High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1990 IndyCar season, the twelfth in the CART era of U.S. open-wheel racing, consisted of 17 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on April 8 and concluding in Monterey, California on October 21. There was one non-championship event, the Marlboro Challenge. The PPG Indy Car World Series Drivers` Champion was Al Unser, Jr. and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Arie Luyendyk. Rookie of the Year was Eddie Cheever. The 74th Indianapolis 500 was sanctioned by the USAC, but counted in the CART points standings.