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| 1996 IRL IndyCar Series season | |
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The first season of Indy Racing League competition consisted of only three races. Walt Disney World Speedway was completed in time to host the first race of the season, and the first ever event of the IRL. Phoenix International Raceway switched aliances from CART to IRL and hosted the second event of the season. The 1996 season concluded with the 80th Indianapolis 500.
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Series schedule development
On January 23, 1995, at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World the IRL announced the dates for two of the races scheduled for the inaugural 1996 season. The Indy 200 at Walt Disney World Speedway was scheduled for January 27, 1996 and 80th Indianapolis 500 was set for May 26, 1996. On April 3, the IRL announced that Phoenix International Raceway and the then-under construction Las Vegas Motor Speedway would be on the 1996 schedule, but no dates were confirmed. Later that month, on April 13, 1995, the respective dates were finalized for Phoenix (March 24, 1996) and Las Vegas (September 15, 1996). On May 30, 1995, New Hampshire International Speedway officially switched aliances from CART to IRL, and scheduled their race for August 18.
The original plan was to have every Indy Racing League season end with the Indianapolis 500. Thus the IRL champion would be awarded at the conclusion of the Indy 500, and quite possibly could be the Indy 500 winner. The next season (in this case the 1996-97 season) would begin immediately after the Indy 500, and spread over two calendar years to conclude at the next Indianapolis 500. As a result, the two races at New Hampshire and Las Vegas, already announced, would in fact open the 1996-97 season. The schedule format, however, went against the traditional motorsports grain, and the idea was eventually scrapped in October. The 1996-97 season was expanded in order to bring the schedule back in sync with the rest of the motorsports world for 1998.
Controversy
In a controversial move, in July 1995, it was announced that the top 25 drivers in IRL points would secure guaranteed starting positions for the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Presumably, that left only eight positions open for at-large competitors. However, some interpreted the rule otherwise.1
The IRL points system was to be staggered to adjust for the number of races each driver entered. The number of points awarded per race would be multiplied by the number of events the driver had participated in. For example, if a driver had entered all three events, the points awarded for that third race were multiplied by three. This move was supposed to be an encouragement to enter all IRL events, but it did not attract any additional teams from the rival CART series.
Initially, IRL officials hoped that competitors from the rival CART series would chose to race in the IRL events, presumably since there were no foreseen conflicts in their respective schedules. The 1996 IRL schedule was finalized by May 30, 1995. However, a couple weeks later the CART series announced their 1996 schedule, immediately with conflicting dates. The CART race at Road America was scheduled for the same day as the IRL event at Loudon, while the CART races at Rio and Australia were bookended around the IRL race at Phoenix, creating an impossible travel situation. The only CART teams that participated in any IRL events in 1996 were Galles and Walker, but neither sported drivers who were CART regulars.
Machines
The season was contested with 1995 and older CART chassis produced by Lola and Reynard with a fixed limit on how much a team could spend on its combination. In addition, nearly every car was powered by a Ford Cosworth or Menard-Buick engine. Despite the short season, only fifteen drivers competed in all three. All races were well-attended by competitors as a legal chassis and engine combination could be acquired for well under $100,000.
Calendar
| Round | Circuit | Date | Distance | Pole Position | Fastest Lap | Winning Driver | Most Laps Led |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Walt Disney World Speedway |
January 27 | 200 laps 200 miles |
 Buddy Lazier |
Buzz Calkins |
Buzz Calkins |
Buzz Calkins |
| 2 |  Phoenix International Raceway |
March 24 | 200 laps 200 miles |
 Arie Luyendyk |
Arie Luyendyk |
Arie Luyendyk |
Arie Luyendyk |
| 3 |  Indianapolis Motor Speedway |
May 26 | 200 laps 500 miles |
Tony Stewart* |
Eddie Cheever |
Buddy Lazier |
 Roberto Guerrero |
* - Scott Brayton was the original pole-winner, but was killed during practice. Hence, second-placed qualifier Stewart took the pole.
Race summaries
Indy 200 at Walt Disney World
The first race for the new Indy Racing League was held January 27 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Buddy Lazier won the pole.
Top ten results
- Buzz Calkins
- Tony Stewart
- Robbie Buhl
- Michele Alboreto
- Roberto Guerrero
- Mike Groff
- Johnny O'Connell
- Lyn St. James
- John Paul, Jr.
- Eddie Cheever
Dura Lube 200
This race was held March 24 at Phoenix International Raceway. Arie Luyendyk won the pole.
Top ten results
- Arie Luyendyk
- Scott Sharp
- Mike Groff
- Richie Hearn
- Johnny O'Connell
- Buzz Calkins
- Stephan Gregoire
- Michele Alboreto
- Johnny Unser
- David Kudrave
80th Indianapolis 500
The first Indy 500 of the Indy Racing League era was held May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Scott Brayton won the pole but was fatally injured in a practice crash and replaced by Danny Ongais. Tony Stewart started the race from the pole. Arie Luyendyk set the fastest qualifying lap on the second day of qualifying with track 1 and 4 lap records that still stand.
Top ten results
- Buddy Lazier
- Davy Jones
- Richie Hearn
- Alessandro Zampedri
- Roberto Guerrero
- Eliseo Salazar
- Danny Ongais
- Hideshi Matsuda
- Robbie Buhl
- Scott Sharp
Final point standings
Driver
For every race points were awarded to all starters: 35 points to the winner, 33 for runner up, 32 for third place, winding down to 2 points for 33rd place. No additional points to the pole winner or the driver leading the most laps were awarded. For multiplier see above.
No points (did not qualify):
- Rick DeLorto
- Jim Buick
- Bill Tempero
- Dan Drinan
- Justin Bell
- Randy Tolsma
- Tyce Carlson
- Billy Boat
- Andy Michner
- Rob Wilson
- Butch Brickell
References
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