Carl Haas

Carl Haas (March 29, 1929 – June 29, 2016) was an American businessman and motorsport team owner. He was best known as the co-founder and owner of Newman/Haas Racing, one of the most successful teams in IndyCar racing history.

Haas initially gained prominence as a successful Ferrari and Lola distributor in the United States, establishing Carl Haas Automobile Imports. This business provided a strong foundation for his entry into racing team ownership.

In 1983, Haas partnered with actor and racing enthusiast Paul Newman to form Newman/Haas Racing. The team quickly became a dominant force in the CART IndyCar World Series and later the IndyCar Series, winning championships with legendary drivers such as Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Michael Andretti, Cristiano da Matta, and Sébastien Bourdais. The team was known for its engineering excellence and strategic partnerships with sponsors.

Beyond Newman/Haas Racing, Haas also had interests in other racing ventures, including a brief foray into Formula One in the 1980s with the Haas Lola team, which was not related to the later Haas F1 Team owned by Gene Haas. He was also involved in sports car racing.

Haas’s contributions to motorsport extended beyond team ownership. He was a respected figure in the racing community, known for his business acumen and dedication to the sport. He played a significant role in shaping the landscape of American open-wheel racing for several decades.