With a diverse background, spanning from Mexico to
New York, and in-between…
Team Scandia’s final three drivers, according
to their 1996 Indy 500 car numbers. Feature a winning Champ Car driver, a Super
Modified champion, and a Bonneville Land Speed record driver.
Michel Jourdain Jr.
(1996 Indianapolis 500 results
Car No. 22, Start: 8th, Finish: 13th; Running, 177-laps
Michel Jourdain Jr began racing cars at the
relatively late age of 12, in Mexico’s Junior formulae. Graduating to Mexico’s
Formula K and Formula 2 series before joining Team Scandia in 1996, as a
teenager.
Michele made His Indy Racing League (IRL) debut in Round 2 at Phoenix International
Raceway; presumably a “tune-up” for the Indianapolis 500. Which Michel
contested as a 19 year old rookie.
Jourdain saved His best result for Team Scandia
in His final outing. Finishing runner-up to Richie Hearn at the Fall (1996) Las
Vegas Motor speedway race. With teammate Michele Alboreto finishing fifth.
Interestingly, Jourdain also contested the
rival CART PPG IndyCar World Series for Dick Simon Racing in 1996, before
joining Payton/Coyne Racing the following three years.
In 2000, Michel joined Bettenhausen Racing for
two years, before moving to Team Rahal. Jourdain would have His best results at
Team Rahal between 2002-03, the first season being a consistent top ten
finishers, and tenth overall.
2003 would be Jourdain’s breakout year,
claiming six podiums, including two wins. As Michel claimed His debutante
IndyCar win on the Milwaukee Mile, leading most laps. Then a second victory at
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve enroute to a career best third overall.
Jourdain’s final Champ Car season for RuSPORT
in 2004, as rookie A. J. Allmendinger’s teammate surely was a disappointment,
finishing 12th overall, with two podium finishes; including runner-up at Vancouver.
For 2005, Jourdain competed in the NASCAR Busch
series, followed by the World Touring Car championship. (WTCC) Then returned to
Open Wheel Racing in the 2007 A1 series, driving for Team Mexico.
Jourdain ran His second and final Indianapolis
500 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, finishing 19th, before failing
to qualify the next year. With His maiden Indy 500 driving for Team Scandia
being His best result.
Joe Gosek
Car No. 43, Start: 31st, Finish: 22nd; Radiator, 106-laps
Joe Gosek is a native of Oswego, New York,
racing mainly as a Super Modified’s driver. Gosek made His lone start for Team
Scandia in the 1996 Indy 500, before failing to qualify for the race with
Liberty Racing in 1998.
Reportedly, Gosek’s nickname is “Double-O Joe”
for running the number 00 in racing. Having been a prolific winner at His home
track’s Oswego Speedway. Including winning its crown jewel, the International
Classic 200 three times. Along with being a multi-time champion on the
International Challenge Association’s Modified tour.
Racin Gardner
Car No. 90, Start: 25th, Finish: 25th ; Suspension, 76-laps
According to oldracingcars.com, Racin Gardner
was given the name after His mom went into labour during a race at Ontario
Motor Speedway. While His father Slick was also a racecar driver. Although two
different sources give two different names for His father, i.e.; Slick or
Dennis, and what racing series He dabbled in? Either being NASCAR or SCCA?
Born in Buellton, California, where His father
owned a ranch. Uhm, Beef. Its what’s for dinner? Eventually racing in the High
Desert Racing Association between 1991 to 1993. Making me think He’d be a
perfect member of that ‘Ol Mears Gang, along with Robby Gordon and ‘Ol JJ’, nee
Jimmie Johnson…
The most interesting part of Gardner’s Bio is
that according to Wikipedia. Racin tested a Green Monster jet racer at
Bonneville for four years before at age 16, becoming the youngest person to exceed
500mph on the Salt Flats in 1988!
Walt and Art Arfons were legendary Land Speed
Record racers, battling with Craig Breedlove for supremacy oat Bonneville.
Art bought a General electric J-79 jet engine
from a scrapyard out of a F-104 Starfighter jet, having been scrapped due to
ingesting a bird! After crashing this version of the Green Monster at 610mph!
Art bult another Green Monster jet car and apparently sold it to Slick Gardner.
Racin Gardner also raced in the short lived
American IndyCar Series. (AIS) Devoted to stock block engine IndyCars, where
Gardner was Rookie Of the Year in 1992.
Having failed His rookie test twice at Phoenix
International Raceway due to engine failures, He made His one and only Indy
Racing League start in the 1996 Indy 500 as Team Scandia’s seventh and final
driver. Replacing Lyn St. James who’d driven the No. 90 in the first two IRL
races, before running into funding issues.
St. James would then race for Zunne Group
Racing aboard its No. 45 entry that May.
Racin then made one start in ARCA at Charlotte
in 1997 before retiring from racing. Becoming a stunt driver for television and
movies, along with various driving instructor roles, including off road.
Whilst reportedly, Racin and His father ran
into legal problems and the ranch was sold, albeit Garner still lives in the
“Sunshine State”.
