Scott Brayton

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Scott Everts Brayton (February 20, 1959 – May 17, 1996) was an American

During the mid-1980s, Brayton helped introduce the Buick stock-block V-6 engine to Indianapolis. His father's firm, Brayton Engineering, was a major developer of the race engine. In 1985, he qualified 2nd and set the one-lap Indianapolis Motor Speedway track record in the process. He dropped out early and finished 30th when the engine expired. He would not finish the race again until 1989, when he scored his best finish at the Speedway, 6th place but seven laps down. He would equal this finishing position in 1993, driving a Lola-Cosworth for Dick Simon Racing.

When Buick pulled out of IndyCar racing in 1993,

Brayton was prepared to make his NASCAR debut at the 1995 Brickyard 400. However, he crashed his car during a private test session, and suffered a broken ankle and a concussion.^[1]

In 1996,

Brayton was making a practice run on May 17 in his backup car when a tire blew going into turn two.[2] The car spun and hit the outside retaining wall at more than 230 mph (370 km/h). Brayton's head also impacted the wall, and he was killed instantly by the severe impact. His funeral, held in his hometown of Coldwater, Michigan, was attended by a large contingent of drivers and racing personalities.

Teammate Tony Stewart, who qualified second, took over the pole starting position. A substitute driver, Danny Ongais, took over the car with which Brayton had qualified for the pole, and finished seventh.

Brayton began dating his future wife, Becky, in 1981 and an 11-year courtship followed.^[3] The couple had a daughter, Carly, who was two years old at the time of Brayton's death.^[4]

On Easter Sunday 1999,^[5] Becky married another IRL driver, Robbie Buhl, who would later become a partner in Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

A street course in Grand Rapids, Michigan, used for SCCA racing was known as the Scott Brayton Memorial Street Circuit. It was used for the West Michigan Grand Prix in 1998^[6] and 1999,^[7] after which the event folded.^[8]

Following Brayton's death, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced a new trophy for the Indianapolis 500 dedicated to the driver who best exemplifies the attitude, spirit and competitive drive of Brayton. A driver could only be awarded the trophy once in his/her Indy career. It was awarded through 2009.

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

^‡ For the 1996 Indianapolis 500, Brayton qualified on the pole. The following Friday he was fatally injured driving a back-up car during practice. In the race Danny Ongais drove the pole car from the back of the field and finished seventh.

• List of Indianapolis Motor Speedway fatalities