Long-time Indianapolis 500 car entrant Jonathan Byrd passed away on Thursday.
The 57-year-old, who had suffered a stroke in 2004, had collaborated with a variety of leading team owners including AJ Foyt and Dick Simon to run cars at Indy from 1985 to 2001.
The best Indy 500 results for Byrd-entered cars were sixth places for Gordon Johncock in 1991 and Scott Brayton in 1993, but his partnership with Fred Treadway in 1996 saw their driver Arie Luyendyk set what has stood as the all-time record Indy qualifying speed.
Byrd also ran cars in the early years of the Indy Racing League, with John Paul Jr. taking a victory for him in the 1998 Texas race.
Away from IndyCar, Byrd was also an occasional NASCAR sponsor and ran teams in USAC Midget racing, as well as running successful businesses in the catering and hospitality industries.