Donnie Beechler qualified 24th in his Indy-car debut
last May but dropped out early with engine problems.
Also competed in seven other races, with a 10th at
Pikes Peak his best showing. Driving again for Cahill
Racing in 1999. USAC Silver Crown runner-up in 1997.
Has five victories in that series.
Beechler won the 1998 A.J. Foyt/Hulman at Indiana
State Fairgrounds and Hut Hundred at Terre Haute.
His second-place performance in the 1997 USAC Silver Crown series was among the reasons he was signed to drive for Cahill Auto Racing for the 1998 Indianapolis 500.
Beechler began racing sprint cars in 1982 and USAC Silver Crown cars in 1988.
He won several midget and sprint races over the next few years, and finished seventh in Silver Crown in 1994, fourth in '95 and 10th in '96.
In 1997 he had his best result in the Silver Crown season points standings, finishing second and winning one feature.
Beechler passed his Indianapolis Motor Speedway rookie test on April 14, 1998.
Sources: Star/News and SpeedNet staff reports.
