IRL Time Line

• March 11, 1994 — Indy Racing League is officially announced.

• Jan. 23, 1995 — IRL announces first race will be at Walt Disney World Speedway.

• July 3, 1995 — IRL announces 25 of the 33 starting spots in 1996 Indy 500 will be secured for Indy Racing League teams.

• Jan. 27, 1996 — First IRL race is held at Walt Disney World Speedway.

• Dec. 2, 1996 — Leo Mehl  named executive director of Indy Racing League.

• May 28, 2000 — Chip Ganassi is the first CART owner to compete in the IRL and wins the Indianapolis 500 with driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

• Dec. 6, 2001 — Penske Racing announces it will leave CART for the IRL in 2002, with drivers Helio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran.

• March 2, 2003 — Andretti Green Racing, Honda and Toyota make Indy Racing League debuts.

• Jan. 28, 2004 — A U.S. bankruptcy court judge awards the racing assets of a bankrupt CART to Kevin Kalkhoven, Gerald Forsythe and Paul Gentilozzi despite a higher bid from IRL's Tony George.

• Feb. 22, 2008 — Indy Racing League and Champ Car officials sign agreement to unify the sport.