Byrd Racing

Jonathan Byrd's Racing was created in 1982 by business owner Jonathan Byrd and initially ran Pro Stock with driver Jim Begley. Later, they won a few USAC Midget car championships with Rich Vogler. The team first entered the Indianapolis 500 in 1985 with Vogler. Vogler ran for the Byrd team at Indianapolis from 1985-1990, with a best finish of eighth in 1989. The death of team manager Andy Kenopensky from cancer caused the team to be merged with Hemelgarn Racing. Stan Fox replaced drivers Rich Vogler and Billy Vukovich III, who both died in sprint car accidents before racing at the 1991 Indianapolis 500. Fox would finish eighth in 1991. Gordon Johncock came out of retirement to qualify Stan Fox's backup car, fell ill before the race due to the flu and an allergic reaction, but was able to compete and finish sixth. Buddy Lazier would also race for the team, finishing thirty-third. Stan Fox and Gordon Johncock returned as drivers for the 1992 Indianapolis 500.

Scott Brayton drove for Dick Simon and Byrd at the 1993 Indianapolis 500 and finished sixth. Byrd joined with A. J. Foyt Enterprises to field cars at the 1994 Indianapolis 500 for Double Duty driver John Andretti, who finished tenth. Davy Jones drove for the Jonathan Byrd and Dick Simon in the 1995 Indianapolis 500. The team won the Dura-Lube 200 with Arie Luyendyk at Phoenix International Raceway in 1996. While partnering with Treadway Racing in 1996, Arie Luyendyk broke the track record for Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Luyendyk suffered from two failed engines, switching to a backup car, and his initial pole time disqualified due to the car being underweight by seven pounds before setting the record.

Mike Groff drove for Clayton Cunningham and Byrd in the 1996–97 Indy Racing League season. Byrd-Cunningham driver John Paul Jr. won in the 1998 Lone Star 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. Jonathan Byrd's Racing suspended operations after the 1999 Indianapolis 500. This was due to sponsorship issues and the VisionAire 500K. Byrd completed regularly until the 2001 Indianapolis 500 with Jaques Lazier as that year's driver. Jonathan Byrd had a stroke in 2004 after heart surgery, suffered paralysis on his right side, and died in 2009 from cardiac arrest.

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