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| 2000 Indy Racing League season | |
|---|---|
| Indy Racing Northern Light Series | |
 2000 Indy Racing League | |
| Season | |
| Races | |
| Start date | January 29 |
| End date | October 15 |
| Awards | |
| Drivers' champion |  Buddy Lazier |
| Manufacturers' Cup | Oldsmobile |
| Rookie of the Year |  Airton Daré |
| Indianapolis 500 winner |  Juan Pablo Montoya |
The2000 Indy Racing Northern Light Series was the fifth season of theIndy Racing League. The season consisted of nine races, all on oval circuits. The showcase event of the season was the84th running of theIndianapolis 500.
The season saw a high level of parity, as only one driver, championBuddy Lazier, won more than a single race. It also saw the beginning of the jump fromCART asAl Unser Jr. moved to the series full-time andChip Ganassi Racing came over to run the Indianapolis 500, which it won with driverJuan Pablo Montoya. It was also the final season for theRiley & Scott chassis, which also saw its first series win in 2000.
A planned race atCleveland – which would have been the Indy Racing League's first road course event – was cancelled on September 9, 1999, and reverted to a CART event.
The 5 year tire war between Goodyear and Firestone in both CART and the IRL ended after Goodyear left both series as a tire supplier in 1999. This meant from this season onward all teams used Firestone tires.
Note: All races running on Oval/Speedway.
The final Delphi Indy 200 race was held January 29 atWalt Disney World Speedway.Greg Ray won the pole.
Top ten results
This race was held March 19 atPhoenix International Raceway.Greg Ray won the pole.
Top ten results
This race was held April 22 atLas Vegas Motor Speedway.Mark Dismore won the pole.
Top ten results
The Indy 500 was held May 28 atIndianapolis Motor Speedway.Greg Ray sat on pole.
Top ten results
This race was held June 11 atTexas Motor Speedway. Qualifying was rained out andBuddy Lazier was on the pole based on points standings.
Top ten results
This race was held June 18 atPikes Peak International Raceway.Greg Ray won the pole.
Top ten results
This race was held July 15 atAtlanta Motor Speedway.Greg Ray won the pole.
Top ten results
The inauguralIndy Racing League event was held August 27 atKentucky Speedway.Scott Goodyear won the pole.
Top ten results
This race was held October 15 atTexas Motor Speedway.Greg Ray won the pole.
Top ten results
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Additional points were awarded to the pole winner (3 points), the second best qualifier (2 points), the third best qualifier (1 point) and to the driver leading the most laps (2 point).
