Phoenix 200

Location: Phoenix International Raceway 1 Mile Paved Oval 200 Laps/200 Miles March 23, 1997 Time of race: 2:14:32.667 Average speed of winner: 89.190 Margin of victory: 0.854 Lead changes: 10 among 5 leaders Cautions: 9 for 86 laps Lap leaders: Stewart 1-41, Guthrie 42, Giaffone 43-55, Stewart 56-61, Sharp 62-65, Stewart 66-94, Guthrie 95-120, Stewart 121, Brack 122-145, Stewart 146-153, Guthrie 154-200

Summary:

Rookie Jim Guthrie survived a slow, attrition-filled race to capture his first IRL victory. A seemingly minor design detail -- an oil line fitting on the Olds Aurora engine -- resulted in blown engines and oil spills throughout the afternoon, making for a slow race with many caution flags. Tony Stewart assumed the lead at the start as expected, but was dogged by persistent rookie Jim Guthrie in his unsponsored car (for which he had mortgaged his house). The race got off to a bad start with two caution flags in the first twenty laps, one for Arie Luyendyk's blown engine, a story that would be repeated throughout the day. The Treadway team ran in poor luck this day as Luyendyk's teammate Scott Goodyear also blew his engine on lap 51, triggering a four-car crash out of which only Sam Schmidt was able to continue (he would later be eliminated in another crash). Another rookie, Affonso Giaffone, lead briefly until encountering driveline problems. Scott Sharp also led briefly until his engine blew; engine problems also sidelined Disney World winner Eddie Cheever and contender Buddy Lazier. When Sharp retired on lap 66, Stewart reassumed the lead while Kenny Brack, in his first IRL race, moved up through the field. Guthrie assumed the lead on lap 95 when Stewart pitted, and held the lead until he pitted during a caution on lap 119, showing that he would contend for the win. Brack, however, found himself in the lead after this caution, and held the lead until his car got loose and he crashed on lap 146. Guthrie regained the lead during the subsequent caution, with Hamilton and Stewart in hot pursuit. During a late caution, Stewart made one last effort, pitting to put on sticker option tires while Guthrie remained on the track. The green waved on lap 191. Three laps later Stewart was back up to second and was gaining on Guthrie at a half second per lap. But Guthrie made one last charge on the final lap, negotiating traffic well, and Stewart ran out of time. Guthrie's win was the first Indycar victory by an unsponsored team since 1991 (ironically by Arie Luyendyk in a CART race at Phoenix). The storybook win brought sponsorship to the team and assured Guthrie's continued career. (from IRL Underground)