High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1989 IndyCar season, the eleventh in the CART era of U.S. open-wheel racing, consisted of 16 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on April 9 and concluding in Monterey, California on October 15. There was one non-championship event, the Marlboro Challenge. The PPG Indy Car World Series Drivers` Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Emerson Fittipaldi. Rookie of the Year was Bernard Jourdain. The 73rd Indianapolis 500 was sanctioned by the USAC, but counted in the CART points standings.