States Jim Guthrie  R [N 4] All
72 Canada Claude Bourbonnais[N 11] 5
United States Bradley Motorsports Reynard 95I[N 1]
G-Force
Ford-Cosworth[N 1]
Oldsmobile
F[N 1]
G
12 United States Buzz Calkins[N 12] 1–7, 9–10
United States Byrd-Cunningham Racing Reynard 95I[N 1]
G-Force
Ford-Cosworth[N 1]
Infiniti[N 13]
Oldsmobile
F 10 United States Mike Groff[N 14] 1–5, 8
United States Johnny Unser 6–7, 9
United States Paul Durant  R  10
United States Chastain Motorsports G-Force Oldsmobile G 77 France Stéphan Grégoire 3–5, 7–10
United States Chitwood Motorsports Dallara Oldsmobile G 17 United States Danny Ongais 3
Brazil Affonso Giaffone  R  4–10
United States Della Penna Motorsports Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth G 4 United States Richie Hearn 1–2
Italy EuroInternational Dallara Oldsmobile F 50 United States Billy Roe  R  4–5
United States Galles Racing G-Force Oldsmobile G 4 United States Davy Jones 3
United States Jeff Ward  R  3
Sweden Kenny Bräck  R  4–10
70 Brazil Marco Greco 7–10
United States Hemelgarn Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth[N 1]
Infiniti
Oldsmobile[N 15]
F 9 United States Brad Murphey  R  1–2
Reynard 95I[N 1]
Dallara
United States Johnny Unser 5, 10
90 United States Lyn St. James 5
91 United States Buddy Lazier All
United States ISM Racing Dallara Oldsmobile G 35 United States Jeff Ward  R [N 16] 10
United States IZ Racing Dallara Infiniti G 95 United States Tyce Carlson  R  10
Sweden Johansson Motorsports G-Force Infiniti F 36 United States Scott Harrington  R  5
United States Knapp Motorsports Dallara Oldsmobile F 97 United States Greg Ray  R [N 17] 5–8, 10
United States LP Racing Dallara Oldsmobile F 99 United States Sam Schmidt  R  8–10
United States McCormack Motorsports Lola T94/00 Ford-Cosworth G 30 United States Stan Wattles  R  1–2
G-Force Oldsmobile United States Jeret Schroeder  R  3–4
United States Robbie Groff  R  5–10
United States Metro Racing Systems Riley & Scott Oldsmobile G 19 United States Stan Wattles  R  10
United States Nienhouse Motorsports Riley & Scott Oldsmobile G 23 United States Mike Shank  R  10
United States Pagan Racing Reynard 95I[N 9]
Reynard 94I[N 10]
Dallara
Ford-Cosworth[N 1]
Infiniti[N 18]
Oldsmobile
G 21 Colombia Roberto Guerrero All
United States PDM Racing Lola T93/00[N 1]
Dallara
G-Force[N 19]
Menard[N 1]
Oldsmobile
G 18 United States John Paul Jr. 1–5, 8–10
United States Tyce Carlson  R  5–6
United States Billy Boat  R  7
28 United States Tyce Carlson  R  1–2
United States Kelley RacingPDM United States Mark Dismore 5–10
United States Project Indy Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth G 64 United States Johnny Unser 1–2
United States Roe Racing Dallara Oldsmobile F 24 United States Billy Roe  R  10
United States Team Cheever Lola T95/00[N 1]
G-Force
Menard[N 1]
Oldsmobile
G 51 United States Eddie Cheever All
52 United States Jeff Ward  R  5
United States Team Menard Lola T95/00[N 1]
G-Force
Menard[N 1]
Oldsmobile
F 2 United States Tony Stewart All
3 United States Mark Dismore 1–2
United States Robbie Buhl[N 20] 4–6, 9–10
United States Team SABCO G-Force Oldsmobile G 42 United States Robby Gordon 5
United States Team Scandia Lola T95/00[N 1]
Reynard 95I[N 21]
Lola T94/00[N 22]
Dallara
Ford-Cosworth[N 1]
Oldsmobile
G 7 Chile Eliseo Salazar[N 23] 1–2, 5–10
8 France Stéphan Grégoire 2
Italy Vincenzo Sospiri  R  5–6
22 France Stéphan Grégoire 1
Mexico Michel Jourdain Jr. 2
Brazil Marco Greco 3–6
Italy Vincenzo Sospiri  R  7–10
33 Italy Michele Alboreto 1–2
Spain Fermín Vélez  R [N 4] 3–6
United States Jimmy Kite  R  7–10
34 Brazil Affonso Giaffone  R  2
Italy Alessandro Zampedri 5–6
United States Tempero/Giuffre Racing Lola T93/00 Buick G 15 United States David Kudrave 1
Chile Juan Carlos Carbonell  R  2
United States Treadway Racing Reynard 95I[N 1]
Reynard 94I[N 24]
G-Force
Ford-Cosworth[N 1]
Oldsmobile
F 5 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk All
6 United States Johnny O'Connell 1–2
Canada Scott Goodyear 3–10
United States Walker Racing Reynard 95I Ford-Cosworth G 50 United States Robby Gordon 2

Season Summary

Schedule

Tony Stewart's championship car.
Rd Date Race Name Track City
1 August 18 True Value 200 New Hampshire International Speedway Loudon, New Hampshire
2 September 15 1996 Las Vegas 500K Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas, Nevada
3 January 25 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Walt Disney World Speedway Bay Lake, Florida
4 March 23 Phoenix 200 Phoenix International Raceway Phoenix, Arizona
5 May 26–27 81st Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speedway, Indiana
6 June 7 True Value 500 Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Texas
7 June 29 Samsonite 200 Pikes Peak International Raceway Fountain, Colorado
8 July 27 VisionAire 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, North Carolina
9 August 17 Pennzoil 200 New Hampshire International Speedway Loudon, New Hampshire
10 October 11 1997 Las Vegas 500K Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas, Nevada

All races running on Oval/Speedway.

After the 1996 prologue-style, 3-race season that ended at the 80th Indianapolis 500, the 1996–97 season had just two further races in calendar year 1996, at New Hampshire International Speedway, a former CART venue, and a barely inaugurated Las Vegas Motor Speedway. On 9 October 1996, the IRL decided to revert to a calendar-based format for 1998, moving the intended end of the 1996–97 season at Indianapolis in May to Las Vegas in October.[2]

For calendar year 1997, all five races from 1996 were held again, alongside three further races, contested consecutively in the summer months after the Indianapolis 500. Two new venues, Texas Motor Speedway and Pikes Peak International Raceway, was followed by IRL's first incursion in a NASCAR foothold, the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Texas and Charlotte held the first night races in Indy-car history, and became the first 1.5 mile banked oval racetracks in an Indy-car schedule since Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1983.

Race results

Round Race Pole position Fastest lap Most laps led Race Winner Report
Driver Team
1 New Hampshire 1 United States Richie Hearn United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart United States Scott Sharp A. J. Foyt Enterprises Report
2 Las Vegas 1 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk United States Richie Hearn United States Richie Hearn United States Richie Hearn Della Penna Motorsports Report
3 Walt Disney World United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart United States Eddie Cheever Team Cheever Report
4 Phoenix United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart United States Jim Guthrie Blueprint Racing Report
5 Indianapolis Netherlands Arie Luyendyk United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart Netherlands Arie Luyendyk Treadway Racing Report
6 Texas United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart Netherlands Arie Luyendyk Treadway Racing Report
7 Pikes Peak United States Scott Sharp United States Jimmy Kite United States Tony Stewart United States Tony Stewart Team Menard Report
8 Charlotte United States Tony Stewart United States Billy Boat United States Tony Stewart United States Buddy Lazier Hemelgarn Racing Report
9 New Hampshire 2 Brazil Marco Greco Italy Vincenzo Sospiri United States Eddie Cheever United States Robbie Buhl Team Menard Report
10 Las Vegas 2 United States Billy Boat United States Billy Boat Chile Eliseo Salazar Chile Eliseo Salazar Team Scandia Report

True Value 200

The True Value 200 was held on August 18, 1996 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Richie Hearn qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 1Scott Sharp
  2. 12Buzz Calkins
  3. 33Michele Alboreto
  4. 10Mike Groff
  5. 14Davey Hamilton
  6. 21Roberto Guerrero
  7. 40Marco Greco
  8. 22Stéphan Grégoire
  9. 7Eliseo Salazar
  10. 18John Paul Jr.

Las Vegas 500K (1996)

The Las Vegas 500K was held on September 15, 1996 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Arie Luyendyk qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 4Richie Hearn
  2. 22Michel Jourdain Jr.
  3. 10Mike Groff
  4. 21Roberto Guerrero
  5. 33Michele Alboreto
  6. 12Buzz Calkins
  7. 7Eliseo Salazar
  8. 54Robbie Buhl
  9. 40Marco Greco
  10. 34Affonso Giaffone
  • Failed to qualify: 96-Dave Steele
  • Hearn's only IndyCar win. Because he and his team, Della Penna Motorsports, were switching to CART for 1997, he would not compete in any more IRL races for the remainder of the season.
  • The slow pace of the race, consisting of nine cautions, caused ABC to leave just past the halfway point.
  • Johnny O'Connell had a violent crash on lap 185 that resulted in him sliding upside down on the main straightaway.
  • Johnny Parsons' final IndyCar race. He had started IndyCar races since 1969. In this race, he crashed on lap nine and finished 28th (last).

Indy 200

The Indy 200 was held on January 25, 1997 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Tony Stewart qualified on the pole position. The race was shortened from 200 laps to 149 laps due to rain.

Top 10 results

  1. 51Eddie Cheever
  2. 10Mike Groff
  3. 6Scott Goodyear
  4. 1Scott Sharp
  5. 91Buddy Lazier
  6. 27Jim Guthrie
  7. 14Davey Hamilton
  8. 22Marco Greco
  9. 33Fermin Velez
  10. 2Tony Stewart
  • Failed to qualify: 4-Davy Jones
  • Cheever's first IndyCar win.
  • Buzz Calkins was leading when his engine failed on lap 145. Stewart took the lead, but crashed on the following lap. Cheever inherited the lead and the race was stopped three laps later.
  • Danny Ongais' final IndyCar race. He finished 13th due to a crash after 94 laps.

Phoenix 200

The Phoenix 200 was held on March 23, 1997 at Phoenix International Raceway. Tony Stewart qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 27Jim Guthrie
  2. 2Tony Stewart
  3. 14Davey Hamilton
  4. 22Marco Greco
  5. 77Stéphan Grégoire
  6. 10Mike Groff
  7. 21Roberto Guerrero
  8. 12Buzz Calkins
  9. 18John Paul Jr.
  10. 16Sam Schmidt
  • Failed to qualify: 17-Danny Ongais and 54-Robbie Buhl
  • Guthrie's only IndyCar win. He stretched his fuel over the final 82 laps and the $170,100 payout allowed him to settle off his debts from getting a second mortgage.
  • Kenny Bräck and Sam Schmidt made their IndyCar debuts in this race. Bräck led 24 laps, but crashed on lap 146 and finished 11th. Schmidt crashed on lap 176, but finished 10th.

Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 was scheduled for May 25, 1997. Rain postponed the start until the following day: Monday, May 26. After 15 laps were run on Monday, rain fell again, halting the race, and postponing it for another day. It was resumed and run to conclusion Tuesday, May 27. Arie Luyendyk qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 5Arie Luyendyk
  2. 6Scott Goodyear
  3. 52Jeff Ward
  4. 91Buddy Lazier
  5. 2Tony Stewart
  6. 14Davey Hamilton
  7. 11Billy Boat
  8. 3Robbie Buhl
  9. 30Robbie Groff
  10. 33Fermin Velez
  • Failed to qualify: 1-Scott Sharp, 1-Johnny O'Connell, 18-John Paul Jr. and 36-Scott Harrington
  • On lap 199, the caution came when Stewart brushed the wall and it was expected that the race would end under caution. However, the green flag came out without warning before the final lap and caution lights were still displayed around the track, causing confusion if the race was really restarted.
  • Treadway Racing's cars finished 1st and 2nd, making it the first time since 1962 with Leader Card Racing that a team finished 1st and 2nd.
  • The starting grid was expanded from 33 to 35 cars due to the 25/8 rule (which guaranteed the top 25 cars in the IRL standings a starting position, provided they meet a minimum speed) causing cars outside the fastest 33 to qualify. As a result, Lyn St. James and Johnny Unser were added to the rear of the field.
  • A crash during the pace lap caused all of row 5 (Stéphan Grégoire, Affonso Giaffone and Kenny Bräck) to retire.
  • Sharp was injured in a practice crash and replaced by O'Connell, who then was injured in practice. Paul Durant successfully qualified via the 25/8 rule (see above) and finished 21st.

True Value 500

The True Value 500 was held June 7, 1997 at Texas Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 5Arie Luyendyk
  2. 1Billy Boat
  3. 14Davey Hamilton
  4. 6Scott Goodyear
  5. 2Tony Stewart
  6. 51Eddie Cheever
  7. 7Eliseo Salazar
  8. 97Greg Ray
  9. 8Vincenzo Sospiri
  10. 10Johnny Unser
  • Failed to qualify: 10-Mike Groff, 36-Scott Harrington, 50-Billy Roe, 77-Stéphan Grégoire and 90-Lyn St. James
  • Boat was initially declared the winner due to a scoring error. Luyendyk came into victory lane to protest, but was slapped by A. J. Foyt. The error was eventually realized and Luyendyk was declared the winner. Foyt still has the original trophy.
  • Stewart appeared to be on his way to his first win when his engine blew, causing him to then crash, on lap 207.
  • Points leader Groff was injured in practice. Unser drove in his place to a 10th-place finish.
  • In the aftermath of the scoring error, USAC was removed as sanctioning body and the IRL went in-house.

Samsonite 200

The Samsonite 200 was held on June 29, 1997 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Scott Sharp qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 2Tony Stewart
  2. 77Stéphan Grégoire
  3. 14Davey Hamilton
  4. 51Eddie Cheever
  5. 12Buzz Calkins
  6. 22Vincenzo Sospiri
  7. 6Scott Goodyear
  8. 91Buddy Lazier
  9. 17Affonso Giaffone
  10. 30Robbie Groff
  • Failed to qualify: 3-Robbie Buhl and 27-Jim Guthrie
  • Stewart's first IndyCar win.
  • Scott Sharp returned in this race and qualified on the pole position. However, he crashed on the first lap and re-injured himself, missing the rest of the season.
  • 1st race for the IRL race control

VisionAire 500

The VisionAire 500 was held on July 26, 1997 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 91Buddy Lazier
  2. 1Billy Boat
  3. 6Scott Goodyear
  4. 17Affonso Giaffone
  5. 4Kenny Bräck
  6. 51Eddie Cheever
  7. 2Tony Stewart
  8. 77Stéphan Grégoire
  9. 70Marco Greco
  10. 7Eliseo Salazar

Pennzoil 200

The Pennzoil 200 was held August 17, 1997 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Marco Greco qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 3Robbie Buhl
  2. 22Vincenzo Sospiri
  3. 5Arie Luyendyk
  4. 7Eliseo Salazar
  5. 4Kenny Bräck
  6. 21Roberto Guerrero
  7. 18John Paul Jr.
  8. 1Billy Boat
  9. 51Eddie Cheever
  10. 30Robbie Groff
  • Failed to qualify: 10-Mike Groff and 97-Greg Ray
  • Buhl's first IndyCar win.
  • Mike Groff was injured once again in practice and missed the remainder of the season.
  • Entering the season finale at Las Vegas, Tony Stewart led Davey Hamilton by 10 points.

Las Vegas 500K (1997)

The Las Vegas 500K was held on October 11, 1997 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole.

Top 10 results

  1. 7Eliseo Salazar
  2. 6Scott Goodyear
  3. 3Robbie Buhl
  4. 27Jim Guthrie
  5. 28Mark Dismore
  6. 33Jimmy Kite
  7. 14Davey Hamilton
  8. 19Stan Wattles
  9. 77Stéphan Grégoire
  10. 70Marco Greco
  • Salazar's only IndyCar win.
  • Tony Stewart would win the championship by six points over Hamilton by virtue of finishing 11th to Hamilton's 7th.
  • On lap 201, Roberto Guerrero lost control on the back straightway and flipped through the grass.

Driver standings

Pos Driver NH1
LV1
WDW
PHX
INDY
TXS
PIK
CMS
NH2
LV2
Pts
1 United States Tony Stewart 12* 21 10* 2* 5* 5* 1* 7* 14 11 278
2 United States Davey Hamilton 5 11 7 3 6 3 3 16 17 7 272
3 United States Eddie Cheever 15 25 1 12 23 6 4 6 9* 21 230
3 Brazil Marco Greco 7 9 8 4 16 26 13 9 20 10 230
5 Canada Scott Goodyear 3 17 2 4 7 3 16 2 226
6 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk 13 20 12 22 1 1 15 21 3 25 223
7 Colombia Roberto Guerrero 6 4 17 7 27 13 18 17 6 14 221
8 United States Buddy Lazier 19 24 5 21 4 17 8 1 12 31 209
9 Chile Eliseo Salazar 9 7 24 7 12 10 4 1* 208
10 United States Buzz Calkins 2 6 11 8 11 19 5 21 28 204
11 France Stéphan Grégoire 8 26 19 5 31 2 8 15 9 192
12 United States Jim Guthrie  RY  23 13 6 1 26 21 Wth 12 24 4 186
13 United States Robbie Buhl 22 8 18 8 16 1 3 170
14 United States Mike Groff 4 3 2 6 12 Wth 14 Wth 169
15 United States John Paul Jr. 10 15 18 9 Wth 11 7 12 163
16 Brazil Affonso Giaffone  R  10 13 32 20 9 4 18 15 159
17 United States Mark Dismore 20 17 28 11 11 19 11 5 158
18 United States Billy Boat  R  7 2 19 2 8 23 151
19 Sweden Kenny Bräck  R  11 33 18 14 5 5 20 139
20 United States Robbie Groff  R  9 15 10 13 10 18 135
21 Italy Vincenzo Sospiri  R  17 9 6 20 2 22 134
22 United States Scott Sharp 1 16 4 16 Wth 22 119
23 United States Dr. Jack Miller  R  15 20 20 24 16 23 19 29 114
24 United States Johnny Unser Wth 22 18 10 21 13 19 107
25 United States Tyce Carlson  R  11 23 19 14 24 84
26 Spain Fermín Vélez  R  9 14 10 25 82
27 United States Jimmy Kite  R  20 15 23 6 76
27 United States Sam Schmidt  R  10 34 23 18 22 27 76
29 United States Greg Ray  R  25 8 17 22 30 73
30 United States Jeff Ward  R  16 3 17 69
31 United States Stan Wattles  R  16 18 8 63
32 Italy Michele Alboreto 3 5 62
33 United States Richie Hearn 14 1* 59
34 United States Billy Roe  R  15 22 13 55
35 United States Jeret Schroeder  R  14 19 37
36 Mexico Michel Jourdain Jr. 2 33
37 United States Robby Gordon 14 29 27
38 United States Brad Murphey  R  18 27 25
39 Italy Alessandro Zampedri 35 12 24
40 United States Johnny O'Connell 12 Wth 23
40 United States Paul Durant  R  21 26 23
42 United States Danny Ongais 13 22
42 United States Lyn St. James 13 22
44 United States Steve Kinser  R  14 21
45 United States Dennis Vitolo 15 20
46 United States Mike Shank  R  16 19
47 United States David Kudrave 17 18
48 Chile Juan Carlos Carbonell  R  19 16
49 United States Joe Gosek  R  21 14
50 United States Allen May  R  22 13
51 United States Johnny Parsons 28 7
52 Canada Claude Bourbonnais 30 5
United States Dave Steele  R  Wth 0
United States Scott Harrington  R  DNQ 0
United States Davy Jones Wth 0
Pos Driver NH1
LV1
WDW
PHX
INDY
TXS
PIK
CMS
NH2
LV2
Pts
Color Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green 4th & 5th place
Light Blue 6th–10th place
Dark Blue Finished
(Outside Top 10)
Purple Did not finish
(Ret)
Red Did not qualify
(DNQ)
Brown Withdrawn
(Wth)
Black Disqualified
(DSQ)
White Did not start
(DNS)
Blank Did not
participate
(DNP)
Not competing
In-line notation
Bold Pole position
(2 points)
Italics Ran fastest race lap
* Led most race laps
(1 point)
DNS Any driver who qualifies
but does not start (DNS),
earns all the points
had they taken part.
 RY  Rookie of the Year
 R  Rookie
  • Ties in points broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., and then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.

See also

Footnotes

  1. Used in the 1996 races.
  2. Used at Walt Disney World. Billy Boat used it at the Indy 500 and Las Vegas 2, and Scott Sharp used it at Pikes Peak.
  3. Injured in a practice crash at Indianapolis and at Pikes Peak.
  4. Not considered rookie for Indy 500.
  5. Official name of the team for the #40 entry for sponsorship reasons.
  6. Used by Dr. Jack Miller.
  7. Run in conjunction with Team Scandia.
  8. Used by Dr. Jack Miller from Indianapolis onwards.
  9. Used at New Hampshire 1.
  10. Used at Las Vegas 1.
  11. Considered rookie only for the Indy 500.
  12. Injured in a testing crash at New Hampshire.
  13. Used from Walt Disney World to Pikes Peak.
  14. Injured in practice crashes at Texas and New Hampshire 2.
  15. Used by Buddy Lazier from Indianapolis onwards.
  16. Run in conjunction with Sinden Racing Services.
    1. 31 at Charlotte because of a technical/sponsorship deal with Richard Childress Racing.
  17. Used from Walt Disney World to Texas.
  18. Used at Las Vegas 2 by John Paul Jr.
  19. Injured in a testing crash prior to Pikes Peak.
  20. Used by Michele Alboreto.
  21. Used by Affonso Giaffone.
  22. Injured in a testing crash at Walt Disney World.
  23. Used by Johnny O'Connell.

References

  1. "IRL season will go with the calendar". The Indianapolis Star. October 10, 1996. p. 34. Retrieved July 3, 2018 via Newspapers.com.open access
  2. "Seasons to change to calendar years". Motorsport.com. 1996-10-09. Archived from the original on 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
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