IRL IndyCar Series Champions

Updated August 28, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The Indy Racing Leauge (IRL) split from the open-wheel CART series in 1994. Led by Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Tony George, the league's inaugural three-race series began in January 1996 and ended with the league's keystone event-the Indianapolis 500. Past series' sponsors include Pep Boys (1998-99) and Northern Light Technology, Inc., an Internet search engine (2000-01).

Multiple winner: Sam Hornish Jr. (3).

Year Driver Car Team Sts Wins Poles Earnings
1996 Buzz Calkins Reynard Ford A.J. Foyt Enterprises 3 1 0 $345,553
Scott Sharp Lola Ford A.J. Foyt Enterprises 3 0 0 330,303
1997 Tony Stewart Dallara Oldsmobile Team Menard 10 1 4 1,142,450
1998 Kenny Brack Dallara Oldsmobile A.J. Foyt Enterprises 11 3 0 2,106,700
1999 Greg Ray Dallara Oldsmobile Team Menard 10 3 4 2,061,800
2000 Buddy Lazier Dallara Oldsmobile Hemelgarn Racing 9 2 1 2,176,200
2001 Sam Hornish Jr. Dallara Oldsmobile Panther Racing 13 3 0 2,477,025
2002 Sam Hornish Jr. Dallara Oldsmobile Panther Racing 15 5 2 1,435,615
2003 Scott Dixon G-Force Toyota Target Chip Ganassi 16 3 5 1,481,265
2004 Tony Kanaan Dallara Honda Andretti Green Racing 16 3 2 2,931,990
2005 Dan Wheldon Dallara Honda Andretti Green Racing 17 6 0 3,721,005
2006 Sam Hornish, Jr. Dallara Honda Penske Racing 14 4 4 3,835,205
2007 Dario Franchitti Dallara Honda Andretti Green Racing 17 4 4 4,017,583
Note: In 1996, Calkins and Sharp were named co-champions after finishing the series tied in drivers' points (246).

Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Indy Racing League Circuit IRL Rookie of the Year
Indy Racing League Circuit
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