Cindi Lux First Woman to Professionally Race a Viper at Indy

Cindi Lux First Woman to Professionally Race a Viper at Indy

In 1991 the original Dodge Viper RT/10 paced the field for the 75th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Five years later the Dodge Viper GTS was at the point of the 33 car starting grid at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Now, in the marque's 25th and final year of production, Cindi Lux will be the first woman to race North America's premier front-engined supercar at the famed "Brickyard". The 12-time road racing champion from Aloha, Oregon will make her season debut in the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli championship on June 17 in the No. 45 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper ACRX Fueled by Black Rock Coffee.

The Indianapolis event, which runs in conjunction with the very popular SVRA-sanctioned Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, marks another milestone for Lux and her husband / engineer and Lux Performance Group partner Fred Lux. 2017 is the 30th year that the combination has raced together. During that time they have won over 80 races, had more than 160 podium finishes and have sat on the pole position for more than 50 races. That success has garnered twelve road racing championships including the 1999 American Le Mans Series Women's Global GT Series SCCA NorPac T1 Class Championships from 2003 - 2006. The operation also ran Dodge's SRT Viper Cup Pro/Celebrity program from 2010 - 2012. Cindi Lux has been closely linked to Viper since 2005 as a factory driver with Dodge Motorsports (2005-2007), Mopar (2008) and SRT (2012).

Lux has had many firsts in her career, but joining the elite names that have raced at the Speedway, Indiana-track since its 1909 debut is a long overdue dream realized. The premiere of Trans Am at Indy has given the veteran racer the opportunity. The Hall of Fame driver will have her first laps of the 2.43-mile, 14-turn IMS road course on Thursday, June 15. The 100-mile/75-minute TA/TA3/TA4 race will start at 3:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 17. The race will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network at Noon Eastern Time, June 24 with a rebroadcast on July 1 at Noon.

Lux Performance Group will have a second Dodge Viper ACRX entry at Indianapolis for Dirk Leuenberger (Bellevue, Washington). Leuenberger will make his Viper debut in the No. 35 AquaStar Lux Performance Group ACRX at Indy. With Leuenberger just beginning his motorsport career, Lux is working as a driver coach and program manager for the rookie. The yellow and blue Viper will run in SVRA races over the weekend.

Lux Performance again returns with longtime partners Black Rock Coffee Bar, CoolShirt, Forgeline Wheels and VR Motion for the limited 2017 season. The two-car effort will enter up to eight handpicked races split between the primary Trans Am Series on the east coast and limited single-car entry in the Trans Am's new West Coast Championship.

To kick-off "Indy Week", Cindi Lux was asked to take a prestigious role at the Viper Rendezvous (www.viperrendezvous.com) in Hastings, Nebraska. She made opening remarks on Thursday evening, June 9, and was the Keynote Speaker on Saturday, June 11. She instructed select Viper owners entered for track time in advance performance driving and racing.

Quotes |
Cindi Lux, Driver, No. 45 Lux Performance Group Dodge Viper ACRX |
About racing at Indianapolis | "Having never been to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I have no idea what to expect. However, I think at the end of the day, when I am standing on the three-foot wide line of original bricks on the front straightaway, the true meaning of Indy will hit me. I know it is going to be very humbling to be surrounded by over 100 years of racing history."

About 30 years racing with Fred | "Its been one hell of an adventure! Fred is brilliant, witty, creative and has been the true reason for my success. However, he certainly loves his ingenious 'toys' that never fail to draw a lot of attention in the paddock no matter where we race. But best of all, he is my best friend and I am so blessed."

 

 


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