Pete Halsmer

John Peter Halsmer (born March 3, 1944, in Lafayette, Indiana), is a former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He raced in 5 seasons (1980, 1982–1985), with 33[1] career starts, and started in the Indianapolis 500 in 1981–1982. He finished in the top five three times in the CART series, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1983 at Cleveland. In 1992, Halsmer raced in the IROC series, representing IMSA. Pete drove for Ford/Roush (NASCAR owner Jack Roush) from 1986 through 1989 and won six Trans Am races and four GTO races winning the 1989 GTO championship. From 1990 through 1992 he drove for Mazda and won another GTO championship in 1991. From 1994 through 1997 he drove BMWs, winning four GT2 races and winning the Manufacturer's Title in 1996. From 1999 to 2004 he drove for and provided technical consulting for Honda America Race Team winning several championships in Motorola Cup and Grand Am Cup series. Halsmer is also a 3 time class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona and was trained as a helicopter pilot and served in the Vietnam War.[2][3]

Halsmer at the 2014 Indianapolis 500.

Early life and education

Halsmer graduated from Purdue University with degrees in industrial supervision and aviation electronics. He was drafted into the army and became a helicopter pilot. He served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War in 1970.[4]

Racing record

CART PPG IndyCar World Series

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

YearTeamChassisEngine12345678910111213141516RankPointsRef
1980Wysard RacingWildcatOffenhauserONT
20
INDY
DNQ
36th128[5]
McLarenCosworthMILPOCMDOMCHWGLMILONTMCHMEXPHX
6
1982Arciero RacingEagleChevroletPHXATLMILCLEMCHMILPOCRIV
24
ROA
19
MCHPHX
24
43rd2[6]
1983Arciero RacingPenskeCosworthATL
4
INDY
DNQ
MIL
9
CLE
2
MCH
33
ROA
14
POC
14
RIV
27
MDO
24
MCH
14
CPL
5
LAG
20
PHX
7
11th48[7]
1984Arciero RacingPenskeCosworthLBH
8
PHX
14
INDY
DNQ
MIL
DNQ
29th9[8]
MarchPOR
22
MEA
26
CLEPOC
18
MDO
13
SAN
24
MCH
18
PHX
18
LAG
26
ArcieroCPL
9
Curb-All American RacersEaglePontiacMCH
14
ROA
1985Machinists Union RacingMarchCosworthLBHINDY
DNQ
MIL
15
POR
8
MEA
19
CLEMCHROAPOCMDOSANMCH
11
LAGPHXMIA32nd7[9]

Indianapolis 500

YearChassisEngineStartFinishTeam
1981PenskeCosworth2424Arciero Racing
1982EagleChevrolet3225Arciero Racing

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

YearTrackCarEngineClassFinishStartStatus
1974Road AtlantaBrabham BT29CosworthFormula B159Retired

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest race lap)

Complete USAC Mini-Indy Series results

Pete Halsmer at the 2016 Brickyard SVRA Pro-Am race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
YearEntrant12345678910PosPoints
1977Race Research Inc.TREMILMOSPIR
3
12th140
1978Simpson RacersPIR1
4
TRE1
9
MOS
6
MIL1
21
TEX
24
MIL2
15
OMS1
10
OMS2
10
TRE2
19
PIR2
23
12th318
1979TEX1
4
IRP
9
MIL1
8
POC
8
TEX2
12
MIL2
5
MIN1
4
MIN2
2
4th650
1980Frank ArcieroMIL
3
POC
2
MDO
23
MIN1
4
MIN2
14
ONT
1
2nd628

References