Dennis Vitolo (born December 18, 1956) is an American former race driver who competed in the CART series. He raced in the 1988 and 1991–1999 seasons with 36 career starts, including the 1994 Indianapolis 500. He was involved in a crash in that race, taking out reigning CART champion Nigel Mansell in an incident that occurred under caution. The field had slowed and Vitolo ran into the rear of John Andretti's car, launched into the air, and landed on Mansell's car on the warm-up lane between turns 1 and 2.Reed, Terry. id=uahb3ND5jxwC&pg=PA176&lpg=PA176&dq=1994+indianapolis+500+dennis+vitolo&source=web&ots=lNAfy_RI4-&sig=vZk79hPo481bQwbNWEWXrKwFi-A#PPA176,M1 Indy: The Race and Ritual of the Indianapolis 500 Vitolo also raced in the 1997 Indianapolis 500, which by then had become part of the Indy Racing League. His best career CART finish was seventh, in the U.S. 500 at Michigan International Speedway.
Vitolo also mentored NASCAR driver Mike Senica as the two met back in 1994 after the Indianapolis 500.
Racing record
American Open Wheel racing results (key)
CART Year Team No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Rank Points Ref 1988 Bettenhausen Racing 16PHXLBHINDYMILPORCLETORMEAMISPOCMDOROANZRLSMIA33rd2 1989 Bettenhausen Racing 16PHXLBHINDYMILDETPORCLEMEATORMISPOCMDOROANZRLS NC - 1991 Dale Coyne Racing 19SRFLBHPHXINDYMILDETPORCLEMEATORMISDENVANMDOROANZRLS37th0 1992 Dale Coyne Racing 19SRFPHXLBHINDYDETPORMILNHMTORMISCLEROAVANNZRLS42nd0 Walker Motorsport 15MDO 1993 Dale Coyne Racing 19SRFPHXLBHINDYMILDETPORCLETORMISNHMROAVANMDONZRLS NC - 1994 Dick Simon Racing 79SRFPHXLBHINDYMILDETPORCLETORMISMDONHMVANROANZRLS53rd0 1995 Pagan Racing 21MIASRFPHXLBHNZRINDYMILDETPORROATORCLEMISMDONHMVANLS41st0 1996 Project Indy 64MIARIOSRFLBHNZR500MILDETPORCLETORMISMDOROAVANLS38th0 1997 Project IndyMIASRFLBHWthNZRRIOGATMILDETPORCLEVANLS25th6 Payton/Coyne Racing 34TORMISMDOROAFON 1998 Payton/Coyne RacingMIAMOTLBHNZRRIOGATMILDETPORCLETORMISMDOROAVANLSHOUSRFFON33rd0 1999 Payton/Coyne RacingMIAMOTLBHNZRWthRIOGATMILPORCLEROATORMISDETMDOCHIVANLSHOUSRFFON30th2
Indy Racing League Year Team No. Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points Ref 1996-97 Beck Motorsports 54 Dallara IR7 InfinitiNHMLVSWDWPHXINDYTXSPPIRCHRNH2LV245th20
Indianapolis 500 Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team 1994 Lola T93/00 Ford XB 15 26 Dick Simon Racing 1997 Dallara Infiniti 28 15 Beck Motorsports
References
External links Biography of Dennis Vitolo