Carl Haas, the longtime Indy car team owner noted for his partnership with actor Paul Newman and trademark cigar, died June 29 at age 86 at his home in suburban Chicago.
Cars fielded by Haas won 107 Indy car races – the second most all time – and eight season championships. The only accomplishment missing from Haas’ impressive motorsports resume was a victory in the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
“All of us at INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are saddened to hear of the passing of Carl Haas,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “His contributions to our sport were immeasurable and the success of Newman/Haas Racing solidifies his place as a legend in motorsports. We send our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
CARL HAAS MEMORIES: What they're saying; Video tribute
Born Feb. 26, 1930, in Chicago, Haas’ infatuation with motorsports began as a sports car racer in 1952. He won 10 races at The Milwaukee Mile, the mile oval track where he would later serve as the race promoter. He also won one of the first races at Road America in 1955 – the iconic road course in central Wisconsin where Haas later served on the board of directors and his drivers would win a record 10 Indy car races. He was also a longtime board member for the Sports Car Club of America and was elected into its hall of fame in 2007.
In 1967, the same year he started his own race team, Haas became the exclusive American importer for Lola Cars, helping elevate the brand to prominence in U.S. racing. With Haas’ help, Lola became one of the premier Indy car chassis suppliers, collecting race wins from 1978-2006, including Indy car’s Triple Crown with Al Unser in 1978.
Haas’ team ownership path started in Can-Am, Formula 5000 and Super Vee competition. Drivers the likes of Jackie Stewart, Peter Revson, Jacky Ickx and Alan Jones drove for Haas, who later owned teams in Formula One and NASCAR.
While competing in Can-Am, Haas was rivals with Newman, whose passion for acting may only have been exceeded by his passion for racing. At the request of Mario Andretti, the odd couple formed Newman/Haas Racing in 1983, competing in Indy car racing under CART sanction in what would become one of the most successful operations in the sport’s history.
With legendary Andretti as the anchor driver, the team soared quickly to success, winning the 1984 CART championship. Andretti drove the last 12 years of his illustrious Indy car career with Newman/Haas, collecting the final 18 of his 52 victories.
“Carl had a heart of gold and a deep commitment to our sport,” Andretti said. “He earned the respect and admiration of his competitors and all those who drove for him through the years for being tenacious yet fair.
“His legacy especially in Indy cars will be his phenomenal record of victories and championships.”
Andretti’s 1984 crown was the first of eight Indy car championships the team would earn. Mario’s son Michael Andretti (1991), Nigel Mansell (1993), Cristiano da Matta (2002) and Sebastien Bourdais (2004-07) also claimed titles under the Newman/Haas and Newman/Haas/Lanigan banners.
Graham Rahal drove his first four Indy car seasons for Newman/Haas/Lanigan from 2007-10, capturing his initial career win in April 2008 at St. Petersburg at the age of 19 years, 3 months, 2 days – still the youngest ever to win an Indy car race.
“In his time, Carl was the boss of many of racing's greatest drivers, and for me to get to work under him for those four years was some of the greatest times of my life,” said Rahal, now driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in his 10th Indy car season. “There weren’t many like Carl, and he will surely be missed.”
At the Indianapolis 500, Newman/Haas cars made 30 starts from 1983-2011, with several notable heartbreaks. In 1985, Mario Andretti led 107 laps but finished second to the remarkable “spin and win” of Danny Sullivan. In 1987, Mario led 170 of the first 177 laps but slowed after Lap 180 with an electrical failure.
Michael Andretti finished second in 1991 after a memorable late battle with Rick Mears. In 1992, Michael dominated most of the race, leading 160 laps, only to have a fuel pump break on Lap 189 while in front. In all, Newman/Haas entries led more than 800 laps at Indy.
“Carl Haas fielded cars for some of the best drivers in the world and his leadership and competitive spirit caused Newman/Haas Racing to become one of the most successful teams in our sport’s history,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “The Indy car community was fortunate to have his personality as part of its family and Mr. Haas’ legacy of excellence and winning will long be remembered.”
Michael Andretti and Bourdais each won 31 races driving for the team.
“Carl was an icon to our sport and the automotive industry, and I owe a great deal of my career's success to my time with Carl and the Newman/Haas family,” Michael Andretti said. “Paul and Carl built what was undoubtedly one of the greatest teams in history; I am truly honored to have been a part of the legacy they built.”
Justin Wilson picked up the team’s final victory in August 2008 at Belle Isle Park in Detroit. Newman/Haas Racing’s final year of Indy car competition came in 2011.
“I was lucky enough to drive for Carl in the three different seasons (2005, ’09, 11) and during those years all the conversations I had with him were priceless,” said Oriol Servia, who finished second to Bourdais in the 2005 championship. “He was loved and appreciated by everyone that ever worked for him.”
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800m Chicago, Ill. 60631 (phone (847) 933-2413); or to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp (http://www.holeinthewallgang.org), the charity begun in 1988 by Newman to serve children with life-threatening illnesses.
