2003 Infiniti Pro Series

The 2003 IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series Season was the series' second. It consisted of 12 races and the champion was Mark Taylor who won 7 of 12 races and only suffered 2 DNF's and 1 DNS.[1] All teams used Dallara chassis and Infiniti engines. Only 7 drivers competed in every race and 3 more missed a single race.[2]

Team and driver chart
Team No. Drivers Rounds
Brian Stewart Racing 3 Marty Roth 1–2, 10–12
Jonathan Urlin[3] 3–7
33 1–2
Craig Dollansky[4] 3
Dave Steele 6
Marty Roth 7
Paul Dana 8–11
Tony Turco 12
Panther Racing[5] 4 Mark Taylor[5] All
41 Dane Carter[6] 12
Sinden Racing Service 5 Arie Luyendyk Jr.[7] All
Sam Schmidt Motorsports 6 Lloyd Mack[8] 1
Marco Cioci[9] 3
Ross Fonferko[10] 6–7
9 Tom Wood[11] 1–9
Taylor Fletcher[12][13] 10–12
99 Brandon Erwin[14] 1–9
Marco Cioci 10
Brad Pollard[15] 11–12
REV 1 Racing 8 Ronnie Johncox 1–3
Roquin Motorsports 11 Rolando Quintanilla 12
Bowes Seal Fast Racing 3
37 Billy Roe[16] 3
Beardsley Motorsports 12 Matt Beardsley[17] 1–7, 11–12
A. J. Foyt Enterprises 14 Ed Carpenter[18] All
Keith Duesenberg Racing[19] 20 Jeff Simmons[20] All
Kenn Hardley Racing[21] 24 Paul Dana[22] 1–7
Moses Smith[23] 8
Billy Roe[24] 9–12
AFS Racing 25 Scott Harrington[16] 3
G. J. Mennen[25] 5, 7–12
27 Gary Peterson 1–5, 7–12
Genoa Racing 36 Thiago Medeiros[26] All
Hemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports 91 Aaron Fike[27] 1, 3–12
Tony Ave 2
92 Cory Witherill[27] All

Race Calendar
Race NoTrackStateDateLapsDistanceTimeSpeedWinnerPole PositionMost Leading LapsFastest Race Lap
1Homestead-Miami SpeedwayFloridaMarch 2, 2003672.41395=161.73465 km0'44:54.8282216.060 km/hMark TaylorThiago MedeirosMark TaylorMark Taylor
2Phoenix International RacewayArizonaMarch 22, 20031001.6093=160.93 km?? km/hMark TaylorMark TaylorMark TaylorMark Taylor
3Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayIndianaMay 18, 2003404.02325=160.93 km0'55:02.1661175.444 km/hEd CarpenterEd CarpenterEd CarpenterEd Carpenter
4Pikes Peak International RacewayColoradoJune 14, 2003871.6093=140.0091 km0'45:21.2797185.219 km/hAaron FikeJeff SimmonsAaron FikeCory Witherill
5Kansas SpeedwayKansasJuly 6, 2003672.414=161.735 km0'40:12.1978241.376 km/hMark TaylorEd CarpenterEd CarpenterAaron Fike
6Nashville SuperspeedwayTennesseeJuly 18, 2003772.140=164.808 km0'42:12.2945234.297 km/hMark TaylorMark TaylorMark TaylorBrandon Erwin
7Michigan International SpeedwayMichiganJuly 27, 2003503.2186=160.93 km0'55:36.0133173.665 km/hMark TaylorArie Luyendyk Jr.Mark TaylorMatt Beardsley
8Gateway International RacewayIllinoisAugust 9, 2003802.011625=160.93 km0'44:02.1599219.271 km/hJeff SimmonsBrandon ErwinMark TaylorMark Taylor
9Kentucky SpeedwayKentuckyAugust 16, 2003672.414=161.735 km0'41:46.2837232.314 km/hJeff SimmonsJeff SimmonsJeff SimmonsEd Carpenter
10Chicagoland SpeedwayIllinoisSeptember 6, 2003672.414=161.735 km0'46:00.1733210.945 km/hMark TaylorEd CarpenterEd CarpenterG. J. Mennen
11California SpeedwayCaliforniaSeptember 20, 2003503.2186=160.93 km0'41:13.6217234.210 km/hMark TaylorMark TaylorMark TaylorEd Carpenter
12Texas Motor SpeedwayTexasOctober 11, 2003672.414=161.735 km?? km/hThiago MedeirosArie Luyendyk Jr.Arie Luyendyk Jr.Marty Roth

Race Summaries

Western Union 100

The Western Union 100 was held March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Thiago Medeiros won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Mark Taylor
  2. Thiago Medeiros
  3. Brandon Erwin
  4. Arie Luyendyk Jr.
  5. Jonathan Urlin

Phoenix 100

The Phoenix 100 was held March 22 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mark Taylor won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Mark Taylor
  2. Thiago Medeiros
  3. Tony Ave
  4. Brandon Erwin
  5. Jeff Simmons

Freedom 100

The inaugural Freedom 100 was held May 18 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ed Carpenter won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Ed Carpenter
  2. Cory Witherill
  3. Mark Taylor
  4. Jeff Simmons
  5. Jonathan Urlin

Pikes Peak 100

The Pikes Peak 100 was held June 14 at Pikes Peak International Raceway. Jeff Simmons won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Aaron Fike
  2. Jeff Simmons
  3. Arie Luyendyk Jr.
  4. Ed Carpenter
  5. Mark Taylor

Aventis Racing for Kids 100

The Aventis Racing for Kids 100 was held July 6 at Kansas Speedway. Ed Carpenter won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Mark Taylor
  2. Ed Carpenter
  3. Tom Wood
  4. Aaron Fike
  5. Cory Witherill

Cleanevent 100

The Cleanevent 100 was held July 18 at Nashville Superspeedway. Mark Taylor won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Mark Taylor
  2. Tom Wood
  3. Ross Fonferko
  4. Jeff Simmons
  5. Thiago Medeiros

Michigan 100

The Michigan 100 was held July 27 at Michigan International Speedway. Arie Luyendyk Jr. won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Mark Taylor
  2. Jeff Simmons
  3. Thiago Medeiros
  4. Aaron Fike
  5. Tom Wood

Gateway 100

The Gateway 100 was held August 9 at Gateway International Raceway. Brandon Erwin won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Jeff Simmons
  2. Cory Witherill
  3. Arie Luyendyk Jr.
  4. Ed Carpenter
  5. Tom Wood

Kentucky 100

The Kentucky 100 was held August 16 at Kentucky Speedway. Jeff Simmons won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Jeff Simmons
  2. Cory Witherill
  3. Thiago Medeiros
  4. Arie Luyendyk Jr.
  5. Ed Carpenter

Chicagoland 100

The Chicagoland 100 was held September 6 at Chicagoland Speedway. Ed Carpenter won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Mark Taylor
  2. Ed Carpenter
  3. Jeff Simmons
  4. Arie Luyendyk Jr.
  5. Aaron Fike

California 100

The California 100 was held September 20 at the California Speedway. Mark Taylor won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Mark Taylor
  2. Ed Carpenter
  3. Thiago Medeiros
  4. G.J. Mennen
  5. Billy Roe

dreamserscandles.com 100

The dreamserscandles.com 100 was held October 11 at Texas Motor Speedway. Arie Luyendyk Jr. won the pole.

Top 5 Results

  1. Thiago Medeiros
  2. Jeff Simmons
  3. Cory Witherill
  4. Ed Carpenter
  5. Aaron Fike

Final points standings

For every race points were awarded to all starters: 50 points to the winner, 40 for runner-up, 35 for third place, 32 for fourth place, 30 for fifth place, 28 for sixth place, 26 seventh place, 24 eighth place, 22 for ninth place, 20 for tenth place, winding down to 1 points for 28th place. Additional points were awarded to the driver leading the most laps (2 point). No additional points were awarded for the qualifying.

PlaceNameCountryTeamTotal Points
1Mark Taylor United KingdomPanther Racing482525235305052522417505216
2Jeff Simmons United StatesKeith Duesenberg Racing407163032401632405052352440
3Ed Carpenter United StatesA. J. Foyt Enterprises377151752324217263230424032
4Thiago Medeiros BrazilGenoa Racing371404011282630351935223550
5Cory Witherill United StatesHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports336182240183028154040282235
6Aaron Fike United StatesHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports32824-28523216322828302830
7Arie Luyendyk Jr. NetherlandsSinden Racing299322015351822193532322019
8Tom Wood CanadaSam Schmidt Motorsports235281517203540303020---
9Paul Dana United StatesKenn Hardley Racing23417282617172620
Brian Stewart Racing26241716-
10Gary Peterson United StatesAutomatic Fire Sprinklers Racing2171916142419-221826241520
11Brandon Erwin United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports213353219192820182022---
12Matt Beardsley United StatesBeardsley Motorsports18426241222222414---2614
13G. J. Mennen United StatesAutomatic Fire Sprinklers Racing175----24-242419263326
14Jonathan Urlin CanadaBrian Stewart Racing16630263026201816-----
15Marty Roth CanadaBrian Stewart Racing1242219----28--201718
16Billy Roe United StatesBowes Seal Fast Racing107--16-----
Kenn Hardley Racing18193024
17Ronnie Johncox United StatesRev1 Racing62201824---------
18Ross Fonferko United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports52-----3517-----
19Rolando Quintanilla MexicoBowes Seal Fast Racing48--20--------28
20Taylor Fletcher United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports47---------161813
21Marco Cioci ItalySam Schmidt Motorsports40--22------18--
22Tony Ave United StatesHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports35-35----------
23Brad Pollard United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports34----------1915
24Dane Carter United StatesPanther Racing22-----------22
25Dave Steele United StatesBrian Stewart Racing19-----19------
Tony Turco United StatesBrian Stewart Racing19-----------19
27Scott Harrington United StatesAutomatic Fire Sprinklers Racing18--18---------
28Moses Smith United StatesKenn Hardley Racing17-------17----
29Lloyd Mack United StatesSam Schmidt Racing1414-----------
30Craig Dollansky United StatesBrian Stewart Racing13--13---------

Complete Overview
first column of every race10= grid position
second column of every race10= race result

R9=retired, but classified NS13=did not start, but classified

PlaceNameCountryTeam
1Mark Taylor United KingdomPanther Racing2111236513111714R913NS1321114R14
2Jeff Simmons United StatesKeith Duesenberg Racing5R145534123143432311113398112
3Ed Carpenter United StatesA. J. Foyt Enterprises16R1512R131144125R13275485122234
4Thiago Medeiros BrazilGenoa Racing12828R1910657955311R1143694371
5Cory Witherill United StatesHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports91269722R12125866R156272767953
6Aaron Fike United StatesHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports48--6631247R141049656353625
7Arie Luyendyk Jr. NetherlandsSinden Racing34151051512314121391R1173944411101R13
8Tom Wood CanadaSam Schmidt Motorsports1363R1516137R106342135253R10------
9Paul Dana United StatesKenn Hardley Racing14R13761079NS138131079R10
Brian Stewart Racing10710814R131414--
10Gary Peterson United StatesAutomatic Fire Sprinklers Racing111110R1418R161181111--12912NS12117889R15810
11Brandon Erwin United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports8324191113R114621011R121R102R9------
12Matt Beardsley United StatesBeardsley Motorsports157984R185910912815R16------15714R16
13G. J. Mennen United StatesAutomatic Fire Sprinklers Racing--------78--1688812R115764107
14Jonathan Urlin CanadaBrian Stewart Racing651371258791014128R14----------
15Marty Roth CanadaBrian Stewart Racing12911R11--------146----1110513912
16Billy Roe United StatesBowes Seal Fast Racing----1414----------
Kenn Hardley Racing6R121211105138
17Ronnie Johncox United StatesRev1 Racing71014R1298------------------
18Ross Fonferko United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports----------634R13----------
19Rolando Quintanilla MexicoBowes Seal Fast Racing----1310----------------126
20Taylor Fletcher United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports------------------9R14131217R17
21Marco Cioci ItalySam Schmidt Motorsports----119------------10R12----
22Tony Ave United StatesHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports--43--------------------
23Brad Pollard United StatesSam Schmidt Motorsports--------------------81115R15
24Dane Carter United StatesPanther Racing----------------------69
25Dave Steele United StatesBrian Stewart Racing----------1111------------
Tony Turco United StatesBrian Stewart Racing----------------------1611
27Scott Harrington United StatesAutomatic Fire Sprinklers Racing----1712------------------
28Moses Smith United StatesKenn Hardley Racing--------------13NS13--------
29Lloyd Mack United StatesSam Schmidt Racing10NS16----------------------
30Craig Dollansky United StatesBrian Stewart Racing----15R17------------------

References
  1. Wilkins, Robert. Q&A: Mark Taylor - IPS champion, Crash.net, September 21, 2003, Retrieved 2018-10-30
  2. 2003 IRL Infiniti Pro Series, Champ Car Stats, Retrieved 2018-10-30
  3. "F2000 veteran Urlin to compete in IPS". Crash.net. January 17, 2003.
  4. "WOO standout Dollansky to debut at Indy". Motorsport.com. May 14, 2003.
  5. "Panther signs Brit Taylor for IPS". Crash.net. September 9, 2002.
  6. "IRL Notebook". The Indianapolis Star. September 7, 2003.
  7. "Luyendyk Jr. to drive for Sinden in Infiniti Pro Series". Autoweek.com. January 2, 2003.
  8. "Mack completes Schmidt IPS lineup". Crash.net. February 24, 2003.
  9. "Cioci to drive third Schmidt car in Freedom 100". Crash.net. April 18, 2003.
  10. "Schmidt files third entry for Nashville IPS race". Crash.net. July 18, 2003.
  11. "Mack completes Schmidt IPS lineup". Crash.net. February 24, 2003.
  12. "Indy Racing League notebook 2003-09-03". Motorsport.com. September 3, 2003.
  13. "Fletcher to complete Pro Series year with Schmidt". Crash.net. September 12, 2003.
  14. "Erwin gets nod for Schmidt IPS team". Crash.net. February 25, 2003.
  15. "IndyCar Series heads to California; Texas adds drivers for Heroes race". Motorsport.com. September 18, 2003.
  16. "Former IRL drivers join Freedom 100 grid". Crash.net. May 16, 2003.
  17. "Beardsley returning to IPS in 2003". Crash.net. February 9, 2003.
  18. "Carpenter moving to Foyt team in 2003". Motorsport.com. January 13, 2003.
  19. "Western Union, Duesenberg Brothers join IPS". Crash.net. February 10, 2003.
  20. "Homestead: Erwin, Simmons to make debuts". Motorsport.com. February 28, 2003.
  21. "Ex-IRL star plays role with new IPS team". Crash.net. December 4, 2002.
  22. "Dana to drive in IRL Infiniti Pro Series". Autoweek.com. January 28, 2003.
  23. "Moses Smith enters Gateway to IPS". Crash.net. August 6, 2003.
  24. "IRL veteran Roe to complete Pro Series season". Crash.net. August 6, 2003.
  25. "Kansas: Indy Racing League notebook". Motorsport.com. July 2, 2003.
  26. "Thiago Medeiros joins Genoa Racing in Infiniti Pro Series". Autoweek.com. February 4, 2003.
  27. "Witherill and Fike to stay put in 2003". Crash.net. December 31, 2002.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.