Pete Halsmer

John Peter Halsmer (born March 3, 1944, in Lafayette, Indiana), is a former American racing driver best known for his success in IMSA GTO class, where he won two championships (1989, 1991) and secured multiple race victories. He claimed the 1989 GTO title while driving for Ford/Roush (under NASCAR team owner Jack Roush), winning four races, and added a second championship in 1991 with Mazda. Halsmer also achieved success across other sports car categories, including four GT2 race wins with BMW between 1994 and 1997, contributing to the Manufacturer's Title in 1996. From 1999 to 2004, he drove for and provided technical consulting to Honda America Race Team, winning several championships in the Motorola Cup and Grand-Am Cup series. He is also a three-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Earlier in his career, Halsmer competed in the CART series over five seasons (1980, 1982–1985), making 33 career starts and racing in the Indianapolis 500 in 1981 and 1982. He recorded three top-five finishes, with a best result of second place at Cleveland in 1983. In 1992, he also competed in the IROC, representing IMSA.

Outside of racing, Halsmer trained as a helicopter pilot and served during the Vietnam War.

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Halsmer graduated from Purdue University with degrees in industrial supervision and aviation electronics. He was drafted into the army and became a helicopter pilot. He served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War in 1970.^[3]