Willy T. Ribbs to compete at LVMS

Thursday, Sept. 16, 1999 | 12:04 p.m.

Willy T. Ribbs has been breaking barriers for close to 30 years, so becoming the first black to drive in the Indy Racing League will be the furthest thing from his mind next week.

"I have been the first at many things in my life," Ribbs said. "But the only first I'm really concerned about is being the first one across that finish line when they throw the checkered flag."

As reported in last Friday's Sun, Ribbs confirmed Wednesday that he will make his first IRL start in the Sept. 26 Vegas.com 500 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"I have been breaking barriers my whole career," Ribbs said. "From a child, my main focus always was to win races and that's really all I've ever focused on -- just winning.

"Even if I happen to be in a pioneering position, winning is the objective and being competitive is the objective. I don't consciously think about (being a role model), it just comes with the territory. It crosses the sport over, and that's what America is all about."

Ribbs, 43, became the first black to drive in the Indianapolis 500 when he piloted the Walker Racing Lola/Chevy in the 1991 race, in which he finished 32nd. Ribbs' effort in Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) later was partially sponsored by actor/comedian Bill Cosby.

Ribbs will be driving for IRL car owner Dennis McCormack in the Vegas.com 500, replacing Jimmy Kite. Ribbs said he was impressed with McCormack's approach to the new partnership.

"I like Dennis' ideas in the way he wanted to position this right from the start," Ribbs said. "He wants to start off before 2000, building for the 2000 season in the last two races of 1999.

"This is perfect for us. We're going to a great track for Indy cars ... and what better place to make the return of Willy T. than Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world?"

Ribbs formerly announced his new deal with McCormack Motorsports during a press conference today in Indianapolis.

Ribbs competed in the Indy 500 in 1991 and 1993 (when he finished 21st) and made 46 career starts in CART from 1990 to 1994. He last competed in an Indy-type car in a CART race at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1994, where he finished 11th.

"A lot of people say this is a comeback, but it's not a comeback -- I've been here for years," Ribbs said. "I'm ready to go. I'm rusty as hell, but I'm ready to go.

"I'm more than excited. This sport has been my life, that's all I've known. It's like being on another planet and you're returning to earth."

Ribbs' highest finish in a CART event was sixth place, which he accomplished three times (Denver in 1991 and Mid-Ohio and Nazareth in 1993), but he spent most of his time driving for underfunded teams.

"Every team that I've been with, Roush in Trans Am, Gurney in IMSA, every team that I have raced for that had the backing and a budget that was capable of winning, I won.

"When I was with Walker, we had less than one-third of the winning team's budget so we couldn't compete with them; I could scratch the top 10, but I could not compete."

Ribbs tested at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the final week of August with PDM Racing.

"I only ran 20 laps with PDM because there were hurricane winds out there, but we were pleased with what we did in 20 laps," Ribbs said. "It was just an opportunity for me to get comfortable in a car and get some laps. I'm ready to get back in the saddle."

Besides Ribbs, 25 other drivers are entered for the Vegas.com 500, including points leader Greg Ray, 1999 Indy 500 winner Kenny Brack, 1997 Vegas.com 500 winner Eliseo Salazar and Las Vegans Sam Schmidt and Davey Hamilton.

The Vegas.com 500 will cap a full weekend of racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The weekend begins with the Orleans 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on Friday, Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. The Gold Coast 150 NASCAR Winston West event will be held Saturday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m., and the Vegas.com 500 will get the green flag on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.