Carl Haas

Carl Haas (born February 26, 1930) is an American auto racing impresario. He co-owns the Newman/Haas Racing team in the Champ Car World Series along with accomplished film actor Paul Newman.

Related Topics:
February 26 - 1930 - American - Auto racing - Newman/Haas Racing - Champ Car World Series - Paul Newman

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Born in Chicago, Haas began racing sports cars in 1952 and won numerous races driving Ferraris, Porsches, MGs, and Jaguars. He retired from driving in the early 1960s in order to focus more on team ownership and other racing-related businesses. In 1967, he became the exclusive U.S. importer for Lola cars and helped the company attain national prominence in the racing world. His own company, Carl A. Haas Auto Imports, is involved in racing distribution deals, notably for Hewland gearboxes.

Related Topics:
Chicago - 1952 - Ferraris - Porsches - MGs - Jaguars - 1960s - 1967

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During the 1970s, Haas entered race teams in various series, including Formula 5000, the Can-Am Series, and the Super Vee Series. His Can-Am drivers included Peter Revson, Jackie Stewart, and David Hobbs. His Super Vee driver, Eddie Miller, won the series title. In 1985, he was the only American to own a race team in Formula 1, and he also co-owned a NASCAR Winston Cup Series team for eight seasons as well.

Related Topics:
1970s - Formula 5000 - Can-Am Series - Super Vee Series - Peter Revson - Jackie Stewart - David Hobbs - 1985 - Formula 1 - NASCAR - Winston Cup

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In 1983, Haas joined hands with actor Paul Newman to form Newman/Haas Racing, a team in the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) Series. The team won its first CART title with motorsports legend Mario Andretti the next year, and went on to win three more series championships with Mario's son Michael Andretti in 1991, former Formula 1 World champion Nigel Mansell in 1993, and Brazilian sensation Cristiano da Matta in 2002. Newman/Haas has also captured a title in the successor series to CART, the Champ Car World Series, with Sebastien Bourdais in 2004.

Related Topics:
1983 - Paul Newman - Newman/Haas Racing - Mario Andretti - Michael Andretti - 1991 - Nigel Mansell - 1993 - Cristiano da Matta - 2002 - Champ Car World Series - Sebastien Bourdais - 2004

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Haas is also active in the functioning of various auto racing governing bodies and in race promotion. He served on CART's Board of Governors until the body folded in 2003, and retired as chairman of the SCCA Pro Racing Division in 2001. He also chaired the Board of the SCCA for a record four terms until his retirement in 1996. Haas is the organizer for the annual Champ Car World Series race at the Milwaukee Mile, and also is a member of the Board of Directors at Road America.

Related Topics:
2003 - SCCA - 2001 - 1996 - Milwaukee Mile - Road America

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Overall, Haas' teams have won 11 championships in three decades. USA Today called him one of the "most powerful men in the history of auto racing."

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Haas lives in Lake Forest, Illinois with his wife, Bernadette.

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