2001 Indy Lights season

The 2001 CART PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Championship Powered By Buick consisted of 12 races. It was dominated by Townsend Bell who captured six victories on his way to the championship. It was the last Indy Lights season, as the series organizer, CART, decided to drop the Indy Lights series and concentrate its efforts on the Toyota Atlantic Championship.[2] Most former Indy Lights teams that wished to stay in business went either to the Atlantic series, which replaced Indy Lights as the support race at most CART events, or the new Infiniti Pro Series, which ran in support of Indy Racing League events.

2001 Indy Lights season
PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Championship Powered by Buick
Season
Races12
Start dateMarch 11
End dateNovember 4
Awards
Drivers' championUnited States Townsend Bell
Teams' championUnited States Dorricott Racing
Rookie of the YearUnited Kingdom Dan Wheldon[1]

Team and driver chart

All teams utilized Lola T97/20 chassis with Buick V6 engines.

Team No. Drivers Round(s)
Brian Stewart Racing 2 United States Larry Mason 2
3 New Zealand Andy Booth 2
Conquest Racing 11 Denmark Kristian Kolby 1–8
New Zealand Matt Halliday 12
21 4–11
Brazil Nilton Rossoni 1
Dorricott Racing 30 United States Townsend Bell All
31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner All
32 United States Jon Fogarty 1–4, 10–11[3][4]
United States Geoff Boss 7–8
Indy Regency Racing 12 United States Cory Witherill 1–2, 4–12
Mexpro Racing 15 Mexico Rudy Junco Jr. 1–6, 8–9, 11–12
16 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins All
PacWest Lights 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon All
17 Mexico Mario Domínguez All
Roquin Motorsports 64 Mexico Rolando Quintanilla All
65 Mexico Luis Díaz All

Schedule

Rd. Date Track Location
1 March 11  R  Fundidora Park Monterrey, Mexico
2 April 8  R  Long Beach street circuit Long Beach, California
3 April 28  O  Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Texas
4 June 3  O  Milwaukee Mile West Allis, Wisconsin
5 June 24  R  Portland International Raceway Portland, Oregon
6 July 8  O  Kansas Speedway Kansas City, Kansas
7 July 15  R  Exhibition Place Toronto, Canada
8 August 12  R  Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio
9 August 26  O  Gateway International Raceway Madison, Illinois
10 October 5  R  Road Atlanta Braselton, Georgia
11 October 14  R  Laguna Seca Raceway Monterey, California
12 November 4  O  California Speedway Fontana, California

Race results

Round Circuit Pole position Fastest lap Most laps led Race winner
Driver Team
1 Mexico Fundidora Park Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexico Mario Domínguez Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing
2 United States Long Beach street circuit Mexico Mario Domínguez United States Townsend Bell United Kingdom Dan Wheldon United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
3 United States Texas Motor Speedway Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner United States Jon Fogarty Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing
4 United States Milwaukee Mile United States Townsend Bell[lower-alpha 1] United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
5 United States Portland International Raceway United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing
6 United States Kansas Speedway Mexico Mario Domínguez Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner United States Townsend Bell Denmark Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing
7 Canada Exhibition Place United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
8 United States Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
9 United States Gateway International Raceway United States Townsend Bell[lower-alpha 1] United Kingdom Dan Wheldon United States Townsend Bell United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights
10 United States Road Atlanta United States Townsend Bell United States Jon Fogarty United States Townsend Bell United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights
11 United States Laguna Seca Raceway United States Townsend Bell Mexico Luis Díaz United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing
12 United States California Speedway United States Townsend Bell[lower-alpha 1] Mexico Mario Domínguez United States Townsend Bell United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing

Race summaries

Monterrey

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 1 16 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing 35 54:48.128 35 22
2 3 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 35 +0.179 0 16
3 5 32 United States Jon Fogarty Dorricott Racing 35 +5.799 0 14
4 4 17 Mexico Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 35 +6.334 0 12
5 10 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 35 +9.437 0 10
Race average speed: 80.625 mph (129.753 km/h)
Lead changes: 0
Cautions: 0

Long Beach

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 6 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 38 57:13.430 5 20
2 3 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 38 +3.775 33 17
3 5 16 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing 38 +5.342 0 14
4 1 17 Mexico Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 38 +5.862 0 13
5 7 11 Denmark Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 38 +12.326 0 10
Race average speed: 78.412 mph (126.192 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 3 for 11 laps

Texas

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 1 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 67 39:35.632 65 22
2 4 16 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing 67 +0.349 1 16
3 3 11 Denmark Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 67 +0.529 0 14
4 7 65 Mexico Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 67 +0.737 0 12
5 10 64 Mexico Rolando Quintanilla Roquin Motorsports 67 +1.127 0 10
Race average speed: 150.491 mph (242.192 km/h)
Lead changes: 3 between 3 drivers
Cautions: 2 for 8 laps

Milwaukee

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 1 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 100 43:27.503 100 21
2 6 17 Mexico Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 99 -1 lap 0 16
3 5 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 98 -2 laps 0 14
4 9 65 Mexico Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 97 -3 laps 0 12
5 8 15 Mexico Rudy Junco Jr. Mexpro Racing 97 -3 laps 0 10
Race average speed: 142.481 mph (229.301 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 1 for 4 laps

Portland

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 3 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 38 58:58.791 16 21
2 8 15 Mexico Rudy Junco Jr. Mexpro Racing 38 +16.134 0 16
3 7 13 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing 38 +20.501 0 14
4 10 21 New Zealand Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 38 28.936 0 12
5 9 64 Mexico Rolando Quintanilla Roquin Motorsports 38 +28.936 0 10
Race average speed: 76.116 mph (122.497 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 3 for 8 laps

Kansas

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 6 11 Denmark Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 67 40:25.322 19 20
2 7 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 67 +0.001 0 16
3 4 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 67 +0.213 0 14
4 3 21 New Zealand Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 67 +0.962 3 12
5 2 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 67 +0.017‡ 27 11
Race average speed: 151.323 mph (243.531 km/h)
Lead changes: 9 between 4 drivers
Cautions: 2 for 7 laps

‡Townsend Bell was penalized two positions for aggressive driving.

Toronto

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 1 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 43 51:18.593 43 22
2 1 17 Mexico Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 43 +7.002 0 16
3 4 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 43  ? 0 14
4 9 21 New Zealand Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 43 +8.333 0 12
5 6 65 Mexico Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 43 +10.658 0 10
Race average speed: 88.959 mph (143.166 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 3 for 6 laps

Mid-Ohio

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 1 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 34 50:19.940 34 22
2 2 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 34 +0.235 0 16
3 3 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 34 +0.466 0 14
4 4 11 Denmark Kristian Kolby Conquest Racing 34 +1.771 0 12
5 5 21 New Zealand Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 34 +2.148 0 10
Race average speed: 91.518 mph (147.284 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 3 for 9 laps

Gateway

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 3 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 80 43:31.081 11 20
2 4 17 Mexico Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 80 +23.822 0 16
3 8 21 New Zealand Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 80 +624.573 0 14
4 5 16 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing 79 -1 lap 0 12
5 2 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 79 -1 lap 0 10
Race average speed: 140.080 mph (225.437 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 1 for 6 laps

Road Atlanta

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 6 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 29 42:57.299 1 20
2 1 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 29 +0.256 28 18
3 3 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 29 +2.536 0 14
4 5 17 Mexico Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 29 +4.780 0 12
5 2 32 United States Jon Fogarty Dorricott Racing 29 +5.791 0 10
Race average speed: 102.889 mph (165.584 km/h)
Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers
Cautions: 1 for 4 laps

Laguna Seca

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 1 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 34 44:34.521 34 22
2 2 32 United States Jon Fogarty Dorricott Racing 34 +2.963 0 16
3 4 65 Mexico Luis Díaz Roquin Motorsports 34 +9.974 0 14
4 6 31 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner Dorricott Racing 34 +16.433 0 12
5 5 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 34 +17.532 0 10
Race average speed: 102.423 mph (164.834 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: none

Fontana

Top Five Finishers
Fin.
Pos
St.
Pos
Car
No.
DriverTeamLapsTimeLaps
Led
Points
1 1 30 United States Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing 44 29:22.667 44 21
2 5 1 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon PacWest Lights 44 +0.051 0 16
3 7 11 New Zealand Matt Halliday Conquest Racing 44 +17.354 0 14
4 8 16 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins Mexpro Racing 44 +17.356 0 12
5 9 17 Mexico Mario Domínguez PacWest Lights 44 +17.361 0 10
Race average speed: 182.334 mph (293.438 km/h)
Lead changes: none
Cautions: 1 for 3 laps

Championship standings

Drivers' championship

Scoring system
Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th   11th   12th 
Points 20 16 14 12 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 1
  • The driver who qualifies on pole is awarded one additional point.
  • An additional point is awarded to the driver who leads the most laps in a race.
Pos Driver MTY
Mexico
LGB
United States
TEX
United States
MIL
United States
POR
United States
KAN
United States
TOR
Canada
MDO
United States
GAT
United States
ATL
United States
LAG
United States
FON
United States
Points
1 United States Townsend Bell 2 1 8 1*1 6 5* 1* 1* 9*1 2* 1* 1*1 193
2 United Kingdom Dan Wheldon 5 2* 10 3 10 3 7 2 1 1 5 2 149
3 Republic of Ireland Damien Faulkner 7 13 1* 7 1* 2 3 3 5 3 4 7 141
4 Mexico Mario Domínguez 4 4 6 2 11 10 2 6 2 4 10 5 120
5 Republic of Ireland Derek Higgins 1* 3 2 DNS 3 11 9 12 4 6 6 4 113
6 New Zealand Matt Halliday 9 4 4 4 5 3 8 7 3 89
7 Mexico Luis Díaz 11 9 4 4 9 7 5 11 6 7 3 6 88
8 Denmark Kristian Kolby 6 5 3 6 8 1 10 4 80
9 Mexico Rudy Junco Jr. 8 8 7 5 2 9 7 7 9 8 67
10 Mexico Rolando Quintanilla 10 11 5 8 5 8 8 9 8 9 8 9 62
11 United States Jon Fogarty 3 12 9 10 5 2 48
12 United States Cory Witherill 9 7 11 7 6 11 8 10 10 11 10 44
13 United States Geoff Boss 6 10 11
14 New Zealand Andy Booth 6 8
15 United States Larry Mason 10 3
16 Brazil Nilton Rossoni 12 1
Pos Driver MTY
Mexico
LGB
United States
TEX
United States
MIL
United States
POR
United States
KAN
United States
TOR
Canada
MDO
United States
GAT
United States
ATL
United States
LAG
United States
FON
United States
Points
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
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
(1 point)
Italics Ran fastest race lap
* Led most race laps
(1 point)
1 Qualifying cancelled
no bonus point awarded
  • Ties in points broken by number of wins, or best finishes.

See also

Footnotes

    1. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain. The grid was set by entrant points entering the race.

    References

    1. "Dan Wheldon wins Rookie of the Year award". Press release. DanWheldon.com. November 5, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
    2. "CART to drop Indy Lights, focus on Atlantic". Press release. CART. September 10, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
    3. "Jon Fogarty out for remainder of 2001". Press release. Dorricott Racing. August 13, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
    4. "Dorricott Racing season finale Fontana preview". Press release. Dorricott Racing. November 1, 2001. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
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