IndyCar
IRL: Calkins retires as driver
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 - 1996 Indy Racing League co-champion Buzz Calkins announced Feb. 13 his retirement from Indy Racing competition. Calkins, from Denver, made 53 career starts in the Indy Racing League and won the league's ...
Edited: Mar 27, 2008, 5:47 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 - 1996 Indy Racing League co-champion Buzz Calkins announced Feb. 13 his retirement from Indy Racing competition.
Calkins, from Denver, made 53 career starts in the Indy Racing League and won the league's inaugural event in January 1996 at Orlando, Fla. Calkins, 30, plans to use his master's degree in business administration from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management toward new business ventures in the near future, including team ownership.
"I have always admired guys like Roger Penske, Bobby Rahal and Niki Lauda, who have had successful racing careers and then stepped out of the car and became successful in business and other facets of life," Calkins said. "This is the direction I want to go. We have a great group of people here and awesome equipment. I truly believe we present the best opportunity for sponsors and a driver.
"I've been thinking long and hard about this, and I think it is time for me to focus on a new direction. I am at a time in my life where the risks aren't worth the rewards."
Calkins drove his entire career for Bradley Motorsports, owned by his father, Brad. Calkins' entire family is deeply involved with all facets of the team.
"I would like to thank my team for all the support they've given me," Buzz Calkins said. "They are truly some of the best individuals I have ever worked with. Competing with my father and family under the Bradley Motorsports name was a wonderful opportunity, and I appreciate the support of my entire family and the rest of the Bradley team."
Calkins earned $3,324,228 during his Indy Racing League career. He earned a reputation as one of the most consistent and smooth drivers in series history, retiring with a league-record 40 races running at the finish. Calkins' 53 starts also rank third in league history, and he completed 8,882 laps during his career, which is second all time.
He made six career starts in the Indianapolis 500, racing at the Brickyard every year since 1996. His best career finish at Indy was 10th in 1998.
"The Indy Racing League is the best racing there is and has allowed me to follow my dream of competing in the Indy-car ranks and to race in the greatest race in the world, the Indianapolis 500," Calkins said. "I want to extend my appreciation to the IRL, Tony George and the entire Hulman-George family for having the forethought and developing such a series that has allowed me to participate in something I will cherish for the rest of my life."
-irl-
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article CHAMPCAR/CART: Herdez Competition Laguna Seca test notes 2002-02-13
Next article BUSCH: CHAMPCAR/CART: Christian Fittipaldi gains Busch Series sponsor
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Bobby Rahal
The voices in Mick Schumacher’s head for the Indy 500
IndyCar
IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
The voices in Mick Schumacher’s head for the Indy 500
Pietro Fittipaldi joins Rahal Letterman Lanigan for 2024 IndyCar season
IndyCar
IndyCar
Laguna Seca
Pietro Fittipaldi joins Rahal Letterman Lanigan for 2024 IndyCar season
Graham Rahal forms Rahal Ducati Moto with father for MotoAmerica entry for’24
MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica
Graham Rahal forms Rahal Ducati Moto with father for MotoAmerica entry for’24
Latest news
Exploring Ferrari's 'less than a tenth' US GP update package
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
5 min
Exploring Ferrari's 'less than a tenth' US GP update package
F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc pips Max Verstappen to top FP1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc pips Max Verstappen to top FP1
George Russell reveals he lost sleep over his own driving, not the F1 championship
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
George Russell reveals he lost sleep over his own driving, not the F1 championship
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Ferrari leads FP1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Ferrari leads FP1
Feature
Discover prime content
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
Feature
IndyCar
Feature
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
Inside AJ Foyt Racing’s transition: Hauger’s arrival, Ferrucci’s future, and the Pierson waiting game
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
IndyCar
By Joey Barnes
You Ask The Questions: David Malukas
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe