Scott Brayton
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| Scott Brayton | |
 |
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| Nationality |  United States |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1959 |
| Place of Birth | Coldwater, Michigan |
| Died | May 17, 1996 (aged 37) |
| Related to | Lee Brayton (father) |
| CART IndyCar World Series | |
| Years active | 1981-1996 |
| Teams | Brayton Racing Hemelgarn Racing Dick Simon Racing Team Menard |
| Starts | 147 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Best finish | 12th in 1991 |
| Previous series | |
| 1996 | Indy Racing League |
Scott Brayton (February 20, 1959 – May 17, 1996) was a race car driver from Coldwater, Michigan, on the American open-wheel circuit. He raced many times at the Indianapolis 500, beginning in 1981. He was killed in practice after qualifying for the pole position for the 1996 race.
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[edit] Career
During the mid-1980s, Brayton helped introduce the powerful (but unreliable) Buick stock-block V-6 to Indianapolis. His father's firm, Brayton Engineering, was a major developer of the race engine. In 1985, he qualified 2nd but finished 30th when the engine expired. He would not finish the race again until 1989, when he scored his best finish at the Speedway, 6th place but seven laps down. He would equal this finishing position in 1993, driving a Lola-Cosworth for Dick Simon Racing.
When Buick pulled out of IndyCar racing in 1993, John Menard continued developing the engine under the Menard V-6 name. Brayton, now without a regular ride in the IndyCar series, joined the Indy-only team in 1994. Their belief in the powerplant paid off when Brayton won his first pole position in 1995, at an average speed of 231.604 mph. Again, persistent problems with the Menard engine relegated him to 17th place at the finish.
In 1996, Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George established the Indy Racing League, and the Menard team signed up to compete in their first full season of IndyCar racing. Because the majority of the established teams and drivers of open-wheel racing competed in the rival CART series, Brayton (and rookie teammate Tony Stewart) were considered legitimate contenders for the IRL title. After a bad start to the season, Brayton asserted his competitiveness by winning his second Indy pole after a dramatic qualifying session in which he withdrew an already-qualified car to get a second chance at taking the top spot.
Brayton was making a practice run on May 17 in his backup car when it blew a tire going into turn two, spun and hit the outside retaining wall at more than 230 mph. Brayton was killed by the severe impact. His funeral was attended by a large contingent of drivers and racing personalities.
Teammate Tony Stewart, who qualified second, took over the pole starting position. A substitute driver, Danny Ongais, took over the car that Brayton had qualified for the pole and finished seventh.
[edit] Personal life
His wife Becky eventually remarried another IRL driver, Robbie Buhl, later a partner in Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
[edit] Memorial
A street course in Grand Rapids, Michigan, used for SCCA racing was known as the Scott Brayton Memorial course.
[edit] Indy 500 results
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Penske | Cosworth | 29th | 16th |
| 1982 | Penske | Cosworth | Failed to Qualify | |
| 1983 | March | Cosworth | 29th | 9th |
| 1984 | March | Buick | 26th | 18th |
| 1985 | March | Buick | 2nd | 30th |
| 1986 | March | Buick | 23rd | 30th |
| 1987 | March | Cosworth | 13th | 12th |
| 1988 | Lola | Buick | 7th | 31st |
| 1989 | Lola | Buick | 6th | 6th |
| 1990 | Lola | Cosworth | 26th | 7th |
| 1991 | Lola | Chevrolet | 19th | 17th |
| 1992 | Lola | Buick | 7th | 22nd |
| 1993 | Lola | Ford-Cosworth | 11th | 6th |
| 1994 | Lola | Buick | 23rd | 20th |
| 1995 | Lola | Menard-Buick | 1st | 17th |
| 1996 | Lola | Menard-Buick | 1st | Fatal Practice Crash in Backup car;
(Danny Ongais drove pole car and finished 7th) |
[edit] Scott Brayton Trophy
Following Brayton's death, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced a new trophy for the Indianapolis 500 dedicated to the driver who best exemplifies the attitude, spirit and competitive drive of Scott Brayton. A driver may only be awarded the trophy once in his Indy career.
