Chomping an ever-present unlit cigar, Carl Haas was an instrumental figure in the world of motor sports for over 50 years as a team owner, businessman and promoter.
Legendary motor sports team owner Carl Haas dies
The car owner was 86 and best remembered for partnering with actor Paul Newman to form the Indy car team juggernaut Newman/Haas Racing.
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Haas died June 29 at the age of 86, it was revealed on Thursday. Haas’ company, Carl Haas Automobile Imports Inc., disclosed the news via a statement on its website saying he died on at his Chicago area home surrounded by family.
Haas owned teams that competed in an array of disciplines including Formula One, sports cars and NASCAR with a who’s who of drivers including Mario Andretti, Jackie Stewart, Jacky Ickx and Peter Revson.
But it was partnering with actor Paul Newman to form the Indy car powerhouse Newman/Haas Racing in 1983 that Haas is most widely known for.
RIP Carl Haas. My 12 seasons w/you were victorious, intense, fun. All of it. Now Newman/Haas back together in heaven pic.twitter.com/fGYgO0n4Pg
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) July 7, 2016
Newman/Haas established itself as one of the premier organizations in Indy car racing, winning 107 races and eight championships. Its drivers included Andretti and his son Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Sebastien Bourdais and Paul Tracy. The team disbanded in 2011, with Haas withdrawing from public life due to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
“R.I.P. Carl Haas. You were a mentor, a leader, and a great friend to many including me. You will be missed my friend,” IndyCar and NASCAR team owner Chip Ganassi tweeted.
The one victory that eluded Haas was the Indianapolis 500. Newman/Haas cars made 30 starts in the prestigious race with a best finish of second in 1985 and 1991. Michael Andretti dominated the 1992 race, leading 160 of 200 laps before a mechanical failure cost him the lead with 11 laps remaining.
When Indy car split into rivaling factions in 1996, Newman and Haas remained steadfastly loyal to the group of team owners opposing Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George’s Indy Racing League, which had the Indianapolis 500 as its cornerstone.
Newman/Haas would not contest North America’s marquee open-wheel race from 1996 to 2007. Following unification of the competing Indy car series in 2008, the team returned to the Indianapolis 500 that year. Justin Wilson scored Newman/Haas’ final victory in 2008 at the Detroit Belle Isle street course.
“Carl Haas fielded cars for some of the best drivers in the world and his leadership and competitive spirit caused Newman/Haas Racing to become one of the most successful teams in our sport’s history,” IMS president Doug Boles said. “The Indy car community was fortunate to have his personality as part of its family, and Mr. Haas’ legacy of excellence and winning will long be remembered.”
