Working to Cure Paralysis

Racing series IPS IRL Date 2004-10-16 (Fort Worth, TX)

Former Indy Racing League IndyCar Series driver and owner of the champion's Menards Infiniti Pro Series car driven by Thiago Medeiros, Sam Schmidt isn't one to give up. Full story

Actor also had an impact in racing

The Associated Press

Actor Christopher Reeve touched the lives of at least two people in the Indy Racing League and left them saddened by his death.
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Chevy Indy V8

Chevrolet, a name synonymous with success in American motorsports, returns to the Indy car arena in 2002 after an eight-year absence. Chevrolet competed in Indy-style racing from 1986-93, winning 86 races, 80 poles, six Indianapolis 500 races and five series championships.

Chevrolet General Manager Kurt Ritter announced on June 5, 2001, that Chevrolet would compete in the Indy Racing League in 2002.

"We are very proud of Chevrolet\'s record in Indy-car racing," Ritter said. "We are looking forward to continuing that winning heritage when we return."

General Motors has been an engine supplier in the Indy Racing League since the series introduced its naturally aspirated engine formula in January 1997. The all-new Chevy Indy V8 is the successor to the IRL Aurora V8 that won 49 of 51 races (including five straight Indianapolis 500 victories) and swept the IRL championships five straight years. The Chevy Indy V8 is smaller, lighter, and more powerful than its predecessor.

"GM Racing has focused on the design and development of the new Chevy Indy V8 engine for the 2002 season," said Joe Negri, GM Racing IRL/Road Racing Group manager. "This engine is a major upgrade within the framework of the IRL rules that incorporates the knowledge and technical expertise that we have gained in five seasons of open-wheel racing."

The Chevy Indy V8 was designed in-house using GM personnel and technical resources such as computer-aided design and manufacturing, computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis and solid modeling.

The red Chevrolet Bowtie has long been a symbol of success in American motorsports. No other car or truck manufacturer can match the number of NASCAR, NHRA, road racing and off-road championships that Chevrolet has won.

"Racing is an integral part of Chevrolet\'s brand promise that says 'We'll be there,\'" said Ritter. "Customers justifiably believe that racing improves the safety and quality of production vehicles. By combining Chevrolet's rich racing heritage with General Motors' advanced technology, we will create a halo for all Chevrolet products.

"Chevrolet is truly America\'s brand," Ritter added, "and we want to win America\'s race, the Indianapolis 500."