rpm.espn.com: Donnie Beechler

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Monday, December 3

Donnie Beechler
By Jack Arute
ESPN.com

Team: A.J. Foyt Racing
Nationality: United States

STATS

Year
Rank
Wins
Poles
Top 5
Top 10
Money
Best finish

2001 15 0 0 3 6 $558,025 3rd, Kansas

Career 0 0 6 15 $1,748,275 3rd, Kansas

Donnie Beechler
Beechler

2001 Recap
The Good: Given the correct set of circumstances, Beechler could emerge as a bona fide IRL star. His personality out of the cockpit disguises a "take no prisoners" demeanor once he straps into a race car.

Season Highlight: A.J. Foyt came calling before the Indianapolis 500 and Beechler remained in the seat for nine races. He finished a career-best third at the inaugural Ameristar Casino Indy 200 at Kansas Speedway in July.

The Bad: After qualifying 25th at the Brickyard, Beechler was one of the strongest cars in the field until a pit miscue dropped him from contention. Foyt agreed to campaign Beechler on a race-to-race basis funding the operation out of his own pocket. The situation meant that Beechler spent most races being conservative-keeping the car in one piece so that it would be available for the next event.

Season Lowlight: Beechler crashed out late at Gateway, ending what was an impressive run and ensured he would finish out of the top-10 for the first time in five races.

Key Stat: At Kansas, Beechler decided to abandon his conservative approach and raced with little regard for keeping the car whole and ended up third. He backed his Kansas run up with a fifth at Kentucky and a fifth at Chicagoland Speedway.

2002 Outlook
What needs to be done: Nothing is guaranteed for Beechler and 2002. A return to A.J. Foyt's stable is possible but still not confirmed. No one doubts Beechler's driving ability. He has done more with less than most others. But, he has spent a lot of his IRL career in the shadows of drivers who seem more adept at attracting sponsor packages.

Prediction: The scenario of driving for Foyt in 2002 is the best case for Beechler, but the coming days will dictate what kind of ride (and consequently what kind of success) he will have for the upcoming season.

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