The American Indycar Series (AIS) was an American open wheel racing series founded in 1988 by Bill Tempero. It utilized used chassis and engines from the CART series and the Indy Racing League. CART and IRL drivers Buddy Lazier, Jaques Lazier, Robby Unser, and Johnny Unser found success in the AIS.
The series was reborn with new management in 2001-2002. A new management team formed United States Speedway Series (USSS), while a new AIS under different management conducted races as well. The USSS ceased racing after 2005; the AIS shut down after 2002.
Over the years, the series had a predominantly western-based schedule.
History
In the mid-1980s, the once-popular Can Am series was withering, and most teams had already defected to the CART Indy car series or IMSA. The last holdouts formed CAT (Can-Am Teams) in 1986 to take over sanctioning as part of the SCCA.
Two plans emerged, one keeping the Formula 5000-based cars, and others who favored using old CART Indy car machines. Bill Tempero led the Indy-style effort. CAT held one race in 1986, and folded after a short 1987 season. Tempero broke off and started his Indy car series in 1988, with the cars powered by 5.9-litre stock block Chevrolet engines.
As the series began to slowly gain competitors, the teams were allowed to run a choice of two powerplants. The aforementioned stockblock Chevy V-8, or a V-6 (best known as the Buick/Menard) in turbocharged or normally aspirated configuration. An equivalency formula was determined to provide for competitive balance among the different engine combinations.
The chassis used were used March, Lola, Reynard, Eagle, and Penske from CART competition. In later years, G-Force and Dallara cars from IRL competition were also used.
Champions
American IndyCar Series
- 1988 Buddy Lazier
- 1989 Robby Unser
- 1990 Bill Tempero
- 1991 Bill Tempero
- 1992 Rod Bennett
- 1993 Rick Sutherland
- 1994 Bill Tempero
- 1995 Bill Tempero
- 1996 Ken Petrie
- 1997 Ken Petrie
- 1998 Greg Gorden
- 1999 Bill Tempero
- 2000 Mike Lee[1]
- 2002 Eddie Nahir (ARS)
United States Speedway Series
- 2001 Ken Petrie
- 2002 Ken Petrie
- 2003 Mike Koss
- 2004 Greg Gorden
- 2005 Bailey Dotson
AIS Seasons
1986-1987 CAT season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 26 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Al Lamb | Frisbee GR2/Chevrolet | [2] |
| May 3 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Buddy Lazier | '85 March/Chevrolet | [3] |
| June 7 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Al Lamb | Frisbee GR2/Chevrolet | [4] |
| July 19 | Wisconsin State Fair Park Speedway | West Allis, Wisconsin | Bill Tempero | '85 March/Chevrolet | [5] |
| August 16 | Sanair Super Speedway | St. Pie, Quebec | Bill Tempero | '85 March/Chevrolet | [6] |
| September 6 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Bill Tempero | '85 March/Chevrolet | [7] |
| November 1 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona | Bill Tempero | '85 March/Chevrolet | [8] |
- For 1987, Indy car events were organized through CAT (Can Am Teams).
1988 season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Buddy Lazier | March/Chevrolet | [9] |
| June 19 | St. Louis International Raceway | Madison, Illinois | Buddy Lazier | March/Chevrolet | [10] |
| July 3 | Mountain View Motorsports Park | Mead, Colorado | Robby Unser | Lola/Chevrolet | [11] |
| July 23 | Tioga Motorsports Park | Owego, New York | Buddy Lazier | March/Chevrolet | [12] |
| October 9 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Buddy Lazier | March/Chevrolet | [13] |
| October 9 | Willow Springs | Rosamond, California | Buddy Lazier | March/Chevrolet | [14] |
- The first full season of AIS took place in 1988. The season concluded with twin races at Willow Springs. Buddy Lazier won the first season championship, with Robby Unser second.
1989 season
- June 4 I-70 Speedway, Robby Unser (2 wins)[15]
- June 11 Memphis Motorsports Park Robby Unser (2 wins)[16]
- July 4 Colorado National Speedway Robby Unser,[17] Buddy Lazier[18]
- September 30 Tioga Robby Unser,[19] Richard Griffin[20]
- October 29 Willow Springs Buddy Lazier,[21] Robby Unser[22]
1990-1995 seasons
1998 season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 5 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Hallett, Oklahoma | Shayne Stephens | Lola/Buick-Menard |
| June 13 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Mike Lee | March/Chevrolet |
| July 28 | Hawkeye Downs Speedway | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Ken Petrie | March/Chevrolet |
| September 20 | Race City Speedway | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Ken Petrie | March/Chevrolet |
| September 20 | Birmingham International Raceway | Birmingham, Alabama | Greg Gorden | Lola/Buick-Menard |
1999 season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23 | La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway | West Salem, Wisconsin | Ken Petrie | March/Chevrolet |
| June 20 | Mountain View Motorsports Park | Mead, Colorado | Bill Tempero | Lola/Buick-Menard |
| July 10 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Jimmy Santos | Lola/Chevrolet |
| September 5 | Exposition Park street circuit | Los Angeles | Bill Tempero | Lola/Menard |
2000 season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19 | Hallett Motor Racing Circuit | Hallett, Oklahoma | Greg Gorden | Lola/Buick-Menard |
| July 3 | St. Johns Airpark | St. Johns, Arizona | Jimmy Santos | Reynard/Ilmor-Mercedes-Benz |
| August 14 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Juan Carlos Carbonell | Lola/Buick-Menard |
| October 16 | Infineon Raceway | Sonoma, California | Juan Carlos Carbonell | Lola/Buick-Menard |
| November 26 | Phoenix | Avondale, Arizona | Mike Lee | G Force/Aurora |
2002 ARS
- April 20–21 Las Vegas Motor Speedway Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas, Nevada (Eddy Nahir)
- May 18–19 Thunderhill Motorsport Park
- June 21–23 California Speedway, two races, (Eddy Nahir, Eddy Nahir)
- Oct. 5 - 6 Willow Springs International Raceway
- Nov. 22 - 24 Phoenix International Raceway
- Dec. 13 - 15 Aloha Grand Prix
USSS seasons
2001 season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 8 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway (road) | Las Vegas, Nevada | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| May 13 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| June 16 | Sandia Motor Speedway | Albuquerque | Mike Lee | Hoffpauir Lola/Menard Buick |
| July 14 | Dodge City Raceway Park | Dodge City, Kansas | Phil Erickson | Fast Line Lola/Buick-Menard |
| August 25 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| September 30 | Firebird International Raceway | Chandler, Arizona | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| October 14 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
| November 25 | Firebird International Raceway | Chandler, Arizona | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
2002 season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 20 | San Antonio Speedway | San Antonio | Ken Petrie | Fast Line Lola/Buick-Menard |
| May 5 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
| June 15 | Dodge City Raceway Park | Dodge City, Kansas | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| July 27 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| August 18 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Mike Lee | Hoffpauir Menard Lola |
| September 7 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| October 5 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| December 1 | Firebird International Raceway | Chandler, Arizona |
2003 season
| Date | Track | Location | Winner | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 12 | San Antonio Speedway | San Antonio | Eric Koselke March/Chevrolet | |
| May 4 | Pikes Peak International Raceway (road) | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
| May 18 | Pueblo Motorsports Park | Pueblo, Colorado | Ken Petrie March/Chevrolet | |
| June 22 | California Speedway (road) | Fontana, California | Mike Koss Lola/Menard-Buick | |
| July 26 | Magic Valley Speedway | Twin Falls, Idaho | Mike Koss | Dallara/Oldsmobile |
| August 16 | Sandia Motorsports Park | Albuquerque | Mike Lee | Lola-Menard Buick |
| September 1 | St. Johns Airport | St. John's Arizona | Ken Petrie | Precision March/Chevrolet |
| September 14 | Pikes Peak International Raceway (road) | Fountain, Colorado | Greg Gorden | G-Force/Oldsmobile |
| October 4 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada | Mike Lee | Lola-Menard Buick |
References
- ↑ ChampCarStats.com
- ↑ "Gold Cup Challenge". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "CAT Can Am Teams race, WSIR". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "CAT Can Am Teams race, Hallett". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "CAT Can Am Teams race, Milwaukee". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "CAT Can Am Teams race, Sanair". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "CAT Can Am Teams race, Pueblo". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "CAT Can Am Teams race, Phoenix". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Willow Springs". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, St. Louis". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Mountain View". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Shangri-La". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Willow Springs". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Willow Springs". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, I-70". Retrieved 30 September 2012."American IndyCar Series race, I-70". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Memphis". Retrieved 30 September 2012."American IndyCar Series race, Memphis". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Colorado". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Colorado". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race Shangri-La Speedway, Owego, NY". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Shangri-La Speedway". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Willow Springs". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ "American IndyCar Series race, Willow Springs". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
External links
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