Jim Guthrie
53 G Force/Aurora
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1996-97 season in review
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Jim Guthrie's win at Phoenix may have given all low-budget IRL teams the extra push they needed to persevere. Guthrie and Blueprint Racing went to Phoenix on a shoestring budget and held off giant Team Menard and driver Tony Stewart for the unlikely victory. Guthrie struggled at Indianapolis, but returned at Texas and led six laps before a cut tire sent him into the wall. He suffered an injury at Pikes Peak that caused him to miss the race there, but returned to close out the season with a strong fourth at Las Vegas -- good enough to earn him Rookie of the Year honors. Guthrie moves to ISM Racing as Jeff Ward's teammate in 1998.
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Career
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Jim Guthrie began his racing career with motorcycles in 1973. He won the Sports Car Club of America's regional autocross title in B-Street Prepared class 1983. He was named the most improved driver in SCCA regional Formula Fords in 1984.
Guthrie made his pro debut in 1986 with the Jim Russell Mazda Pro Series, finishing ninth at Laguna Seca. He then raced in the International Karting Federation, 1989-91, and moved to USAC Formula Ford 2000 series in 1993-94. Grabbing third at Milwaukee in Toyota Atlantic Series in 1995 was a career highlight.
His Indy car debut came with a 15th place finish at Phoenix in March 1996.
Courtesy SpeedNet, from the Indianapolis Star/News
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Driver Stats
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Team: ISM Racing
Series: Indy Racing League
Car: #53 G Force / Aurora / Goodyear
Sponsor: ISM Racing
Car Owner: Bob Hancher, Gary Sallee
Chief Mechanic: Mike McGuire
Resides: Albuquerque, N.M.
D.O.B: 9/13/61
IRL victories: 1997: Phoenix
IRL points (standing): 1996 - 74 (21st); 1996-97 - 186 (12th)
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