Cory Witherill Explained

Cory Witherill (born December 17, 1971) is an American race car driver from Los Angeles who competed in the Indy Racing League, Infiniti Pro Series, Indy Lights, and ARCA series. He made an incredible bump day run on a brand new engine to qualify for the 2001 Indianapolis 500, becoming the only full-blooded Native American to race in the Indy 500. He finished 19th. In 2002 and 2003, with the collapse of the IRL team he drove for, he went to the Infiniti Pro Series driving for Ron Hemelgarn Racing. In 2002, he had 8 podium finishes and 1 win at Nashville Superspeedway. He attempted to become the first full-blooded Native American in NASCAR.

Personal life

He currently lives in Santa Monica, with his wife Jennifer Khasnabis (former reporter for MotorWeek TV). Their first child, Graham Liston Witherill, was born in September 2009. In late 2017, the couple announced they were separating, and subsequently filed for divorce.

Racing record

American open–wheel racing results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

CART Indy Lights / Infiniti Pro Series

Year	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Rank	Points
1998	Genoa Racing	HMS	LBH	NAZ	GAT	MIL	DET	POR	CLE	TOR	MIS	TRO	VAN	LAG	FON	23rd	13
1999	Genoa Racing	HMS	LBH	NAZ	MIL	POR	CLE	TOR	MIS	DET	CMS	LAG	FON			18th	17
2000	Genoa Racing	LBH	MIL	DET	POR	MIS	CMS	MDO	VAN	LAG	GAT	HOU	FON			19th	2
2001	Indy Regency Racing	MTY	LBH	TXS	MIL	POR	KAN	TOR	MDO	GAT	ATL	LAG	FON			12th	44
2002	Hemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports	KAN	NSH	MIS	KTY	GAT	CHI	TXS								4th	213
2003	Hemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports	HMS	PHX	INDY	PPR	KAN	NSH	MIS	GAT	KTY	CHI	FON	TXS			5th	336
2004	Hemelgarn Racing	HMS	PHX	INDY	KAN	NSH	MIL	MIS	KTY	PPR	CHI	FON	TXS			21st	41

IndyCar Series

(key)

Indianapolis 500

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cory Witherill – 2001 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results. Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. August 6, 2023.