Robbie Buhl retires

D&R, the team Buhl shares ownership of will name its replacement driver next week.

"It was not an easy decision," said the 40-year-old American. "My life has been racing, but personal goals continue to evolve for all of us. I remember when my goal was just to drive in the Indy 500. Now I've started in the front row, started in the back row, and I've led the race.

"I may leave some unfinished business at the Brickyard, but this is the right decision for everyone - my family, my team, and me. I'm healthy, happy, and walking away on my own terms."

"I worked hard in the off season, and I'm probably in the best shape I've ever been in as a driver," Buhl said. "But the mental part of this sport requires 110 percent of your attention 110 percent of the time, and it was just my time to say 'enough'."

Buhl's CV includes two IRL victories; a third place IRL points finish (1996) and two national championships, winning the 1992 Indy Lights Championship and 1989 Barber Dodge Pro Series. He also won the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona as a co-driver in the GT class for Roush Racing. He has started in eight Indianapolis 500s, including a front row start in 2002. His highest finish was sixth in 1999.