The 2001 Indy Racing League season 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. Many other CART teams made clear their intention to enter the IRL given their series' financial difficulties. 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. Indy Racing League Logo The Indy Racing League, better known as IRL, is the sanctioning body of a predominantly American based open-wheel racing series. ... Chip Ganassi Racing is a racing orginization with teams in NASCAR, Champ Cars, and the IRL. It is owned by businessman Chip Ganassi and the Target Corporation. ... Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the Indy Racing League, ALMS, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, Formula One and CART. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is headed by Roger Penske. ... Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series. ... A simple wooden cart in Australia A cart transporting watermelons in Harbin, China. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ...

Race summaries

Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200

This race was held March 18 at Phoenix International Raceway. Greg Ray won the pole. March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... Phoenix International Raceway is a one mile tri-oval race track located in Avondale, AZ. It opened in 1964, but wasnt used by NASCAR until 1988, with the first race won by the late Alan Kulwicki. ... Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver born August 3, 1966 in Dallas, Texas. ...

Top ten results

1. Sam Hornish, Jr.
2. Eliseo Salazar
3. Buddy Lazier
4. Scott Sharp
5. Billy Boat
6. Felipe Giaffone
7. Jeff Ward
8. Robby McGehee
9. Buzz Calkins
10. Airton Dare

Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Eliseo Salazar was a Formula One driver from Chile. ... Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ... Buzz Calkins (born May 2, 1971 in Denver) was a former Indy Racing League driver. ... Airton Dare (pronounced Dahr-AY) (born February 9, 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. ...

Infiniti Grand Prix of Miami

This race was held April 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Ward won the pole. April 8 is the 98th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (99th in leap years). ... Homestead-Miami Speedway is a speedway in Homestead, Florida, USA, southwest of Miami. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ...

Top ten results

1. Sam Hornish, Jr.
2. Sarah Fisher
3. Eliseo Salazar
4. Felipe Giaffone
5. Jeff Ward
6. Al Unser, Jr.
7. Mark Dismore
8. Scott Sharp
9. Eddie Cheever
10. Didier Andre

Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Sarah Marie Fisher (died October 4, 1980) is a race car originally from Commercial Point, Ohio. ... Eliseo Salazar was a Formula One driver from Chile. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ... Penske PC-23 driven by Al Unser, Jr. ... Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Eddie McKay Cheever, Jr. ...

zMax 500

This race was held April 28 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Greg Ray won the pole. April 28 is the 118th day of the year (119th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 247 days remaining. ... Atlanta Motor Speedway is a superspeedway in Hampton, Georgia, USA, 20 miles (32 km) south of Atlanta. ... Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver born August 3, 1966 in Dallas, Texas. ...

Top ten results

1. Greg Ray
2. Scott Sharp
3. Buzz Calkins
4. Sam Hornish, Jr.
5. Eliseo Salazar
6. Buddy Lazier
7. Jeff Ward
8. Shigeaki Hattori
9. Airton Dare
10. Felipe Giaffone

Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver born August 3, 1966 in Dallas, Texas. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Buzz Calkins (born May 2, 1971 in Denver) was a former Indy Racing League driver. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Eliseo Salazar was a Formula One driver from Chile. ... Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ... Shigeaki Hattori (服部 茂章, November 3, 1963-)is the only NASCAR driver from Japan. ... Airton Dare (pronounced Dahr-AY) (born February 9, 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ...

Indianapolis 500

The 85th Indy 500 was held May 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scott Sharp sat on pole. Indianapolis 500, 1994 An Indianapolis 500 racecar depicted on the Indiana state quarter The Indianapolis 500 or the Indy 500 is the ubiquitously shortened name for the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, an American automobile race held annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. ... May 27 is the 147th day (148th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 218 days remaining. ... Indianapolis Motor Speedway Wing and Wheel Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana (a separate city completely surrounded by Indianapolis) in the United States, is the second-oldest surviving automobile racing track in the world (after the Milwaukee Mile), having existed since 1909, and the original Speedway, the first racing... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ...

Top ten results

1. Helio Castroneves
2. Gil de Ferran
3. Michael Andretti
4. Jimmy Vasser
5. Bruno Junqueira
6. Tony Stewart
7. Eliseo Salazar
8. Airton Dare
9. Billy Boat
10. Felipe Giaffone

Hélio Castroneves (born May 10, 1975 in São Paulo, Brazil) is one of the top drivers in North American open-wheel racing, first in the Champcar series and now in the Indy Racing League. ... Gil de Ferran (born November 11, 1967) in Paris, France to Brazilian parents, is a former racing driver. ... Michael Andretti (born October 5, 1962 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) is a former professional racing driver who now runs a team in the Indy Racing League. ... Jimmy Vasser (born November 20, 1965 in Canoga Park, California ) is a an American racing driver. ... Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian racecar driver and veteran of the Champ Car World Series. ... Anthony Wayne Tony Stewart (born May 20, 1971), is an auto racing driver who has won championships in sprint cars, Indy cars, and stock cars. ... Eliseo Salazar was a Formula One driver from Chile. ... Airton Dare (pronounced Dahr-AY) (born February 9, 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ...

Casino Magic 500

This race was held June 9 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mark Dismore won the pole. June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in Justin, Texas, which is within Denton County, Texas. ... Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion. ...

Top ten results

1. Scott Sharp
2. Felipe Giaffone
3. Sam Hornish, Jr.
4. Buddy Lazier
5. Billy Boat
6. Donnie Beechler
7. Eliseo Salazar
8. Al Unser, Jr.
9. Jaques Lazier
10. Shigeaki Hattori

Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Eliseo Salazar was a Formula One driver from Chile. ... Penske PC-23 driven by Al Unser, Jr. ... Jaques Lazier is an Indy Racing League driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier. ... Shigeaki Hattori (服部 茂章, November 3, 1963-)is the only NASCAR driver from Japan. ...

Radisson Indy 200

This race was held June 17 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Greg Ray won the pole. June 17 is the 168th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (169th in leap years), with 197 days remaining. ... Pikes Peak International Raceway is a one mile oval Auto Racing track located in Fountain, Colorado, just south of Colorado Springs. ... Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver born August 3, 1966 in Dallas, Texas. ...

Top ten results

1. Buddy Lazier
2. Sam Hornish, Jr.
3. Robbie Buhl
4. Billy Boat
5. Airton Dare
6. Eddie Cheever
7. Felipe Giaffone
8. Scott Sharp
9. Richie Hearn
10. Sarah Fisher

Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963 in Detroit) is a former IndyCar Series competitor. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Airton Dare (pronounced Dahr-AY) (born February 9, 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. ... Eddie McKay Cheever, Jr. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Richie Hearn is an American auto racing driver born January 4, 1971 in Glendale, California. ... Sarah Marie Fisher (died October 4, 1980) is a race car originally from Commercial Point, Ohio. ...

SunTrust Indy Challenge

This race was held June 30 at Richmond International Raceway. Jaques Lazier won the pole. June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ... Richmond International Raceway (RIR) is a A 3/4 mile, D shaped, asphalt race track located outside Richmond, Virginia. ... Jaques Lazier is an Indy Racing League driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier. ...

Top ten results

1. Buddy Lazier
2. Sam Hornish, Jr.
3. Al Unser, Jr.
4. Didier Andre
5. Scott Sharp
6. Mark Dismore
7. Donnie Beechler
8. Jeff Ward
9. Robbie Buhl
10. Buzz Calkins

Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Penske PC-23 driven by Al Unser, Jr. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ... Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963 in Detroit) is a former IndyCar Series competitor. ... Buzz Calkins (born May 2, 1971 in Denver) was a former Indy Racing League driver. ...

Ameristar Casino Indy 200

This race was held July 8 at Kansas Speedway. Scott Sharp won the pole. July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ... Kansas Speedway is a speedway in Kansas City, in the U.S. state of Kansas. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ...

Top ten results

1. Eddie Cheever
2. Sam Hornish, Jr.
3. Donnie Beechler
4. Felipe Giaffone
5. Buddy Lazier
6. Airton Dare
7. Eliseo Salazar
8. Shigeaki Hattori
9. Billy Boat
10. Robby McGehee

Eddie McKay Cheever, Jr. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Airton Dare (pronounced Dahr-AY) (born February 9, 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. ... Eliseo Salazar was a Formula One driver from Chile. ... Shigeaki Hattori (服部 茂章, November 3, 1963-)is the only NASCAR driver from Japan. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ...

Harrah's 200

This race was held July 21 at Nashville Superspeedway. Greg Ray won the pole. July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee (though the track has a Lebanon address), United States, about 48 km (30 miles) east of Nashville. ... Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver born August 3, 1966 in Dallas, Texas. ...

Top ten results

1. Buddy Lazier
2. Billy Boat
3. Jaques Lazier
4. Robby McGehee
5. Scott Sharp
6. Sam Hornish, Jr.
7. Shigeaki Hattori
8. Felipe Giaffone
9. Buzz Calkins
10. Donnie Beechler

Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Jaques Lazier is an Indy Racing League driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Shigeaki Hattori (服部 茂章, November 3, 1963-)is the only NASCAR driver from Japan. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Buzz Calkins (born May 2, 1971 in Denver) was a former Indy Racing League driver. ...

Belterra Resort Indy 300

This race was held August 12 at Kentucky Speedway. Scott Sharp won the pole. August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Kentucky Speedway is a relatively new superspeedway located in Sparta, Kentucky, approximately halfway between Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, with easy interstate highway access to both cities, and is additionally less than 100 miles from another fairly sizable market, Lexington, Kentucky. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ...

Top ten results

1. Buddy Lazier
2. Scott Sharp
3. Sam Hornish, Jr.
4. Al Unser, Jr.
5. Donnie Beechler
6. Billy Boat
7. Shigeaki Hattori
8. Felipe Giaffone
9. Robbie Buhl
10. Jeff Ward

Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver born in Vail, Colorado on Oct 31, 1967. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Penske PC-23 driven by Al Unser, Jr. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Shigeaki Hattori (服部 茂章, November 3, 1963-)is the only NASCAR driver from Japan. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963 in Detroit) is a former IndyCar Series competitor. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ...

Gateway Indy 250

This race was held August 26 at Gateway International Raceway. Sam Hornish, Jr. won the pole. August 26 is the 238th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (239th in leap years). ... Gateway International Raceway is a race track in Madison, Illinois, USA. It hosts a NASCAR Busch Series event and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on a 1. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ...

Top ten results

1. Al Unser, Jr.
2. Mark Dismore
3. Sam Hornish, Jr.
4. Eddie Cheever
5. Robbie Buhl
6. Billy Boat
7. Jeff Ward
8. Scott Sharp
9. Airton Dare
10. Robby McGehee

Penske PC-23 driven by Al Unser, Jr. ... Mark Dismore (born October 12, 1956 in Greenfield, Indiana) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Eddie McKay Cheever, Jr. ... Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963 in Detroit) is a former IndyCar Series competitor. ... Billy Boat (born February 2, 1966 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Airton Dare (pronounced Dahr-AY) (born February 9, 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. ...

Delphi Indy 300

This race was held September 2 at Chicagoland Speedway. Jaques Lazier won the pole. September 2 is the 245th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (246th in leap years). ... Chicagoland Speedway is a speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. ... Jaques Lazier is an Indy Racing League driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier. ...

Top ten results

1. Jaques Lazier
2. Sam Hornish, Jr.
3. Eddie Cheever
4. Jeff Ward
5. Donnie Beechler
6. Richie Hearn
7. Laurent Redon
8. Al Unser, Jr.
9. Buzz Calkins
10. Felipe Giaffone

Jaques Lazier is an Indy Racing League driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Eddie McKay Cheever, Jr. ... Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title. ... Richie Hearn is an American auto racing driver born January 4, 1971 in Glendale, California. ... Laurent Redon is a race car driver born on Loire, France on the 5th of August 1973. ... Penske PC-23 driven by Al Unser, Jr. ... Buzz Calkins (born May 2, 1971 in Denver) was a former Indy Racing League driver. ... Felipe Giaffone (born January 22, 1975 in Sao Paulo) is a driver in the Indy Racing League. ...

Chevy 500

This race was held October 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Sam Hornish, Jr. won the pole. October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in Justin, Texas, which is within Denton County, Texas. ... Sam Hornish, Jr. ...

Top ten results

1. Sam Hornish, Jr.
2. Scott Sharp
3. Robbie Buhl
4. Eliseo Salazar
5. Rick Treadway
6. Al Unser, Jr.
7. Airton Dare
8. Greg Ray
9. Jon Herb
10. Buzz Calkins

Sam Hornish, Jr. ... Scott Sharp (born February 14, 1968 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. ... Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963 in Detroit) is a former IndyCar Series competitor. ... Eliseo Salazar was a Formula One driver from Chile. ... Penske PC-23 driven by Al Unser, Jr. ... Airton Dare (pronounced Dahr-AY) (born February 9, 1978 in Bauru, Brazil) is a race car driver who has competed in the Indy Racing League. ... Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver born August 3, 1966 in Dallas, Texas. ... Buzz Calkins (born May 2, 1971 in Denver) was a former Indy Racing League driver. ...

Final point standings

Driver

1. Sam Hornish, Jr. - 503 pts
2. Buddy Lazier - 398 pts
3. Scott Sharp - 355 pts
4. Billy Boat - 313 pts
5. Eliseo Salazar - 308 pts
6. Felipe Giaffone - 304 pts
7. Al Unser, Jr. - 287 pts
8. Eddie Cheever - 261 pts
9. Buzz Calkins - 242 pts
10. Airton Dare - 239 pts
11. Jeff Ward
12. Robbie Buhl
13. Shigeaki Hattori
14. Mark Dismore
15. Donnie Beechler
16. Robby McGehee
17. Jaques Lazier
18. Greg Ray
19. Sarah Fisher
20. Didier Andre
21. Billy Roe
22. Jeret Schroeder
23. Jon Herb
24. Helio Castroneves
25. Rick Treadway
26. Davey Hamilton
27. Richie Hearn
28. Gil de Ferran
29. Laurent Redon
30. Brandon Erwin
31. Casey Mears
32. Stan Wattles
33. Chris Menninga
34. Michael Andretti
35. Stephan Gregoire
36. Jimmy Vasser
37. Bruno Junqueira
38. Anthony Lazzaro
39. Tony Stewart
40. Cory Witherill
41. Arie Luyendyk
42. Tyce Carlson
43. John Hollansworth, Jr.
44. Alex Barron
45. Robby Gordon
46. Jack Miller
47. Nicolas Minassian
48. Scott Goodyear