Tribute to Fallen Race Drivers

Greg Moore

In Open-Wheel on December 30, 2012 at 2:44 am

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April 22, 1975 – Oct. 31, 1999

5 CART Wins

12 CART Podiums

1995 Indy Lights Champion

Greg Moore was a champion off the track as he was on the track. No matter the circumstances he was someone who was always humble, always grateful, and always had a smile on his face. That character carried through his peers in the short time he spent with them. It just goes to show that a little bit does go a long way.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The Canadian born driver began racing go karts in 1986, and in 1989 and 1990 he won the North American Enduro Kart Racing Championship. He then moved on to win Rookie of the Year in the Esso Protec Formula 1600 series and finishing 4th overall in the points. 1992 saw Moore claim the USAC Pro Formula Ford 2000 Championship and Rookie of the Year title with 4 wins and 4 poles.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The first season in the Indy Lights Series the world got a little peak of what Greg Moore was capable of, in 1994 at Phoenix International Raceway he became the youngest driver to hold a pole position and win; but it was 1995 that the youngster broke out and hit his stride. The 1995 season saw Moore claim 7 poles and 10 wins in 12 races (including 5 straight wins), along with 375 out of 583 total laps led, also claiming the Indy Lights Championship and becoming the all-time winner of the series.

Forsythe Racing brought in Moore as a rookie in the CART Series in 1996. Moore had tough competition for the Rookie of the Year title, finishing Runner-up to winner Alex Zanardi. By 1997 he would hold another youngest winners accomplishment, taking home the trophy at the Milwaukee Mile (at 22 years, 1 month, 10 days old – the record held until 2001), he also won at Detroit the following week. 1998 he would claim the pole at Homestead and claim 2 wins at Rio de Janeiro and the U.S. 500.

It was in 1999 that Greg seemed poised to fulfill his potential in the series. He opened up the season with a pole and a win at Homestead. He ran well and led the Championship for the first few races. At seasons end in the Marlboro 500 at California Speedway, it would be Greg Moore’s last race. The world lost a great star in Moore, and a future Champion. He would have opened the following season at Penske Racing, but upon his death the seat was filled by Helio Castroneves. In light of the sportsmanship and character of Greg Moore the series came up with the Greg Moore Legacy Award.

“Greg is the reason you see drivers get on so well before the race and still race each other hard on the track. He’s the guy who taught all of us that you can race a guy on the track and still be friends at the end of the day.”

~ Dario Franchitti  ~

Joey Barnes – Tribute Racing
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