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2001 Indy Racing League

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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.

2001 Indy Racing League season
Indy Racing Northern Light Series
2001 Indy Racing League
Season
Races13
Start dateMarch 18
End dateOctober 6
Awards
Drivers' championUnited States Sam Hornish Jr.
Manufacturers' CupUnited States Oldsmobile
Rookie of the YearBrazil Felipe Giaffone
Indianapolis 500 winnerBrazil Hélio Castroneves
← 2000
2002 →
Sam Hornish Jr. (left) won his first Drivers' Championship while Buddy Lazier (right) finished second in the championship.

Confirmed entries

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All drivers and teams used Firestone Tires.

Team Chassis Engine No. Drivers Round(s)
  Team Menard Dallara Oldsmobile 2   Greg Ray 1–10
  Jaques Lazier 11–13
  Galles Racing G-Force Oldsmobile 3   Al Unser Jr. All
31   Casey Mears  R  1–4
32   Didier André  R  All
  Panther Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 4   Sam Hornish Jr. All
  Treadway-Hubbard Racing G-Force Oldsmobile 5   Arie Luyendyk 4
  Rick Treadway  R  10, 12–13
Oldsmobile 21   Felipe Giaffone  R  All
  Tri-Star Motorsports Dallara Oldsmobile 6   Tyce Carlson 1
  Jon Herb  R  2–4, 8
  Jeret Schroeder 5, 7
60   Richie Hearn 4
  Dick Simon Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 7   Stéphan Grégoire 1–3
17   Roberto Guerrero 4
  Kelley Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 8   Scott Sharp All
28   Mark Dismore All
  PDM Racing G-Force Oldsmobile 9   Jeret Schroeder 1–4, 8
18   Jon Herb  R  12–13
  Cahill Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 10   Robby McGehee 1–5, 8–13
11   Dr. Jack Miller 3
  A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dallara Oldsmobile 11   Donnie Beechler 4–12
  Greg Ray 13
14   Eliseo Salazar All
41   Robby Gordon 4
  Bradley Motorsports Dallara Oldsmobile 12   Buzz Calkins All
  Walker Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 15   Sarah Fisher All
  Indy Regency Racing G-Force Oldsmobile 16   Cory Witherill  R  3–4
  Dreyer & Reinbold Racing G-Force Infiniti 24   Robbie Buhl All
  Blueprint Racing G-Force Oldsmobile 27   John Hollansworth Jr. 2
  Jim Guthrie 4
  McCormack Motorsports G-Force Oldsmobile 30   Brandon Erwin  R  1–3, 5
  Jimmy Kite 4
  Chip Ganassi Racing G-Force Oldsmobile 33   Tony Stewart 4
44   Jimmy Vasser 4
49   Nicolas Minassian 4
50   Bruno Junqueira 4
  Conquest Racing Dallara Infiniti 34   Laurent Redon 12–13
  Heritage Motorsports G-Force Oldsmobile 35   Jeff Ward 1–7, 9–13
36   Stéphan Grégoire 4
  Brayton Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 37   Steve Knapp 4
61   Memo Gidley 4
  Team Green Dallara Oldsmobile 39   Michael Andretti 4
  Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara Oldsmobile 44   Anthony Lazzaro  R  11, 13
99   Davey Hamilton 1–5
  Richie Hearn 6, 12
  Jaques Lazier 7–10
  Alex Barron 11
  Team Cheever Dallara Infiniti 51   Eddie Cheever All
52   Scott Goodyear 4
  Vertex-Cunningham Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 55   Shigeaki Hattori All
  Team Penske Dallara Oldsmobile 66   Gil de Ferran 1, 4
68   Hélio Castroneves 1, 4
  Team Xtreme G-Force Oldsmobile 77   Jaques Lazier 4–6
88   Airton Daré All
  Zali Racing G-Force Oldsmobile 81   John Paul Jr. 4
  Billy Roe 5–13
  Hemelgarn Racing Dallara Oldsmobile 91   Buddy Lazier All
92   Stan Wattles 1–3
  Chris Menninga  R  11–13
93   Steve Knapp 4
  Curb-Agajanian-Beck Motorsports Dallara Oldsmobile 98   Billy Boat All

Season Summary

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Schedule

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Rnd Date Race Name Track City
1 March 18 Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200 Phoenix International Raceway Phoenix, Arizona
2 April 8 Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead, Florida
3 April 28 zMax 500 Atlanta Motor Speedway Hampton, Georgia
4 May 27 85th Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speedway, Indiana
5 June 9 Casino Magic 500 Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Texas
6 June 17 Radisson Indy 200 Pikes Peak International Raceway Fountain, Colorado
7 June 30 SunTrust Indy Challenge Richmond International Raceway Richmond, Virginia
8 July 8 Ameristar Casino Indy 200 Kansas Speedway Kansas City, Kansas
9 July 21 Harrah's 200 Nashville Superspeedway Lebanon, Tennessee
10 August 12 Belterra Resort Indy 300 Kentucky Speedway Sparta, Kentucky
11 August 26 Gateway Indy 250 Gateway International Raceway Madison, Illinois
12 September 2 Delphi Indy 300 Chicagoland Speedway Joliet, Illinois
13 October 6* Chevy 500 Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth, Texas
Sources:[1][2]
  • This race was originally scheduled for September 16th but was postponed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.[3]

Race results

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Rnd Race Pole position Fastest lap Most Laps Led Winner
1 Phoenix   Greg Ray   Billy Boat   Sam Hornish Jr.   Sam Hornish Jr.
2 Homestead-Miami   Jeff Ward   Sam Hornish Jr.   Sam Hornish Jr.   Sam Hornish Jr.
3 Atlanta   Greg Ray   Greg Ray   Greg Ray   Greg Ray
4 Indianapolis   Scott Sharp   Sam Hornish Jr.   Hélio Castroneves   Hélio Castroneves
5 Texas 1   Mark Dismore   Eddie Cheever   Greg Ray   Scott Sharp
6 Pikes Peak   Greg Ray   Billy Boat   Sam Hornish Jr.   Buddy Lazier
7 Richmond   Jaques Lazier   Buddy Lazier   Buddy Lazier   Buddy Lazier
8 Kansas   Scott Sharp   Mark Dismore   Eddie Cheever   Eddie Cheever
9 Nashville   Greg Ray   Buddy Lazier   Sam Hornish Jr.   Buddy Lazier
10 Kentucky   Scott Sharp   Mark Dismore   Scott Sharp   Buddy Lazier
11 Gateway   Sam Hornish Jr.   Robbie Buhl   Sam Hornish Jr.   Al Unser Jr.
12 Chicagoland   Jaques Lazier   Robbie Buhl   Jaques Lazier   Jaques Lazier
13 Texas 2   Sam Hornish Jr.   Felipe Giaffone   Sam Hornish Jr.   Sam Hornish Jr.

Note: All races running on Oval/Speedway.

Race summaries

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Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200

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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

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This race was held April 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Ward won the pole. Sarah Fisher's second place was the highest finish in an Indy car race by a female driver at the time.

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

zMax 500

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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.

85th Indianapolis 500

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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

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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 56 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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This race was originally scheduled for September 16th at Texas Motor Speedway but was postponed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.[4] 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.

Final points standings

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Further information: List of American Championship car racing point scoring systems
Pos Driver PHX
 HOM
 ATL
 INDY
 TXS
 PIK
 RIR
 KAN
 NSH
 KTY
 GAT
CHI
 TX2
 Pts
1   Sam Hornish Jr. 1* 1* 4 14 3 2* 2 2 6* 3 3* 2 1* 503
2   Buddy Lazier 3 20 6 18 4 1 1* 5 1 1 13 11 17 398
3   Scott Sharp 4 8 2 33 1 8 5 17 5 2* 8 25 2 355
4   Billy Boat 5 13 14 9 5 4 18 9 2 6 6 12 12 313
5   Eliseo Salazar 2 3 5 7 7 14 12 7 11 15 17 18 4 308
6   Felipe Giaffone  RY  6 4 10 10 2 7 11 4 8 8 20 10 21 304
7   Al Unser Jr. 23 6 17 30 8 11 3 20 14 4 1 8 6 287
8   Eddie Cheever 19 9 24 26 12 6 13 1* 15 21 4 3 18 261
9   Buzz Calkins 9 16 3 12 15 15 10 13 9 16 22 9 10 242
10   Airton Daré 10 23 9 8 19 5 15 6 17 20 9 19 7 239
11   Jeff Ward 7 5 7 24 16 12 8 20 10 7 4 24 238
12   Robbie Buhl 11 24 20 15 21 3 9 21 13 9 5 22 3 237
13   Shigeaki Hattori 13 15 8 DNQ 10 DNS 14 8 7 7 15 21 16 215
14   Mark Dismore 25 7 26 16 20 13 6 11 16 22 2 17 23 205
15   Donnie Beechler 25 6 16 7 3 10 5 14 5 204
16   Robby McGehee 8 12 21 11 14 10 4 18 10 20 14 196
17   Jaques Lazier 22 9 17 19 18 3 12 16 1* 20 195
18   Greg Ray 22 21 1* 17 11* 18 Wth 14 18 13 8 193
19   Sarah Fisher 17 2 11 31 18 10 17 12 19 19 11 24 25 188
20   Didier André  R  27 10 13 DNQ 17 19 4 16 21 11 12 13 15 188
21   Billy Roe 13 20 20 22 12 14 23 23 22 101
22   Jeret Schroeder 26 14 19 20 23 16 15 77
23   Jon Herb  R  25 16 27 19 15 9 70
24   Hélio Castroneves 18 1* 64
25   Rick Treadway  R  17 14 5 59
26   Davey Hamilton 12 19 18 23 24 54
27   Richie Hearn DNQ 9 6 50
28   Gil de Ferran 24 2 46
29   Laurent Redon  R  7 11 45
30   Brandon Erwin  R  14 17 27 Wth 22 40
31   Casey Mears  R  20 11 23 DNQ 36
32   Stan Wattles 16 26 12 Wth 36
33   Chris Menninga  R  19 16 19 36
34   Michael Andretti 3 35
35   Stéphan Grégoire 21 22 15 28 34
36   Jimmy Vasser 4 32
37   Bruno Junqueira 5 30
38   Anthony Lazzaro  R  18 13 29
39   Tony Stewart 6 28
40   Cory Witherill  R  22 19 19
41   Arie Luyendyk 13 17
42   Tyce Carlson 15 Wth 15
43   John Hollansworth Jr. 18 12
44   Alex Barron 21 9
45   Robby Gordon 21 9
46   Dr. Jack Miller 25 5
47   Nicolas Minassian 29 1
48   Scott Goodyear 32 1
–   Raul Boesel Wth 0
–   Memo Gidley DNQ 0
–   Roberto Guerrero DNQ 0
–   Jim Guthrie DNQ 0
–   Jimmy Kite DNQ 0
–   Steve Knapp DNQ 0
–   John Paul Jr. DNQ 0
Pos Driver PHX
 HOM
 ATL
 INDY
 TXS
 PIK
 RIR
 KAN
 NSH
 KTY
 GAT
CHI
 TXS
 Pts
Color Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green 4th & 5th place
Light Blue 6th–10th place
Dark Blue Finished
(Outside Top 10)
Purple Did not finish
(Ret)
Red Did not qualify
(DNQ)
Brown Withdrawn
(Wth)
Black Disqualified
(DSQ)
White Did not start
(DNS)
Blank Did not
participate
(DNP)
Not competing
In-line notation
Bold Pole position
(2 points)
Italics Ran fastest race lap
* Led most race laps
(1 point)
DNS Any driver who qualifies
but does not start (DNS),
earns all the points
had they taken part.
 RY  Rookie of the Year
 R  Rookie
  • Ties in points broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., and then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NTT IndyCar Series Calendar 2001". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Indy Racing League". Kenosha News. October 26, 2001. p. B4. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  3. ^ https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/09/14/texas-track-decides-to-postpone-races/62130931007/
  4. ^ https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/09/14/texas-track-decides-to-postpone-races/62130931007/
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