Slick Racin Gardner[1] (born February 25, 1972, in Buellton, California), is a former professional racing driver who most notably raced in the 1996 Indianapolis 500 for Simon/Team Scandia.

Racin Gardner
NationalityUnited States American
Born (1972-02-25) 25 February 1972 (age 52)
Buellton, California, United States

Previously, Gardner tested the Green Monster land speed car at Bonneville for four years, becoming the youngest driver ever to top 500 mph in 1988 at the age of 16. He drove off-road vehicles in the High Desert Racing Association from 1991 to 1993, and was eighth in points and the rookie of the year in the American Indycar Series in 1993. After a second year in the series, he tested for the Project Indy team, which was competing in the IndyCar World Series.[2]

Gardner intended to debut in the new Indy Racing League in 1996 at Phoenix. Despite failing to pass his rookie test in the "Test at the West" because of an engine failure, Gardner was entered at the last minute with Tempero/Giuffre Racing. However, further mechanical issues in practice left him unable to pass his test and compete. At the Indianapolis 500, he competed for Team Scandia, qualifying 25th on the second day of qualifiers. He retired after 76 laps with a suspension failure, being credited with a 25th-place finish.

After Indy, Gardner would compete in one ARCA Racing Series race, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 18th.[3] After retiring from racing, he became a stunt driver for television and motion pictures.

Racing record

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Complete IndyCar Series results

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Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 Rank Points Ref
1996 Tempero–Giuffre Racing Lola T92 25 Buick WDW PHX
Wth
35th 10 [4][5]
Team Scandia Lola T94 90 Ford INDY
25

Indy 500 results

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Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team Ref
1996 Lola Ford-Cosworth 25th 25th Scandia [4]

References

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  1. ^ "Slick R Gardner, Born 02/25/1972 in California". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "With The Name 'Racin,' He's in the Right Business". Associated Press. May 22, 1996. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  3. ^ "Driver".
  4. ^ a b "Racin Gardner". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "Racin Gardner". Champ Car Stats. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
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