Dennis Reinbold, who built Dreyer & Reinbold Racing into a fixture of the Indianapolis 500 across more than 25 years, has died at the age of 65. The team owner passed away peacefully on June 13, surrounded by family, after a battle with cancer.
A successful Indianapolis automobile dealer, Reinbold formed Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in 1999. The name honoured his family's deep roots in the sport: his grandfather, Floyd "Pop" Dreyer, moved from factory motorcycle racer to chief mechanic on the Duesenberg driven by Benny Shoaff and Babe Stapp at the 1927 Indianapolis 500, and later built Indy cars and championship-winning sprint cars and midgets.
The team announced his death in a statement on Sunday evening.
"We are heartbroken to share the news that our owner, leader, and friend, Dennis Reinbold, has passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family," the team said. "Dennis was a proud son of Indianapolis. He built a successful family of automobile dealerships across the state, and he loved the community of Indianapolis that gave him so much in return."
The team framed the loss around the race that defined him. "That same devotion fueled his passion for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway — its history and the relentless pursuit of an Indy 500 win drove him every day," the statement read. "We can think of no better way to honor Dennis than to chase a victory in the 111th Running of the Indianapolis 500."
Dreyer & Reinbold raced full-time in the IndyCar Series from 2000, winning on debut at Walt Disney World Speedway with Robbie Buhl — a result that remains the team's only series victory. From 2014 the operation narrowed its focus almost entirely to the Indianapolis 500, where it became known as a small team punching above its weight. Reinbold often spoke of his pride that all 53 cars the team entered in the 500 qualified for the field.
That reputation drew a roll-call of established names to drive for the team over the years, among them 2012 Indy winner Ryan Hunter-Reay, Justin Wilson, JR Hildebrand, Townsend Bell, Conor Daly, Sage Karam and Jack Harvey. Last month Daly recorded the fastest lap of the 110th Indianapolis 500, an average of 225.126 mph on lap 182, before finishing 12th.
Daly led the tributes. "Dennis, what a pleasure it has been to be a part of your organization over the years," he wrote. "The passion for IndyCar racing you had, and the tremendous culture you built within the team, is something to be extremely proud of. Can't thank you enough for the chance to compete at the front. Wish I could have got one for you this year. We will miss you, my friend."
Harvey, who raced for the team in each of the past two Indianapolis 500s, called Reinbold "a brilliant leader" whose "commitment and passion for motorsports was second to none." He added: "My favorite part about Dennis was his ability to make everyone feel special and that they had a special relationship with him. I am so proud and grateful to have spent the last two 500s racing for him, and will continue to help and support the team for his legacy."
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles described Reinbold as a mentor and friend. "Dennis is a shining example of character, compassion, and leadership," Boles wrote. "He was a mentor and example of how to treat and lead people and follow your passion without compromising character while doing it. Thanks for 25-plus years of friendship and for blazing a trail that many of us try to follow."
Beyond Daly and Harvey, drivers including two-time Indy winner Al Unser Jr., Buddy Lazier, Buddy Rice, 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud, champion Paul Tracy and Sarah Fisher all turned laps for the team. The operation never won the 500 it chased so single-mindedly, but the family that built it has vowed to keep chasing it in his memory.
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*Originally published on [Motorsports](https://motorsports.global/article/dennis-reinbold-indy-500-team-owner-dies-at-65). Visit for full coverage.*
