Jeff Ward
35 G Force/Aurora
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1996-97 season in review
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Jeff Ward made a lot of noise in his three IRL races. Despite a poor finish as Galles Racing's injury substitute in Orlando (16th place), Ward returned with Team Cheever at Indianapolis. All he did there was lead 49 laps and take Rookie of the Year honors, finishing in third place and on the lead lap. Ward then ran Indy Lights until the IRL finale in Las Vegas. He started 12th but carved his way to the front of the field by lap 5. He led 41 laps, but never fully recovered from a drive-thru penalty. A gearbox problem finally knocked him out after 168 laps. Ward returns with ISM Racing for a full 1998 season.
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Career
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Ward is a former Motorcross champion. He has won the AMA's National 250cc Motocross and Supercross crowns.
In 1989 he captured the AMA National 500cc Motocross championship to become
first rider in history to win every major AMA national motocross title.
In 1990 he was named AMA Athlete of the Year and became first rider to win seven national titles with one manufacturer (Kawasaki).
He drove Indy Lights sporadically from 1992 to 1994. He passed his driver's test at Indianapolis in 1995 but failed to qualify.
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: #35 G Force / Aurora / Goodyear
Sponsor: ISM Racing
Car Owner: Bob Hancher, Gary Sallee
Chief Mechanic: Mitch Davis
Resides: San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
D.O.B: 6/22/61
Top IRL finish: 3rd (Indianapolis, 1997)
IRL points (standing): 1996-97 - 69 (30th)
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