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| 2008 INDY 500 NEWS |
The Corvette Z06 will pace the 2008 Indy 500. Two versions were shown at the Indy Auto
Show. A convertable version was painted similarly to the first Corvette pace car - the
1978. Chevy will build 500 replicas of this 30th Anniversary Vette. The hardtop car is
painted in prism color which changes colors with the lighting. This car will run on Ethanol
E85 along with gasoline. Famous Formula One champion and Indy 500 Champion,
Emerson Fittipaldi, will be driving the pace car this Memorial Weekend in Indianapolis.
Show. A convertable version was painted similarly to the first Corvette pace car - the
1978. Chevy will build 500 replicas of this 30th Anniversary Vette. The hardtop car is
painted in prism color which changes colors with the lighting. This car will run on Ethanol
E85 along with gasoline. Famous Formula One champion and Indy 500 Champion,
Emerson Fittipaldi, will be driving the pace car this Memorial Weekend in Indianapolis.
Race News
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MotoGP
F1 vs. Indycar
Race Photos
Indy 500 Memorial
General Info
Tickets For Sale
Tickets Wanted
Ticket Info
Where To Sit
Maps
Parking
Transportation
Hotels
Camping
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What To Take
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Cool Tales
The Party
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Contact
The Stone Temple Pilots will be performing for the Carb Day Concert at the
speedway this May (05-23-08)! The band's five albums have sold over 17.5
million copies in the United States alone and over 20 million albums worldwide. The
band had fifteen top ten singles on the Billboard rock charts, including six #1's,
and one #1 album on the pop charts (1994's Purple). In 1994, the band won a
Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for their song "Plush". Stone Temple
Pilots were also ranked at #40 by VH1 on the 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock list
They are going on a reunion tour this year and will play Indy as their 3rd concert
on the tour! Check out their website.
speedway this May (05-23-08)! The band's five albums have sold over 17.5
million copies in the United States alone and over 20 million albums worldwide. The
band had fifteen top ten singles on the Billboard rock charts, including six #1's,
and one #1 album on the pop charts (1994's Purple). In 1994, the band won a
Grammy for "Best Hard Rock Performance" for their song "Plush". Stone Temple
Pilots were also ranked at #40 by VH1 on the 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock list
They are going on a reunion tour this year and will play Indy as their 3rd concert
on the tour! Check out their website.
NEW FOR INDYCAR IN 2008
* New teams and drivers that are coming in from Champ Car.
* Paddle shifters that allow the drivers to keep both hands on the wheel.
* A minimum weight rule that keeps lighter drivers from getting an advantage. (Sorry Danica)
* All oval tracks will now have 4-lap qualifying like the Indy 500
* New teams and drivers that are coming in from Champ Car.
* Paddle shifters that allow the drivers to keep both hands on the wheel.
* A minimum weight rule that keeps lighter drivers from getting an advantage. (Sorry Danica)
* All oval tracks will now have 4-lap qualifying like the Indy 500
INDY 500 FESTIVITIES
Julienne Hough, the blond dance partner of Helio Castroneves, who won last year's "Dancing
With The Stars," will be singing the National Anthem during this year's Indy 500.
Jim Nabors is expected to fly in from Hawaii and sing "Back Home Again" during this year's
race. He had to miss the show last year because he was ill.
Julienne Hough, the blond dance partner of Helio Castroneves, who won last year's "Dancing
With The Stars," will be singing the National Anthem during this year's Indy 500.
Jim Nabors is expected to fly in from Hawaii and sing "Back Home Again" during this year's
race. He had to miss the show last year because he was ill.
INDY 500 LINKS
Jan 28 - IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher is forming her own IndyCar team that
will compete in Indy 500 this May. The start-up venture -- integrating her
father at the race shop, father-in-law as team manager and husband as
crew chief may also add other races.
The 27-year-old Fisher, who was awarded the 2001, 2002 and 2003
IndyCar Series “Most Popular Driver” award and the 2005 NASCAR West
Regional Series “Most Popular Driver” award, continues on in the newly
unified IndyCar Series with 67 IRL races under her belt. During her IRL
career thus far, Fisher became the youngest women to race in the
Indianapolis 500, became the first woman to capture the pole position and
is the fastest female qualifier for the Indianapolis 500, in the 91 year history
of the event.
will compete in Indy 500 this May. The start-up venture -- integrating her
father at the race shop, father-in-law as team manager and husband as
crew chief may also add other races.
The 27-year-old Fisher, who was awarded the 2001, 2002 and 2003
IndyCar Series “Most Popular Driver” award and the 2005 NASCAR West
Regional Series “Most Popular Driver” award, continues on in the newly
unified IndyCar Series with 67 IRL races under her belt. During her IRL
career thus far, Fisher became the youngest women to race in the
Indianapolis 500, became the first woman to capture the pole position and
is the fastest female qualifier for the Indianapolis 500, in the 91 year history
of the event.
| Lyn St. James, Sarah Fisher, Janet Guthrie |
Apr 20 - Former IRL regular Davey Hamilton signed Kingdom Racing as
his sponsor for the Indy 500, but he still needs to find a team.
his sponsor for the Indy 500, but he still needs to find a team.
| The First Three Women To Race In The Indy 500 |
Apr 11 - A.J. Foyt Enterprises is planning to run Larry Foyt in the Indy 500.
May 1 - For the first time ever, the Speedway is offering a season pass.
For $150, the ticket gets you into all three races as general seating (ie. no
assigned seat). Plus it gets you into the track during the two days prior to
the races.
For $150, the ticket gets you into all three races as general seating (ie. no
assigned seat). Plus it gets you into the track during the two days prior to
the races.
May 3 - The 500 Mini-Marathon is the nation's largest half-marathon, with
35,000 registrants.
In the closest finish of the 32-year Mini-Marathon, Lamech Mokono and
Valentine Orare were declared the winners in today's race. They are both
Kenyans. They will both be rewarded with the $3,500 1st-place prize.
The unofficial time was 1 hour, 2 minutes, 53 seconds. Both men are
first-time participants in the 13.1-mile race.
Janet Cherobon, Acworth, Ga., was the top women's finisher with an
unofficial time of 1:14.10. She last year won her first outing at the Mini.
35,000 registrants.
In the closest finish of the 32-year Mini-Marathon, Lamech Mokono and
Valentine Orare were declared the winners in today's race. They are both
Kenyans. They will both be rewarded with the $3,500 1st-place prize.
The unofficial time was 1 hour, 2 minutes, 53 seconds. Both men are
first-time participants in the 13.1-mile race.
Janet Cherobon, Acworth, Ga., was the top women's finisher with an
unofficial time of 1:14.10. She last year won her first outing at the Mini.
| <<<<< DAY 2 - Rookie and Refresher Day >>>>>>> |
| Jaime Camara - "ouch!" |
2:14 p.m. - Rookie Jaime Camara became the first driver to crash during
preparation for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 when he spun in turn one and hit
the wall at about 1 p.m. today.
The 27-year-old Brazilian rookie walked away from the accident, but
complained of back pain and was transported to Methodist Hospital for
precautionary X-rays.
The left tires of Camara's No. 34 Conquest Racing car were below the white
line just before he lost control in the second day of rookie orientation. The
car backed into the SAFER barrier, right rear tire first.
Sparks flew from the bottom of the car as it skidded along the track in the
south chute. Practice stopped for about 20 minutes so debris could be
removed from the track.
preparation for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 when he spun in turn one and hit
the wall at about 1 p.m. today.
The 27-year-old Brazilian rookie walked away from the accident, but
complained of back pain and was transported to Methodist Hospital for
precautionary X-rays.
The left tires of Camara's No. 34 Conquest Racing car were below the white
line just before he lost control in the second day of rookie orientation. The
car backed into the SAFER barrier, right rear tire first.
Sparks flew from the bottom of the car as it skidded along the track in the
south chute. Practice stopped for about 20 minutes so debris could be
removed from the track.
May 5 - Alex Lloyd is the fastest driver after the completion of the two-day
rookie orientation for the 92nd Indianapolis 500. The 23-year-old British
rookie posted the top speed of 223.033 mph in the final 30 minutes of
today's practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Davey Hamilton and
Bruno Junqueira successfully completed the refresher course. Enrique
Bernoldi passed his rookie test.
rookie orientation for the 92nd Indianapolis 500. The 23-year-old British
rookie posted the top speed of 223.033 mph in the final 30 minutes of
today's practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Davey Hamilton and
Bruno Junqueira successfully completed the refresher course. Enrique
Bernoldi passed his rookie test.
|
CRASHES DURING MAY AT THE SPEEDWAY
|
| <<<<< OPENING DAY - Rookie and Refresher Day >>>>>>> |
May 4 - Eleven of thirteen rookie drivers passed their tests today, allowing
them to try and qualify this month for the 92nd Indy 500. Only Bernoldi and
Moraes failed to complete the program, and will retry on tomorrow
Shuffling for a seat in the May 25th race continues with more driver/team
announcements over the past several days; including one from American
Dream Racing (formerly Playa del Racing) and 2007 Indianapolis 500 top
rookie Phil Giebler.
Davey Hamilton shifted gears on his plans to run with Kingdom Racing
and now has moved to the third seat at Vision Racing; and 1996
Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier announced plans to contend for
a starting spot with the Hemelgarn Racing team.
Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team confirmed that team member,
64-year-old David Evans died early Sunday morning from a stroke,
induced by a fight.
All of the Unsers posed on the track today. Big Al took a parade lap in a
replica of his 1987-winning March-Cosworth (see below.)
them to try and qualify this month for the 92nd Indy 500. Only Bernoldi and
Moraes failed to complete the program, and will retry on tomorrow
Shuffling for a seat in the May 25th race continues with more driver/team
announcements over the past several days; including one from American
Dream Racing (formerly Playa del Racing) and 2007 Indianapolis 500 top
rookie Phil Giebler.
Davey Hamilton shifted gears on his plans to run with Kingdom Racing
and now has moved to the third seat at Vision Racing; and 1996
Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier announced plans to contend for
a starting spot with the Hemelgarn Racing team.
Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team confirmed that team member,
64-year-old David Evans died early Sunday morning from a stroke,
induced by a fight.
All of the Unsers posed on the track today. Big Al took a parade lap in a
replica of his 1987-winning March-Cosworth (see below.)
WHO PASSED ORIENTATION
Will Power
EJ Viso
Oriol Servia
Alex Lloyd
Hideki Mutoh
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Jamie Camara
Graham Rahal
Justin Wilson
Max Papis
Jay Howard
Will Power
EJ Viso
Oriol Servia
Alex Lloyd
Hideki Mutoh
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Jamie Camara
Graham Rahal
Justin Wilson
Max Papis
Jay Howard
The familiar voice of Tom Carnegie rang out over the
loudspeakers during opening ceremonies Carnegie, 88,
who retired as the full-time track announcer two years
ago because of health, now has taken part in 63 Indy
500s.
He said he is "doing well physically" and is looking
forward to being at the track every day there is on-track
activity.
"I don't intend to work, but you never know," he said with
a smile. "I just enjoy being here and it's wonderful to
come out and say hello. It keeps me young."
loudspeakers during opening ceremonies Carnegie, 88,
who retired as the full-time track announcer two years
ago because of health, now has taken part in 63 Indy
500s.
He said he is "doing well physically" and is looking
forward to being at the track every day there is on-track
activity.
"I don't intend to work, but you never know," he said with
a smile. "I just enjoy being here and it's wonderful to
come out and say hello. It keeps me young."
May 6 - 33 cars and 32 drivers hit the track on a beautiful sunny 78 degree
day. Marco Andretti had the fastest time on his first day on the track -
almost a second faster than Castroneve's pole winning time last year.
Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama have been running around Indiana the
last several weeks trying to win the Indiana primary for the democrat
presidential nomination (she won by 51%). Today, Clinton visited the
Fisher Racing garages to lend support to Sarah Fisher's first-year team.
Jamie Camara was released from the hospital and will be driving as soon
as his crew repairs the car.
It appeared that the FTA was going to stop the shuttle busses that run
people from downtown or the airport to the Speedway, but a waiver was
issued and the busses will run this month! Shuttle Bus Info
day. Marco Andretti had the fastest time on his first day on the track -
almost a second faster than Castroneve's pole winning time last year.
Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama have been running around Indiana the
last several weeks trying to win the Indiana primary for the democrat
presidential nomination (she won by 51%). Today, Clinton visited the
Fisher Racing garages to lend support to Sarah Fisher's first-year team.
Jamie Camara was released from the hospital and will be driving as soon
as his crew repairs the car.
It appeared that the FTA was going to stop the shuttle busses that run
people from downtown or the airport to the Speedway, but a waiver was
issued and the busses will run this month! Shuttle Bus Info
| <<<<< DAY 3 >>>>>>> |
| "If a girl can race in the Indy 500, then I should be able to be president!" |
| Al Unser, Sr. 4-time Indy 500 Champion |
May 7 - No cars on track due to rain.
IndyCar driver Milka Duno recently made her movie debut appearance in
'Speed Racer'
IndyCar driver Milka Duno recently made her movie debut appearance in
'Speed Racer'
| <<<<< DAY 5 >>>>>>> |
| <<<<< DAY 4 >>>>>>> |
May 8 - Another rain out at the speedway today.
Larry Curry has moved from team manager at Vision Racing to Roth
Racing after Tony George fired him for allowing the wrong part to go on a
car at the Kansas race. George gave Curry a second chance to stay in
the sport several years ago after he got out of jail for stealing over a million
dollars from Team Menard.
Larry Curry has moved from team manager at Vision Racing to Roth
Racing after Tony George fired him for allowing the wrong part to go on a
car at the Kansas race. George gave Curry a second chance to stay in
the sport several years ago after he got out of jail for stealing over a million
dollars from Team Menard.
May 9 - Practice today was cut short by a few hours due to rain.
Practice was stopped twice for on track incidents, the first when Mario
Dominguez spun exiting the pits and made contact with the inside wall.
Dominguez climbed from the car without assistance and was taken to the
infield car center where he was checked and released. Dominguez has
been cleared to drive.
Alex Lloyd wasn't as lucky. He made hard contact with the SAFER Barrier
in Turn one and had to be assisted from the car by safety crews before
being transported to Methodist Hospital. An initial CAT scan revealed no
fractures. Lloyd may be held overnight for observation after reporting neck
pain.
Dale Coyne Racing crewman Chuck Buckman was taken to Methodist
Hospital after being hit by Danica Patrick on pit lane. Buckman was awake
and alert when he was taken to the hospital to be treated for a concussion
and scalp and facial lacerations. "I really don't remember how it happened,"
said Buckman. "All I remember is I was talking to someone on Marco
Andretti's team, and then everything is blank from that point. I will be okay
and hopefully back to work in a day or two."
First day of qualifying is tomorrow. Buddy Rice, on what qualifying at
Indianpolis is like: "If it's not scary in qualifying, you're not going fast
enough."
Practice was stopped twice for on track incidents, the first when Mario
Dominguez spun exiting the pits and made contact with the inside wall.
Dominguez climbed from the car without assistance and was taken to the
infield car center where he was checked and released. Dominguez has
been cleared to drive.
Alex Lloyd wasn't as lucky. He made hard contact with the SAFER Barrier
in Turn one and had to be assisted from the car by safety crews before
being transported to Methodist Hospital. An initial CAT scan revealed no
fractures. Lloyd may be held overnight for observation after reporting neck
pain.
Dale Coyne Racing crewman Chuck Buckman was taken to Methodist
Hospital after being hit by Danica Patrick on pit lane. Buckman was awake
and alert when he was taken to the hospital to be treated for a concussion
and scalp and facial lacerations. "I really don't remember how it happened,"
said Buckman. "All I remember is I was talking to someone on Marco
Andretti's team, and then everything is blank from that point. I will be okay
and hopefully back to work in a day or two."
First day of qualifying is tomorrow. Buddy Rice, on what qualifying at
Indianpolis is like: "If it's not scary in qualifying, you're not going fast
enough."
| <<<<< DAY 6 - Fast Friday >>>>>>> |
Alex Lloyd's car
Marco Andretti's car is
advertising a Indiana
Jones movie.
advertising a Indiana
Jones movie.
13 ROOKIES THIS YEAR!
May 10 - Scott Dixon won the pole for the 92nd Indy 500. His Target Chip
Ganassi teammate Dan Wheldon will start the race in two weeks next to
him in P2. I saw Wheldon's speed hit 231 mph today. Rival Team Penske
drivers, Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves, will start P3 and P4
respectively. Today was partly sunny and NO RAIN! Bumping was
attempted all the way till the last minutes.
Only three Americans qualified.
Graham Rahall and Davey Hamilton did not get in the field today even
though they had speeds in the 223 mph range. Justin Bell, Oriol Servia,
Townsend Bell and Mario Moraes also made failing qualifying attempts.
Only two incidents on the track today - Ryan Hunter-Reay and Bruno
Junqueira.
Rookie driver Jay Howard must be crushed. Roth Racing is replacing him
for the "500" with John Andretti, whom has 8 prior Indy 500 starts.
Ganassi teammate Dan Wheldon will start the race in two weeks next to
him in P2. I saw Wheldon's speed hit 231 mph today. Rival Team Penske
drivers, Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves, will start P3 and P4
respectively. Today was partly sunny and NO RAIN! Bumping was
attempted all the way till the last minutes.
Only three Americans qualified.
Graham Rahall and Davey Hamilton did not get in the field today even
though they had speeds in the 223 mph range. Justin Bell, Oriol Servia,
Townsend Bell and Mario Moraes also made failing qualifying attempts.
Only two incidents on the track today - Ryan Hunter-Reay and Bruno
Junqueira.
Rookie driver Jay Howard must be crushed. Roth Racing is replacing him
for the "500" with John Andretti, whom has 8 prior Indy 500 starts.
| <<<<< DAY 7 - Pole Day >>>>>>> |
| Bruno Junqueira |
|
| 1ST DAY QUALIFYING RESULTS - INDY 500 |
| Positions 1 - 11 |
| <<<<< DAY 8 - 2nd Day of Qualifying >>>>>>> |
May 11 - Qualifying is washed out due to rain.
It looks like the next two days will be dry, but practice is closed on those two
days!
It looks like the next two days will be dry, but practice is closed on those two
days!
May 12 - Jeff Simmons returns to IndyCar for the 500. He will be driving
for Foyt in the #41 car. He has ran in three Indy 500's prior.
for Foyt in the #41 car. He has ran in three Indy 500's prior.
Wednesday May 14 - Rainy conditions limited practice today to a half hour
around 5 o'clock. 29 cars participated.
John Andretti, who just joined Roth Racing a few days ago ran a lap of
221.386 mph, placing him 6th fastest of the day!
Sarah Fisher Racing's primary sponsors have not come across with her
money, which is putting the team in a bind. IUPUI, a local university located
in downtown Indianapolis has stepped in to try and help some financially.
(Go Jaguars!)
ONE RAINY MONTH SO FAR, AND MORE EXPECTED.
around 5 o'clock. 29 cars participated.
John Andretti, who just joined Roth Racing a few days ago ran a lap of
221.386 mph, placing him 6th fastest of the day!
Sarah Fisher Racing's primary sponsors have not come across with her
money, which is putting the team in a bind. IUPUI, a local university located
in downtown Indianapolis has stepped in to try and help some financially.
(Go Jaguars!)
ONE RAINY MONTH SO FAR, AND MORE EXPECTED.
| <<<<< DAY 9 >>>>>>> |
John Andretti
Driver for Roth Racing
Driver for Roth Racing
May 13 - Chuck Buckman, the Indy 500 chief mechanic who was injured
when he walked in front of Danica Patrick's IndyCar as she was entering
her pit during last Friday's practice session, was released from Methodist
Hospital in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Buckman suffered a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and a skull
fracture, but has recovered to the point where he can continue
convalescence at home. Buckman is the chief mechanic for Mario Moraes
at Dale Coyne Racing.
when he walked in front of Danica Patrick's IndyCar as she was entering
her pit during last Friday's practice session, was released from Methodist
Hospital in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Buckman suffered a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and a skull
fracture, but has recovered to the point where he can continue
convalescence at home. Buckman is the chief mechanic for Mario Moraes
at Dale Coyne Racing.
Danica Patrick has made the cover of Sports Illustrated again and there is
an article about her. The first came after her fourth-place finish in the 2005
Indianapolis 500. She also was featured in this year’s Swimsuit Issue.
Lars Anderson writes about Patrick’s star power on Pole Day at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, during which she qualified fifth for the May
25 race.
On April 27 at Twin Ring Motegi, Patrick became the first female to win a
major closed-course auto race.
During her first trip to the Indianapolis 500 in ’05, Patrick qualified and
finished fourth. She became the first female to lead a lap (19 overall), and
battled eventual winner Dan Wheldon for the point in the latter stages
before fading because of fuel mileage. Her run triggered a groundswell of
media and promotional opportunities that continue to this day.
an article about her. The first came after her fourth-place finish in the 2005
Indianapolis 500. She also was featured in this year’s Swimsuit Issue.
Lars Anderson writes about Patrick’s star power on Pole Day at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, during which she qualified fifth for the May
25 race.
On April 27 at Twin Ring Motegi, Patrick became the first female to win a
major closed-course auto race.
During her first trip to the Indianapolis 500 in ’05, Patrick qualified and
finished fourth. She became the first female to lead a lap (19 overall), and
battled eventual winner Dan Wheldon for the point in the latter stages
before fading because of fuel mileage. Her run triggered a groundswell of
media and promotional opportunities that continue to this day.
| <<<<< DAY 10 >>>>>>> |
May 15 - It looked like rain again today, but practice continued with teams
already qualified working on race setup and the others preparing for this
weekend's final qualifying days.
John Andretti picked up the pace today to 222.657, making him the 7th
fastest car today out of 35 cars. The Penske's were fastest of the day.
In other news, Andretti Green Promotions purchased the Toronto Grand
Prix Association's rights to the Toronto race, giving it a bright future as a
possible IndyCar Series event. The race has proven its popularity over
twenty-one years, earning acclaim among drivers and fans as one of the
year's most popular racing dates.
already qualified working on race setup and the others preparing for this
weekend's final qualifying days.
John Andretti picked up the pace today to 222.657, making him the 7th
fastest car today out of 35 cars. The Penske's were fastest of the day.
In other news, Andretti Green Promotions purchased the Toronto Grand
Prix Association's rights to the Toronto race, giving it a bright future as a
possible IndyCar Series event. The race has proven its popularity over
twenty-one years, earning acclaim among drivers and fans as one of the
year's most popular racing dates.
| Vitor Meira |
| Milka Duno |
| Danica Patrick |