Pete Halsmer


John Peter Halsmer, is a former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He raced in 5 seasons, with 33 career starts, and started in the Indianapolis 500 in 1981-1982. He finished in the top five three times in the CART series, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1983 at Cleveland. In 1992, Halsmer raced in the IROC series, representing IMSA. Pete drove for Ford/Roush from 1986 through 1989 and won six Trans Am races and four GTO races winning the 1989 GTO championship. From 1990 through 1992 he drove for Mazda and won another GTO championship in 1991. From 1994 through 1997 he drove BMWs, winning four GT2 races and winning the Manufacturer's Title in 1996. From 1999 to 2004 he drove for and provided technical consulting for Honda America Race Team winning several championships in Motorola Cup and Grand Am Cup series. Halsmer is also a 3 time class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona and was trained as a helicopter pilot and served in 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

YearTeamChassisEngine12345678910111213141516RankPoints
1980Wysard RacingWildcatOffenhauserONT
20
INDY
DNQ
36th128
1980Wysard RacingMcLarenCosworthMILPOCMDOMCHWGLMILONTMCHMEXPHX
6
36th128
1982Arciero RacingEagleChevroletPHXATLMILCLEMCHMILPOCRIV
24
ROA
19
MCHPHX
24
43rd2
1983Arciero RacingPenskeCosworthATL
4
INDY
DNQ
MIL
9
CLE
2
MCH
33
ROA
14
POC
14
RIV
27
MDO
24
MCH
14
CPL
5
LAG
20
PHX
7
11th48
1984Arciero RacingPenskeCosworthLBH
8
PHX
14
INDY
DNQ
MIL
DNQ
29th9
1984Arciero RacingMarchCosworthPOR
22
MEA
26
CLEPOC
18
MDO
13
SAN
24
MCH
18
PHX
18
LAG
26
29th9
1984Arciero RacingArcieroCosworthCPL
9
29th9
1984Curb-All American RacersEaglePontiacMCH
14
ROA29th9
1985Machinists Union RacingMarchCosworthLBHINDY
DNQ
MIL
15
POR
8
MEA
19
CLEMCHROAPOCMDOSANMCH
11
LAGPHXMIA32nd7

Indianapolis 500

SCCA National Championship Runoffs

YearTrackCarEngineClassFinishStartStatus
1974Road AtlantaBrabham BT29CosworthFormula B159Retired

Complete USAC Mini-Indy Series results

YearEntrant12345678910PosPoints
1977Race Research Inc.
TRE

MIL

MOS

PIR
3
12th140
1978Simpson Racers
PIR1
4

TRE1
9

MOS
6

MIL1
21

TEX
24

MIL2
15

OMS1
10

OMS2
10

TRE2
19

PIR2
23
12th318
1979
TEX1
4

IRP
9

MIL1
8

POC
8

TEX2
12

MIL2
5

MIN1
4

MIN2
2
4th650
1980Frank Arciero
MIL
3

POC
2

MDO
23

MIN1
4

MIN2
14

ONT
1
2nd628