The roots of the problem: an Indycar TL

[kinnikuniverse]

THIS is the root of the problem.
​

1970-1978 - the USAC Championship Trail, also known as Indycar or Champ Car, enters the age of professionalism as cigarette brand Marlboro becomes the title sponsor of the series.

With it comes an age of iconic drivers rolling down the Indianapolis motor speedway and other tracks across america and the world. The likes of Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, Gordon Johncock, Tom Sneva, the Unsers, Johnny Rutherford and Mark Donohue all made their makr at the speedway, becoming champions and legends of motorsports, with Mario becoming Formula 1 world champion with Lotus in 1978.

​

However, not all was paradise in american open-wheel racing. Throughout the decade, team owners, chief among then Roger Penske and Dan Gurney, became increasingly vocal over USAC's indy-centric marketing despite the lucrative Marlboro title Sponsorship, and their desire to negotiate strong TV deals and acquiring the commercial rights in order to promote the series as a whole and not just Indy, similar to what was happening in Formula 1 at the time with FOCA. The desire to add more road courses on what was still an oval-focused series was also a strong talking point.


As tensions were at their peak in 1978, the team owners and USAC leadership agreed to meet in the 1978 off-season to discuss the future of the sport and settle the first ever collective bargaining agreement in american open-wheel racing history...

Humble Beginnings in California

​

Meanwhile, on August 4, 1971, Carol Ann Houston gave birth to a healthy baby boy in Vallejo, California. She and the father, William G. Gordon II, would name their son Jeffry.

Jeff wouldn't have known his biological father too much, for his biological parents divorced when he was only a few months old. He would spend the first few years of his life with only his mother and older sister Kim as family.

One day, his mother met and eventually married a car builder and parts supplier named John Bickford. This fateful encounter allowed Jeff to develop a passion for racing, driving a quarter midget bought by his step-father for $450. Even at an early age, young Jeff showed exceptional talent, winning 35 quarter Midget races and setting 5 track records in various dirt tracks across california, eventually taking his precocious talents national and continuing his dominance, winning the grand national championship in denver and winning the pacific northwest championship.

It was at this time, at the age of 9, that Jeff began karting...

@TheMann
@FickleCrossroad

this is the timeline i"ve thought about for a while. Hope you'll enjoy it!

 

[kinnikuniverse]

Marlboro Championship trail - 70s series champions

1970 - Al Unser - Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1971 - Joe Leonard - Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1972: Mario Andretti - Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing
1973: Mark Donohue - Penske
1974: Bobby Unser - All American Racers
1975: AJ Foyt - Gilmore Racing
1976: Gordon Johncock - Patrick Racing
1977: Tom Sneva - Penske
1978: Al Unser - Jim Hall Racing



INDY 500 WINNERS

1970 - Al Unser - Vel's Parnelli Jones
1971 - Peter Revson - Mclaren
1972: Mark Donohue - Penske
1973: Gordon Johncock - Patrick Racing
1974: Johnny Rutherford - Mclaren
1975: Bobby Unser - All American Racers
1976: Johnny Rutherford - Mclaren
1977 - AJ Foyt - Gilmore Racing
1978: Al Unser - Jim Hall Racing

 

[kinnikuniverse]

Best Indy front row ever?
​

The 80s: part 1

Late 1978-1983


The first meeting between the team owners and USAC and IMS management to discuss the future of the series resulted in the first ever collective bargaining agreement and a major restructuring of the championship and the series's governance:

-A new oragnisation, Indycar Inc. [1], formed as a mean to promote Indycar racing throughout the country and governing.

-the teams forming their own union, CART [2], meant to represent their interests.

-The addition of a few road course events to add variety to the schedule, which will remain mainly ovals.

- Indycar Inc.'s first move was to get TV Deals to broadcast and promote races outside of Indianapolis. Their existing deal with ABC was expanded to also cover other major races like the Michigan 500 and the Pocono 500, and fledgling Cable channel ESPN were also brought onboard to cover the minor races of the calendar .

Next up was acquiring many race tracks that were in danger of being in disrepair or abandoned. Tracks like Texas World Speedway, Ontario Motor Speedway and Riverside International Speedway were bought and given major revamps by their new owners, while road courses like Road America and Watkins Glen were also bought in the early 80s, with the historic Glen, especially, getting some much needed relief and a new home in the Indycar series starting in 1982. [3]



On the tracks, two major developments happened:

1. Mario Andretti, after winning the Formula 1 world championship in 1978, decided to return to Indycars for Pat Patrick Racing. This news came in great fanfare, for Mario's status as F1 world champion brought a lot of new eyeballs onto the new indycar product. [4]

2. The rise of young talents. The first to make himself famous was young Rick Mears, who was a relative unknown when he got the call from Roger Penske to replace Mark Donohue in 1978. That faith would be repaid immediately, for he'd win three races in his penske debut that year before embarking in a star-making 1979 season, winning his first Indy 500 and dominating the season.

The second was an Ohio native, Tim Richmond. A late comer in motorsports, Richmond grinded and worked his way through various disciplines and lower level series before making his indy debut in 1979, scoring some impressive results, including 8th at watkins glen that year and even getting the pole at the 1980 Indy 500. While he would ultimately end up in 6th and running out of fuel at the last stretch, Johnny Rutherford gave him the ride back to the pits.

From then on, none other than Dan Gurney hired the fast ohio native to race the rest of the season, giving good performances at Milwaukee and even winning that year's michigan 500 [5]. After finishing in 3rd at the 1981 indy 500 behind Bobby Unser and winner Mario Andretti [6], Richmond would have a breakout season in 1982, beatin the odds and winning the indy 500 for Dan Gurney [7] and scoring wins at Milwaukee and the california 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway.

Finally, there was Jim Trueman and his team composed of Bobby Rahal and Willy T. Ribs. A veteran Can-Am team owner, Trueman brought Rahal back from europe to set up a new Indycar team in 1982. Bringing in his former Can-Am driver gave him a good foundation, but it was his trailblazing hiring of Ribs that helped Trusports get off the ground. Rahal would win two races en route to finishing 2nd behind Rick Mears, while Ribs would make history as the first black driver to win an Indycar race when he won at Road America [8].


All of these developments and storylines combined to make 1983 the first highly anticipated season in the new Indycar's history.

That, and two new storylines: Long time team owner Carl Haas entering the series teaming with actor Paul Newman and british chassis makers Lola, successfully poaching Mario Andretti from Pat Patrick, who strikes back by scoring perhaps the biggest coup in indycar since bringing back Mario fresh off his formula 1 world championship win: bringing none other than former 2-time F1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi out of his prolonged hiatus and into America.

with his arrival, however, comes a new problem...​

The news of Fitiipaldi's arrival in america, in a way, was the turning point of the new Indycar's ability to draw. Not only did national coverage on ABC expanded to 8 races, but a wave of ex-Formula 1 and european drivers came into the series: Irishman Derek Daly, Aussie Geoff Brabham, Canadian Jacques Villeneuve Sr., Colombian Roberto Guerrero, Italian Bruno Giacomelli, fellow Brazilians Roberto Moreno and Raul Boesel and south african female standout Desirée Wilson came into the series on the back of Emmo's arrival.

This, along with exciting races and an unpredictable title race, made the 1983 season the most successful and most watched indycar season so far. At the end of everything, it ended up being Teo Fabi, an Italian Formula 2 journeyman driving for the upstart Forsythe racing, Who would end up shocking the north american racing scene by winning the title at the last round at Ontario motor speedway [9].

The surprise 1983 Marlboro Champion​

While publicly, the teams and drivers respectfully congratulated Fabi on his title win, in private, concerns were being made vocal about the influx of foreign talent into the series. That, combined with the ever rising costs of motorsports, were the main talking points between Indycar Inc. And CART as they entered the 1983 off-season's negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement...

Such rising costs started affecting young jeff gordon. Despite continuing his success from quarter midgets in his new ventures in Karting, winning all of the 25 races he entered, the increasing costs of racing, along with a costly move to Indiana due to his family having insurance issues, were factors in Gordon beginning to lose interest in racing and focuse on waterskiing...


Meanwhile, at around the same time, on the other side of Indiana, a young boy turned heads in the local karting scene, winning a championship in 1980 and showing lots of promise.

MARLBORO INDYCAR CHAMPIONS

1979: Rick Mears - Penske
1980: Johnny Rutherford - Jim Hall Racing
1981: Rick Mears - Penske
1982: Rick Mears - Penske
1983: Teo Fabi - Forsythe Racing

INDY 500 WINNERS

1979: Rick Mears - Penske
1980: Johnny Rutherford - Jim Hall Racing
1981: Mario Andretti - Patrick Racing
1982: Tim Richmond - All American Racers
1983: Tim Richmond - All American Racers



NOTES

[1] Basically, a new organisation that serves essentially as Indycar's FOM
[2] here, CART is just the Indycar equivalent of FOCA
[3] Ontario and Texas World were left to die IRL
[4] IRL, Mario competed part-time in Indycar, only returning full time in 1983
[5] and [7]: IRL races won by Gordon Johncock, and Richmond IRL quickly ssitched to NASCAR. Though nothing right now suggests he might not switch to stock cars down the road...
[6]: Bobby Unser's penalty stands and Mario wins it.
[8]: IRL Race won by Hector Rebaque. Also, IRL, Ribs got stuck in Formula Atlantic until switching to sports cars.
[9]IRL title won by Al Unser Sr.

Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[kinnikuniverse]

This fella did the right thing ITTL and may have saved his career. the fallout of his actions, however, would cause a massive shitstorm...
​

1984 sees Indycar Inc. And CART come up with a new collective bargaining agreement, adressing the issues that has bene plaguing the scene in the last year:

-Indycar Inc. Will invest a hefty sum of money into lower level series such as Indy Lights, Toyota Atlantics, Formula Super Vee and springt car series so as to provide relief for smaller teams and drivers qho are struggling for money.

-Each Indycar seasons, from the duration of the new CBA, will have a grid composed of a minimum of 16 full time american drivers, with a minimum of 3 of them being rookies.

Among Said rookies in 1984, three drivers made their marks almost immediately.

The first was Michael Andretti. Mario's son, who won the Formula Super Vee championship the previous year, would score multiple podiums in his debut season with the Kraco-sponsored car of Rick Galles en route to 7th in the standings, 1 point behind that year's rookie of the year: Al Unser Jr of Doug Shierson Racing.

The son of the former 3-time Indy 500 winner and Series champion Al Unser did not disappoint in his debut with the promising Domino's team, scoring his first career win at Portland after a slow start and becoming rookie of the year, finishing in 6th in the standings.

Finally, while technically not a rookie, having raced part-time in 1982 for Forsythe, Danny Sullivan from Louisville, Kentucky returned from a mid stint for Tyrell in Formula 1 and went back to the defending champions Forsythe, scoring his first career win at the Pocono 500 and Texas 500, while young Chip Ganassi would score a monumental upset, holding off Mario Andretti to win at Cleveland.

Speaking of Mario, he would battle with All-American Racer's Tim Richmond for the title all season long, with Richmond beating Mario at the Michigan 500 and Riverside in memorable scraps.

the final round at the California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway was a race to remember, with Mario and Richmond dueling for the win all race long until Richmond passed Mario with three laps to go and homding him off for both the win and the championship, which would prove to be the ohio native's only Indycar championship.


1985 sees a crazy season with no less than 10 different winners and a title fight between Father and son. It started with Danny Sullivan winning at the season opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway, then Al unser Sr. Beating his son at Phoenix. Mario would win at Long Beach before Sullivan scores the famous spin and win at Indianapolis, and a week later, at Milwaukee, Tim Richmond qould win his last career indycar win before switching to NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports at the end of the year.

Mario would win again at Portland, then Little Al wins at Watkins Glen and Cleveland before Emerson Fittipaldi scores his third career win in Indycar at Michigan after his wins at Wakins Glen and Riverside in 1983.


Jacques Villeneuve Sr. Would make history as the first canadian indycar winner at Road America, Rick Mears dominates at Pocono and Willy T. Ribs scores his second career win at the Texas 500.

Afterwards, Bobby Rahal wins at home in Mid-Ohio as well as two in a row at Riverside and Laguna Seca before the thrilling season finale, where Little Al beat his father at Ontario to win his first ever Indycar title and Doug Shierson's only title.


1986 sees another epic title duel. This time it was between Bobby Rahal and Michael Andretti. Michael would score his first two career wins back to back at both Atlanta and Long Bsach, the latter after a tense finish holding off reigning champion Al Unser jr. However, Bobby Rahal's win at Indianapolis, coming only a few weeks after his boss Jin Trueman passed away, along with an incredible second half of the season, winning Texas 500, Mid-Ohio, Laguna Seca and the finale at Ontario allowed him to successfully mount a comeback against Michael to snap up his first ever Indycar title.

Other notable achievements in that season onclude Johnny Rutherford, replacing the now-NASCAR star Tim Richmond at All-American Racers, unexpectedly winning the Michigan 500, becoming the oldest winner in Indycar history at the time.


Rahal, now the team owner of Trusports, would repeat as champion in 1987 in a dominant performance, showing incredible consistency throughout the season.


Thanks to the new initiative by Indycar Inc., many new american talents got the chance to both compete at Indy and run full time. Drivers from various backgrounds, such as feeder series standouts Mike Groff, Robbie Buhl, Scott Brayton, Davy Jones, Dominic Dobson and Michael Andretti's cousin and brother John and Jeff Andretti, as well as sports car aces Chip Robinson, Scott Pruett and Wally Dallenbach Jr. Got to run full time, while USAC sprint car drivers managed to gain enough funding and help to run the 500 milers, including Indianapolis


However, not all was glitz and glamour in the Indycar world: in 1986, promising prospect and 1983 Michigan 500 winner John Paul Jr.'s confession and exposure of his father's drug trafficking operation, as well as Randy Lanier's subsequent arrest in 1988, caused a scandal across the racing community, and the war on drugs made its way to american motorsports, with investigations into teams and drivers's personal activities becoming rampant...





Meanwhile, away from the scandals and corruption, Jeff Gordon began racing again. This time, entering sprint car racing, becoming the youngest ever recipisnt of a USAC racing license at the age of 16 and on the brisk of a legendary career in the category.

Meanwhile, Tony Stewart would go on to win the world karting championship in 1987 before transitioning to three quarter midget car racing...


MARLBORO CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

1984: Tim Richmond - All American Racers
1985: Al Unser Jr - Doug Shierson Racing
1986: Bobby Rahal - Trusports
1987: Bobby Rahal - Trusports-Rahal Racing


INDY 500 WINNERS

1984: Rick Mears - Penske
1985: Danny Sullivan - Penske
1986: Bobby Rahal - Trusports
1987: Al Unser - Penske

 

[kinnikuniverse]

1988 was a tumultuous year for Indycar racing. The shock testimony of John Paul Jr. Brought the war on drugs into american motorsports, and many operations were forced to shut down following convictions of drug trafficking. This also had a side effect of people starting to question the overabundance of tobacco sponsorship in motorsports, a debate that would only increase in notoriety over the coming decades.


On track, the 1988 season saw the emergence of the Ilmor chevrolet V-8 engine as the premier powerplant in Indycar, winning all but one race and getting all the pole positions, with Team Penske's Danny Sullivan grabbing the title. Also notable was the involvement of Porsche in the series, though their chassis and engine wasn't really competitive, even at the hands of 1983 champion Teo Fabi, and so, Porsche instead switched their focus to sports car racing and building a successor to the 962 to compete in WSC and IMSA. The team would be taken over by Penske's shot caller Derrick Walker in 1989.

Finally, chassis supplier March was starting to become increasingly abandoned for the Lola Chassis, and that trend would continue in 1989, with Patrick Racing and Emerson Fittipaldi taking a lola-chevy combo to victory at the Indy 500 and the title after a tense duel with Rick Mears and Penske. Only Teo Fabi managed to win with a March for Derrick Walker, scoring three wins at Michigan, Mid-Ohio and Road America.

As we headed into the last decade of the 20th century, Indycar Inc. And CART went back to the negotiating table for the new CBA. While they were satisfied with the progress and development of american drivers and the investments in lower level motorsports providing fruitful results, the big stain on american motorsports's reputation following the industry-wide drug busting prompted the parties to negotiate procedures and check-ups into the backgrounds of any aspiring team owners in order to avoid such scandals ever again.

Tobacco sponsorship was also a subject of debate, with the more conscious voices voicing their concern over advertising something that could be dangerous, whereas some of the outfits sponsored by them, especially Team Penske, refused to let tobacco sponsorship go away. In the end, they decided on keeping tobacco sponsorship in the sport, but teams who run tobacco liveries are obliged to put warnings on the dangers of tobacco usage on their cars, while teams running alcoholic beverages as sponsors are also obliged to put the "Don't drink and drive" sticker on their cars.



On the track, 1990 started with a variety of winners, with mIchael Andretti, now driving for Newman-Haas woth his father Mario, winning the season opener at Atlanta, Rick Mears winning at Phoenix and Little Al winning once again at Long Beach, now driving for Galles Racing. At Indianapolis, Arie Luyendyk stuns the field by winning the 500 for Doug Shierson.

In thr middle of the season, Michael Andretti would win at Portland and Watkins Glen and take the lead of the championship despite retiring at Cleveland, but Al Unser Jr would go on a tear in the second half of the season, going on a run of 4 consecutive wins at Toronto, Michigan, Texas and Pocono.

Michael won the next two races at Mid-Ohio and Road America to stay in the hunt, but a pitstop error costed him a chance to capitalise on Little Al's retirement at Nazareth, and Little Al would duly win at Riverside and Ontario Motor Speedway to clinch his second Indycar title.

Alos of note in 1990 is the debut of Target Chip Ganassi Racing, with Formula 1 veteran Eddie Cheever ending as rookie of the year and Patrick Racing's almost winless season, for the rumoured Alfa Romeo engine program never came to fruitition, with Alfa Romeo prefering to concentrate on their Group C car, meaning that Pat Patrick stuck with the Chevrolet engine. Despite Emerson Fittipaldi winning at Nazareth and Roberto Guerrero scoring some good results, the broken promises was enough for Emmo to leave for Penske in 1991, with Danny Sullivan, who went winless in 1990, barely losing to Bobby Rahal at Cleveland, going the other way.


Michael Andretti learned form his mistakes, and he vowed to never repeat 1990 again. And he did so with gusto in 1991. After a string of retirements to begin the season at Atlanta and Long Beach, with his cousin John Andretti winning at Atlanta for Jim Hall and Little Al dominating at Long Beach despite a questionable punt on Danny Sullivan, Michael came back to finish 4th at Phoenix before dominating the Indy 500, leading almost every lap en route to inking his name into immortality, just like his father did.

That win at Indy served as a declick for Michael, for he would absolutely dominate the rest of 1991, scoring a total of 9 wins and almost equalising AJ Foyt's record of single season wins at the season finale at Ontario where not for a spectacular drive by Arie Luyendyk, who picked up where he left off at Ikdy in 1990, winning 4 races for Granatelli at Phoenix, Michigan, Nazareth and Ontario.

Meanwhile, in the grassroots level, Jeff Gordon became the youngest driver to get a USAC license at age 16. Already, his talents became the talk of the nation, for he would become rookie of the year in 1989, then dominate the USAC National Series in 1990 and the USAC Silver Crown championship in 1991, along with an impressive debut in the NASCAR Busch series race in North Carolina speedway in 1990, qualifying second but crashing after 23 laps, along with competing in the 1991 bushc series full time with Bill Davis thanks to the money brought by Hugh Connerty.

During that year, 1991, Jeff was looking to climb up the ladder and start a career in open-wheel racing. During the 1991 Cleveland Grand Prix, he shopped himself to a few Indycar teams, but to no avail, as they all felt that he needed seasoning in Indy Lights. While Al Unser Jr and AJ Foyt suggested NASCAR, Jeff managed to find a lifeline in open-wheel racing thanks to meeting none other than Formula 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart.

The Scotsman, who saw the huge potential in Gordon, invited the young Gordon to join his Formula Three outfit for the 1992 season. He didn't feel like relocating to Europe, and so, Gordon managed to negotiate a deal with Stewart: he would compete in the British Formula 3 series in a part-time capacity, in exchange for Stewart helping him get a seat in Indy Lights. Like that, he would only move between America and England.

After securing a part-time drive for Stewart in british F3, Gordon would then find a seat at Landford Racing, the reigning 2-time Indy Lights champions, for the 1992 season, thanks to Stewart's connections.

Meanwhile, Tony Stewart, thanks to his friend Mark Dismore, moved up to the USAC National Midget Series, where he would impress by being crowned rookie of the year. In a race in Indiana, he net and rsced against Jeff Gordon in what was the start of their legendary rivalry.​

SERIES CHAMPIONS

1988: Danny SSullivan- Team Penske
1989: Emerson Fittipaldi - Patrick Racing
1990: Al Unser Jr - Galles Racing
1991: Michael Andretti - Newman-Haas

INDY 500 WINNERS

1988: Rick Mears - Penske
1989: Emerson Fittipaldi - Patrick Racing
1990: Arie Luyendyk - Doug Shierson Racing
1991: Michael Andretti - Newman-Haas

Next Up: the 1992 Indycar Season Preview!

 

[kinnikuniverse]

1992 Marlboro Championship Season Preview

Schedule

1. Valvoline 200 - Atlanta Motor speedway (O) - March 22nd
2. Jimmy Bryan Memorial - Phoenix International raceway (O) - April 5th
3. Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (S) - April 12th
4. Indy 500 (O) - May 24th
5. Rex Mays Classic - Milwaukee Mile (O) - June 7th
6. GI Joe's 200 -Portland International Raceway (R) - June 21st
7. Budweiser Grand Prix of New York - Watkins Glen International (R) - June 28th
8. New England 200 - New Hampshire Motor Spweedway (O) - July 5th
9. Molson Indy Toronto (S) - July 19th
10. Michigan 500 (O) - August 2
11. Budweiser Grand Prix of Cleveland (R) - August 9
12. Miller Genuine Draft 200- Mid Ohio (R) - August 16
13. Texaco Halvoline 200 - Road America (R) - August 23rd (R)
14. Texas 500 - Texas World Speedway (O) - August 30
15. Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix of Pennsylvania - Nazareth Speedway (O) - September 13th
16. L.A Times 500k - Riverside International Raceway (R) - October 4th
17. California 500 - Ontario Motor Speedway (O) - October 18th


TEAMS AND DRIVERS


Texaco Halvoline Newman-Haas Racing
Lola-Ford
#1 Michael Andretti
#2 Mario Andretti

Michael Andretti won the 1991 title in oen of the most dominant seasons in recent memory, and the reigning Indy 500 and series champion is looking for the back-to-back in 1992. His father Mario, meanwhile, will do anything he can to help his son achieve his goals while looking to prove he still got it at age 52.


Marlboro team Penske
Penske-Chevrolet
#5 Emerson Fittipaldi
#4 Rick Mears
#7 Paul Tracy - 2, 4, 6, 9-11, 14, 17

Team Penske runs the oldest lineup of the entire series, but Rick Mears and Emerson Fittipaldi has won a combined 4 Indy 500s and 6 top flight open wheel racing titles (if you count the indycar title on the same level as the F1 title). Their championship credentials is more than enough to make them the main challengers for Michael Andretti and Newman-Haas this season.

Arriving from Dale Coyne is 1990 indy lights champion Paul Tracy, who will serve as the team's test driver and run a part-time program in a third Penske car at the 500 milers, his home race at Toronto and the Cleveland and Portland Grand Prixs.



Miller Genuine Draft Rahal-Hogan Racing
Truesports-Chevrolet
#12 Bobby Rahal

The two-time Indycar champion is all alone now that Scott Pruett left for Patrick Racing, taking long-time title sponsor Budweiser with him. Securing Sponsorship from Miller Genuine Draft, Rahal and his team manager Carl Hogan also revealed the new Truesports chassis upgrade, hoping to get back to victory lane more often than in 1991.

Budweiser Patrick Racing
Lola-Ford
#20 Scott Pruett

Despite two relatively slumpy seasons in a row following the 1989 championship season, Pat Patrick still has considerable influence in the sport, poaching both Scott Pruett and Budweiser from Team Rahal-Hogan and acquiring the same Lola-Ford package that won Newman-Haas and Michael Andretti the Indy 500 and the title last year. Could 1992 be the year where Pruett not only wins his first race, but also where Pat Patrick returns into title contention?


Galles Racing
Galmer-Chevrolet
#3 Al Unser Jr - Valvoline
#18 Wally Dallenbach Jr. - Kraco

Only two wins for Little Al in 1991, defending his crowns at Long Beach and Texas World Speedway. The 2-time Indycar champion will now drive the brand new Galmer chassis, developed in-house by Rick Galles with the sole purpose of winning the Indy 500 and the championship.

Wally Dallenbach Jr., who impressed with his solid, consistent outings last year, returns as Little Al's teammate. Dallenbach is a strong dark horse candidate to get his first maiden win this year.


Pennzoil Hall VDS Racing
Lola-Chevrolet
#4 John Andretti

At the season opener in Atlanta last year, John Andretti stunned the kndycar world by giving Jim Hall his first indycar win since John Paul Jr. At the 1983 Michigan 500 and scoring his first career win. This was followed by multiple top 10 finishes, including a memorable 2nd place behind cousin Michael Andretti at Michigan. Will the Jim Hall revival continue this year?



STP Granatelli Racing
Lola-Chevrolet
#9 Jeff Andretti
#77 Arie Luyendyk (500 milers only)

Speaking of revival, the Granatelli team, now run by Andy's son Vince, shocked the Indycar paddock last year qith Arie Luyendyk scoring 4 wins, all on ovals, including the Michigan and California 500.

Luyendyk, however, will only compete at the 500 milers this season, for he wants to focus on his son's Karting debut. The full time seat will be driven by 1991 Rookie of the year Jeff Andretti, formerly of Dale Coyne Racing.


Dale Coyne Racing
Lola-Ford
#19 Robbie Buhl - Mi-Jack
#39 Ross Bentley (R) (2-3, 6, 9, 11, 13, 500 milers) - Canadian Tire
#90 Eric Bachelart (R) (1, 7, 11-13, Ovals ) - Lease Plan

With both Paul Tracy and Jeff Andretti leaving, Dale Coyne brings back Robbie Buhl from Arciero racing and will run the second car with two part-timers. Canadian Ross Bentley and 1991 indy lights champion Éric Bachelart will exchange the second Dale Coyne car between each other, with all three drivers competing together at the 500 milers.



Labbatt Arciero Racing
Lola-Buick
#10 John Jones

Arciero ran three different drivers last year, with canadian John Jones ending up achieving the best results out of the three, with a highest finish of 8th place at the Michigan 500. Coming in with Labbatt sponsorship, the small Buick outfit looks to climb up the ladder.

Alumax Bettenhausen racing
Penske-Chevrolet
#16 Scott Sharp (R)

Tony Bettenhausen jr. Retires from full time racing after a string of top ten finishes in 1991, with a very impressive 5th place at Michigan his last great result. For his first year as full-time team manager, he puts his faith in reigning SCCA Trans-Am champion Scott Sharp, who has shown a great deal of promise in the pre-season testing on both ovals and road courses. Now running last year's Penske-Chevrolet combo thansk to a new partnership with the captain, This is a team to keep an eye on in 1992.


Target Chip Ganassi Racing
Lola-Ford
#6 Robby Gordon (R)
#28 Eddie Cheever

Thanks to relatively successful first two years in the sport, Target gave Chip Ganassi additional funding to provide a second car for young sports car driver Robby Gordon, two-time GTO class winner at the Daytona 24 hours and Sebring.

Eddie Cheever will still serve as the number 1 driver and also mentor young Robby under his wings to make the transition to open-wheel cars easier.



Domino's Doug Shierson Racing
Lola-Chevrolet
#30 Scott Brayton

Doug Shierson sadly cpuldn't capitalise on the 1990 Indy 500 win, and Arie Luyendyk left for Granatelli in 1991. Scott Brayton did as well as he could under these circumstences, but with Domino's withdrawl from the series as sponsor becoming increasingly likely, this year might be the end of the #30 car's existence.


Euromotorsports
Lola-Ford
#42 Mike Groff - Barilla

Antonio Ferrari, grandnephew of Enzo, soldiers on with Mike Groff behind the wheel despite the lack of ressources to be competitive.


AJ Foyt Enterprises
Lola-Chevrolet
#14 AJ Foyt (ovals only) - Copenhagen
#14 Ross Cheever (6-7, 11, 13, 16) (R) - Copenhagen
#14 Brian Till (R) (3, 9, 12) - Copenhagen
#48 Davy Jones - Duracell

AJ Foyt, now in his last ever season as a competitive driver, will compete in the ovals only this year, with his trademark #14 Copenhagen car being shared between Japan F3000 ace Ross Cheever and Indy Lights standout Brian Till on the road courses. Menawhile, Davy Jones competes in his 3rd season with the team on the back of some solid top ten finishes in 1991.


Panasonic Dick Simon racing
Lola-Buick
#11 Hiro Matsushita
#22 Raul Boesel
#23 Lyn St. James (part-time) (R)

Raul Boesel returns to Indycar Racing after a successful stint in sports cars, partnering Hiro Matsushita at the panasonic team. Sports car racer and ESPN analyst Lyn St. James will compete part-time this season, including a try at the Indy 500, becoming the first woman since Desirée Wilson to attempt to qualify for the event.


Walker Racing
Lola-Ford
#15 Scott Goodyear - Mackenzie Financials
#17 Willie T. Ribs - Molson

Derrick Walker's first year as team owner of the former Porsche team started well in 1989, with Teo Fabi scoring three wins, but the last two years hasn't been so kind to the british manager. Willy T. Ribs unfortunately showed his declining talent, but Canadian Scott Goodyear ended up being a revelation, scoring many top 8 finishes. His performances attracted many canadian sponsors to the team, giving Derrick some much needed room to run the current-spec Lola-ford package.



Della penna motorsports
Lola-Ford
#47 Jimmy Vasser (R) - Ralphs

John Della Pena, fresh off winning the Formula Atlantic title, moves up to Indycar with Jimmy Vasser, the same driver who brought him glory in the atlantics. Acquiring one of the 1991 Lola-Ford packages of Newman-Haas and with supermarket chain Ralphs financing them, this upstart team might sneak some top 10 finishes.


King Racing
Lola-Buick
#26 Dave Kudrave - Quaker State
#36 Roberto Guerrero - Skoal Bandit

From the ashes of Leader Card racing comes Kenny Bernstein's successful drag racing outfit King Racing. Veteran Roberto Guerrero, who just received American citizenship, bring shis longtime sponsor Skoal Bandit with him, giving Bernstein enough funding for a second car for Dave Kudrave, a young driver praised by none other than Dan Gurney, who competed in a few races last year for Arciero.

Hemelgarn racing
Lola-Buick
#81 Buddy Lazier - Jack's Tool Rental

Hemelgarn and Buddy Lazier keeps going for yet another season, if only to boast that they can still participate at the highest level.


P.I.G Racing (part-time)
Lola-Chevrolet
#31 Ted Prappas (R)

The smallest outfit on the grid, P.I.G Enterprise runs Ted Prappas, a driver who first made a name for hosmelf in the independent american indycar series.

 

[kinnikuniverse]

Marlboro Indycar Championship

Round 1: Valvoline 200 at Atlanta Motor speedway. March 22nd, 1992

The 1992 Indycar season started, as per tradition, in the deep south at Atlanta Motor speedway. 29 cars participated in qualifying, with Hiro Matsushita being bumped out by Arciero's John Jones for the final spot on the grid and Ted Prappas surprising everybpdy by qualifying his underfunded Lola 16th.

Michael Andretti looked to pick up where he left 1991 as he sought back to back championships, but Al Unser Jr, using the new Galmer Chassis, sntached the pope position from him in the last few minutes of qualifying. Emerson Fittipaldi and Bobby Rahal were not that far behind, thus continuing the trends of the last few seasons of Penske, Newman-Haas and Galles being the main challengers, with Bobby Rahal's outfit being the main darkhorses...or is it?



QUALIFYING RESULTS

ROW 1
Al Unser Jr
Michael Andretti

Row 2
Emerson Fittipaldi
Bobby Rahal

Row 3
Rick Mears
Mario Andretti

Row 4
Eddie Cheever
Scott Pruett

Row 5
Scott Goodyear
Wally Dallenbach Jr.

Row 6
John Andretti
Scott Brayton

Row 7
Robby Gordon
Scott Sharp

Row 8
Raul Boesel
Ted Prappas

Row 9
Jimmy Vasser
Eric Bachelart

Row 10
Davy Jones
Buddy Lazier

Row 11
Robbie Buhl
Roberto Guerrero

Row 12
AJ Foyt
Willy T. Ribs

Row 13
Jeff Andretti
Dave Kudrave

Row 14
Mike Groff
John Jones

DNQ
Hiro Matsushita

At the start, and for much of the race, Michael and Little Al raced one another for the win, while in the midfield, there was some competitive racing involving many a few daring passes.

Then, on lap 78, Michael's engine blew up, giving the lead to Little Al, but not for long, as Roger Penske pulled one of his signature pit strategies to get Fittipladi and Rick Mears up front. An unfortunate long pitstop by Little Al pretty much sealed the deal for Roger Penske, as Emerson Fittipaldi wins the first roudn of the season, with Mears in 2nd for a 1-2 and Bobby Rahal in a distant 3rd, showing the promises of the upgraded Trusports Chassis. The most notable result is Ted Prappas scoring his first point in his first ever Indycar outing.

1. Emerson Fittipaldi 20 pts
2. Rick Mears 16 pts
3. Bobby Rahal 14 pts
4. Al Unser Jr 12 pts
5. Wally Dallenbach Jr. 10 pts
6. John Andretti 6 pts
7. Mario Andretti 4 pts
8. Eddie Cheever 3 pts
9. Scott Goodyear 2 pts
10. Ted Prappas 1 pt



Round 2: Jimmy Bryan Memorial at Phoenix - April 5th, 1992


Michael kept churning out stunning qualifying laps, crushing the lap record at Phoenix, with a strong Bobby Rahal alongside him on the front row.

ROW 1
Michael Andretti
Bobby Rahal

ROW 2
Mario Andretti
Emerson Fittipaldi

ROW 3
John Andretti
Paul Tracy

ROW 4
Scott Pruett
Rick Mears

ROW 5
Raul Boesel
Scott Goodyear

ROW 6
Al Unser Jr
Scott Brayton

ROW 7
Eddie Cheever
Robby Gordon

ROW 8
Scott Sharp
Davy Jones

ROW 9
Buddy Lazier
Jimmy Vasser

ROW 10
Jeff Andretti
Hiro Matsushita

ROW 11
AJ Foyt
Willy T. Ribs

ROW 12
Robbie Buhl
Roberto Guerrero

ROW 13
Dave Kudrave
John Jones

ROW 14
Mike Groff
Ross Bentley


Bobby Rahal utterly dominated the event, showing off the progress of the Trusports chassis. The only car on the lead lap by the final 20 laps was Eddie Cheever's Target Lola. But then, a shocking twist happens as Rahal clips the wall and breaks his right front suspension!

And just like that, from a gift of god, Eddie Cheever wins his and Ganassi's first ever Indycar win!

​

Phoenix Race Results

1. Eddie Cheever 20 pts
2. Emerson Fittipaldi 16 pts
3. Paul Tracy 14 pts
4. Al Unser Jr 12 pts
5. John Andretti 10 pts
6. Scott Pruett 6 pts
7. Rick Mears 4 pts
8. Scott Brayton 3 pts
9. Michael Andretti 2 pts
10. Scott Sharp 1 pt


Round 3: Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - April 12th, 1992


Michael continued his dominant qualifying form, scoring pole at the premier street race in America. However, two surprise faces starts alongside him, with Wally Dallenbach Jr. And Scott Pruett starting sexpnd and third in front of the king of the beach, Al Unser Jr. What the thousands of Indycar fnas at Long Beach wouldn't know, however, was that they would witness a classic.



ROW 1
Michael Andretti
Wally Dallenbach Jr

ROW 2
Scott Pruett
Al Unser Jr

ROW 3
Emerson Fittipaldi
Eddie Cheever

ROW 4
Mario Andretti
Bobby Rahal

ROW 5
Rick Mears
John Andretti

ROW 6
Raul Boesel
Davy Jones

ROW 7
Jimmy Vasser
Robby Gordon

ROW 8
Scott Sharp
Roberto Guerrero

ROW 9
Scott Goodyear
Brian Till

ROW 10
Ross Bentley
Lyn St. James

ROW 11
Willy T. Ribs
Dave Kudrave

ROW 12
Buddy Lazier
John Jones

ROW 13
Hiro Matsushita
Scott Brayton

ROW 14
Robbie Buhl
Ted Prappas

DNQ
Mike Groff
Jeff Andretti


At the start, Michael led and Little Al took 2nd in a three-wide pass of Pruett and Dallenbach at the first corner to get second place. As in Atlanta, Michael and Litttle Al fought for the lead, but the race quickly turned into one of attrition, as only 10 cars finished the race. Michael was not one of them, for his transmission broke up trying to defend his lead against Little Al.

From then on, it was smooth sailing for Little Al, for he would comfortably be protected by teammate Wally Dallenbach Jr, who femded off Bobby Rahal and Emmo, to win his 5th straight victory at Long Beach and get a 1-2 for Galles and their new Galmer Chassis.

​

Long Beach Race Results

1. Al Unser Jr. 20 pts
2. Wally Dallenbach 16 pts
3. Bobby Rahal 14 pts
4. Emerson Fittipaldi 12 pts
5. Scott Goodyear 10 pts
6. Rick Mears 6 pts
7. Jimmy Vasser 4 pts
8. Ross Bentley 3 pts
9. Scott Pruett 2 pts
10. Hiro Matsushita 1 pt


Up Next: Jeff Gordon's first races in British F3 and Indy Lights!

 

[kinnikuniverse]

Jeff Gordon's lower Formulae adventures - Chapter 1

Jeff Gordon knew that 1992 was gonna be the most grueling year of his life.

Not that he wasn't used to traveling around. He competed in Midgets and Sprint Cars everywhere in the states, and he even went to New Zealand to compete. But not at this frantic pace. One week-end, he'd be at home in Indiana, the other, all across the country to California, and the next, flying away to England to race for Jackie Stewart.

He was gonna miss his parents and his loved ones, for sure. But he knew it was the way to go. He knew he is made of tough material. Otherwise, he wouldn't have plunged headfirst into racing.

The 20-year old young man would finally make the step up to the moment of truth for many aspiring racers: do well in Indy Lights, and you might just have a good chance at getting a full-time ride in Indycars. Jeff might have been priviledged to have Jackie and his sponsor Dupont sign him with the reigning 2-time champion team, Landford Racing, he needed to put 100% effort if he would ahve any chances of making it to Indycar. At Atlanta for the opening round, Jeff got himself acquainted with the team and his teammate, another young and hungry Californian in Bryan Herta.

In the practice and qualifying sessions, Jeff, with the help of the supportive environment at Landford, adapted well with the sophisticated machinery of open-wheel race cars, getting it on the 2nd row just behind teammate Herta and behind the two drivers expected to be their main rivals this year: Mexican Adrian Fernandez of John Martin Racing and Mark Smith of Indy Regency Racing Racing. Right behind the two Landford cars were two darkhorses to the title race: Robbie Groff and Sandy Brody.

The race quickly devolved into a race-long chase for the win between Jeff and Fernandez. A mistake by fernandez led Jeff to pass him with 20 laps to go, and he would hold on to score a debut win.

Despite scoring the pole at the next round in Phoenix, Jeff quickly found himself left in the dust by a determined Fernandez, who was simply untouchable that day.


Now, going to Long Beach, the glitz and glamour of shoreline drive didn't distract jeff one bit. Any doubts and concerns over his lack of experience on road courses were quickly proven needless, for Jeff scored his second pole position in a row and would end up holding off Groff and Fernandez to win the Long Beach GP support race.

Up next, however, came the long airplane ride to London for a 4 week stay in England. Learning a new racing culture, a new environement and a vastly different atmosphere.

Upon arriving at the Heathrow airport, Jeff was greeted by Sir Jackie Stewart and his son Paul. Heberging him in their london house, Jeff acclimated himself with the customs of britain and the team, including his teammate, Brazilian Gil de Ferran, before following them to the Thruxton Circuit for his first British F3 outing.

The Thruxton circuit is known as a true test of a driver's skill, with its deceptive corners and lack of walls. Jeff would know that firsthand upon doing his first praxtice laps around the circuit in his Camel-sponsored Reynard 923. Unaccustomed to the more refined style needed to drive a european single seater, Jeff learned the ropes the hard way, spinning many times while testing out his car's limit. Plus, it is clesr that De Ferran was the team's number 1 driver, due to his considerable experience advantage over the young american.

Thankfully, Jeff had Jackie Stewart as mentor. You cannot have a better teacher than him. The elderly Scotsman would gove Jeff precious tips, while the more active environement was a bit overwhelming at first, but it allowed Jeff to push himself just like the crewmates.

On the day of Qualifying, Jeff improved his performances, though his lack of experience on european single seaters meant that he was a bit off the pace of the leaders. He still maanged to qualify in 15th, which was really good for a complete beginner. Still, people weren't really high on the american kid who had no experience and, in their words, "couldn't turn right".

The standing start, Jeff's first ever, didn't help matters. He dropped off to 20th place already by the time they hit the first turn. What they didn't expect, however, was the sheer will and determination of Jeff Gordon. Throughout the race, he worked through the field, managing to get into 8th position before, sadly, his mechanic broke down with 3 laps to go. The young american showed them what he was made of, but he learned that those open-wheel cars sure were fragile. He also made friends with a fellow young american who competed in the series in Elton Julian.

The next race, at the legendary Brands Hatch circuit, would see Jeff actually slightly improve his performances. Qualifying 15th again, Gordon woudl however nail his standing start and drive a solid race, finishing in 8th, two places behind the points as his teammate de Ferran won the race. Returning to Thruxton, Gordon, now having learned the track, improved his qualifying by starting 10th and battling with Andre Ribeiro and Jason Plato all race long. In the end, he scored his first ever point, finishing 6th behind Kelvin Burt.

While celebrating his friend Julian's win in that race, Jackie came up to Jeff and told him that Paul (Stewart) was gonna take some times on the sidelines to nurse a wrist injury, meaning that he would have the opportunity to step up to the team's F3000 outfit at the opening round of the championship at the mythical Silverstone circuit.

If he thought the ambiance at the F3 team pushed him alot, then the F3000 outfit was even more intense! Everything was prepared to the bone, every detail meticulously managed. This was the closest he could get to the atmosphere of a Formula 1 team. Thankfully, Jackie and Paul got him accustomed, with teammate David Coulthard welcoming him and getting along well with the young american.

Onboard the Reynard 92D, Jeff practised extensively around Silverstone. He foudn the high-speed track to be right up his alley, and he would surprise a lot of people by qualifying 10th in his first ever F3000 outing.

The race began, and Jeff managed to hang in there with F3000 veterans such as Andrea Montermini, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger. Jeff stayed close to David Coulthard all race long, concentrating on getting the car home in one piece, and Jeff would end the race in an excellent 8th place, behind Coulthard in 7th.

For Jeff, finishing that high for his first F3000 race was almost a victory for him, and the stewart team celebrated his excellent performance at the local pubs. The benefits of the drinking age being lower in the UK.

After saying his goodbyes to Jackie and Paul for now, Jeff took the flight back to Indianapolis, back to the familiar scent of hot dogs on the grill and methanol covering the air at the world famous speedway. The jet lag wasn't the only thing Jeff needed to adapt to upon returning. The much more laidback atmosphere at Landford Racing and Indy Lights acted as a shock from the hectic atmosphere at Stewart that he grew accustomed to!

Now, it was time for Jeff to rest and relax so he can be ready for the biggest race fo the Indy Lights calendar: the Indianapolis 500 support race on saturday. This will be the first tiem he'l ever race at the speedway, and he swore to tear the freaking roof down on that day.

Next up: the month of May at Indy

 

[Huey Louis IX]

Digging this so far, especially the inclusion of Tim Richmond and Willy T. Ribbs. Hopefully ITTL Tony George has been exiled to St. Helena and can't cripple open wheel racing in America.

 

[kinnikuniverse]

Digging this so far, especially the inclusion of Tim Richmond and Willy T. Ribbs. Hopefully ITTL Tony George has been exiled to St. Helena and can't cripple open wheel racing in America.

Thank you very much! Hope you'll enjoy the rest of the ride

 

[kinnikuniverse]

1992 Indy 500 Month of May

As per tradition, the month of may is all dedicated to the Indianapolis 500, the true great american race, the crown jewel pf thr Indycar calendar. 44 entries would make attempts at qualifying among the fastest 33 and a shot at the biggest prize in motorsports: the world famous Indianapolis milk.

In the first week of practice, it would be the surprising King Racing outfit of Roberto Guerrero and Dave Kudrave who would set the pace, with Guerrero averaging 230 mph. Such speeds forced the other competitors to up their game, perhaps too much so, as Rick Mears would suffer a massive crash that would end up being a career ender after a fluid leak spread water towards his two rear wheels, causing him to spin and hit the wall hard.

Later, former F1 world champion Nelson Piquet also crashed, while Mario Andretti managed to top Guerrero's speed with a 233 mph run. In qualifying, Arie Luyendyk, racing only in the 500 milers for Granatelli racing, broke the one-lap track record with 229 mph before Guerrero hits 232 mph, blasting away multiple track records in the process.

​

Nelson Piquet driving a Menard-Sponsored Lola


Sadly, during practice before the second day of time trials, jovy Marcelo suffered a crash after going low in turn one and hitting the wall full frontal. He passed away immediately.

​

Rest in Piece


In the final day of time trials, veterans like Tom Sneva, Gordon Johncock and Pancho Carter mad eit, while Scott Goodyear and Jimmy Vasser managed to get into the race, albeit from two different means: Vasser used Della Pena's backup car to qualify, while Goodyear barely bumped away Kenji Momota and Didier Theys for the 33rd and final spot.


Meanwhile, on saturday, it was time for th eIndy 200 Indy Lights support race. Jeff Gordon and Bryan Herta were joined at Landford Racing by Brazilian Marco Greco. Jeff and Bryan managed to qualify easily for the race, with their rivals Fernandez, Mark Smith, Robbie Groff and Sandy Brody also having qualified.

​

the Indy Lights cars parked in the infield


The race started and Mark Smith went away, with Jeff, Fernandez and Brody in pursuit. Smith and Fernandez spend much of the race battling in the lead, while Jeff and Bryan were under pressure by Brody and Indy Regency's second driver Franck Freon.

Halfway through, Jeff managed to get out of the pits before Smith, while Fernandez had trouble with his front wing. Jeff then headed towards Robbie Groff, who was leading the race. From then on, Jeff and Groff dueled for the lead, with Bryan and Smith behind them. The crowd got up on their feet as Jeff and Groff delivered an exciting battle, with both drivers taking turns attacking one another in a fast and furious game of cat and mouse.

Jeff would then do a trick that Jackie Stewart taught him: the fade-in to the left, which caught Groff off-guard as he witnessed the young american in the dupont colored machine passing him on the inside at turn 4.

All seemed like smooth sailing for Jeff Gordon, and he seemed poised to make a stunning inpression at Indianapolis, the realm of the DePalmas, DePaolos, Granatellis, Parnelli Jones, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, AJ Foyt, Andrettis, Unsers...

...never mind that, here comes Fernandez! The mexican charged towards the lead, passing Herta and Groff and now attacking Jeff in the dying laps of the race! Jeff defended with all of his might, trying to block Fernandez, but the mexican used the drafting to pass Jeff at the start-finish straight!

And there ya have it, Adrian Fernandez wins the Indy 100 ina close finish against Jeff Gordon, with Bryan Herta finishing 3rd and Robbie Groff in 4th.

​

Adrian Fernandez


As fernandez celebrated on winner's circle, Jeff looked on with newfound determination in his eyes. In his mind, he thought Fernandez stole his chance at making it. For the rest of the season, he will make sure this is the last race he and everyone else will win...

And thus, the stage is set for the 76th running of the Indianapolis 500. Who is gonna come away with all the honors?

76TH INDY 500 STARTING GRID

ROW 1
Roberto Guerrero
Eddie Cheever
Mario Andretti

ROW 2
Arie Luyendyk
Gary Bettenhausen
Michael Andretti

ROW 3
Scott Brayton
Wally Dallenbach Jr
Robby Gordon (R)

ROW 4
Bobby Rahal
Emerson Fittipaldi
Al Unser Jr

ROW 5
Stan Fox
John Andretti
Éric Bachelart (R)


ROW 6
Scott Sharp (R)
Scott Pruett
John Paul Jr.


ROW 7
Paul Tracy (R)
Jeff Andretti
Dave Kudrave


ROW 8
Davey Jones
AJ Foyt
Buddy Lazier

ROW 9
Raul Boesel
Brian Bonner (R)
Lyn St. James (R)

ROW 10
Jimmy Vasser (R)
Willy T. Ribs
John Jones


ROW 11
Gordon Johncock
Ted Prappas (R)
Scott Goodyear

​

Start your engines!

 

[SealTheRealDeal]

Is Offenhauser still supplying engines?

 

[kinnikuniverse]

Is Offenhauser still supplying engines?

Who?

 

[SealTheRealDeal]

Who?

Offenhauser - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Comte de Geneve]

I'm sorry, but if you don't know Offenhauser do not comment on any Indy Car/Indianapolis 500 time line.

 

[SealTheRealDeal]

I'm sorry, but if you don't know Offenhauser do not comment on any Indy Car/Indianapolis 500 time line.

That's a bit elitist imo. Also, this is their TL...

 

[Huey Louis IX]

The Offy was pretty much gone by the time this timeline started, with only smaller teams using it when the first split happened. It was gone by 1980 so I don't think it's necessarily relevant to this TL, plus not everyone is an AWOR historian so I can forgive OPs lack of knowledge about it in this case.

 

[kinnikuniverse]

1992 Indianapolis 500 miles Sweepstakes

It was that time of the year again. The biggest race in North America is on as the Indy 500 kicked off in front of yet another sold out crowd. Despite the blisteri g pace that polesitter Roberto Guerrero set in qualifying, Michael Andretti and his newman-Haas Lola-ford ended up being the fastest car the entire race, as the reigning indy 500 and series champions set an incredible pace right from the get-go, taking the lead of the race very early and looking unstoppable.

...when the race was green, that is. While accidents at Indy are common, this year's edition proved to be particularly crash-prone, even more so than usual. Over the first half of the race alone, plenty of cars ended up crashing hard into the walls, with the likes of Scott Sharp, Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario all hitting the outside wall in the first 100 laps. On lap 115, Jeff Andretti hit the wall in the worst crash of the afternoon, colliding head-on into the wall near the turn two suites. The front of the car was totaled, and Jeff suffered severe leg injuries. Meanwhile, the wheel of jeff's car struck Gary Bettenhausen and put him out of the race, as well.

​

the state of Jeff Andretti's car post-crash


The second half would see the field being shrunk down to only 17 cars, with Michael having a 30-second lead over Eddie Cheever and Arie Luyendyk. The latter got himself out of the race after he turned up into the marbles avoiding AJ Foyt.

Michael continued to lead, looking nigh unbeatavle as he now had a 28-second lead against canadian scott goodyear and Al Unser Jr, whose Galmer chassis is surprisingly quick on the super speedway. And then, Michael began slowing down...

taken moments before disaster...

​

Michael's fuel pump stopped working, and he was forced to stop in the infield with 12 laps to go, letting Goodyear and Little Al to battle for the win.

All throughout the ending, Goodyear and Little Al played the most intense game of cat and mouse, all taking turns attempting every manoeuvre in the book. Little Al, looking to etch his name alongside his illustrious father in the Indy record books, Goodyear looking to accomplish the unprecedented exploit of being the first last-to-first winner in Indy 500 history, along with being the first canadian driver to win the event.

​

the historic battle for the win


Into the final lap we go. Goodyear tucks closely behind. And then, in turn four, Little Al got loose, getting wide on the outside! This is Goodyear's chance!

At the backstraight, Goodyear gets the exit and snekas the nose of his lola into the lead, it's a drag race to the finish!

Goodyear's nose beats out Little Al's! Scott Goodyear is the 1992 Indy 500 winner! From last to first! The first canadian to win the race!



Pandemonium in the Walker Racing pits, with Derrick Walker almost sumbling while jumping over the pit wall, while Rick Galles and his crew kneeled down and looked on with stupefaction in their faces. Goodyear came back into the pits, grabbing the canadian flag and waving it proudly as he did his victory lap around the track before coming back and drink the milk at winners circle. Meanwhile, Little Al was inconsolable, outright refusing to talk to anyone standing in his way. So close, yet so far...

Eddie Cheever rounded up the podium, with teammate Robby Gordon finishing 4th and Little Al's teammate Wally Dallenbach Jr. Completes the top 5, while Lyn St. James makes history as the first woman to finish in the top 10 at Indy since Janet Guthrie in 1978.

Goodyear could hardly retain his tears

​

1992 INDY 500 RACE RESULTS

1. Scott Goodyear 20 pts
2. Al Unser 16 pts
3. Eddie Cheever 14 pts
4. Robby Gordon 12 pts (R)
5. Wally Dallenbach Jr. 10 pts
6. Bobby Rahal 6 pts
7. Raul Boesel 4 pts
8. AJ Foyt 3 pts
9. John Paul Jr. 2 pts
10. Lyn St. James 1 pt (R)

And there you have it, Scott Goodyear becomes the first ever last-to-first winner in Indy 500 history, and both Michael Andretti and Little Al comes up short. Will both find a way to bounce back at Milwaukee and the rest of the summer races? Find out next time!

 

[kinnikuniverse]

1992 Marlboro Indycar championship trail part 3: Rounds 5-9

​

Round 5: Rex Mays Classic at Milwaukee Mile

June 7th, 1991

One week after Scott Goodyear's dramatic victory at the Indy 500, the Marlboro Championship Trail soldiers on at the legendary Milwaukee Mile for the Rex Mays Classic, the traditional week-end after Indy spectacular.

Before the race, a few lineup change soccured due to injuries. Rick Mears's injuries durign practice at Indy proved to be a career ender for the former 3-time Indy 500 champion and series champion. He will be replaced full time by Team Penske's test driver, Paul Tracy. Jeff Andretti, meamwhile, will be absent from the next 4 rounds to nurture his fractured legs after his crash during the 500, to be repalced on the ovals by Arie Luyendyk and on road courses by Jeff Wood.

Paul Tracy didn't waste his once in a lifetime opportunity, for he managed to put his Penske-Chevy onto the front row alongside Bobby Rahal, while Scott Brayotn surprised everyone by puttign the Doug Shierson Domino's car on the secpnd row alongside indy 500 winner Goodyear. Meanwhile, Little Al starts at a surprisingly low 13th place.

STARTING GRID

ROW 1
Bobby Rahal
Paul Tracy

ROW 2
Scott Goodyear
Scott Brayton

ROW 3
Michael Andretti
Emerson Fittipaldi

ROW 4
Eddie Cheever
John Andretti

Row 5
Wally Dallenbach Jr
Mario Andretti

ROW 6
Raul Boesel
Scott Pruett

ROW 7
Al Unser Jr
Arie Luyendyk

ROW 8
Robby Gordon
Jimmy Vasser

ROW 9
Buddy Lazier
Scott Sharp

ROW 10
John Jones
Éric Bachelart

ROW 11
Dave Kudrave
AJ Foyt

Row 12
Davy Jones
Roberto Guerrero

ROW 13
Robbie Buhl
Willie T. Ribs

ROW 14
Mike Groff
Hiro Matsushita

However, Tracy and Brayton couldn't really capitalise on the surprise effect, for the race ended up being a race-long duel for the win between Michael Andretti and Rahal, with Michael storming through the kead on the opening lap. Michael was in fine form, as he looked to make up for the abysmal start to the season and that heartbreaking retirement from the Indy 500 he feel he should've won.
After trading the lead between each other for much of the race, Michael managed to use the traffic to his advantage, getting past Rahal on the outside at turn four while Rahal was slowed down by Dave Kudrave. He would then pick up the pace enough to cruise the last 5 laps for his first win of the season.

Milwaukee Race Results

1. Michael Andretti 20 pts
2. Bobby Rahal 16 pts
3. Scott Brayton 14 pts
4. Emerson Fittipaldi 12 pts
5. Eddie Cheever 10 pts
6. Mario Andretti 6 pts
7. Al Unser Jr 4 pts
8. Scott Goodyear 3 pts
9. John Andretti 2 pts
10. Raul Boesel 1 pt

Meanwhile, in Indy Lights, Jeff Gordon's quest for an Indycar seat got hit by a roadblock in the name of Adrian Fernandez, for the mexican continues his momentum from snatching the Indy 100 win from Gordon by dominating at Milwaukee, with Gordon finishing a distant 2nd place. The Indy Lights title duel between the mexican and the young phenom from California is on.


Round 6: GI Joe's 200 at Portland

June 21st, 1992

The next stop is the father's day spectacular at the Portland International Raceway, one of the rare road courses where we have enough space for more than 28 cars. 32 entries took part in the race, with Emerson Fittipaldi getting his first pole of the year, while Little Al had a much better qualifying performance in 4th, but getting outqualified by his teammate Wally Dallenbach Jr for the second race in a row.

ROW 1
Emerson Fittipaldi
Michael Andretti

ROW 2
Wally Dallenbach Jr
Al Unser Jr

ROW 3
Bobby Rahal
Eddie Cheever

ROW 4
Paul Tracy
Mario Andretti

ROW 5
Raul Boesel
Scott Pruett

ROW 6
Robby Gordon
John Andretti

ROW 7
Davy Jones
Scott Goodyear

ROW 8
Ross Cheever
Jimmy Vasser

ROW 9
Scott Sharp
Scott Brayton

ROW 10
Éric Bachelart
Willie T. Ribs

ROW 11
Roberto Guerrero
Lyn St. James

ROW 12
Ross Bentley
Jeff Wood

ROW 13
Hiro Matsushita
Dave Kudrave

ROW 14
John Jones
Andrea Montermini

ROW 15
Robbie Buhl
Buddy Lazier

ROW 16
Ted Prappas
Mike Groff


However, Emmo wouldn't have the chance at leadign the race, for Michael immediately took control and never looked back, only conceding two laps to Little Al due to pit stops. Michael has established himself once again as the man to beat this year, rebounding from his esrly season troubles.

In Indy Lights, Jeff Gordon also rebounded big time, utterly thrashing the field in a lights-to-flag dominant win to regain the top of the standings.

Portland Race Results
1. Michael Andretti 20 pts
2. Emerson Fittipaldi 16 pts
3. Al Unser Jr 14 pts
4. Eddie Cheever 12 pts
5. John Andretti 10 pts
6. Mario Andretti 6 pts
7. Paul Tracy 4 pts
8. Scott Goodyear 3 pts
9. Raul Boesel 2 pts
10. Scott Pruett 1 pt


Round 7: Budweiser Grand Prix of New York at the Glen

June 28th, 1992

The most prestigious and legendary road course in America is the host of the seventh round of the championship, with a sold out crowd about to witness an epic three-man battle for victory at the Glen.

ROW 1
Michael Andretti
Bobby Rahal

ROW 2
Mario Andretti
Paul Tracy

ROW 3
Emerson Fittipaldi
Raul Boesel

ROW 4
Al Unser Jr
Scott Sharp

ROW 5
Scott Pruett
John Andretti

ROW 6
Wally Dallenbach Jr
Eddie Cheever

ROW 7
Robby Gordon
Scott Goodyear

ROW 8
Willie T. Ribs
Davy Jones

ROW 9
Scott Brayton
Éric Bachelart

ROW 10
Roberto Guerrero
Jimmy Vasser

ROW 11
John Jones
Buddy Lazier

ROW 12
Robbie Buhl
Dave Kudrave

ROW 13
Hiro Matsushita
Brian Till


ROW 14
Mike Groff
Ted Prappas

DNQ
Jeff Wood


As expected, Michael Andretti and Bobby Rahal got off to a good start and seemingly looked to continue their battles for victories all alone...until out of nowgere, Team Penske's flamboyant young canadian Paul Tracy flashes by like a rocket at the boot to take the lead! A double pass so epic, it prevented the ABC broadcast from going to commercial break!

Those three would fight for the win all race long, with Tracy really impressing the Watkins Glen crowd by holding his pwn with two former champions and Indy 500 winners until, sadly, his gearbox failed over halfway through the race.

This led to another duel for the win between Michael and Rahal, with Rahal piling on the pressure, using the agility of the 92-spec Trusports chassis to keep up with Michael's Lola.

And then, on the final lap, the unthinkable happened: Michael spun at the 90, giving away the race to Rahal, who finally scores his first win of the season and becoems 1992's 6th different winner in the first 7 races!

Meanwhile, Raul Boesel and Scott Sharp completed the podium, earning each other some precious points, with Sharp earning praise for his stellar driving durign the week-end for Bettenhausen.

In Indy Lights, Adrian Fernandez came back to the winners circle, winning in front of Bryan Herta and Jeff Gordon to gain grounds on Jeff in the standings.

​

Picture of Paul Tracy batlting for the lead at the esses





Watkins Glen Race Results
1. Bobby Rahal 20 pts
2. Raul Boesel 16 pts
3. Scott Sharp 14 pts
4. Michael Andretti 12 pts
5. Wally Dallenbach Jr 10 pts
6. Mario Andretti 6 pts
7. Robby Gordon 4 pts
8. Emerson Fittipaldi 3 pts
9. Al Unser Jr 2 pts
10. Davy Jones 1 pt


Round 8: new england 200 at new hampshire

July 5th, 1992

ROW 1
Bobby Rahal
Michael Andretti

ROW 2
Eddie Cheever
Robby Gordon

ROW 3
Scott Goodyear
Al Unser Jr

ROW 4
Emerson Fittipaldi
Mario Andretti

ROW 5
John Andretti
Paul Tracy

ROW 6
Raul Boesel
Scott Sharp

ROW 7
Mike Groff
AJ Foyt

ROW 8
Scott Pruett
Davy Jones

ROW 9
Jimmy Vasser
Wally Dallenbach Jr

ROW 10
Scott Brayton
Arie Luyendyk

ROW 11
Dave Kudrave
Roberto Guerrero

ROW 12
Willy T. Ribs
Robbie Buhl

ROW 13
Buddy Lazier
John Jones

Row 14
Hiro Matsushita
Éric Bachelart

In the first ever Indycar race in New Hampshire on this independence day week-end, Bobby Rahal would dominate proceedings, the Trusports chassis proving very quick around the short oval as he once again defeated Michael in a duel for the win, while Paul Tracy ends up in 4th in.a great drive from 10th, while Scott Pruett had the drive of the day by finishing 6th from 13th.

In the Indy Lights race on saturday, Jeff Gordon sadly retired from engine failure as Adrian Fernandez dominated the event, regaining the lead in the standings.

New Hampshire Race Results
1. Bobby Rahal 20 pts
2. Michael Andretti 16 pts
3. Scott Goodyear 14 pts
4. Paul Tracy 12 pts
5. John Andretti 10 pts
6. Scott Pruett 6 pts
7. Mario Andretti 4 pts
8. Al Unser Jr 3 pts
9. Wally Dallenbach Jr 2 pts
10. Scott Sharp 1 pt


Round 9: Molson Indy Toronto

July 12th, 1992

At the Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto, we have officially reached the halfway point of the season, and it is clear that Michael Andretti and Bobby Rahal are the favorites for this year's title, with Al Unser Jr not far behind, though the recent slump of results indicates that a tough second half of the season is awaiting. Jeff Andretti came back from his injury and returns to the Granatelli seat.




ROW 1
Bobby Rahal
Emerson Fittipaldi

ROW 2
Michael Andretti
Paul Tracy

ROW 3
Mario Andretti
Wally Dallenbach Jr

ROW 4
Raul Boesel
Scott Pruett

ROW 5
John Andretti
Al Unser Jr

ROW 6
Scott Goodyear
Eddie Cheever

ROW 7
Scott Sharp
Scott Brayton

ROW 8
Robby Gordon
Brian Till

ROW 9
Willy T. Ribs
Jeff Andretti

ROW 10
Jimmy Vasser
Buddy Lazier

ROW 11
Davy Jones
Ross Bentley

ROW 12
John Jones
Dave Kudrave

ROW 13
Robbie Buhl
Roberto Guerrero

Row 14
Hiro Matsushita
Mike Groff

As is the story of this season, Michael had a rocket start, showing why he considers Toronto his second home as once again, he battled Rahal for the win, and this time, Michael gets a crucial win to gain ground on Rahal in the standings, while Wally Dallenbach Jr ends up on the podium for Galles and Brian Till scores his first ever point for AJ Foyt.

The Indy Lights race on saturday was a chaotic affair, with only 8 cars finishing the race. Jeff Gordon was among the late retirees of the race, but the Landford Racing honors were saved as Bryan Herta won the race from Mark Smith and Sandy Brody, while Adrian Fernandez only finished 6th, which emant that the gap between the mexican and him is still within reach for Gordon.

Toronto Race Results
1. Michael Andretti 20 pts
2. Bobby Rahal 16 pts
3. Wally Dallenbach Jr 14 pts
4. Mario Andretti 12 pts
5. John Andretti 10 pts
6. Scott Goodyear 6 pts
7. Al Unser Jr 4 pts
8. Robby Gordon 3 pts
9. Eddie Cheever 2 pts
10. Brian Till 1 pt

TOP 8 AFTER 9 ROUNDS

1. Bobby Rahal 14 0 14 6 16 0 20 20 16 106 pts


2. Michael Andretti 0 2 0 0 20 20 12 16 20 90 pts

3. Al Unser Jr 12 12 20 16 4 14 2 3 4 87 pts​

4. Emerson Fittipaldi 20 16 12 0 12 16 3 0 0 79 pts

5. Scott Goodyear 2 0 10 20 3 3 0 14 6 58 pts

6. Eddie Cheever 3 20 0 0 10 12 0 0 2 57 pts


7. Wally Dallenbach Jr. 10 0 16 10 0 0 2 14 52 pts

8. John Andretti 6 10 0 0 2 10 0 10 10 48 pts​

To Be Continued...

 

[Huey Louis IX]

My only gripe so far is you ditched Patrick Racing's traditional #20 for #10, other than that nice work.

Is Marlboro still the series sponsor?