Douglas James “Doug” Shierson, who owned the Indy car that Arie Luyendyk drove to victory in the 1990 Indianapolis 500, died May 26 at his Mooresville, N.C., home. He was 62.
Shierson was born on Aug. 29, 1941 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan and went to work in his family’s business, the Beacon Oil Company.
Shierson became involved in auto racing in 1965 and by 1976 had a promising young driver by the name of Bobby Rahal racing his Formula Atlantic car. Rahal drove for Shierson in Formula Atlantic in 1976 and won at Mosport, Canada. But Rahal experienced so many nonfinishes during the rest of the season that he seriously considered leaving the sport. Another Formula Atlantic ride was offered for 1977, and Rahal called Shierson for advice on what to do. “You can’t quit,” Shierson told him. “You have too much talent. You will succeed. Believe me. You have to have faith.”
Shierson’s advice prevented Rahal from quitting racing, thus enabling him to go on to win the Indy 500 in 1986 and become the team owner of the Indy 500 winning car this year.
Shierson first came to Indianapolis in 1982 with driver Howdy Holmes, who finished 10th and then 6th in 1983. Danny Sullivan returned from a season in Formula One to drive for Shierson in 1984. He placed 29th, falling out with a broken wheel.
Al Unser Jr. was Shierson’s driver during the next three years, finishing 25th, 5th and 4th from 1985–’87, respectively. Unser also was edged 151-150 for the CART championship by his father, Al Unser, in 1985. Brazilian Raul Boesel drove to 7th place at Indy for Shierson in 1988 and then to 3rd in 1989. Luyendyk’s victory capped Shierson’s career as a car owner.
