Arie Luyendyk
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Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk (born September 21, 1953) is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500.
Born in Sommelsdijk, Luyendyk started racing in the early 1970s, winning a number of Dutch national titles. In 1977, he won the European Super Vee championship, and switched to Formula 3. Success continued to elude him until he moved to the United States in 1984, where he immediately won the Super Vee championship.
With the help of sponsor Provimi Veal, Luyendyk ran his first full Champ Car season in 1985, winning the rookie of the year title both for the season and the Indianapolis 500. His first win in the series came five years later in 1990, but it was at the most important race of the series. With a record average speed of 185.981 mph (299.307 km/h) that still stands to this day (as of 6 May 2007), Luyendyk won the 1990 Indianapolis 500 for Doug Shierson Racing.
Luyendyk continued to perform well at Indianapolis, scoring pole positions in 1993, 1997 and 1999, and retiring from the race while leading on three occasions. In 1996, he set the qualifying lap record at 237.498 mph (382.216 km/h), although he did not start on the pole since he qualified on the second day of time trials. He won the 1997 Indianapolis 500 from the pole over Treadway Racing teammate Scott Goodyear. Luyendyk also was selected to participate in the 1992, 1993, and 1998 editions of the International Race of Champions. He retired from racing after the 1999 season, but returned to the 500 in 2001 and 2002.
Other Luyendyk victories include the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. His son, Arie Jr., is currently also a racer.
The last corner of the Zandvoort track in the Netherlands carries his name.
Contents |
[edit] CART career results
| Year | Team | Wins | Points | Championship Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Bettenhausen | 0 | 5 | 34th |
| 1985 | Bettenhausen | 0 | 33 | 18th |
| 1986 | Bettenhausen | 0 | 29 | 17th |
| 1987 | Hemelgarn Racing | 0 | 98 | 7th |
| 1988 | Dick Simon Racing | 0 | 31 | 14th |
| 1989 | Dick Simon Racing | 0 | 75 | 10th |
| 1990 | Shierson Racing | 1 | 90 | 8th |
| 1991 | Granatelli Racing | 2 | 134 | 6th |
| 1992 | Chip Ganassi Racing | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1993 | Chip Ganassi Racing | 0 | 90 | 8th |
| 1994 | Indy Regency Racing | 0 | 34 | 17th |
| 1995 | Simon/Menard | 0 | 6 | 26th |
| 1997 | Chip Ganassi Racing | 0 | 0 | NC |
3 wins, best championship finish: 6th
[edit] IndyCar career results
| Year | Team | Wins | Points | Championship Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Byrd/Treadway Racing | 1 | 75 | 7th |
| 1996-1997 | Treadway Racing | 2 | 223 | 6th |
| 1998 | Treadway Racing | 1 | 227 | 8th |
| 1999 | Treadway Racing | 0 | 11 | 41st |
| 2001 | Treadway Racing | 0 | 17 | 41st |
| 2002 | Treadway Racing | 0 | 30 | 37th |
4 Wins, Best championship finish: 6th
[edit] Indy 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Lola | Cosworth | 20th | 7th |
| 1986 | Lola | Cosworth | 19th | 15th |
| 1987 | March | Cosworth | 7th | 18th |
| 1988 | Lola | Cosworth | 6th | 10th |
| 1989 | Lola | Cosworth | 15th | 21st |
| 1990 | Lola | Chevrolet | 3rd | 1st |
| 1991 | Lola | Chevrolet | 14th | 3rd |
| 1992 | Lola | Ford-Cosworth | 4th | 15th |
| 1993 | Lola | Ford-Cosworth | 1st | 2nd |
| 1994 | Lola | Ilmor | 8th | 18th |
| 1995 | Lola | Menard-Buick | 2nd | 7th |
| 1996 | Lola | Ford-Cosworth | 20th | 16th |
| 1997 | G-Force | Oldsmobile | 1st | 1st |
| 1998 | G-Force | Oldsmobile | 28th | 20th |
| 1999 | G-Force | Oldsmobile | 1st | 22nd |
| 2001 | G-Force | Oldsmobile | 6th | 13th |
| 2002 | G-Force | Chevrolet | 24th | 14th |
| 2003 | G-Force | Toyota | driven by Alex Barron | |
[edit] External links
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Emerson Fittipaldi |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1990 |
Succeeded by Rick Mears |
| Preceded by Buddy Lazier |
Indianapolis 500 Winner 1997 |
Succeeded by Eddie Cheever |
| Preceded by Roberto Guerrero |
CART Rookie of the Year 1985 |
Succeeded by Dominic Dobson |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by Davey Hamilton |
Scott Brayton Award 2002 |
Succeeded by Buddy Lazier |
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