The 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League was highly competitive and parity was the order of the year. Team Menard had a very good season with their driver Greg Ray capturing 3 race wins and the series championship. This was the last year before CART teams began to break ranks and jump to the IRL.
| 1999 Indy Racing League season | |
|---|---|
| Pep Boys Indy Racing League | |
1999 Indy Racing League | |
| Season | |
| Races | 11 |
| Start date | January 24 |
| End date | October 17 |
| Awards | |
| Drivers' champion |  Greg Ray |
| Manufacturers' Cup | Oldsmobile |
| Rookie of the Year | Scott Harrington |
| Indianapolis 500 winner |  Kenny Bräck |
The Las Vegas 500K was held on October 11 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position.
Confirmed entries
editSeason Summary
editSchedule
edit| Rnd | Date | Race Name | Track | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 24 | TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 | Walt Disney World Speedway | Bay Lake, Florida |
| 2 | March 28 | MCI WorldCom 200 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona |
| 3 | May 1 | VisionAire 500K | Lowe's Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina |
| 4 | May 30 | Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Speedway, Indiana |
| 5 | June 12 | Longhorn 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | Fort Worth, Texas |
| 6 | June 27 | Radisson 200 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado |
| 7 | July 17 | Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Hampton, Georgia |
| 8 | August 1 | MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200 | Dover International Speedway | Dover, Delaware |
| 9 | August 29 | Colorado Indy 200 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado |
| 10 | September 26 | Vegas.com 500 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| 11 | October 17 | Mall.com 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Sources:[1][2] | ||||
Race results
editAll races running on Oval/Speedway.
| Rd | Race | Pole Position | Fastest Lap | Most Laps Led | Race Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | Team | |||||
| 1 | Walt Disney World | Team Cheever | ||||
| 2 | Phoenix | Pennzoil Panther Racing | ||||
| 3 | Charlotte | Race cancelled after 79 laps due to the deaths of three spectators | ||||
| 4 | Indianapolis | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | ||||
| 5 | Texas 1 | Pennzoil Panther Racing | ||||
| 6 | Pikes Peak 1 | Team Menard | ||||
| 7 | Atlanta | Kelley Racing | ||||
| 8 | Dover | Team Menard | ||||
| 9 | Pikes Peak 2 | Team Menard | ||||
| 10 | Las Vegas | Treadway Racing | ||||
| 11 | Texas 2 | Kelley Racing | ||||
Race summaries
editTransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200
editThe TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 was held on January 24 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Scott Sharp qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top 10 results
- 51- Eddie Cheever
- 4- Scott Goodyear
- 35- Jeff Ward
- 8- Scott Sharp
- 30- Raul Boesel
- 28- Mark Dismore
- 18- Steve Knapp
- 9- Davey Hamilton
- 11- Billy Boat
- 91- Buddy Lazier
- Failed to qualify: 6-Eliseo Salazar
MCI WorldCom 200
editThe MCI WorldCom 200 was held on March 28 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.
Top ten results
- 4- Scott Goodyear
- 21- Jeff Ward
- 44- Robbie Buhl
- 11- Billy Boat
- 66- Scott Harrington
- 33- Roberto Moreno
- 28- Mark Dismore
- 8- Scott Sharp
- 99- Sam Schmidt
- 7- Stéphan Grégoire
- Goodyear's first IndyCar win since the 1994 Marlboro 500 at Michigan International Speedway and his first in IRL competition.
- Prior to this race, Ward left ISM Racing to drive for Pagan Racing.
VisionAire 500K
editThe VisionAire 500K was on held May 1 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Speedvision.
Top 10 on lap 79:
- 2- Greg Ray
- 4- Scott Goodyear
- 51- Eddie Cheever
- 99- Sam Schmidt
- 98- Donnie Beechler
- 8- Scott Sharp
- 91- Buddy Lazier
- 28- Mark Dismore
- 55- Robby McGehee
- 14- Kenny Bräck
- Failed to qualify: 35-Steve Knapp
- On lap 62, Stan Wattles crashed after suffering a suspension failure. John Paul Jr. made contact with, sending Wattles' right rear wheel and tire assembly into the seating area. Scott Harrington also spun in the incident.[3]
- The race continued under caution with Lazier initially leading until he had to make a pit stop to replace a punctured tire, giving Ray the lead. On lap 79, the race was stopped so medical helicopters could land.
- The race was stopped permanently by track general manager Humpy Wheeler when it was announced that three spectators were killed. As a result, fans and participants were offered refunds.
- The race was scratched from the record books due to the fact it did not reach the official race distance of 105 laps (the halfway point plus one lap, unlike the FIA Code, which is simply making it to the start of the fourth lap).
- Due to this race and a similar incident (where three people were killed) at the CART 1998 U.S. 500 at Michigan International Speedway, wheel tethers were added to open wheel cars.
- This would be the final IndyCar race at Charlotte.
Indianapolis 500
editThe Indianapolis 500 was held on May 30 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Arie Luyendyk qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
- 14- Kenny Bräck
- 21- Jeff Ward
- 11- Billy Boat
- 32- Robby Gordon
- 55- Robby McGehee
- 84- Robbie Buhl
- 91- Buddy Lazier
- 81- Robby Unser
- 22- Tony Stewart
- 54- Hideshi Matsuda
- Failed to qualify: 7-Stéphan Grégoire, 10-John Paul Jr., 10-Andy Michner, 15-Jaques Lazier, 15-Troy Reiger, 18-Mike Borkowski, 18-Ronnie Johncox, 19-Stan Wattles, 31, 34-Nick Firestone, 34-Jim Guthrie, 36-Brian Tyler, 36-Vincenzo Sospiri, 43-Dave Steele, 46-Mike Groff, 66-Scott Harrington and 90-Lyn St. James
- Until 2006, this race had the latest pass for the lead in Indianapolis 500 history when Gordon pitted on lap 199 and Bräck took the lead in turn 4.
- Combined, Arie Luyendyk and Greg Ray led 95 laps. Luyendyk crashed while attempting to lap Tyce Carlson on lap 118 and during the ensuing caution, Ray was hit by Mark Dismore while exiting his pit stall.
- The day before the race, the Motorola 300 at Gateway International Raceway for the FedEx CART Championship Series was held. Gordon and Roberto Moreno competed in the race (Gordon competed full-time in CART and did Indianapolis as a one-off for Team Menard, due Menards being his sponsor in the series, and Moreno was hired as an injury replacement at PacWest Racing for Mark Blundell while concurrently driving for Truscelli Racing in the IRL). Moreno finished 4th and Gordon 27th due to a crash.
- Stewart, who moved to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, did Double Duty by competing at Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. He finished 9th at Indianapolis, four laps down, and 4th at Charlotte on the lead lap, despite being moved to the rear of the field due to missing a drivers’ meeting.
- Rookie of the Year McGehee had an incident during a pit stop where a pit crew member hit the ground, but survived.
- This race was planned on being Luyendyk's final race. However, he returned to race part-time from 2001 to 2003.
- Four drivers named either Robby or Robbie finished in the top 10.
Longhorn 500
editThe Longhorn 500 was held on June 12 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mark Dismore qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.
Top 10 results
- 4- Scott Goodyear
- 2- Greg Ray
- 99- Sam Schmidt
- 7- Stéphan Grégoire
- 6- Eliseo Salazar
- 81- Robby Unser
- 9- Davey Hamilton
- 28- Mark Dismore
- 12- Buzz Calkins
- 8- Scott Sharp
- Failed to qualify: 19-Stan Wattles and 50-Roberto Guerrero
- Ray entered the race 20th in points and left 8th.
Radisson 200
editThe Radisson 200 was held on June 27 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.
Top 10 results
- 2- Greg Ray
- 99- Sam Schmidt
- 9- Davey Hamilton
- 51- Eddie Cheever
- 91- Buddy Lazier
- 81- Robby Unser
- 14- Kenny Bräck
- 8- Scott Sharp
- 21- Jeff Ward
- 33- Jaques Lazier
- Ray's first IndyCar win.
- Ray led 109 of 200 laps on his way to victory. Schmidt led the other 91 laps.
Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500
editThe Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500 was held on July 17 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.
Top 10 results
- 8- Scott Sharp
- 81- Robby Unser
- 14- Kenny Bräck
- 6- Eliseo Salazar
- 12- Buzz Calkins
- 51- Eddie Cheever
- 9- Davey Hamilton
- 98- Donnie Beechler
- 30- Jimmy Kite
- 11- Billy Boat
- Unser's best IndyCar finish.
MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200
editThe MBNA Mid-Atlantic 200 was held on August 1 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Mark Dismore qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox.
Top 10 results
- 2- Greg Ray
- 91- Buddy Lazier
- 14- Kenny Bräck
- 11- Billy Boat
- 99- Sam Schmidt
- 66- Scott Harrington
- 33- Jaques Lazier
- 12- Buzz Calkins
- 55- Robby McGehee
- 98- Donnie Beechler
Colorado Indy 200
editThe Colorado Indy 200 was held on August 29 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.
Top 10 results
- 2- Greg Ray
- 9- Davey Hamilton
- 28- Mark Dismore
- 91- Buddy Lazier
- 99- Sam Schmidt
- 66- Scott Harrington
- 55- Robby McGehee
- 30- Jimmy Kite
- 81- Robby Unser
- 14- Kenny Bräck
- This would be the final race aired on Fox. After this race, ESPN/ABC purchased the rights for the remaining two races.
Vegas.com 500
editThe Vegas.com 500 was held on September 26 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Sam Schmidt qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on ESPN.
Top 10 results
- 99- Sam Schmidt
- 14- Kenny Bräck
- 22- Robbie Buhl
- 8- Scott Sharp
- 12- Buzz Calkins
- 55- Robby McGehee
- 33- Jaques Lazier
- 7- Stephan Gregoire
- 20- Tyce Carlson
- 21- Jeff Ward
- Entering the season-finale, Greg Ray led Bräck by 15 points, Schmidt by 30 points, Sharp by 46 points and Scott Goodyear by 48 points.
- Schmidt's only IndyCar win.
Mall.com 500
editThe Mall.com 500 was held on October 17 at Texas Motor Speedway. Greg Ray qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on ABC.
Top 10 results
- 28- Mark Dismore
- 9- Davey Hamilton
- 2- Greg Ray
- 51- Eddie Cheever
- 42- John Hollansworth Jr.
- 66- Scott Harrington
- 33- Jaques Lazier
- 12- Buzz Calkins
- 11- Billy Boat
- 91- Buddy Lazier
- Failed to qualify: 27-Niclas Jönsson and 92-Johnny Unser
- Points leader Ray was the only championship eligible driver to finish in the top 5 and top 10, finishing 3rd. Scott Goodyear finished 23rd due to a crash. Scott Sharp finished 19th due to engine failure. Sam Schmidt finished 22nd due to a separate crash. Kenny Bräck finished 16th, 22 laps down.
- There were several changes in the top 10 in points following this race due to 3rd being separated from 10th by 31 points. Race winner Dismore moved up from 11th to 3rd, Jeff Ward (at one time the points leader) dropped from 7th to 11th, Sharp dropped from 4th to 8th, Goodyear dropped from 5th to 9th and Hamilton moved up from 7th to 4th.
- Dismore's only IndyCar win.
- Schmidt's final IndyCar race. His career would end due to a testing crash at Walt Disney World Speedway in January 2000 that left him paralyzed.
- Sarah Fisher made her IndyCar debut in this race, becoming the first woman since Lyn St. James at the 1997 Indianapolis 500 to start an IndyCar race. She started 17th, but finished 25th due to a broken timing chain.
Final points standings
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- 1 The 1999 VisionAire 500K at Charlotte was cancelled after 79 laps due to spectator fatalities.
- Ties in points broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., and then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.
Additional points were awarded to the pole winner (3 points), the second best qualifier (2 points), the third best qualifier (1 point) and to the driver leading the most laps (2 point).
References
edit- ^ "NTT IndyCar Series Calendar 1999". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "Schedule". Indy Racing League. Archived from the original on October 11, 1999. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ Preliminary Charlotte Crash Details Outlined, The Auto Channel, May 15, 1999