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2001 Indy Racing League
Sports season

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.

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Confirmed entries

All drivers and teams used Firestone Tires.

TeamChassisEngineNo.DriversRound(s)
Team MenardDallaraOldsmobile2 Greg Ray1–10
Jaques Lazier11–13
Galles RacingG-ForceOldsmobile3 Al Unser Jr.All
31 Casey Mears  R 1–4
32 Didier André  R All
Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile4 Sam Hornish Jr.All
Treadway-Hubbard RacingG-ForceOldsmobile5 Arie Luyendyk4
Rick Treadway  R 10, 12–13
Oldsmobile21 Felipe Giaffone  R All
Tri-Star MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile6 Tyce Carlson1
Jon Herb  R 2–4, 8
Jeret Schroeder5, 7
60 Richie Hearn4
Dick Simon RacingDallaraOldsmobile7 Stéphan Grégoire1–3
17 Roberto Guerrero4
Kelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile8 Scott SharpAll
28 Mark DismoreAll
PDM RacingG-ForceOldsmobile9 Jeret Schroeder1–4, 8
18 Jon Herb  R 12–13
Cahill RacingDallaraOldsmobile10 Robby McGehee1–5, 8–13
11 Dr. Jack Miller3
A. J. Foyt EnterprisesDallaraOldsmobile11 Donnie Beechler4–12
Greg Ray13
14 Eliseo SalazarAll
41 Robby Gordon4
Bradley MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile12 Buzz CalkinsAll
Walker RacingDallaraOldsmobile15 Sarah FisherAll
Indy Regency RacingG-ForceOldsmobile16 Cory Witherill  R 3–4
Dreyer & Reinbold RacingG-ForceInfiniti24 Robbie BuhlAll
Blueprint RacingG-ForceOldsmobile27 John Hollansworth Jr.2
Jim Guthrie4
McCormack MotorsportsG-ForceOldsmobile30 Brandon Erwin  R 1–3, 5
Jimmy Kite4
Chip Ganassi RacingG-ForceOldsmobile33 Tony Stewart4
44 Jimmy Vasser4
49 Nicolas Minassian4
50 Bruno Junqueira4
Conquest RacingDallaraInfiniti34 Laurent Redon12–13
Heritage MotorsportsG-ForceOldsmobile35 Jeff Ward1–7, 9–13
36 Stéphan Grégoire4
Brayton RacingDallaraOldsmobile37 Steve Knapp4
61 Memo Gidley4
Team GreenDallaraOldsmobile39 Michael Andretti4
Sam Schmidt MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile44 Anthony Lazzaro  R 11, 13
99 Davey Hamilton1–5
Richie Hearn6, 12
Jaques Lazier7–10
Alex Barron11
Team CheeverDallaraInfiniti51 Eddie CheeverAll
52 Scott Goodyear4
Vertex-Cunningham RacingDallaraOldsmobile55 Shigeaki HattoriAll
Team PenskeDallaraOldsmobile66 Gil de Ferran1, 4
68 Hélio Castroneves1, 4
Team XtremeG-ForceOldsmobile77 Jaques Lazier4–6
88 Airton DaréAll
Zali RacingG-ForceOldsmobile81 John Paul Jr.4
Billy Roe5–13
Hemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile91 Buddy LazierAll
92 Stan Wattles1–3
Chris Menninga  R 11–13
93 Steve Knapp4
Curb-Agajanian-Beck MotorsportsDallaraOldsmobile98 Billy BoatAll

Schedule

RndDateRace NameTrackLocation
1March 18Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200Phoenix International RacewayPhoenix, Arizona
2April 8Infiniti Grand Prix of MiamiHomestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead, Florida
3April 28zMax 500Atlanta Motor SpeedwayHampton, Georgia
4May 2785th Indianapolis 500Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, Indiana
5June 9Casino Magic 500Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas
6June 17Radisson Indy 200Pikes Peak International RacewayFountain, Colorado
7June 30SunTrust Indy ChallengeRichmond International RacewayRichmond, Virginia
8July 8Ameristar Casino Indy 200Kansas SpeedwayKansas City, Kansas
9July 21Harrah's 200Nashville SuperspeedwayLebanon, Tennessee
10August 12Belterra Resort Indy 300Kentucky SpeedwaySparta, Kentucky
11August 26Gateway Indy 250Gateway International RacewayMadison, Illinois
12September 2Delphi Indy 300Chicagoland SpeedwayJoliet, Illinois
13October 6*Chevy 500Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas
Sources:12
  • This race was originally scheduled for September 16 but was postponed in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks.3

Results

Rd.RacePole positionFastest lapMost laps ledRace winner
WinnerTeamChassisEngine
1Phoenix Greg Ray Billy Boat Sam Hornish Jr. Sam Hornish Jr.Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile
2Homestead Jeff Ward Sam Hornish Jr. Sam Hornish Jr. Sam Hornish Jr.Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile
3Atlanta Greg Ray Greg Ray Greg Ray Greg RayTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile
4Indianapolis Scott Sharp Sam Hornish Jr. Hélio Castroneves Hélio CastronevesTeam PenskeDallaraOldsmobile
5Texas 1 Mark Dismore Eddie Cheever Greg Ray Scott SharpKelley RacingDallaraOldsmobile
6Pikes Peak Greg Ray Billy Boat Sam Hornish Jr. Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
7Richmond Jaques Lazier Buddy Lazier Buddy Lazier Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
8Kansas Scott Sharp Mark Dismore Eddie Cheever Eddie CheeverTeam CheeverDallaraInfiniti
9Nashville Greg Ray Buddy Lazier Sam Hornish Jr. Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
10Kentucky Scott Sharp Mark Dismore Scott Sharp Buddy LazierHemelgarn RacingDallaraOldsmobile
11Gateway Sam Hornish Jr. Robbie Buhl Sam Hornish Jr. Al Unser Jr.Galles RacingG-ForceOldsmobile
12Chicagoland Jaques Lazier Robbie Buhl Jaques Lazier Jaques LazierTeam MenardDallaraOldsmobile
13Texas 2 Sam Hornish Jr. Felipe Giaffone Sam Hornish Jr. Sam Hornish Jr.Panther RacingDallaraOldsmobile

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

  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

This race was held April 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jeff Ward won the pole.

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
  • Sarah Fisher's second place was the highest finish in an Indy car race by a female driver at the time.

zMax 500

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

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

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 72 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This race was originally scheduled for September 16 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.

Points standings

Further information: List of American Championship car racing point scoring systems

PosDriverPHXHOMATLINDYTMS1PPRRICKANNSSKENGTW CHITMS2Pts
1 Sam Hornish Jr.1*1*41432*226*33*21*503
2 Buddy Lazier320618411*511131117398
3 Scott Sharp482331851752*8252355
4 Billy Boat513149541892661212313
5 Eliseo Salazar2357714127111517184308
6 Felipe Giaffone  RY 6410102711488201021304
7 Al Unser Jr.2361730811320144186287
8 Eddie Cheever1992426126131*15214318261
9 Buzz Calkins9163121515101391622910242
10 Airton Daré10239819515617209197239
11 Jeff Ward757241612820107424238
12 Robbie Buhl112420152139211395223237
13 Shigeaki Hattori13158DNQ10DNS14877152116215
14 Mark Dismore25726162013611162221723205
15 Donnie Beechler2561673105145204
16 Robby McGehee81221111410418102014196
17 Jaques Lazier229171918312161*20195
18 Greg Ray22211*1711*18Wth1418138193
19 Sarah Fisher1721131181017121919112425188
20 Didier André  R 271013DNQ17194162111121315188
21 Billy Roe132020221214232322101
22 Jeret Schroeder2614192023161577
23 Jon Herb  R 2516271915970
24 Hélio Castroneves181*64
25 Rick Treadway  R 1714559
26 Davey Hamilton121918232454
27 Richie HearnDNQ9650
28 Gil de Ferran24246
29 Laurent Redon  R 71145
30 Brandon Erwin  R 141727Wth2240
31 Casey Mears  R 201123DNQ36
32 Stan Wattles162612Wth36
33 Chris Menninga  R 19161936
34 Michael Andretti335
35 Stéphan Grégoire2122152834
36 Jimmy Vasser432
37 Bruno Junqueira530
38 Anthony Lazzaro  R 181329
39 Tony Stewart628
40 Cory Witherill  R 221919
41 Arie Luyendyk1317
42 Tyce Carlson15Wth15
43 John Hollansworth Jr.1812
44 Alex Barron219
45 Robby Gordon219
46 Dr. Jack Miller255
47 Nicolas Minassian291
48 Scott Goodyear321
– Raul BoeselWth0
– Memo GidleyDNQ0
– Roberto GuerreroDNQ0
– Jim GuthrieDNQ0
– Jimmy KiteDNQ0
– Steve KnappDNQ0
– John Paul Jr.DNQ0
PosDriverPHXHOMATLINDYTMS1PPRRICKANNSSKENGTW CHITMS2Pts
ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th & 5th place
Light Blue6th–10th place
Dark BlueFinished(Outside Top 10)
PurpleDid not finish(Ret)
RedDid not qualify(DNQ)
BrownWithdrawn(Wth)
BlackDisqualified(DSQ)
WhiteDid not start(DNS)
BlankDid notparticipate(DNP)
Not competing
In-line notation
BoldPole position(2 points)
ItalicsRan fastest race lap
*Led most race laps(1 point)
DNSAny driver who qualifiesbut does not start (DNS),earns all the pointshad 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

References

  1. "NTT IndyCar Series Calendar 2001". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved November 17, 2023. https://motorsportstats.com/series/ntt-indycar-series/calendar/2001 ↩

  2. "Indy Racing League". Kenosha News. October 26, 2001. p. B4. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com . https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news-2001-indy-racing-league-res/135330704/ ↩

  3. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/09/14/texas-track-decides-to-postpone-races/62130931007/ 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/ https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/09/14/texas-track-decides-to-postpone-races/62130931007/ ↩