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The 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League was one of relative stability compared to the previous two seasons. For the first time the season consisted of a single and complete spring, summer, and fall like all other forms of motorsport. 15 drivers completed the entire 11 race schedule, twice as many as the previous season. It was also the first complete season for the new Riley & Scott chassis, though it proved unpopular due to its late introduction. A. J. Foyt Enterprises drivers captured 4 wins, the Indy 500 pole, and the championship, arguably the most successful year in the team's history.
1998 Indy Racing League season | |
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Pep Boys Indy Racing League | |
![]() 1998 Indy Racing League | |
Season | |
Races | 11 |
Start date | January 24 |
End date | October 11 |
Awards | |
Drivers' champion | ![]() |
Manufacturers' Cup | ![]() |
Rookie of the Year | ![]() |
Indianapolis 500 winner | ![]() |
Luyendyk's final IndyCar win. It would also be his final season as a full-time driver, as he would choose to go into semi-retirement in 1999.
Of the championship contenders, Tony Stewart started 2nd, but spun on lap seven and finished 14th (30 laps down), Davey Hamilton was involved in a crash with Roberto Guerrero on lap 130, finishing 19th. Bräck cruised the rest of the way to finish 10th, six laps down, enough to win the championship.
Rnd | Date | Race Name | Track | City |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | January 24 | Indy 200 at Walt Disney World | Walt Disney World Speedway | Bay Lake, Florida |
2 | March 22 | Dura Lube 200 | Phoenix International Raceway | Avondale, Arizona |
3 | May 24 | 82nd Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Speedway, Indiana |
4 | June 6 | True Value 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | Fort Worth, Texas |
5 | June 28 | New England 200 | New Hampshire International Speedway | Loudon, New Hampshire |
6 | July 19 | Pep Boys 400K | Dover International Speedway | Dover, Delaware |
7 | July 25 | VisionAire 500K | Charlotte Motor Speedway | Concord, North Carolina |
8 | August 16 | Radisson 200 | Pikes Peak International Raceway | Fountain, Colorado |
9 | August 29 | Atlanta 500 Classic | Atlanta Motor Speedway | Hampton, Georgia |
10 | September 20 | Lone Star 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | Fort Worth, Texas |
11 | October 11 | Las Vegas 500K | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Source:[1] |
All races running on Oval/Speedway.
The eight races that were held in calendar year 1997 returned in 1998, with the addition of three new races. As part of their effort to venture in traditional stock-car markets, the IRL held the second Indy-car race ever, the first since 1969, at Dover International Speedway, and also competed at the reconfigured Atlanta Motor Speedway, which had been raced eight times by Indy-cars in its former shape between 1965 and 1983. A second race at Texas Motor Speedway in the fall completed the calendar.
The Indy 200 was held on January 24 at Walt Disney World Speedway. Qualifying was rained out, so Tony Stewart won the pole position due to the race being lined up by 1996–97 entrant standings for the first 20 positions and the remaining eight came from the best practice speeds of the remaining cars.
Top 10 results
The Dura-Lube 200 was held on March 22 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jeff Ward qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
The Indianapolis 500 was held on May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position.
Top ten results
The True Value 500 was held June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
The New England 200 was held on June 28 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position.
Top ten results
The Pep Boys 400K was held on July 19 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Tony Stewart qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
The VisionAire 500K was held on July 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tony Stewart qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
The Radisson 200 was held August 16 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
The Atlanta 500 Classic was held on August 29 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
The Lone Star 500 was held on September 20 at Texas Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
The Las Vegas 500K was held on October 11 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Billy Boat qualified on the pole position.
Top 10 results
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Additional points were awarded to the pole winner (3 points), the second best qualifier (2 points), the third best qualifier (1 point) and to the driver leading the most laps (2 point).
Notes:
Orlando: No additional points for the qualifying were awarded due to rain; starting grid were determined by 1996–97 entrant points for the first 20 positions and the remaining eight went to top practice times from Thursday.
Phoenix: Scott Sharp had 7 points deduction, because his car failed the post-race fuel capacity inspection.
Pikes Peak: Tony Stewart and Robbie Buhl had 15 points deduction each, because the rear wings of both Team Menard cars were found to be in violation of technical specifications.
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