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1999 Indy Racing League

Sports season

Sports season

thumb|[[Greg Ray]] won his first and only Drivers' Championship while [[Kenny Bräck]] (pictured) finished second in the championship. The 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League was highly competitive and parity was the order of the year. Team Menard had a very good season with their driver Greg Ray capturing 3 race wins and the series championship. This was the last year before CART teams began to break ranks and jump to the IRL.

Confirmed entries

TeamChassisEngineTiresNo.DriversRound(s)
USA Team MenardDallaraOldsmobile2USA Greg RayAll
32USA Robby Gordon4
USA Brant MotorsportsRiley & ScottOldsmobile3USA Andy Michner1–3
Brazil Raul Boesel4–7
USA Panther RacingG-ForceOldsmobile4Canada Scott GoodyearAll
43USA Dave Steele4
USA Treadway RacingG-ForceOldsmobile5USA Jason Leffler1
Netherlands Arie Luyendyk4
99USA Sam SchmidtAll
USA Nienhouse RacingG-ForceOldsmobile/6Chile Eliseo SalazarAll
USA Dick Simon RacingG-ForceOldsmobile7France Stéphan GrégoireAll
USA Kelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile8USA Scott SharpAll
28USA Mark DismoreAll
USA Galles RacingG-Force
DallaraOldsmobile9USA Davey Hamilton1, 4–11
USA Byrd-Cunningham RacingG-ForceOldsmobile10USA John Paul Jr.1–3
USA Andy Michner4
USA A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDallaraOldsmobile11USA Billy BoatAll
14Sweden Kenny BräckAll
41Brazil Marco Greco4
84USA Robbie Buhl4
USA Bradley MotorsportsDallara
G-ForceOldsmobile12USA Buzz CalkinsAll
USA DR/Lazier RacingG-ForceInfiniti15USA Jaques Lazier2, 4
USA Phoenix RacingG-ForceOldsmobile16Brazil Marco Greco2
USA Tri-Star MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile17USA Dr. Jack Miller4, 7
USA Ronnie Johncox10–11
225, 7–9
Brazil Gualter Salles1
USA Tony Stewart4
USA Robbie Buhl10–11
USA PDM RacingG-ForceOldsmobile18USA Steve Knapp1
USA Mike Borkowski3–4
USA Metro RacingDallaraOldsmobile19USA Stan Wattles1, 3–5
USA Blueprint-Immke RacingDallaraOldsmobile20USA Tyce CarlsonAll
G-Force27Sweden Niclas Jönsson10–11
USA Pagan RacingDallaraOldsmobile21USA Jeff Ward2–11
USA Barnhart MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile25USA Davey Hamilton2–3
USA Truscelli Team RacingG-ForceOldsmobile26USA Bobby Regester9
33USA Brian Tyler1
Brazil Roberto Moreno2–4
USA Jaques Lazier5–11
USA McCormack MotorsportsG-ForceOldsmobile30Brazil Raul Boesel1–3
USA Jimmy Kite4–9
USA Willy T. Ribbs10
USA John Paul Jr.11
31USA Nick Firestone4
USA Coulson RacingG-ForceOldsmobile34USA Jim Guthrie4
USA ISM RacingG-ForceOldsmobile35USA Jeff Ward1
USA Steve Knapp2–7
36USA Brian Tyler4
USA Team XtremeDallaraOldsmobile/42USA John Hollansworth Jr.All
Infiniti46USA Mike Groff4
CAN Mid America MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile43Canada Doug Didero11
USA Sinden RacingDallaraInfiniti44USA Robbie Buhl1–3
USA Team PelfreyDallaraOldsmobile48USA Sarah Fisher11
81USA Robby UnserAll
90USA Lyn St. James4
USA Cobb RacingG-ForceInfiniti50Colombia Roberto Guerrero1–2, 4–5
96USA Jeret Schroeder4
USA Team CheeverDallaraOldsmobile
Infiniti51USA Eddie CheeverAll
52Belgium Wim Eyckmans4
USA Beck MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile54Japan Hideshi Matsuda4
USA Conti RacingDallaraOldsmobile55USA Robby McGehee3–11
USA Harrington MotorsportsDallaraInfiniti
Oldsmobile66USA Scott HarringtonAll
USA Hemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile91USA Buddy LazierAll
92USA Johnny Unser3–7, 10–11
USA Cahill RacingDallara
G-ForceOldsmobile98USA Donnie BeechlerAll

Schedule

RndDateRace NameTrackLocation1234567891011
January 24TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200Walt Disney World SpeedwayBay Lake, Florida
March 28MCI WorldCom 200Phoenix International RacewayAvondale, Arizona
May 1VisionAire 500KLowe's Motor SpeedwayConcord, North Carolina
May 30[Indianapolis 500](1999-indianapolis-500)Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, Indiana
June 12Longhorn 500Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas
June 27Radisson 200Pikes Peak International RacewayFountain, Colorado
July 17Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500Atlanta Motor SpeedwayHampton, Georgia
August 1MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200Dover International SpeedwayDover, Delaware
August 29Colorado Indy 200Pikes Peak International RacewayFountain, Colorado
September 26Vegas.com 500Las Vegas Motor SpeedwayLas Vegas, Nevada
October 17Mall.com 500Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas
**Sources:**

Results

All races were run on oval speedways.

Rd.RacePole positionFastest lapMost laps ledRace winnerDriverTeamChassisEngine123Race abandoned after 79 laps due to the deaths of three spectators4567891011
Walt Disney WorldUSA Scott SharpUSA Scott SharpUSA Scott SharpUSA Eddie CheeverTeam CheeverDallaraOldsmobile
PhoenixUSA Greg RayCAN Scott GoodyearCAN Scott GoodyearCAN Scott GoodyearPanther RacingG-ForceOldsmobile
CharlotteUSA Greg Ray
[Indianapolis](1999-indianapolis-500)NLD Arie LuyendykUSA Greg RaySWE Kenny BräckSWE Kenny BräckA. J. Foyt EnterprisesDallaraOldsmobile
Texas 1USA Mark DismoreUSA Sam SchmidtUSA Greg RayCAN Scott GoodyearPanther RacingG-ForceOldsmobile
Pikes Peak 1USA Greg RayUSA Mark DismoreUSA Greg RayUSA Greg RayTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile
AtlantaUSA Billy BoatUSA Jaques LazierCAN Scott GoodyearUSA Scott SharpKelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile
DoverUSA Mark DismoreUSA Mark DismoreUSA Mark DismoreUSA Greg RayTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile
Pikes Peak 2USA Greg RayUSA Buddy LazierUSA Greg RayUSA Greg RayTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile
Las VegasUSA Sam SchmidtUSA Tyce CarlsonSWE Kenny BräckUSA Sam SchmidtTreadway RacingG-ForceOldsmobile
Texas 2USA Greg RayCAN Scott GoodyearCAN Scott GoodyearUSA Mark DismoreKelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile

Race summaries

TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200

The TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 was held on January 24 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Scott Sharp qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top 10 results

  1. 51 - Eddie Cheever
  2. 4 - Scott Goodyear
  3. 35 - Jeff Ward
  4. 8 - Scott Sharp
  5. 30 - Raul Boesel
  6. 28 - Mark Dismore
  7. 18 - Steve Knapp
  8. 9 - Davey Hamilton
  9. 11 - Billy Boat
  10. 91 - Buddy Lazier
  • Failed to qualify: 6 - Eliseo Salazar

MCI WorldCom 200

The MCI WorldCom 200 was held on March 28 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.

Top ten results

  1. 4 - Scott Goodyear
  2. 21 - Jeff Ward
  3. 44 - Robbie Buhl
  4. 11 - Billy Boat
  5. 66 - Scott Harrington
  6. 33 - Roberto Moreno
  7. 28 - Mark Dismore
  8. 8 - Scott Sharp
  9. 99 - Sam Schmidt
  10. 7 - Stéphan Grégoire
  • Goodyear's first IndyCar win since the 1994 Marlboro 500 at Michigan International Speedway, and his first in IRL competition.
  • Prior to this race, Ward left ISM Racing to drive for Pagan Racing.

VisionAire 500K

The VisionAire 500K was on held May 1 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Speedvision.

Top 10 on lap 79:

  1. 2 - Greg Ray
  2. 4 - Scott Goodyear
  3. 51 - Eddie Cheever
  4. 99 - Sam Schmidt
  5. 98 - Donnie Beechler
  6. 8 - Scott Sharp
  7. 91 - Buddy Lazier
  8. 28 - Mark Dismore
  9. 55 - Robby McGehee
  10. 14 - Kenny Bräck
  • Failed to qualify: 35 - Steve Knapp
  • On lap 62, Stan Wattles crashed after suffering a suspension failure. John Paul Jr. made contact, sending Wattles' right rear wheel and tire assembly into the grandstand. Scott Harrington also spun in the incident.
  • The race continued under caution, with Lazier initially leading until he had to make a pit stop to replace a punctured tire, giving Ray the lead. On lap 79, the race was stopped, so that medical helicopters could land.
  • The race was stopped permanently by track general manager Humpy Wheeler when it was announced that 3 spectators were killed. As a result, fans and participants were offered refunds.
  • The race was scratched from the record books, due to the fact that it did not reach the official race distance of 105 laps (the halfway point plus one lap, unlike the FIA Code, which is simply making it to the start of the fourth lap).
  • Due to this race and a similar incident (where 3 people were killed) at the CART 1998 U.S. 500 at Michigan International Speedway, wheel tethers were added to open-wheel cars.
  • This would be the final IndyCar race at Charlotte.

Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 was held on May 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Arie Luyendyk qualified on the pole position.

Top 10 results

  1. 14 - Kenny Bräck
  2. 21 - Jeff Ward
  3. 11 - Billy Boat
  4. 32 - Robby Gordon
  5. 55 - Robby McGehee
  6. 84 - Robbie Buhl
  7. 91 - Buddy Lazier
  8. 81 - Robby Unser
  9. 22 - Tony Stewart
  10. 54 - Hideshi Matsuda
  • Failed to qualify: 7 - Stéphan Grégoire, 10 - John Paul Jr., 10 - Andy Michner, 15 - Jaques Lazier, 15 - Troy Reiger, 18 - Mike Borkowski, 18 - Ronnie Johncox, 19 - Stan Wattles, 34 - Nick Firestone, 34 - Jim Guthrie, 36 - Brian Tyler, 36 - Vincenzo Sospiri, 43 - Dave Steele, 46 - Mike Groff, 66 - Scott Harrington, and 90 - Lyn St. James
  • Until 2006, this race had the latest pass for the lead in Indianapolis 500 history when Gordon pitted on Lap 199, and Bräck took the lead in Turn 4.
  • Combined, Arie Luyendyk and Greg Ray led 95 laps. Luyendyk crashed while attempting to lap Tyce Carlson on Lap 118, and during the ensuing caution, Ray was hit by Mark Dismore while exiting his pit stall.
  • The day before the race, the Motorola 300 at Gateway International Raceway for the FedEx CART Championship Series was held. Gordon and Roberto Moreno competed in the race (Gordon competed full-time in CART and did Indianapolis as a one-off for Team Menard, due to Menards being his sponsor in the series, and Moreno was hired as an injury replacement at PacWest Racing for Mark Blundell, while concurrently driving for Truscelli Racing in the IRL). Moreno finished 4th and Gordon 27th due to a crash.
  • Stewart, who moved to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, did Double Duty by competing at Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He finished 9th at Indianapolis, 4 laps down, and 4th at Charlotte on the lead lap, despite being moved to the rear of the field due to missing the drivers meeting.
  • Rookie of the Year McGehee had an incident during a pit stop where a pit crew member hit the ground, but survived.
  • This race was planned on being Luyendyk's final race. However, he returned to race part-time from 2001 to 2003.
  • 4 drivers named either Robby or Robbie finished in the Top 10.

Longhorn 500

The Longhorn 500 was held on June 12 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mark Dismore qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.

Top 10 results

  1. 4 - Scott Goodyear
  2. 2 - Greg Ray
  3. 99 - Sam Schmidt
  4. 7 - Stéphan Grégoire
  5. 6 - Eliseo Salazar
  6. 81 - Robby Unser
  7. 9 - Davey Hamilton
  8. 28 - Mark Dismore
  9. 12 - Buzz Calkins
  10. 8 - Scott Sharp
  • Failed to qualify: 19 - Stan Wattles and 50 - Roberto Guerrero
  • Ray entered the race 20th in points and left 8th.

Radisson 200

The Radisson 200 was held on June 27 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.

Top 10 results

  1. 2 - Greg Ray
  2. 99 - Sam Schmidt
  3. 9 - Davey Hamilton
  4. 51 - Eddie Cheever
  5. 91 - Buddy Lazier
  6. 81 - Robby Unser
  7. 14 - Kenny Bräck
  8. 8 - Scott Sharp
  9. 21 - Jeff Ward
  10. 33 - Jaques Lazier
  • Ray's first IndyCar win.
  • Ray led 109 of 200 laps on his way to victory. Schmidt led the other 91 laps.

Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500

The Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500 was held on July 17 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.

Top 10 results

  1. 8 - Scott Sharp
  2. 81 - Robby Unser
  3. 14 - Kenny Bräck
  4. 6 - Eliseo Salazar
  5. 12 - Buzz Calkins
  6. 51 - Eddie Cheever
  7. 9 - Davey Hamilton
  8. 98 - Donnie Beechler
  9. 30 - Jimmy Kite
  10. 11 - Billy Boat
  • Unser's best IndyCar finish.

MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200

The MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200 was held on August 1 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Mark Dismore qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox.

Top 10 results

  1. 2 - Greg Ray
  2. 91 - Buddy Lazier
  3. 14 - Kenny Bräck
  4. 11 - Billy Boat
  5. 99 - Sam Schmidt
  6. 66 - Scott Harrington
  7. 33 - Jaques Lazier
  8. 12 - Buzz Calkins
  9. 55 - Robby McGehee
  10. 98 - Donnie Beechler

Colorado Indy 200

The Colorado Indy 200 was held on August 29 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.

Top 10 results

  1. 2 - Greg Ray
  2. 9 - Davey Hamilton
  3. 28 - Mark Dismore
  4. 91 - Buddy Lazier
  5. 99 - Sam Schmidt
  6. 66 - Scott Harrington
  7. 55 - Robby McGehee
  8. 30 - Jimmy Kite
  9. 81 - Robby Unser
  10. 14 - Kenny Bräck
  • This would be the final race aired on Fox. After this race, ESPN/ABC purchased the rights for the remaining two races.

Vegas.com 500

The Vegas.com 500 was held on September 26 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sam Schmidt qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on ESPN.

Top 10 results

  1. 99- Sam Schmidt
  2. 14- Kenny Bräck
  3. 22- Robbie Buhl
  4. 8- Scott Sharp
  5. 12- Buzz Calkins
  6. 55- Robby McGehee
  7. 33- Jaques Lazier
  8. 7- Stephan Gregoire
  9. 20- Tyce Carlson
  10. 21- Jeff Ward
  • Entering the season-finale, Greg Ray led Bräck by 15 points, Schmidt by 30 points, Sharp by 46 points, and Scott Goodyear by 48 points.
  • Schmidt's only IndyCar win.

Mall.com 500

The Mall.com 500 was held on October 17 at Texas Motor Speedway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on ABC.

Top 10 results

  1. 28 - Mark Dismore
  2. 9 - Davey Hamilton
  3. 2 - Greg Ray
  4. 51 - Eddie Cheever
  5. 42 - John Hollansworth Jr.
  6. 66 - Scott Harrington
  7. 33 - Jaques Lazier
  8. 12 - Buzz Calkins
  9. 11 - Billy Boat
  10. 91 - Buddy Lazier
  • Failed to qualify: 27 - Niclas Jönsson and 92 - Johnny Unser
  • Points leader Ray was the only championship eligible driver to finish in the top 5 and top 10, finishing 3rd. Scott Goodyear finished 23rd due to a crash, Scott Sharp finished 19th due to an engine failure, Sam Schmidt finished 22nd due to a separate crash, and Kenny Bräck finished 16th, 22 laps down.
  • There were several changes in the top 10 in points following this race, due to 3rd being separated from 10th by 31 points. Race winner Dismore moved up from 11th to 3rd, Jeff Ward (at one time the points leader) dropped from 7th to 11th, Sharp dropped from 4th to 8th, Goodyear dropped from 5th to 9th, and Hamilton moved up from 7th to 4th.
  • Dismore's only IndyCar win.
  • Schmidt's final IndyCar race. His career would end due to a testing crash at Walt Disney World Speedway in January 2000 that left him paralyzed.
  • Sarah Fisher made her IndyCar debut in this race, becoming the first woman since Lyn St. James at the 1997 Indianapolis 500 to start an IndyCar race. She started 17th, but finished 25th due to a broken timing chain.

Points standings

PosDriverWDW
PHX
CHA
[INDY](1999-indianapolis-500)
TMS1
PPR1
ATL
DOV
PPR2
LVS
TMS2
Pts1293225632404237523362247222822092171020911206122041320114165151621615617146181441913920137211302211423982486256926592757283929383036313232293322342035193618371638153913401241114210439447457465474482–0–0–0–0–0–0PosDriverWDW
PHX
CHA
[INDY](1999-indianapolis-500)
TMS1
PPR1
ATL
DOV
PPR2
LVS
TMS2
Pts
USA Greg Ray21**21****C1***21*2***1***231**1***21**3**
SWE Kenny Bräck2224C11*13733102*16
USA Mark Dismore67C116**8***21*17***15****3201
USA Davey Hamilton827C111737232132
USA Sam Schmidt279C130*3*22255**1**22
USA Buddy Lazier1018C17145212*4*1110
USA Eddie Cheever117C11816462111174
USA Scott Sharp***4****8C12810812222419
CAN Scott Goodyear2*1**C12711216*172125*23**
USA Robby Unser1526C186621291614
USA Jeff Ward32C121892613231021
USA Billy Boat94C132424**10**413229
USA Buzz Calkins1714C119914581558
USA Scott Harrington255C1DNQDNS191566146
FRA Stéphan Grégoire1610C1DNQ411241414815
USA Robby McGeheeC1519Wth1497612
USA John Hollansworth Jr.1915C1132016191916195
USA Jaques LazierDNSDNQ2210*12*71277
USA Tyce Carlson1223C1142123201117*9*13
CHL Eliseo SalazarDNQ20C133520418191217
USA Donnie Beechler2611C1291722810201811
USA Robbie Buhl203C16324
BRA Raul Boesel519C112231811
USA Jimmy Kite2425159168
USA Steve Knapp72526121727
USA Ronnie Johncox112520241526
USA Johnny UnserC13215131323
USA John Paul Jr.1122C1Wth18
BRA Roberto Moreno6C120
COL Roberto Guerrero131625
USA Robby Gordon4
USA Andy Michner1813C1DNQ
USA Tony Stewart9
JPN Hideshi Matsuda10
USA Stan Wattles24C117
BRA Marco Greco12DNQ
USA Brian Tyler14DNQ
USA Jeret Schroeder15
USA Dr. Jack Miller3118
USA Bobby Regester18
NLD Arie Luyendyk**22**
CAN Doug Didero20
SWE Niclas Jönsson24DNS
BRA Gualter Salles23
BEL Wim Eyckmans23
USA Sarah Fisher25
USA Willy T. Ribbs26
USA Jason Leffler28
USA Mike BorkowskiC1DNQ
USA Nick FirestoneDNQ
USA Mike GroffDNQ
USA Jim GuthrieDNQ
USA Lyn St. JamesDNQ
USA Dave SteeleWth
ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th & 5th place
Light Blue6th–10th place
Dark BlueFinished
(Outside Top 10)
PurpleDid not finish
(Ret)
RedDid not qualify
(DNQ)
BrownWithdrawn
(Wth)
BlackDisqualified
(DSQ)
WhiteDid not start
(DNS)
BlankDid not
participate
(DNP)
Not competing

|- |

**In-line notation**
**Bold**
*Italics*
*
DNS

|} |}

: 1 The 1999 VisionAire 500K at Charlotte was cancelled after 79 laps due to spectator fatalities.

  • 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. Additional points were awarded to the pole winner (3 points), the second best qualifier (2 points), the third best qualifier (1 point), and to the driver leading the most laps (2 points).

References

References

  1. "NTT IndyCar Series Calendar 1999". Motorsport Stats.
  2. "Schedule". [[Indy Racing League]].
  3. [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/19990514/news023402.html Preliminary Charlotte Crash Details Outlined], The Auto Channel, May 15, 1999
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