2002 Indy Racing League season | |
---|---|
Indy Racing League | |
Season | |
Races | 15 |
Start date | March 2 |
End date | September 15 |
Awards | |
Drivers' champion | Sam Hornish Jr. |
Indianapolis 500 winner | Hélio Castroneves |
The 2002 Indy Racing League (IRL) was one of transition, with many CART teams participating in a partial IRL schedule while retaining "lame duck" status in their original series with their CART engine suppliers Toyota and Honda. On the IRL front, the Infiniti engine was in its "lame duck" year and the General Motors engine was now branded as a Chevrolet rather than an Oldsmobile as that marque was being phased out. Sam Hornish Jr. won 5 races on his way to his second straight championship ahead of Penske Racing juggernaut Hélio Castroneves who won three races, including a second straight Indy 500, on his way to second in the championship.
This race was held on March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Sam Hornish Jr. won the pole.
Top ten results
This race was held on March 17 at Phoenix International Raceway. Hélio Castroneves won the pole.
Top ten results
This race was held on March 24 at California Speedway. Eddie Cheever won the pole.
Top ten results
This race was held on April 21 at Nazareth Speedway. Gil de Ferran won the pole.
Top ten results
The Indy 500 was held on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bruno Junqueira sat on pole. The race end was one of the most controversial in history as Paul Tracy passed Hélio Castroneves just as the yellow was coming out for a crash. Race officials ruled that the pass occurred after the yellow.