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2001 Indy Racing League

Sports season

Sports season

FieldValue
seriesIndy Racing League
year2001
series_logoIndy Racing Northern Light Series logo.png
caption2001 Indy Racing League
series_nameIndy Racing Northern Light Series
races13
start_dateMarch 18
end_dateOctober 6
season_champUSA Sam Hornish Jr.
manufacturer_champUSA Oldsmobile
rookie_of_yearBRA Felipe Giaffone
indy_winnerBRA Hélio Castroneves
previous[2000](2000-indy-racing-league)
next[2002](2002-indy-racing-league)

The 2001 Indy Racing Northern Light Series saw the addition of five races and loss of one to bring the total to 13. Chip Ganassi Racing returned to the Indy 500 with four cars and were joined on the grid by Penske Racing and Team Kool Green. Sam Hornish Jr. won 3 races on his way to the championship while the less consistent Buddy Lazier won four races on his way to second place in his title defense.

Teams and drivers

All drivers and teams used Firestone Tires.

TeamChassisEngineNo.DriversRound(s)
USA Team MenardDallaraOldsmobile2USA Greg Ray1–10
USA Jaques Lazier11–13
USA Galles RacingG-ForceOldsmobile3USA Al Unser Jr.All
31USA Casey Mears1–4
32France Didier AndréAll
USA Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile4USA Sam Hornish Jr.All
USA Treadway-Hubbard RacingG-ForceOldsmobile5Netherlands Arie Luyendyk4
USA Rick Treadway10, 12–13
Oldsmobile21Brazil Felipe GiaffoneAll
USA Tri-Star MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile6USA Tyce Carlson1
USA Jon Herb2–4, 8
USA Jeret Schroeder5, 7
60USA Richie Hearn4
USA Dick Simon RacingDallaraOldsmobile7France Stéphan Grégoire1–3
17Colombia Roberto Guerrero4
USA Kelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile8USA Scott SharpAll
28USA Mark DismoreAll
USA PDM RacingG-ForceOldsmobile9USA Jeret Schroeder1–4, 8
18USA Jon Herb12–13
USA Cahill RacingDallaraOldsmobile10USA Robby McGehee1–5, 8–13
11USA Dr. Jack Miller3
USA A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDallaraOldsmobile11USA Donnie Beechler4–12
USA Greg Ray13
14Chile Eliseo SalazarAll
41USA Robby Gordon4
USA Bradley MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile12USA Buzz CalkinsAll
USA Walker RacingDallaraOldsmobile15USA Sarah FisherAll
USA Indy Regency RacingG-ForceOldsmobile16USA Cory Witherill3–4
USA Dreyer & Reinbold RacingG-ForceInfiniti24USA Robbie BuhlAll
USA Blueprint RacingG-ForceOldsmobile27USA John Hollansworth Jr.2
USA Jim Guthrie4
USA McCormack MotorsportsG-ForceOldsmobile30USA Brandon Erwin1–3, 5
USA Jimmy Kite4
USA Chip Ganassi RacingG-ForceOldsmobile33USA Tony Stewart4
44USA Jimmy Vasser4
49France Nicolas Minassian4
50Brazil Bruno Junqueira4
USA Conquest RacingDallaraInfiniti34France Laurent Redon12–13
USA Heritage MotorsportsG-ForceOldsmobile35USA Jeff Ward1–7, 9–13
36France Stéphan Grégoire4
USA Brayton RacingDallaraOldsmobile37USA Steve Knapp4
61USA Memo Gidley4
USA Team GreenDallaraOldsmobile39USA Michael Andretti4
USA Sam Schmidt MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile44USA Anthony Lazzaro11, 13
99USA Davey Hamilton1–5
USA Richie Hearn6, 12
USA Jaques Lazier7–10
USA Alex Barron11
USA Team CheeverDallaraInfiniti51USA Eddie CheeverAll
52Canada Scott Goodyear4
USA Vertex-Cunningham RacingDallaraOldsmobile55Japan Shigeaki HattoriAll
USA Team PenskeDallaraOldsmobile66Brazil Gil de Ferran1, 4
68Brazil Hélio Castroneves1, 4
USA Team XtremeG-ForceOldsmobile77USA Jaques Lazier4–6
88Brazil Airton DaréAll
USA Zali RacingG-ForceOldsmobile81USA John Paul Jr.4
USA Billy Roe5–13
USA Hemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile91USA Buddy LazierAll
92USA Stan Wattles1–3
USA Chris Menninga11–13
93USA Steve Knapp4
USA Curb-Agajanian-Beck MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile98USA Billy BoatAll

Schedule

RndDateRace NameTrackLocation12345678910111213
March 18Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200Phoenix International RacewayPhoenix, Arizona
April 8Infiniti Grand Prix of MiamiHomestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead, Florida
April 28zMax 500Atlanta Motor SpeedwayHampton, Georgia
May 27[85th Indianapolis 500](2001-indianapolis-500)Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, Indiana
June 9Casino Magic 500Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas
June 17Radisson Indy 200Pikes Peak International RacewayFountain, Colorado
June 30SunTrust Indy ChallengeRichmond International RacewayRichmond, Virginia
July 8Ameristar Casino Indy 200Kansas SpeedwayKansas City, Kansas
July 21Harrah's 200Nashville SuperspeedwayLebanon, Tennessee
August 12Belterra Resort Indy 300Kentucky SpeedwaySparta, Kentucky
August 26Gateway Indy 250Gateway International RacewayMadison, Illinois
September 2Delphi Indy 300Chicagoland SpeedwayJoliet, Illinois
October 6*Chevy 500Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas
**Sources:**
  • This race was originally scheduled for September 16 but was postponed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.

Results

Rd.RacePole positionFastest lapMost laps ledRace winnerWinnerTeamChassisEngine12345678910111213
PhoenixUSA Greg RayUSA Billy BoatUSA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Sam Hornish Jr.Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile
HomesteadUSA Jeff WardUSA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Sam Hornish Jr.Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile
AtlantaUSA Greg RayUSA Greg RayUSA Greg RayUSA Greg RayTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile
[Indianapolis](2001-indianapolis-500)USA Scott SharpUSA Sam Hornish Jr.BRA Hélio CastronevesBRA Hélio CastronevesTeam PenskeDallaraOldsmobile
Texas 1USA Mark DismoreUSA Eddie CheeverUSA Greg RayUSA Scott SharpKelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile
Pikes PeakUSA Greg RayUSA Billy BoatUSA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
RichmondUSA Jaques LazierUSA Buddy LazierUSA Buddy LazierUSA Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
KansasUSA Scott SharpUSA Mark DismoreUSA Eddie CheeverUSA Eddie CheeverTeam CheeverDallaraInfiniti
NashvilleUSA Greg RayUSA Buddy LazierUSA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
KentuckyUSA Scott SharpUSA Mark DismoreUSA Scott SharpUSA Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
GatewayUSA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Robbie BuhlUSA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Al Unser Jr.Galles RacingG-ForceOldsmobile
ChicagolandUSA Jaques LazierUSA Robbie BuhlUSA Jaques LazierUSA Jaques LazierTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile
Texas 2USA Sam Hornish Jr.BRA Felipe GiaffoneUSA Sam Hornish Jr.USA Sam Hornish Jr.Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile

Note: All races running on Oval/Speedway.

Race summaries

Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200

This race was held March 18 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Ray won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  2. 14- Eliseo Salazar
  3. 91- Buddy Lazier
  4. 8- Scott Sharp
  5. 98- Billy Boat
  6. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  7. 35- Jeff Ward
  8. 10- Robby McGehee
  9. 12- Buzz Calkins
  10. 88- Airton Daré

Inaugural Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami

This race was held April 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Ward won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  2. 15- Sarah Fisher
  3. 14- Eliseo Salazar
  4. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  5. 35- Jeff Ward
  6. 3- Al Unser Jr.
  7. 28- Mark Dismore
  8. 8- Scott Sharp
  9. 51- Eddie Cheever
  10. 32- Didier André
  • Sarah Fisher's second place was the highest finish in an Indy car race by a female driver at the time.

[[2001 zMax 500|zMax 500]]

This race was held April 28 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Greg Ray won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2- Greg Ray
  2. 8- Scott Sharp
  3. 12- Buzz Calkins
  4. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  5. 14- Eliseo Salazar
  6. 91- Buddy Lazier
  7. 35- Jeff Ward
  8. 55- Shigeaki Hattori
  9. 88- Airton Daré
  10. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  • A huge 11-car pileup occurred on lap 54, sending Dr. Jack Miller to the hospital with a concussion. It would be Miller's final race.
  • This was the final Indy car race held at Atlanta to-date.
  • Fifth and final career win for Greg Ray.

[[2001 Indianapolis 500|85th Indianapolis 500]]

The 85th running of the Indianapolis 500 was held May 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scott Sharp sat on pole.

Top ten results

  1. 68- Hélio Castroneves
  2. 66- Gil de Ferran
  3. 39- Michael Andretti
  4. 44- Jimmy Vasser
  5. 50- Bruno Junqueira
  6. 33- Tony Stewart
  7. 14- Eliseo Salazar
  8. 88- Airton Daré
  9. 98- Billy Boat
  10. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  • Polesitter Sharp crashed on the opening lap, and finished last.
  • Team Penske returned to Indy after failing to qualify in 1995 and boycotting the race due to the IRL/CART "split" from 1996 to 2000. Penske finished 1st–2nd with Hélio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran, Roger Penske's first-ever 1–2 at Indy as an owner.
  • Second straight 500 victory for a race rookie.

Casino Magic 500

This race was held June 9 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mark Dismore won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 8- Scott Sharp
  2. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  3. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  4. 91- Buddy Lazier
  5. 98- Billy Boat
  6. 11- Donnie Beechler
  7. 14- Eliseo Salazar
  8. 3- Al Unser Jr.
  9. 77- Jaques Lazier
  10. 55- Shigeaki Hattori
  • A serious crash on lap 72 involved Davey Hamilton, who lost control after Jeret Schroeder blew an engine, and Hamilton drove in the oil. Hamilton then crashed hard into the turn 2 wall, causing serious injuries to both legs and feet. The crash effectively ended Hamilton's full-time racing career.
  • Scott Sharp stole the win after Eddie Cheever and Greg Ray crashed hard on the backstretch while battling for the victory in the final laps. Robby McGehee, who was running many laps down, was also caught up in the mishap; McGehee suffered leg and head injuries and missed several races.

Radisson Indy 200

This race was held June 17 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Greg Ray won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 91- Buddy Lazier
  2. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  3. 24- Robbie Buhl
  4. 98- Billy Boat
  5. 88- Airton Daré
  6. 51- Eddie Cheever
  7. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  8. 8- Scott Sharp
  9. 99- Richie Hearn
  10. 15- Sarah Fisher

Inaugural SunTrust Indy Challenge

This race was held June 30 at Richmond International Raceway. Jaques Lazier won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 91- Buddy Lazier
  2. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  3. 3- Al Unser Jr.
  4. 32- Didier André
  5. 8- Scott Sharp
  6. 28- Mark Dismore
  7. 11- Donnie Beechler
  8. 35- Jeff Ward
  9. 24- Robbie Buhl
  10. 12- Buzz Calkins

Ameristar Casino Indy 200

This race was held July 8 at Kansas Speedway. Scott Sharp won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 51- Eddie Cheever*
  2. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  3. 11- Donnie Beechler
  4. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  5. 91- Buddy Lazier
  6. 88- Airton Daré
  7. 14- Eliseo Salazar
  8. 55- Shigeaki Hattori
  9. 98- Billy Boat
  10. 10- Robby McGehee
  • Final career win for Eddie Cheever.

Inaugural Harrah's 200

This race was held July 21 at Nashville Superspeedway. Greg Ray won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 91- Buddy Lazier
  2. 98- Billy Boat
  3. 99- Jaques Lazier
  4. 10- Robby McGehee
  5. 8- Scott Sharp
  6. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  7. 55- Shigeaki Hattori
  8. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  9. 12- Buzz Calkins
  10. 11- Donnie Beechler*
  • On lap 103 of the race, Cheever was attempting to lap the slower car of Greg Ray, when the two made contact in turn 2. The resulting accident also caught up Unser Jr., Beechler, and Dismore, who was struck from behind by a charging Airton Dare. No one was injured in the crash. This was the first caution of the race and lasted 18 laps, with Buddy Lazier in the lead as racing resumed. He would go on to win.
  • Second and final career top ten finish for Donnie Beechler.

Belterra Resort Indy 300

This race was held August 12 at Kentucky Speedway. Scott Sharp won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 91- Buddy Lazier
  2. 8- Scott Sharp
  3. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  4. 3- Al Unser Jr.
  5. 11- Donnie Beechler
  6. 98- Billy Boat
  7. 55- Shigeaki Hattori
  8. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  9. 24- Robbie Buhl
  10. 35- Jeff Ward
  • Final career win for Buddy Lazier.
  • This race was Greg Rays last for Team Menard. He would part ways with the team after finishing 3 laps down to the winner in 13th.

Inaugural Gateway Indy 250

This race was held August 26 at Gateway International Raceway. Sam Hornish Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 3- Al Unser Jr.
  2. 28- Mark Dismore
  3. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  4. 51- Eddie Cheever
  5. 24- Robbie Buhl
  6. 98- Billy Boat
  7. 35- Jeff Ward
  8. 8- Scott Sharp
  9. 88- Airton Daré
  10. 10- Robby McGehee
  • Penultimate career win for Al Unser Jr.

Inaugural Delphi Indy 300

This race was held September 2 at Chicagoland Speedway. Jaques Lazier won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 2- Jaques Lazier
  2. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  3. 51- Eddie Cheever
  4. 35- Jeff Ward
  5. 11- Donnie Beechler
  6. 99- Richie Hearn
  7. 34- Laurent Redon
  8. 3- Al Unser Jr.
  9. 12- Buzz Calkins
  10. 21- Felipe Giaffone
  • This was Jaques Laziers only IndyCar win. It was his second start for the Menard team after taking over the car previously driven by Greg Ray.

Chevy 500

This race was originally scheduled for September 16 at Texas Motor Speedway but was postponed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The race was eventually held October 6. Sam Hornish Jr. won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 4- Sam Hornish Jr.
  2. 8- Scott Sharp
  3. 24- Robbie Buhl
  4. 14- Eliseo Salazar
  5. 5- Rick Treadway
  6. 3- Al Unser Jr.
  7. 88- Airton Daré
  8. 11- Greg Ray
  9. 18- Jon Herb
  10. 12- Buzz Calkins
  • Only career top five finish for Rick Treadway. Also his best finish ever.
  • Greg Rays first race back after losing his Team Menard ride. He drove for A.J. Foyts team in this race.
  • Final career start for Buzz Calkins. Also his final top ten finish.
  • Only career top ten finish for Jon Herb. Also his best ever finish.

Points standings

PosDriverPHX
HOM
ATL
[INDY](2001-indianapolis-500)
TMS1
PPR
RIC
KAN
NSS
KEN
GTW
CHI
TMS2
Pts1503239833554313530863047287826192421023911238122371321514205152041619617195181931918820188211012277237024642559265427502846294530403136323633363435353436323730382939284019411742154312449459465471481–0–0–0–0–0–0–0PosDriverPHX
HOM
ATL
[INDY](2001-indianapolis-500)
TMS1
PPR
RIC
KAN
NSS
KEN
GTW
CHI
TMS2
Pts
USA Sam Hornish Jr.1**1**4*14*32*226*3**3***2**1***
USA Buddy Lazier32061841*1**5*1*1131117
USA Scott Sharp482**33**185**17**5**2***8252
USA Billy Boat*5*131495*4*1892661212
CHL Eliseo Salazar2357714127111517184
BRA Felipe Giaffone64101027114882010*21*
USA Al Unser Jr.2361730811320144186
USA Eddie Cheever1992426*12*6131*15214318
USA Buzz Calkins9163121515101391622910
BRA Airton Daré10239819515617209197
USA Jeff Ward7**5**7241612820107424
USA Robbie Buhl11242015213921139*5**22*3
JPN Shigeaki Hattori13158DNQ10DNS14877152116
USA Mark Dismore2572616**20**136*11*16*22*21723
USA Donnie Beechler2561673105145
USA Robby McGehee81221111410418102014
USA Jaques Lazier22917**19**1831216**1***20
USA Greg Ray**22**21***1****1711***18**Wth14**18**138
USA Sarah Fisher1721131181017121919112425
FRA Didier André271013DNQ17194162111121315
USA Billy Roe132020221214232322
USA Jeret Schroeder26141920231615
USA Jon Herb25162719159
BRA Hélio Castroneves181*
USA Rick Treadway17145
USA Davey Hamilton1219182324
USA Richie HearnDNQ96
BRA Gil de Ferran242
FRA Laurent Redon711
USA Brandon Erwin141727Wth22
USA Casey Mears201123DNQ
USA Stan Wattles162612Wth
USA Chris Menninga191619
USA Michael Andretti3
FRA Stéphan Grégoire21221528
USA Jimmy Vasser4
BRA Bruno Junqueira5
USA Anthony Lazzaro1813
USA Tony Stewart6
USA Cory Witherill2219
NLD Arie Luyendyk13
USA Tyce Carlson15Wth
USA John Hollansworth Jr.18
USA Alex Barron21
USA Robby Gordon21
USA Dr. Jack Miller25
FRA Nicolas Minassian29
CAN Scott Goodyear32
BRA Raul BoeselWth
USA Memo GidleyDNQ
COL Roberto GuerreroDNQ
USA Jim GuthrieDNQ
USA Jimmy KiteDNQ
USA Steve KnappDNQ
USA John Paul Jr.DNQ
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

|} |}

  • 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.

References

References

  1. "NTT IndyCar Series Calendar 2001". Motorsport Stats.
  2. (October 26, 2001). "Indy Racing League". [[Kenosha News]].
  3. "Texas track decides to postpone races".
  4. "Texas track decides to postpone races".
Info: Wikipedia Source

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