21/9/1953
Record updated 29-Aug-06
Won the Indy 500 twice, he has also won the Daytona 24 hour race and the Sebring 12 hour race.
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500.
Born in Sommelsdijk, Luyendyk started racing in the early 1970s, winning a number of Dutch national titles. In 1977, he won the European Super Vee championship, and switched to Formula 3. Success continued to elude him until he moved to the United States in 1984, where he immediately won the Super Vee championship.
With the help of sponsor Provimi Veal, Luyendyk ran his first full Champ Car season in 1985, winning the rookie of the year title both for the season and the Indianapolis 500. His first win in the series came five years later in 1990, but it was at the most important race of the series. With a to-date record average speed of 185.981 mph (299.307 km/h), Luyendyk won the 1990 Indianapolis 500 for Shierson Racing.
Luyendyk continued to perform well at Indianapolis, scoring pole positions in 1993, 1997 and 1999, and retiring from the race while leading on three occasions. In 1996, he set the qualifying lap record at 237.498 mph, although he did not start on the pole since he qualified on the second day of time trials. In 1997, he won the race from the pole over Treadway Racing teammate Scott Goodyear. Luyendyk also was selected to participate in the 1992, 1993, and 1998 editions of the International Race of Champions. He retired from racing after the 1999 season, but returned to the 500 in 2001 and 2002.
Other Luyendyk victories include the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. His son, Arie Jr., is currently also a racer.
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