Luyendyk Still Has the Drive

Having to watch last year’s Indianapolis 500 from a broadcast booth proved too much for two-time winner Arie Luyendyk.

The Dutchman, who retired after the 1999 race, said Friday that he would return to the Speedway in May to try for a third victory. He won in 1990 and in 1997.

“I was in the broadcast booth, working as a commentator for ABC-TV, and realized that probably wasn’t where I wanted to be,” he said. “You can put it this way, I’m coming back for the love of the sport, and especially, the love of Indy.”

Luyendyk, 47, who lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., will drive a G Force-Aurora for Fred Treadway, owner of Luyendyk’s winning car in 1997.

“I have told Arie all along that I would support whatever decision he made,” Treadway said. “Now that Arie has decided to drive again in the Indianapolis 500, I am very happy he will do so with Treadway Racing.”

Luyendyk has driven in 15 Indy 500s and holds qualifying records of 237.498 mph for one lap and 236.986 for four laps, both set in 1996. His winning purse in 1997 of $1,568,150 is highest in the track’s history.

His last race was the 1999 Indy 500, in which he started on the pole and led 63 laps before spinning out on Lap 117 while trying to pass the lapped car of Tyce Carlson.