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Donnie Beechler
Donnie Beechler (born May 18, 1961) is an American former driver in the Indy Racing League. He was born in Springfield, Illinois. Beechler raced in the 1998–2001 seasons with 36 career starts, including 4 Indianapolis 500 showings. His best career finish was 3rd, achieved twice, at the 2000 IRL Phoenix 200 won by Buddy Lazier at Phoenix International Raceway and the 2001 300-mile race won by Eddie Cheever, Jr. Edward McKay Cheever Jr. (born January 10, 1958) is an American former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to , Championship Auto Racing Teams, CART between 1986 CART season, 1986 and 1995 CART season, 199 ... at Kansas Speedway. Beechler won the 9th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals in 1995. Since leaving IndyCars he has returned to the USAC Silver Crown Series on a part-time basis. Also was an avid roller skater competing in several Illinois State Speed Meets. Racing record American Open Wheel ( key) IndyCar results : '' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Illinois. Its population was 114,394 at the 2020 United States census, which makes it the state's List of cities in Illinois, seventh-most populous city, the second-most populous outside of the Chicago metropolitan area (after Rockford, Illinois, Rockford), and the most populous in Central Illinois. Approximately 208,000 residents live in the Springfield, Illinois metropolitan area, Springfield metropolitan area, which consists of all of Sangamon County, Illinois, Sangamon and Menard County, Illinois, Menard counties. The city lies in a plain near the Sangamon River north of Lake Springfield. Springfield is the county seat of Sangamon County and is located along historic Route 66. Springfield was settled by European-Americans in the late 1810s, around the time Illinois became a state. The most famous historic resident was Abraham Lincoln, who lived in Springfield from 1837 until 1861, wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
1998 Indianapolis 500
The 82nd Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 24, 1998. This was the third Indianapolis 500 run as part of the Indy Racing League, but the first fully-sanctioned by the IRL after they relied on USAC to sanction the 1996–1997 races. The race was part of the 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season. Eddie Cheever, a former Formula One driver that had competed in Indy car racing since 1990, highlighted his racing career with this lone Indianapolis win. Cheever finished three seconds ahead of second place Buddy Lazier, the 1996 winner. Cheever became the first owner/driver to win the "500" since A. J. Foyt in 1977. The 1998 race ushered in a compacted, two-week schedule for the Indy 500, omitting an entire week of practice, and trimming qualifying from four days down to two. During time trials, Billy Boat secured the first pole position at Indy for the Foyt team since 1975. This was the first Indianapolis victory fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
2002 Indianapolis 500
The 86th Indianapolis race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 26, 2002. It was part of the 2002 IndyCar Series season, 2002 Indy Racing League season. Rookie Tomas Scheckter led 85 laps, and appeared on his way to a possible victory, which would have marked the third consecutive Indy win for a first-year driver. However, Scheckter crashed on the front stretch while leading with only 27 laps to go. Hélio Castroneves (who also won the 2001 Indianapolis 500, 2001 running) became the fifth driver in Indy 500 history to win back-to-back races. It was the second of his four Indy 500 victories. Castroneves became the first repeat winner since Al Unser, Al Unser Sr. (1970 Indianapolis 500, 1970–1971 Indianapolis 500, 1971). There would not be another repeat winner until Josef Newgarden in 2023 Indianapolis 500, 2023–2024 Indianapolis 500, 2024. The 2002 race is largely considered one of the most controversial races in Indy history. On th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
2002 In IRL
The 2002 Indy Racing League (IRL) was one of transition, with two reigning CART championship teams, Team Penske and Target Chip Ganassi Racing, joining the series with full time entries. The Oldsmobile engine was rebranded as a Chevrolet, and both Honda and Toyota announced their participation in the series starting in 2003 while Infiniti announced its withdrawal. Sam Hornish Jr. won 5 races on his way to his second straight championship ahead of Penske juggernaut Hélio Castroneves, winner of two races including a second straight Indy 500, on his way to second in the championship. The season was also notable for seeing six drivers win their first career Indy Racing League races. Confirmed entries Schedule Results BOLD indicates a Superspeedway. Note: All races running on Oval/Speedway. Race summaries Grand Prix of Miami This race was held on March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Sam Hornish Jr. won the pole. The race was dominated by Sam Hornish Jr. who a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
2001 Indianapolis 500
The 85th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 27, 2001. Race rookie Hélio Castroneves, a three-year veteran of the CART series, led the final 52 laps and won his first of four Indy 500 victories. Team Penske swept 1st-2nd with Gil de Ferran finishing as the runner-up. Winning car owner Roger Penske scored his record-extending eleventh victory at the Indianapolis 500, and notched his first-ever 1-2 finish in the race. It was a redemption from the team's previous attempt at Indy (1995) in which both of his cars failed to qualify. Team Penske did not compete at Indianapolis from 1996 to 2000 due to the ongoing open wheel "Split". The race was sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and was part of the 2001 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series season. The 2001 race was notable in that several top CART teams returned to Indy for the first time since 1995. IRL-based teams excelled in time trials, taking the front row, and the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
2001 In IRL
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. Confirmed entries All drivers and teams used Firestone Tires. Schedule * This race was originally scheduled for September 16 but was postponed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. Results Note: All races running on Oval/Speedway. Race summaries Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200 This race was held March 18 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Ray won the pole. Top ten results #4- Sam Hornish Jr. #14- Eliseo Salazar #91- Buddy Lazier #8- Scott Sharp #98- Billy Boat #21- Felipe Giaffone #35- Jeff Ward #10- Robby McGehee #12- Buzz Calkins #88- Airton Da ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
2000 Indianapolis 500
The 84th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 28, 2000. The race was sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and was part of the 2000 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series season. After four years of an ongoing organizational dispute and "split" in Indy car racing, Chip Ganassi Racing became the first major CART-based team to compete at the race since 1995. The Ganassi team of Jimmy Vasser and Juan Pablo Montoya competed as a one-off entry, and were well received by fans and fellow competitors. Both drivers were quickly up to speed with the IRL regulars, and were expected to be favorites in both qualifying and on race day. Also making a heralded return to Indianapolis was two-time winner Al Unser Jr. who had switched full-time to the IRL in 2000. During qualifying, defending IRL champion Greg Ray took the pole position. However, on race day, reigning CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya dominated the race. Montoya led 1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
1999 Indianapolis 500
The 83rd Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, on Sunday, May 30, 1999. The race was sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and was part of the 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season. Defending IRL champion Kenny Bräck started 8th and became the first Swedish driver to win the Indy 500. Indy car veteran Robby Gordon, driving for Team Menard, pitted during a caution on lap 164, looking to stretch his fuel over the final 36 laps. Gordon shuffled to front on lap 174, and pulled out to a comfortable lead. In the waning laps however, Gordon's lead began to dwindle, as he was forced to save fuel. With two laps to go, he led second place Kenny Bräck by just under two seconds. Coming out of turn four to receive the white flag (the signal for one lap to go), Gordon's car sputtered and he ran out fuel. Kenny Bräck took the lead with just over one lap to go and won for car owner A. J. Foyt. The race victory represented the long-awaited " ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
VisionAire 500K
The VisionAire 500K was an Indy Racing League race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway from 1997 to 1999. During the 1999 event, three spectators were killed when debris from a crash on the track went into the grandstands. The race was stopped and canceled, and the event was removed from the Indy Racing League schedule. Race history The first open wheel races in the region were held at the Charlotte Speedway board track built in Pineville from 1924 to 1927. Tommy Milton won the first race, a 250-mile event. USAC In 1980, USAC announced plans for a 500 km event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the first Indy car event at the facility. Charlotte Motor Speedway had opened in 1960, and was home to the NASCAR World 600. However, no Indy car races had been held at the track over its first twenty years. The plans for the race, however, were scrapped when USAC entered into a joint sanctioning effort with CART, and the 1980 calendar was reorganized. Indy Racing League In 1996, the ups ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
1999 In IRL
Greg Ray won his first and only Drivers' Championship while Kenny Bräck (pictured) finished second in the championship. The 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League was highly competitive and parity was the order of the year. Team Menard had a very good season with their driver Greg Ray capturing 3 race wins and the series championship. This was the last year before CART teams began to break ranks and jump to the IRL. Confirmed entries Schedule Results All races were run on oval speedways. Race summaries TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 The TransWorld Diversified Services Indy 200 was held on January 24 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Scott Sharp qualified on the pole position. The race was broadcast on ABC. Top 10 results # 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 Wor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
1998 Radisson 200
The 1998 Radisson 200 (also referred to as the Colorado 200 on ABC's TV coverage) was the eighth round of the 1998 Indy Racing League. The race was held on August 16, 1998, at the Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado. Report Qualifying Two laps qualifying. The worst lap from any of the drivers are unknown. # Couldn't qualify after his chassis had been damaged in a practice crash. He was allowed to start the race at the back of the field. Failed to qualify or withdrew * Stan Wattles Stan Wattles (born July 24, 1961 in Glen Cove, New York) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1996–2001 seasons with 19 career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1998–2000. He placed 8th in two races, and led h ... for Metro Racing Systems - took part in practice sessions, but withdrew before qualifying. Race # On August 21, both Menard drivers were docked 15 points after the rear wing of their cars was declared illegal in a techn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
1998 VisionAire 500K
The 1998 VisionAire 500K was the seventh round of the 1998 Indy Racing League. The race was held on July 25, 1998 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Report Qualifying Two laps qualifying. The worst lap from any of the drivers are unknown. # Elected not to qualify after having signed for the ride between practice sessions, and having completed only four laps in practice because of a change in the pedal assembly to fit his size. He was allowed to start the race at the back of the field. # Had an engine failure during practice, and a spare was not ready on time. He was allowed to start the race at the back of the field. Failed to qualify or withdrew * Robby Unser R for Team Cheever - entered for the race, but was sidelined with a concussion suffered at Dover the previous week. Race Race Statistics *Lead changes: 19 among 8 drivers Standings after the race ;Drivers' Championship standings * Note: Only the top five positions are inc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
