Robbie Buhl

{{Short description|American racing driver (born 1963)}}

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

{{Infobox racing driver

| name = Robbie Buhl

| image = File:Robbiebuhl.jpg

| imagesize =

| caption = Buhl at the 1997 Indianapolis 500

| nationality = American

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|9|2}}

| birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

| death_date =

| retired = 2004

| related to =

| last series = Indy Racing League IndyCar Series

| years active = 1996–2004

| teams = Beck Motorsports
Team Menard
Sinden Racing
Tri-Star Racing
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

| starts = 78

| wins = 2

| poles = 0

| fastest laps =

| best finish = 3rd

| year = 1996

| prev series = CART World Series
Indy Lights
Barber Saab Pro Series

| prev series years = 1993–1994
1990–1996
1989

| titles = Indy Lights
Barber Saab Pro Series

| title years = 1992
1989

| awards =

| award years =

}}

Robbie Buhl (born September 2, 1963) is an American former race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League. He was a color commentator for the IndyCar races on Versus. In 2016, Robbie, along with his brother Tom Buhl, started [https://www.buhlsport.com Buhl Sport Detroit], a motorsports marketing company, professional race team, and teen driving program based in Detroit, MI.

Buhl's current race team, Racing4Detroit, is the first professional race team based in Detroit, and most recently ran in the 2019 Americas Rallycross Championship. He also created and acts as lead instructor of [https://www.teenstreetskills.org Teen Street Skills], an advanced teen driver training program also based and operating in Detroit.

He won the 1992 Indy Lights championship and caught the eye of John Menard's Team Menard in 1996, running as team mate to Tony Stewart for two seasons succeeding the late Scott Brayton. He scored his first win in what was once the closest finish in series history when he beat ex-MasterCard Lola F1 driver Vincenzo Sospiri by 0.064 seconds at the New Hampshire International Speedway.

Personal life

Buhl was born in Detroit but his home is Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. He is a graduate of Cranbrook School (now Cranbrook Kingswood School) in Bloomfield Hills. His family's wealth stems from 19th/early 20th century manufacturing and real estate development and the industrialization of Detroit in the period 1850-1950. Family holdings included Buhl Stamping, Buhl Aircraft Company, development of vast real estate holdings (including the landmark Buhl Building in downtown Detroit), Parke-Davis (now part of drug giant Pfizer), Buhl Steel (now part of U.S. Steel), Copper and Brass Sales, Inc, (by marriage) and many other holdings. Relatives include former Detroit mayors Christian H. Buhl and Frederick Buhl. His parents reside in Grosse Pointe Farms, Harbor Springs, Michigan, and Hobe Sound, Florida.

On Easter Sunday 1999, he married former racer Scott Brayton's widow Becky.

Robbie is a Founder and key Supporter of "Racing for Kids", a charitable foundation established to assist chronically ill children. Robbie makes a point of visiting sick children at hospitals on each stop of the circuit, bringing a bit of cheer to their lives in the process.

In 2007, he began a broadcasting career, joining the broadcast booth for the Indy Pro Series, now the Firestone Indy Lights Series, alongside veteran broadcaster Bob Jenkins. He would join Jenkins and Jon Beekhuis in the Versus broadcast booth for the 2009 IndyCar Series.[http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2009/06/q-with-analystowner-robbie-buhl.html Q&A with Robbie Buhl] It was announced on the Izod Indycar Series website he was let go by Versus for the network's IndyCar coverage and will be replaced by Wally Dallenbach Jr., who is also a color commentator for TNT's NASCAR coverage.[http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/48130-versus-expands-coverage-lineup/.]{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

Career results

=American Open Wheel Racing results=

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

==American Racing Series / Indy Lights==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

! Year

! Team

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! Rank

! Points

1990

! Leading Edge Motorsport

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|22}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|LBH
{{small|13}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|MIL
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|DET
{{small|18}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|POR
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|CLE
{{small|6}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|MEA
{{small|4}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TOR
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|DEN
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|VAN
{{small|6}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|MDO
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|ROA
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|NAZ
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|LS
{{small|16}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|4th

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|118

1991

! Leading Edge Motorsport

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|LBH
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|PHX
{{small|8}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|MIL
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|DET
{{small|4}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|POR
{{small|6}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|CLE
{{small|5}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|MEA
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|TOR
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|DEN
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|MDO
{{small|14}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|NAZ
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|LS
{{small|17}}

|

|

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|6th

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|110

1992

! Leading Edge Motorsport

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|PHX
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|LBH
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|DET
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|POR
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|MIL
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|NHA
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|TOR
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|CLE
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|VAN
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|MDO
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|NAZ
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|LS
{{small|4}}

|

|

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|1st

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|186

1995

! Dorricott Racing

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|MIA
{{small|4}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|PHX
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|LBH
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|NAZ
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|MIL
{{small|4}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|DET
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|POR
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|TOR
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|CLE
{{small|22}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|NHA
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|VAN
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|LS
{{small|21}}

|

|

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|2nd

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|140

1996

! FRE Racing

|MIA

|LBH

|NAZ

|MIS

|MIL

|DET

|POR

|CLE

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|TOR
{{small|11}}

|TRO

|VAN

|LS

|

|

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|26th

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|2

==CART==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

! Year

! Team

! Chassis

! Engine

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! 15

! 16

! Rank

! Points

! Ref

rowspan=2| 1993

!rowspan=2| Dale Coyne Racing

!rowspan=2| Lola T92/00

! Chevrolet 265A V8t

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|SRF
{{small|23}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|19}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|LBH
{{small|6}}

|

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|MIL
{{small|17}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|DET
{{small|28}}

|POR

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|CLE
{{small|24}}

|TOR

|MIC

|NHA

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|ROA
{{small|19}}

|VAN

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|MDO
{{small|14}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|NAZ
{{small|17}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|LS
{{small|16}}

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"|21st

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"|6

!rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/buhlro01/1993/R|title=Robbie Buhl – 1993 CART Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 15, 2023}}

Buick 3300 V6t

|

|

|

|style="background:#ffcfcf;"|INDY
{{small|DNQ}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

1994

! Dale Coyne Racing

! Lola T93/00

! Ford XB V8t

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|SRF
{{small|20}}

|PHX

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|LBH
{{small|16}}

|INDY

|MIL

|DET

|POR

|CLE

|TOR

|MIC

|MDO

|NHA

|VAN

|ROA

|NAZ

|LS

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|41st

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|0

!{{cite web|url=https://racing-reference.info/drivdet/buhlro01/1994/R|title=Robbie Buhl – 1994 CART Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 15, 2023}}

==IRL IndyCar Series==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

! Year

! Team

! Chassis

! No.

! Engine

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! 15

! 16

! Rank

! Points

! Ref

rowspan=2| 1996

!rowspan=1| Beck Motorsports

! Reynard 94i{{Tooltip|1|Round 1}}
Lola T94{{Tooltip|2|Round 3}}

!rowspan=3| 54

!rowspan=2| Ford XB V8t

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|WDW
{{small|3}}

|

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|INDY
{{small|9}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 3rd

|rowspan=2 style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 240

!rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/1996/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 1996 Indy Racing League Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

rowspan=1| Zunne Group Racing

! Lola T94

|

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|13}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

rowspan=2| 1996-1997

! Beck Motorsports

! Lola T94/00

! Ford XB V8t

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|NHM
{{small|22}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|LVS
{{small|8}}

|WDW

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 13th

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 170

!rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/1997/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 1997 Indy Racing League Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

rowspan=3| Team Menard

! G-Force GF01

!rowspan=3| 3

!rowspan=3| Oldsmobile Aurora V8

|

|

|

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|18}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|INDY
{{small|8}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TXS
{{small|16}}

|PPI

|CLT

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|NH2
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|LV2
{{small|3}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

rowspan=2| 1998

! G-Force GF01B

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|WDW
{{small|20}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 17th

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 174

!rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/1998/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 1998 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

Dallara IR8

|

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|INDY
{{small|31}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|TXS
{{small|6}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|NHM
{{small|10}}

|DOV

|CLT

|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|PPI
{{small|2}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|ATL
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|TX2
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|LVS
{{small|7}}

|

|

|

|

|

rowspan=3| 1999

! Sinden Racing

!rowspan=3| Dallara IR9

! 44

! Infiniti VRH35ADE V8

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|WDW
{{small|20}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|PHX
{{small|3}}

|CLT
{{small|C}}

|style="background:#DFC484;"|INDY
{{small|Wth}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|rowspan=3 style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 22nd

|rowspan=3 style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 114

!rowspan=3| {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/1999/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 1999 Pep Boys Indy Racing League Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

A. J. Foyt Enterprises

! 84

!rowspan=3| Oldsmobile Aurora V8

|

|

|

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|INDY
{{small|6}}

|TXS

|PPI

|ATL

|DOV

|PP2

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

Tri-Star Motorsports

! 22

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|LVS
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TX2
{{small|24}}

|

|

|

|

|

rowspan=2| 2000

!rowspan=6| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

!rowspan=2| G-Force GF05

!rowspan=6| 24

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"|WDW
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|PHX
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|LVS
{{small|5}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|INDY
26

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFEAFF;"| 8th

|rowspan=2 style="background:#CFEAFF;"| 190

!rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/2000/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 2000 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

rowspan=3| Infiniti VRH35ADE V8

|

|

|

|

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|TXS
{{small|18}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PPI
{{small|23}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|ATL
{{small|6}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|KTY
{{small|13}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TX2
{{small|18}}

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

2001

! G-Force GF05B

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|HMS
{{small|24}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|ATL
{{small|20}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|INDY
{{small|15}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TXS
{{small|21}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|PPI
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|RIR
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|KAN
{{small|21}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|NSH
{{small|13}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|KTY
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|STL
{{small|5}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|CHI
{{small|22}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"|TX2
{{small|3}}

|

|

|

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 12th

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 237

!{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/2001/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 2001 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

2002

! G-Force GF05C

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|HMS
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|13}}

|style="background:#FFFFFF;"|FON
{{small|DNS}}

|NZR

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|INDY
{{small|16}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TXS
{{small|20}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PPI
{{small|23}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|RIR
{{small|13}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|KAN
{{small|21}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|NSH
{{small|21}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|MIS
{{small|24}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|KTY
{{small|10}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|STL
{{small|6}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|CHI
{{small|20}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TX2
{{small|18}}

|

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 17th

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 177

!{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/2002/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 2002 Indy Racing League Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

2003

! Dallara IR-03

!rowspan=2| Chevrolet Indy V8

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|HMS
{{small|19}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|MOT
{{small|10}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|INDY
{{small|23}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|TXS
{{small|22}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|PPI
{{small|15}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|RIR
{{small|15}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|KAN
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|NSH
{{small|21}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|MIS
{{small|13}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|STL
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|KTY
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|NZR
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|CHI
{{small|10}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|FON
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|TX2
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 14th

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 261

!{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/2003/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 2003 IndyCar Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

2004

! Dallara IR-04

|style="background:#CFEAFF;"|HMS
{{small|10}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|PHX
{{small|18}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"|MOT
{{small|21}}

|INDY

|TXS

|RIR

|KAN

|NSH

|MIL

|MIS

|KTY

|PPI

|NZR

|CHI

|FON

|TX2

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 24th

|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 44

!{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/driver-season-stats/buhlro01/2004/O/|title=Robbie Buhl – 2004 IndyCar Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=August 6, 2023}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"

! Years

! Teams

! Races

! Poles

! Wins

! Podiums
(Non-win)

! Top 10s
(Non-podium)

! Indianapolis 500
Wins

! Championships

9

|6

|78

|0

|2

|7

|19

|0

|0

==Indianapolis 500==

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
Year

! Chassis

! Engine

! Start

! Finish

! Team

1993

| Lola T92/00

| Buick 3300 V6t

|colspan=2|Practice Crash

| Dale Coyne Racing

1996

| Lola T94/00

| Ford-Cosworth XB V8t

|align=center| 23

|align=center style="background:#CFEAFF;"| 9

| Beck Motorsports

1997

| G-Force GF01

| Oldsmobile Aurora V8

|align=center| 4

|align=center style="background:#CFEAFF;"| 8

| Team Menard

1998

| Dallara IR8

| Oldsmobile Aurora V8

|align=center| 5

|align=center style="background:#EFCFFF;"| 31

| Team Menard

1999

| Dallara IR9

| Oldsmobile Aurora V8

|align=center| 32

|align=center style="background:#CFEAFF;"| 6

| A. J. Foyt Enterprises

2000

| G-Force GF05

| Oldsmobile Aurora V8

|align=center| 9

|align=center style="background:#EFCFFF;"| 26

| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

2001

| G-Force GF05B

| Infiniti VRH35ADE V8

|align=center| 9

|align=center style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 15

| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

2002

| G-Force GF05C

| Infiniti VRH35ADE V8

|align=center| 2

|align=center style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 16

| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

2003

| Dallara IR-03

| Chevrolet Indy V8

|align=center| 22

|align=center style="background:#EFCFFF;"| 23

| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

References

{{Reflist}}