Allan Pagan, Founding Driver and Team Owner, Passes at 70
Allan Pagan, a pioneering figure in the Indy Racing League and owner of Pagan Racing, died last week at the age of 70. The Texas native was notable for steering his team to a second-place finish at the Indianapolis 500, a remarkable achievement for an independent outfit in a competitive field.
Pagan began his career in the CART IndyCar Series, debuting with an entry for Jeff Andretti at the 1993 Indianapolis 500. He returned in 1994 with Indianapolis 500 polesitter Roberto Guerrero, marking the start of his involvement with open-wheel racing. By 1995, Pagan expanded his efforts to three CART races, all on oval tracks, before switching entirely to the newly formed IRL in 1996.
Notable performances included Guerrero finishing fifth at both the inaugural Walt Disney World race and the Indianapolis 500 in 1997. A partnership with crew chief Mitch Davis in 1999 introduced motocross legend Jeff Ward to the program. The collaboration proved fruitful, culminating in a second-place finish at the 1999 Indianapolis 500, where Ward led the race in the final laps before finishing behind Kenny Brack of AJ Foyt Racing.
Pagan Racing, known for securing significant sponsors like Pennzoil and YAHOO!, made strides despite limited resources. Doug Boles, former president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, reflected on Pagan’s passion for racing and his achievements against larger teams, stating, “Allan was a guy who loved IndyCar racing and got a chance to chase his dream with his dad.”
Veteran race engineer Tino Belli emphasized Pagan’s dedication to his team, praising his camaraderie and support for his employees. Jeff Ward, who later drove for Foyt and Ganassi, credited Pagan for reviving his career, stating, “It put my career trajectory back on track… my hat goes off to Allan. It’s sad to hear he passed away.”
Pagan’s contributions to the motorsports community and his legacy will not be forgotten.
