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Byrd Racing

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United States Jonathan Byrd's Racing
Founded1982[1]
Team principal(s)David Byrd
Jonathan Byrd II
Virginia "Ginny" Byrd[1][2]
Current seriesIndyCar Series
Current driversUnited States 88. Bryan Clauson (Indy 500)[3][4]
Websitehttp://www.jonathanbyrdsracing.com/

Jonathan Byrd's Racing is an American racing team in the IndyCar Series. The team is owned by Virginia (Ginny) Byrd and her sons David and Jonathan Byrd II.[1][2]

History 1982-2001

Jonathan Byrd's Racing was created in 1982 by business owner Jonathan Byrd and initially ran Pro Stock with driver Jim Begley.[1][5] Later, they won a few USAC Midget car championships with Rich Vogler.[6] The team first entered the Indianapolis 500 in 1985 with Vogler.[2][7] Vogler ran for the Byrd team at Indianapolis from 1985-1990, with a best finish of eighth in 1989.[6][8] The death of team manager Andy Kenopensky from cancer caused the team to be merged with Hemelgarn Racing.[8] Stan Fox replaced drivers Rich Vogler and Billy Vukovich III, who both died in sprint car accidents before racing at the 1991 Indianapolis 500.[9] Fox would finish eighth in 1991.[6] Gordon Johncock came out of retirement to qualify Stan Fox's backup car, fell ill before the race due to the flu and a allergic reaction, but was able to compete and finish sixth.[8][10] Buddy Lazier would also race for the team, finishing thirty-third.[11] Stan Fox and Gordon Johncock returned as drivers for the 1992 Indianapolis 500.[11]

Scott Brayton drove for Dick Simon and Byrd at the 1993 Indianapolis 500 and finished sixth.[6][11][12] Byrd joined with A. J. Foyt Enterprises to field cars at the 1994 Indianapolis 500 for Double Duty driver John Andretti, who finished tenth.[6][13][14] Davy Jones drove for the Jonathan Byrd and Dick Simon in the 1995 Indianapolis 500.[15] The team won the Dura-Lube 200 with Arie Luyendyk at Phoenix International Raceway in 1996.[16] While partnering with Treadway Racing in 1996, Arie Luyendyk broke the track record for Indianapolis Motor Speedway.[5][6] Luyendyk suffered from two failed engines, switching to a backup car, and his initial pole time disqualified due to the car being underweight by seven pounds before setting the record.[17]

Mike Groff drove for Clayton Cunningham and Byrd in the 1996–97 Indy Racing League season.[18] Byrd-Cunningham driver John Paul Jr. won in the 1998 Lone Star 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.[6][19][20] Jonathan Byrd's Racing suspended operations after the 1999 Indianapolis 500. This was due to sponsorship issues and the VisionAire 500K.[21][22] Byrd completed regularly until the 2001 Indianapolis 500 with Jaques Lazier as that year's driver.[23] Jonathan Byrd had a stroke in 2004 after heart surgery, suffered paralysis on his right side, and died in 2009 from cardiac arrest.[1][6][24]

Byrd Brothers 2005

Byrd Brothers completed at the 2005 Indianapolis 500 with Buddy Lazier as driver in a partnership with Panther Racing.[1][23][25] David and Jonathan, Byrd's sons, organized the team and worked with PR/sponsors.[24] Lazier suffered an accident due to a suspension failure on Carb Day, but after significant repairs would finish fifth in the 500.[24][26]

Reformation 2014-

The team announced plans to return at the 2015 Indianapolis 500 with driver Bryan Clauson and support from KVSH Racing.[25] Jonathan Byrd's Racing was originally intended to return at the 2016 Indianapolis 500, but plans were moved forward a year.[2][7] Bryan Clauson would qualify in last position (33rd) for the 2015 Indianapolis 500, beating Buddy Lazier.[27][28] Due to driver changes by other teams, Clauson would start 30th, and wrecked in Turn 4 on Lap 61 finishing 31st.[29][30][31][32]

Jonathan Byrd's Racing attempted the 2016 Indianapolis 500 with returning driver Bryan Clauson and support from Dale Coyne Racing.[3][4] He qualified 28th, would lead laps 97-99, and finished 23rd completing 198 laps.[33][34][35] Clauson was the first driver racing for Byrd to lead laps in the Indianapolis 500, and finished the most 500 laps in his career.[33] The team is unsure if they will continue racing due to the death of Clauson in August 2016.[36]

Racing results

Complete IndyCar results

(key)

Year Chassis Engine Drivers no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
2015 Dallara DW12 Chevrolet IndyCar V6t STP NLA LBH ALA IMS INDY DET TXS TOR FON MIL IOW MDO POC SNM
United States Bryan Clauson 88 31
2016 Dallara DW12 Chevrolet IndyCar V6t STP PHX LBH ALA IMS INDY DET ROA IOW TOR MDO POC TXS WGL SNM
United States Bryan Clauson 88 23

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Martin, Bruce (May 16, 2014). "Clauson to compete in 2015 Indy 500 with Jonathan Byrd's Racing". Speed - Fox Sports. Archived from the original on June 14, 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bryan Clauson to drive for Jonathan Byrd's Racing In 2015 Indianapolis 500". Autoweek. May 15, 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b DiZinno, Tony (December 11, 2015). "Coyne confirms Bryan Clauson, Byrd Racing for extra entry at Indy 500". NBC Sports. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. ^ a b Martin, Bruce (December 11, 2015). "Conor Daly gets full-time IndyCar ride with Dale Coyne Racing". Fox Sports. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  5. ^ a b Stilley, Al (May 21, 2014). "Byrd family revives dad's legacy with Indy 500 entry for 2015". The Southsider Voice. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "Restaurant and race car owner Jonathan Byrd dies". WTHR. August 21, 2009. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  7. ^ a b DiZinno, Tony (May 16, 2014). "Byrd is the word for Bryan Clauson and team's Indy 500 return". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "Quick finish for Ribbs". Reading Eagle. May 27, 1991. p. 18. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  9. ^ Litke, Jim (May 24, 1991). "Spirit drives Fox more than ever". Spokane Chronicle. The Associated Press. p. C3. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Johncock turns in nice job". The Ledger. May 27, 1991. p. 2D. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  11. ^ a b c Chad Parks; Lew Parks; Jeff Parks; Carla Parks (November 8, 2011). Win from the Back: Memoirs of a Racecar Mechanic. ISBN 9781463452490.
  12. ^ "Indy Stricken By Tragedy -- Popular Driver Brayton Dies In Practice". The Seattle Times. Los Angeles Times. May 18, 1996. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  13. ^ "Foyt expands his racing team". Gainesville Sun. January 20, 1994. p. 2C. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  14. ^ Kallmann, Dave (May 21, 1994). "John Andretti a man for all races". The Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 2B. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  15. ^ Herman, Steve (May 18, 1995). "Davy Jones, the fastest non-starting qualifier in Indianapolis 500". Associated Press. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  16. ^ Reisner, Mel (March 25, 1996). "Luyendyk Wins Again In Phoenix". Associated Press. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  17. ^ "Luyendyk fastest, a day late". The Daily Gazette. The Associated Press. May 13, 1996. p. C5. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  18. ^ Kallmann, Dave (July 19, 1996). "Drivers accept death as part of their sport". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3C. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  19. ^ "Longtime Indy 500 car owner Jonathan Byrd dies at 57". Autoweek. August 23, 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  20. ^ Harris, Mike (September 21, 1998). "Indy driver on comeback trail". Daily News. Associated Press. p. 4B. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  21. ^ Sturbin, John (October 13, 1999). "Cheever believes faith in Infiniti will pay off soon". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  22. ^ Hilderbrand, Brian (July 4, 1999). "Rumor mill humming about Sears Point". Daily News. Las Vegas Sun. p. 10B. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Clauson Lands 2015 Indy 500 Ride". National Speed Sport News. May 16, 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  24. ^ a b c Amidon, Jim (May 27, 2005). "Byrd Brothers Hope for Happy Indy 500". Wabash College. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  25. ^ a b Estrada, Chris (May 26, 2014). "KVSH Racing partnering with Jonathan Byrd's Racing for 2015 Indy 500". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  26. ^ Amidon, Jim (May 31, 2005). "Byrd Brothers Celebrate Fifth Place at Indy 500". Wabash College. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  27. ^ Stilley, Al (May 20, 2015). "Byrd family returns to IMS". The Southsider Voice. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  28. ^ Billing, Greg (May 19, 2015). "Back row drivers thrilled for Indy 500 opportunity". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  29. ^ DiZinno, Tony (May 21, 2015). "UPDATED: Vautier to replace Huertas at last-minute for Indy 500". NBC Sports. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  30. ^ "2015 Indy 500 Starting Grid". WTHR. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  31. ^ DiZinno, Tony (May 24, 2015). "Castroneves leads Indy 500 at halfway mark under third round of pit stops". NBC Sports. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  32. ^ Jenkins, Chris (May 24, 2015). "Juan Pablo Montoya wins his second Indianapolis 500". USA Today. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  33. ^ a b Morwick, Rick (May 29, 2016). "Byrd's driver Clauson pleased with progress". Daily Journal. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  34. ^ Bastide, Ken de la (May 29, 2016). "Rossi surprise Indy 500 winner". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  35. ^ Bonkowski, Jerry (May 31, 2016). "Bryan Clauson pulls off 'Hoosier Double' — Indy 500 and sprint car win in same day". NBC Sports. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  36. ^ O'Leary, Ryan (August 8, 2016). "Byrd family mourns death of standout racecar driver Clauson". Daily Journal. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
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