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Background:
In early 1999 Dr. Jim Logan formed an
Indy Car team under the name of Logan Racing. The purpose of this
venture was to compete and win in the Indy Racing League
Championship. In the beginning of the new millennium Dr. Jim Logan
became the first African American in history to enter a car in the
Indianapolis 500 and the Indy Racing League.
After consulting several fellow
Indianapolis 500 owners, Dr. Logan guided his newly formed race
team on the road to the 2000 Indianapolis 500. The decision was
made to forgo competing at Indianapolis and to focus on Dallas,
Texas in June.
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Craig
Leeke was hired as the General Manager of the team. Through
introduction by veteran marketing consultant Doug Hardwick, Billy
Roe was designated the driver of the Logan Racing Dallara Indy
Car.
At Texas World Speedway, Logan Racing
became the first African American owned team to qualify for an
Indy Racing event. This dates back to the first Indianapolis 500
in 1911. In the race, driver Billy Roe made steady progress
through the pack until being sidelined with engine problems.
Because of business commitments, Billy Roe was unable to continue
as the driver and two-time USAC midget Champion Stevie Reeves was
hired to pilot the Logan Racing Dallara for the remainder of the
racing season.
On July 14, 2000, newly appointed Chief
Mechanic Jeff Collins and Driver Stevie Reeves qualified 22nd at
Atlanta Motor Speedway. On race day a water pipe broke ending the
teams efforts after 89 laps. In Kentucky on August 8th, driver
Stevie Reeves qualified 27th and finished 21st after experiencing
a constant velocity failure on lap 97. In the racing season finale
at Dallas, Texas, Reeve’s started 26th and made steady progress
through the pack. On lap 83 while running in 18th place the engine
expired and ended the season.
After competing in only four races, Logan
Racing finished 28th out of 42 teams competing in the
Championship. In the beginning of the new millennium Dr. Jim Logan
became the first African American in history to enter a car in the
Indianapolis 500 and the Indy Racing League.
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