1997 Phoenix 200

The 1997 Phoenix 200 was the fourth round of the 1996–1997 Indy Racing League. The race was held on March 23, 1997, at the 1.000 mi (1.609 km) Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, and was won by the unheralded Jim Guthrie, who raced unsponsored, owing a big sum of money and having taken a second mortgage on his house. His win, beating IRL stalwart Tony Stewart after leading 74 laps, went down as one of the biggest upsets in the history of Indy car racing.

1997 Phoenix
Race details
4th round of the 1996–1997 Indy Racing League season
DateMarch 23, 1997
Official namePhoenix 200
LocationPhoenix International Raceway
CoursePermanent racing facility
1.000 mi / 1.609 km
Distance200 laps
200.000 mi / 321.869 km
WeatherDry with temperatures reaching up to 89.6 °F (32.0 °C); wind speeds reaching up to 15.9 miles per hour (25.6 km/h)
Pole position
DriverTony Stewart (Team Menard)
Time21.175
Fastest lap
DriverTony Stewart (Team Menard)
Time22.135 (on lap 11 of 200)
Podium
FirstJim Guthrie (Blueprint Racing)
SecondTony Stewart (Team Menard)
ThirdDavey Hamilton (A. J. Foyt Enterprises)
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