Pete Halsmer

John Peter Halsmer (born March 3, 1944, in Lafayette, Indiana), is a former American racing driver best known for his success in IMSA GTO class, where he won two championships (1989, 1991) and secured multiple race victories. He claimed the 1989 GTO title while driving for Ford/Roush (under NASCAR team owner Jack Roush), winning four races, and added a second championship in 1991 with Mazda. Halsmer also achieved success across other sports car categories, including four GT2 race wins with BMW between 1994 and 1997, contributing to the Manufacturer's Title in 1996. From 1999 to 2004, he drove for and provided technical consulting to Honda America Race Team, winning several championships in the Motorola Cup and Grand-Am Cup series. He is also a three-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Earlier in his career, Halsmer competed in the CART series over five seasons (1980, 1982–1985), making 33 career starts and racing in the Indianapolis 500 in 1981 and 1982. He recorded three top-five finishes, with a best result of second place at Cleveland in 1983. In 1992, he also competed in the IROC, representing IMSA.

Outside of racing, Halsmer trained as a helicopter pilot and served during the Vietnam War.

Early life and education Halsmer graduated from Purdue University with degrees in industrial supervision and aviation electronics. He was drafted into the army and became a helicopter pilot. He served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War in 1970.

Racing record

CART PPG IndyCar World Series

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rank Points Ref 1980 Wysard Racing Wildcat Offenhauser ONT INDY 36th 128 McLaren Cosworth MIL POC MOH MCH WGL MIL ONT MCH MEX PHX 1982 Arciero Racing Eagle Chevrolet PHX ATL MIL CLE MCH MIL POC RIV ROA MCH PHX 43rd 2 1983 Arciero Racing Penske Cosworth ATL INDY MIL CLE MCH ROA POC RIV MOH MCH CPL LAG PHX 11th 48 1984 Arciero Racing Penske Cosworth LBH PHX INDY MIL 29th 9 March POR MEA CLE POC MOH SAN MCH PHX LAG Arciero CPL Curb-All American Racers Eagle Pontiac MCH ROA 1985 Machinists Union Racing March Cosworth LBH INDY MIL POR MEA CLE MCH ROA POC MOH SAN MCH LAG PHX MIA 32nd 7

Indianapolis 500 Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team 1981 Penske Cosworth 24 24 Arciero Racing 1982 Eagle Chevrolet 32 25 Arciero Racing

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

Year Track Car Engine Class Finish Start Status 1974 Road Atlanta Brabham BT29 Cosworth Formula B 15 9 Retired

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position, races in italics indicate fastest race lap)

Complete USAC Mini-Indy Series results

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pos Points 1977 Race Research Inc. TRE MIL MOS PIR 12th 140 1978 Simpson Racers PIR1 TRE1 MOS MIL1 TEX MIL2 OMS1 OMS2 TRE2 PIR2 12th 318 1979 TEX1 IRP MIL1 POC TEX2 MIL2 MIN1 MIN2 4th 650 1980 Frank Arciero MIL POC MOH MIN1 MIN2 ONT 2nd 628