September 11, 2004

Winner Arie Luyendyk and Tony Stewart in the 1997 "Indianapolis 500"

(originally presented 05/15/99)

 Bob Jennings

Perhaps this isn't an appropriate time to write about the Indy Racing League following the spectator tragedies in Charlotte, but this photo represents the IRL's two most famous participants; the two "main men" of the four year old series - Arie Luyendyk and Tony Stewart.  It's almost time for the "Indianapolis 500," and the 1999 "500" could be the final time either driver races in the IRL. 

Arie Luyendyk has announced that this year's "500" will be his final race. Stewart, who is on the verge of NASCAR Winston Cup stardom, has been quoted as saying that if he wins this year's "500," he'll give up competition in open wheel cars completely, to concentrate on NASCAR. I guess it will be time to find a new photo for the home page of this website, at the end of this month, as this particular photo will more or less cease to be relevant.

A look at the Indy Racing League statistics, that are linked to this page, reveal that Arie and Tony have been key players in the young series. Luyendyk was the only Indianapolis winner to race in the IRL when the series began competition in January 1996, at Walt Disney World. He is the only four time race winner, in the IRL. Stewart became a national racing personality, via his IRL performances; the first celebrity to emerge from the IRL concept. He has often been called the "poster boy" of the IRL, as his "grass roots" oval track background personifies what the series is about. Tony has three IRL wins, is the all time competitive lap leader (by a huge margin), the all time IRL pole qualifier and the 1997 series champion. 

The most notable Luyendyk - Stewart confrontation came in the 1997 "Indianapolis 500."

The two drivers, both driving the new G Force - Aurora IRL package, battled for top speed honors throughout the week of practice preceding qualifications for the 1997 "500." On Pole day, Arie's 218.263 mph run took honors, with Tony's 218.021 mph average a very close second.

I took this photo, from inside turn four, on Monday the 26th, as Luyendyk and Stewart rushed by, in anticipation of the green flag and the start of the race. This was the the actual restart, after the mishap between the entire fifth row of the grid had been cleared. Arie and Tony were impatient to do battle.

The first lap was intense! Stewart pushed Luyendyk to the inside of the track, as the green flag waved, but Arie led into the first turn. Tony was able to sneak inside, however, to get across the line as the lap one leader for the second consecutive year.

Stewart extended his lead until rain brought the race to a stop after 15 laps, while Luyendyk had to fight off Tony's Menard teammate Robbie Buhl.

The next day, Tony resumed his lead, but on lap 62, Arie passed on a restart and, from my observation, that's when control of the 1997 "500" passed from Stewart to Luyendyk. Tony led a race high 64 laps, while Arie led 61.

The Luyendyk - Stewart combat didn't end, on lap 62, however. With Jeff Ward leading for many laps, during the final third of the race, due to pitting out of sequence, Stewart, Luyendyk and Scott Goodyear fought for second place. On lap 187, Arie went inside Tony, trying to get second, at the end of the backstretch. Stewart blocked Luyendyk and Arie had to put two wheels into the grass to avoid Tony's car. If you saw Arie's in car shot, you remember that action. 

Of course, Luyendyk took his second "Indianapolis 500" win, while Stewart finished fifth, behind Scott Goodyear, Jeff Ward and Buddy Lazier. For much of the 1997 race, however, the Indy Racing League's most notable drivers, to date, put on an intense competition.