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1997 Las Vegas 500K

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{American Championship Car race report infobox

|Country = USA

|Race = Las Vegas

|Image = Las_Vegas_Motor_Speedway_diagram.svg

|Date = October 11

|Year = 1997

|1996-1997 = yes

|Official name = Las Vegas 500K

|Round_No = 10th

|Series = Indy Racing League

|Location = Las Vegas Motor Speedway

|Course = Permanent racing facility

|Course_mi = 1.500

|Course_km = 2.414

|Distance_laps = 208

|Distance_mi = 312.000

|Distance_km = 502.115

|Weather = Night race, dry with temperatures reaching up to {{convert|80.1|F|C}}; wind speeds reaching up to {{convert|34|mph|km/h}}{{cite web|url=http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/NV/Las%20Vegas/1997-10-11|title=1997 Las Vegas 500K weather information |publisher=Old Farmers' Almanac|accessdate=2015-07-16}}

|Pole_Driver = Billy Boat

|Pole_Team = A. J. Foyt Enterprises

|Pole_Time = 26.035

|Pole_Country = BRA

|Fast_Driver = Billy Boat

|Fast_Team = A. J. Foyt Enterprises

|Fast_Time = 26.424

|Fast_Lap = 19

|Fast_Country = USA

|First_Driver = Eliseo Salazar

|First_Team = Team Scandia

|First_Country = CHL

|Second_Driver = Scott Goodyear

|Second_Team = Treadway-Shelby Racing

|Second_Country = CAN

|Third_Driver = Robbie Buhl

|Third_Team = Team Menard

|Third_Country = USA

}}

The 1997 Las Vegas 500K was the tenth and final round of the 1996–1997 Indy Racing League. The race was held on October 11, 1997, at the {{convert|1.500|mi|km|abbr=on}} Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Qualifying Results

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"
Key

! Meaning

align="center" | R

| Rookie

align="center" | W

| Past winner

class="wikitable sortable" " style="fontsize:95%"

!| Pos

!| No.

!| Name

!| Lap 1

!| Lap 2

!| Best (in mph)

scope="row" | 1

| align=center| 1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Billy Boat R

| align="center"| 26.272

| align="center"| 26.035

| align="center"| 207.413

scope="row" | 2

| align=center| 14

| {{flagicon|USA}} Davey Hamilton

| align="center"| 26.373

| align="center"| 26.303

| align="center"| 205.300

scope="row" | 3

| align=center| 2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Tony Stewart

| align="center"| 26.327

| align="center"| 26.363

| align="center"| 205.113

scope="row" | 4

| align=center| 3

| {{flagicon|USA}} Robbie Buhl

| align="center"| 26.355

| align="center"| 26.332

| align="center"| 205.074

scope="row" | 5

| align=center| 7

| {{flagicon|CHL}} Eliseo Salazar

| align="center"| 26.391

| align="center"| 26.429

| align="center"| 204.615

scope="row" | 6

| align=center| 5

| {{flagicon|NED}} Arie Luyendyk

| align="center"| 26.425

| align="center"| 26.411

| align="center"| 204.460

scope="row" | 7

| align=center| 33

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Kite R

| align="center"| 26.502

| align="center"| 26.552

| align="center"| 203.758

scope="row" | 8

| align=center| 6

| {{flagicon|CAN}} Scott Goodyear

| align="center"| 26.781

| align="center"| 26.537

| align="center"| 203.489

scope="row" | 9

| align=center| 28

| {{flagicon|USA}} Mark Dismore

| align="center"| 26.621

| align="center"| 26.543

| align="center"| 203.443

scope="row" | 10

| align=center| 70

| {{flagicon|BRA}} Marco Greco

| align="center"| 26.572

| align="center"| 26.715

| align="center"| 203.221

scope="row" | 11

| align=center| 17

| {{flagicon|BRA}} Affonso Giaffone R

| align="center"| 26.612

| align="center"| 26.618

| align="center"| 202.916

scope="row" | 12

| align=center| 35

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Ward R

| align="center"| 26.643

| align="center"| 26.820

| align="center"| 202.680

scope="row" | 13

| align=center| 4

| {{flagicon|SWE}} Kenny Bräck R

| align="center"| 26.775

| align="center"| 26.655

| align="center"| 202.589

scope="row" | 14

| align=center| 91

| {{flagicon|USA}} Buddy Lazier

| align="center"| 26.701

| align="center"| 26.752

| align="center"| 202.240

scope="row" | 15

| align=center| 22

| {{flagicon|ITA}} Vincenzo Sospiri R

| align="center"| 27.003

| align="center"| 26.790

| align="center"| 201.568

scope="row" | 16

| align=center| 77

| {{flagicon|FRA}} Stéphan Grégoire

| align="center"| 27.045

| align="center"| 26.816

| align="center"| 201.372

scope="row" | 17

| align=center| 40

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jack Miller R

| align="center"| 27.240

| align="center"| 26.881

| align="center"| 200.885

scope="row" | 18

| align=center| 21

| {{flagicon|COL}} Roberto Guerrero

| align="center"| 26.933

| align="center"| 26.904

| align="center"| 200.714

scope="row" | 19

| align=center| 27

| {{flagicon|USA}} Jim Guthrie R

| align="center"| 26.919

| align="center"| 27.801

| align="center"| 200.602

scope="row" | 20

| align=center| 97

| {{flagicon|USA}} Greg Ray R

| align="center"| 27.022

| align="center"| 27.065

| align="center"| 199.837

scope="row" | 21

| align=center| 12

| {{flagicon|USA}} Buzz Calkins

| align="center"| 27.382

| align="center"| 27.200

| align="center"| 198.529

scope="row" | 22

| align=center| 99

| {{flagicon|USA}} Sam Schmidt R

| align="center"| 27.602

| align="center"| 27.241

| align="center"| 198.231

scope="row" | 23

| align=center| 95

| {{flagicon|USA}} Tyce Carlson R

| align="center"| 27.320

| align="center"| 27.273

| align="center"| 197.998

scope="row" | 24

| align=center| 18

| {{flagicon|USA}} John Paul Jr.

| align="center"| 27.593

| align="center"| 27.317

| align="center"| 197.679

scope="row" | 25

| align=center| 19

| {{flagicon|USA}} Stan Wattles R

| align="center"| 27.714

| align="center"| 27.336

| align="center"| 197.542

scope="row" | 26

| align=center| 24

| {{flagicon|USA}} Billy Roe R

| align="center"| 27.575

| align="center"| 27.418

| align="center"| 196.951

scope="row" | 27

| align=center| 30

| {{flagicon|USA}} Robbie Groff R

| align="center"| 27.566

| align="center"| 27.574

| align="center"| 195.893

scope="row" | 28

| align=center| 23

| {{flagicon|USA}} Mike Shank R

| align="center"| 28.362

| align="center"| 28.137

| align="center"| 191.918

scope="row" | 29

| align=center| 51

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Cheever{{ref|1|1}}

| colspan=2 align="center"| Waved off

| align="center"| No speed

scope="row" | 30

| align=center| 9

| {{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Unser{{ref|2|2}}

| colspan=2 align="center"| Didn't qualify

| align="center"| No speed

scope="row" | 31

| align=center| 10

| {{flagicon|USA}} Paul Durant{{ref|3|3}} R

| align="center"| 27.220

| align="center"| 26.975

| align="center"| 200.185

{{refbegin}}

  1. {{note|1}} Had an engine failure in the last practice session, and tried to qualify in a last-minute effort, only to wave off his attempt. He was allowed to start the race at the back of the field.
  2. {{note|2}} Had an engine failure in the last practice session, and a spare was not ready on time. He was allowed to start the race at the back of the field.
  3. {{note|3}} Changed to a backup car for the race, following a crash in a practice session after qualifying.

{{refend}}

Race Report

The race began under cold and windy conditions that caused tire problems, which resulted in two accidents occurring immediately after pit stops. Greg Ray slid into the wall in turn-2 on lap 38, and about 25 laps later Sam Schmidt spun coming out of turn-2 and hit the wall. Buzz Calkins and Jack Miller both ran into debris from Schmidt's car, and all three were out.

Pole sitter Billy Boat did not stay up front very long; Jeff Ward quickly took charge until he began having engine problems and then Mark Dismore moved into the lead. Affonso Giaffone took the lead on lap 100, but during a pit stop on lap 116 a wheel was not tightened properly and it came off as Giaffone pulled back onto the track, damaging the suspension and undercarriage. Giaffone would finish, but well back.

Several drivers then dueled for the lead until Salazar took over; the veteran driver led most of the rest of the way and survived a two-lap sprint with Scott Goodyear after a late caution to win. The caution occurred when Roberto Guerrero touched wheels with a slower car and suffered a frightening accident; the car became airborne and then barrel-rolled through the infield grass on the backstretch. It was the first time an IRL car had been upside down during a live run, and the safety systems worked as planned: Guerrero walked away with minor injuries.

Both of the championship contenders, Stewart and Davey Hamilton, had problems; Stewart won the title owing to the points lead that he had coming in. This race marked the first competition for the new Riley & Scott chassis, with Stan Wattles taking one to an eighth-place finish. Eliseo Salazar took home his first (and only) IRL victory as Tony Stewart clinched the 1997 championship.

Race Results

= Box Score =

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
PosNo.DriverTeamLapsTime/RetiredGridLaps
Led		Points
1

| align=center|7

|{{flagicon|CHL}} Eliseo Salazar

|Team Scandia

|align=center|208

|align=center|2:11:07.000

|align=center|5

|align=center|70

|align=center|36

2

| align="center"|6

|{{flagicon|CAN}} Scott Goodyear

|Treadway-Shelby Racing

|align=center|208

|align=center|+ 1.204 sec

|align=center|8

|align=center|5

|align=center|33

3

| align=center|3

|{{flagicon|USA}} Robbie Buhl

|Team Menard

|align=center|208

|align=center|Running

|align=center|4

|align=center|12

|align=center|32

4

| align=center|27

|{{flagicon|USA}} Jim Guthrie R

|Blueprint Racing

|align=center|208

|align=center|Running

|align=center|19

|align=center|9

|align=center|31

5

| align=center|28

|{{flagicon|USA}} Mark Dismore

|Kelley Racing-PDM

|align=center|208

|align=center|Running

|align=center|9

|align=center|45

|align=center|30

6

| align=center |33

|{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Kite R

|Team Scandia

|align=center|208

|align=center|Running

|align=center|7

|align=center|0

|align=center|29

7

|align="center" |14

|{{flagicon|USA}} Davey Hamilton

|A. J. Foyt Enterprises

|align=center|207

|align=center|+ 1 lap

|align=center|2

|align=center|1

|align=center|28

8

| align=center|19

|{{flagicon|USA}} Stan Wattles R

|Metro Racing Systems

|align=center|206

|align=center|+ 2 laps

|align=center|25

|align=center|0

|align=center|27

9

| align=center|77

||{{flagicon|FRA}} Stéphan Grégoire

|Chastain Motorsports

|align=center|204

|align=center|Gearbox

|align=center|16

|align=center|0

|align=center|26

10

| align=center|70

|{{flagicon|BRA}} Marco Greco

|Galles Racing

|align=center|204

|align=center|+ 4 laps

|align=center|10

|align=center|0

|align=center|25

11

|align=center|2

|{{flagicon|USA}} Tony Stewart

|Team Menard

|align=center|204

|align=center|+ 4 laps

|align=center|3

|align=center|0

|align=center|24

12

| align=center|18

|{{flagicon|USA}} John Paul Jr.

|PDM Racing

|align=center|201

|align=center|+ 7 laps

|align=center|24

|align=center|0

|align=center|23

13

| align=center|24

|{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Roe R

|Roe Racing

|align=center|198

|align=center|+ 10 laps

|align=center|26

|align=center|0

|align=center|22

14

| align=center|21

|{{flagicon|COL}} Roberto Guerrero

|Pagan Racing

|align=center|197

|align=center|Accident

|align=center|18

|align=center|0

|align=center|21

15

| align=center|17

|{{flagicon|BRA}} Affonso Giaffone R

|Chitwood Motorsports

|align=center|193

|align=center|+ 15 laps

|align=center|11

|align=center|16

|align=center|20

16

| align=center|23

|{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Shank R

|Nienhouse Motorsports

|align=center|191

|align=center|+ 17 laps

|align=center|28

|align=center|0

|align=center|19

17

| align=center|35

|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Ward R

|SRS-ISM Racing

|align=center|168

|align=center|Overheat

|align=center|12

|align=center|41

|align=center|18

18

| align=center|30

|{{flagicon|USA}} Robbie Groff R

|McCormack Motorsports

|align=center|168

|align=center|+ 40 laps

|align=center|27

|align=center|0

|align=center|17

19

| align=center|9

|{{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Unser

|Hemelgarn Racing

|align=center|142

|align=center|Engine

|align=center|30

|align=center|0

|align=center|16

20

| align=center|4

|{{flagicon|SWE}} Kenny Bräck R

|Galles Racing

|align=center|139

|align=center|Suspension

|align=center|13

|align=center|6

|align=center|15

21

| align=center|51

|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Cheever

|Team Cheever

|align=center|129

|align=center|Engine

|align=center|29

|align=center|0

|align=center|14

22

| align=center|22

|{{flagicon|ITA}} Vincenzo Sospiri R   

|Team Scandia

|align=center|114

|align=center|Mechanical

|align=center|15

|align=center|0

|align=center|13

23

| align=center|1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Billy Boat R

|A. J. Foyt Enterprises

|align=center|97

|align=center|Electrical

|align=center|1

|align=center|3

|align=center|14

24

| align=center|95

| {{flagicon|USA}} Tyce Carlson R

|IZ Racing

|align=center|96

|align=center|Ignition

|align=center|23

|align=center|0

|align=center|11

25

| align=center|5

|{{flagicon|NED}} Arie Luyendyk

|Treadway-Shelby Racing

|align=center|72

|align=center|Engine

|align=center|6

|align=center|0

|align=center|10

26

| align=center|10

|{{flagicon|USA}} Paul Durant R

|Byrd-Cunningham Racing

|align=center|62

|align=center|Mechanical

|align=center|31

|align=center|0

|align=center|9

27

| align=center|99

|{{flagicon|USA}} Sam Schmidt R

|LP Racing-PCI

|align=center|60

|align=center|Accident

|align=center|22

|align=center|0

|align=center|8

28

| align=center|12

|{{flagicon|USA}} Buzz Calkins

|Bradley Motorsports

|align=center|60

|align=center|Accident

|align=center|21

|align=center|0

|align=center|7

29

| align=center|40

|{{flagicon|USA}} Jack Miller R

|Arizona Motorsports

|align=center|59

|align=center|Accident

|align=center|17

|align=center|0

|align=center|6

30

| align=center|97

| {{flagicon|USA}} Greg Ray R

|Knapp Motorsports

|align=center|35

|align=center|Accident

|align=center|20

|align=center|0

|align=center|5

31

| align=center|91

| {{flagicon|USA}} Buddy Lazier

|Hemelgarn Racing

|align=center|4

|align=center|Mechanical

|align=center|14

|align=center|0

|align=center|4

=Race Statistics=

  • Lead changes: 13 among 10 drivers

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

class="wikitable"

!colspan=2|Lap Leaders

Laps

! Leader

1-3Billy Boat
4Davey Hamilton
5-45Jeff Ward
46-51Robbie Buhl
52-94Mark Dismore
95-99Robbie Buhl
100-115Affonso Giaffone
116-120Scott Goodyear
121-122Mark Dismore
123-131Jim Guthrie
132-137Kenny Bräck
138-158Eliseo Salazar
159Robbie Buhl
160-208Eliseo Salazar

{{col-break}}

class="wikitable"

!colspan=2|Cautions: 8 for 45 laps

Laps

! Reason

1-3

|Additional warm up laps because of windy, cold conditions

9-12

|Tow-in for Buddy Lazier (gearbox issues)

38-43

|Greg Ray crash

64-71

|Schmidt, Miller and Calkins crash

118-125

|Affonso Giaffone's wheel loose

131-135

|Eddie Cheever's engine leaks oil on track

158-163

|Tow-in for Johnny Unser (engine issue)

200-204

|Roberto Guerrero crash, Backstretch

{{col-end}}

Final IRL season standings after the race

;Final Drivers' Championship standings

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%"
Pos

! Driver

! Points

1

| {{flagicon|USA}} Tony Stewart

| 278

2

| {{flagicon|USA}} Davey Hamilton

| 272

3

| {{flagicon|BRA}} Marco Greco

| 230

4

| {{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Cheever

| 230

5

| {{flagicon|CAN}} Scott Goodyear

| 226

  • Note: Only the top five positions are included for the standings.

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [http://indycar.com IndyCar official website]

{{American Championship Car race report footer |

Series = Indy Racing League |

Name_of_race = Las Vegas 500K |

Year_of_race = 1996-1997 |

Previous_race_in_season = 1997 Pennzoil 200 |

Next_race_in_season = 1998 Indy 200 at Walt Disney World
(1998 season) |

Previous_year's_race = 1996 Las Vegas 500K |

Next_year's_race = 1998 Las Vegas 500K

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Las Vegas 500K, 1997}}

Category:1996–97 in IndyCar

Category:1997 in sports in Nevada

Category:Motorsport in Las Vegas

Las Vegas 500K 1997