| May 2015 News |
New Track for Speedway
May 1 - IndyCar team owner Sarah Fisher
and her husband Andy O'Gara are planning
on creating an indoor go-karting facility in
the town of Speedway, on Main Street. It
will be called Speedway Indoor Karting
She reports that it will be in a 60,000 sq ft
building. The course will have 14 turns.
It will open in 2016.
The facility will include a restaurant called
1911 Grill, with family dining, bar and
entertainment areas.
May 1 - IndyCar team owner Sarah Fisher
and her husband Andy O'Gara are planning
on creating an indoor go-karting facility in
the town of Speedway, on Main Street. It
will be called Speedway Indoor Karting
She reports that it will be in a 60,000 sq ft
building. The course will have 14 turns.
It will open in 2016.
The facility will include a restaurant called
1911 Grill, with family dining, bar and
entertainment areas.
| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| Most recent news is at bottom of page. |
Museum Days at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced for May 19-20
The Hall of Fame Museum is pleased to announce two days of special activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May
19-20 in anticipation and celebration of the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500. To make reservations for any event, call
317-492-6779. Highlights of the two days include:
Rides in the cars that paced the races!
For a fee, one can take two laps around the track at speeds up to 70 miles per hour as the passenger in a Corvette pace car
($100) or a Camaro pace car ($120, with up to two friends or family). These will be offered from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 19 and
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 20. Reservations are recommended.
Donald Davidson Presents
IMS historian Donald Davidson will make two presentations, one at 8 a.m. ($40) and one at 2 p.m. ($25). The first focuses on
"Jimmy Clark: Lotus and the Legend" and the afternoon presentation is on "The Racing Cars of Dan Gurney - An All American
Exhibition." Cars relevant to both discussions will be on display. Reservations are recommended. The fees for both
presentations include general Museum admission.
Autograph session with fan favorites
For an hour starting at 11 a.m., a few of our favorite Indianapolis 500 drivers will be at the Museum to sign whatever you bring
'em! Confirmed participants to date include: Johnny Parsons, Mel Kenyon, Bob Harkey, Bill Puterbaugh, and Eldon
Rasmussen. Participation is $12 for adults, $8 for youth (6 to 15), and is free for children 5 and under, and includes general
Museum admission. No reservations required or taken.
Insights from the insiders
Free Museum tours led by experienced Museum and Speedway staff, many of whom worked in the auto racing industry before
joining the Museum staff. Topics include: the link between early racing and passenger car developments, racing from the
business perspective, behind the scenes on the road to victory, and photography and capturing the essence of racing at the
Speedway. The half-hour tours will be offered three times during the day, from 9:45-11 a.m., 12:15-2 p.m. and 3:45-5:30 p.m.
No reservations required or taken.
Track lap and Bricks
Not high speed, but high content and a not-to-be-missed stop on the Yard of Bricks This is a 25-minute narrated bus tour of the
track and a stop for photos at the start/finish line. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for youth, and children 5 and under are free.
For more information on how to participate, go to www.imshalloffamemuseum.org.
The Hall of Fame Museum is pleased to announce two days of special activities at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May
19-20 in anticipation and celebration of the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500. To make reservations for any event, call
317-492-6779. Highlights of the two days include:
Rides in the cars that paced the races!
For a fee, one can take two laps around the track at speeds up to 70 miles per hour as the passenger in a Corvette pace car
($100) or a Camaro pace car ($120, with up to two friends or family). These will be offered from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 19 and
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 20. Reservations are recommended.
Donald Davidson Presents
IMS historian Donald Davidson will make two presentations, one at 8 a.m. ($40) and one at 2 p.m. ($25). The first focuses on
"Jimmy Clark: Lotus and the Legend" and the afternoon presentation is on "The Racing Cars of Dan Gurney - An All American
Exhibition." Cars relevant to both discussions will be on display. Reservations are recommended. The fees for both
presentations include general Museum admission.
Autograph session with fan favorites
For an hour starting at 11 a.m., a few of our favorite Indianapolis 500 drivers will be at the Museum to sign whatever you bring
'em! Confirmed participants to date include: Johnny Parsons, Mel Kenyon, Bob Harkey, Bill Puterbaugh, and Eldon
Rasmussen. Participation is $12 for adults, $8 for youth (6 to 15), and is free for children 5 and under, and includes general
Museum admission. No reservations required or taken.
Insights from the insiders
Free Museum tours led by experienced Museum and Speedway staff, many of whom worked in the auto racing industry before
joining the Museum staff. Topics include: the link between early racing and passenger car developments, racing from the
business perspective, behind the scenes on the road to victory, and photography and capturing the essence of racing at the
Speedway. The half-hour tours will be offered three times during the day, from 9:45-11 a.m., 12:15-2 p.m. and 3:45-5:30 p.m.
No reservations required or taken.
Track lap and Bricks
Not high speed, but high content and a not-to-be-missed stop on the Yard of Bricks This is a 25-minute narrated bus tour of the
track and a stop for photos at the start/finish line. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for youth, and children 5 and under are free.
For more information on how to participate, go to www.imshalloffamemuseum.org.
New Honda Aero Kit for Indy
May 1 - Honda today debuted the “Super Speedway”
aero kit of aerodynamic upgrades and components its
teams will use at this year’s 99th running of the
Indianapolis 500.
The Honda Super Speedway Aero Kit, produced by
Honda Performance Development, Honda’s racing
arm in North America, includes a variety of individual
aerodynamic components fitted to the existing Honda-
powered Dallara Indy car chassis. All are intended to
give Honda’s six Indy car teams – encompassing a
potential 17 ‘500’ entrants – the ability to maximize
performance at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor
Speedway oval and other large ovals ( over one mile
in length) on the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series
schedule.
The complete Super Speedway Aero Kit provides
Honda drivers and teams with a range of
configurations to tune the cars to their desired
characteristics for Indianapolis, a circuit where fine-
tuning is essential to achieve optimum performance.
May 1 - Honda today debuted the “Super Speedway”
aero kit of aerodynamic upgrades and components its
teams will use at this year’s 99th running of the
Indianapolis 500.
The Honda Super Speedway Aero Kit, produced by
Honda Performance Development, Honda’s racing
arm in North America, includes a variety of individual
aerodynamic components fitted to the existing Honda-
powered Dallara Indy car chassis. All are intended to
give Honda’s six Indy car teams – encompassing a
potential 17 ‘500’ entrants – the ability to maximize
performance at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor
Speedway oval and other large ovals ( over one mile
in length) on the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series
schedule.
The complete Super Speedway Aero Kit provides
Honda drivers and teams with a range of
configurations to tune the cars to their desired
characteristics for Indianapolis, a circuit where fine-
tuning is essential to achieve optimum performance.
(Click on images to enlarge)
May 3 - On a sunny and warm Opening Day, 27 drivers
hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for the first
time this year to prepare for the 99th Running of the
Indianapolis 500.
Sunday at IMS also marked the first day for
superspeedway aero kits, the bodywork enhancements
that allow for easier distinction between manufacturers
Honda and Chevrolet and encourage faster speeds.
Every race so far in the Verizon IndyCar Series has been
on road/street courses, which feature different aero kits.
Faster speeds were the order of the day as 21 drivers,
led by 2000 Indianapolis 500 champion Juan Pablo
Montoya, surpassed the fastest Opening Day 2014 lap
of 223.057 mph by Team Penske's Will Power.
Montoya, also of Team Penske, hit 226.772 mph late in
the afternoon.
"We struggled a little bit this morning with the balance.
We made a few changes, a couple of good things," said
Montoya, driver of the No. 2 Verizon Chevrolet. "We're
all trying different things. Each car has its own program
so we will be trying to make the car better."
Montoya ran 95 laps on the day, tied with 2013
Indianapolis 500 champion and Chip Ganassi Racing
driver Tony Kanaan for the most on Day 1. A total of
1,845 laps were turned on the 2.5-mile oval.
"It's a new kit. We're still trying to figure out what to do,
every day at the racetrack is a good day," said Kanaan,
who pilots the No. 10 NTT Data Chevrolet. "We had a
smooth day, that's what counts."
Rookie Gabby Chaves placed 13th on the Opening Day
speed chart with a lap at 224.718 mph in the No. 98
Bowers & Wilkins/Curb Honda.
"This was a very special day for me to be out there in an
Indy car and to work with the new aero kits. The car felt
great, very comfortable," Chaves said. "This is the first
time I have gone over 200 miles per hour. It's very
different. When you're running 30 miles per hour faster
than you have ever gone before, everything comes at you
a lot quicker."
Second fastest behind Montoya was three-time "500"
champion Helio Castroneves, at 226.468 mph, in the
No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet.
"We feel great. It's always awesome to be here,"
Castroneves said. "The fans are incredible, just to see
everyone (is) already excited. It's a great opportunity to
have an extra day to run with the new aero kit."
When the drivers return to IMS on Thursday, their cars
will be in road course configurations as practice begins
for the second annual Angie's List Grand Prix of
Indianapolis. Admission is free and gates open at 8 a.m.
hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for the first
time this year to prepare for the 99th Running of the
Indianapolis 500.
Sunday at IMS also marked the first day for
superspeedway aero kits, the bodywork enhancements
that allow for easier distinction between manufacturers
Honda and Chevrolet and encourage faster speeds.
Every race so far in the Verizon IndyCar Series has been
on road/street courses, which feature different aero kits.
Faster speeds were the order of the day as 21 drivers,
led by 2000 Indianapolis 500 champion Juan Pablo
Montoya, surpassed the fastest Opening Day 2014 lap
of 223.057 mph by Team Penske's Will Power.
Montoya, also of Team Penske, hit 226.772 mph late in
the afternoon.
"We struggled a little bit this morning with the balance.
We made a few changes, a couple of good things," said
Montoya, driver of the No. 2 Verizon Chevrolet. "We're
all trying different things. Each car has its own program
so we will be trying to make the car better."
Montoya ran 95 laps on the day, tied with 2013
Indianapolis 500 champion and Chip Ganassi Racing
driver Tony Kanaan for the most on Day 1. A total of
1,845 laps were turned on the 2.5-mile oval.
"It's a new kit. We're still trying to figure out what to do,
every day at the racetrack is a good day," said Kanaan,
who pilots the No. 10 NTT Data Chevrolet. "We had a
smooth day, that's what counts."
Rookie Gabby Chaves placed 13th on the Opening Day
speed chart with a lap at 224.718 mph in the No. 98
Bowers & Wilkins/Curb Honda.
"This was a very special day for me to be out there in an
Indy car and to work with the new aero kits. The car felt
great, very comfortable," Chaves said. "This is the first
time I have gone over 200 miles per hour. It's very
different. When you're running 30 miles per hour faster
than you have ever gone before, everything comes at you
a lot quicker."
Second fastest behind Montoya was three-time "500"
champion Helio Castroneves, at 226.468 mph, in the
No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet.
"We feel great. It's always awesome to be here,"
Castroneves said. "The fans are incredible, just to see
everyone (is) already excited. It's a great opportunity to
have an extra day to run with the new aero kit."
When the drivers return to IMS on Thursday, their cars
will be in road course configurations as practice begins
for the second annual Angie's List Grand Prix of
Indianapolis. Admission is free and gates open at 8 a.m.
Street Naming At Speedway
The three members of the Indianapolis 500's most
exclusive club are newly honored on streets inside the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
Drive around the infield now and you might find yourself
on Foyt Drive, Unser Lane or Mears Way, named, of
course, for four-time "500" winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser
and Rick Mears.
The three members of the Indianapolis 500's most
exclusive club are newly honored on streets inside the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
Drive around the infield now and you might find yourself
on Foyt Drive, Unser Lane or Mears Way, named, of
course, for four-time "500" winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser
and Rick Mears.
Bryan Clauson Back To Indy
Despite a three-year absence from the "Greatest
Spectacle in Racing," Bryan Clauson feels on more
even footing with the competition as practice began,
thanks to the new aero kits.
Clauson, the multiple national champion in United States
Auto Club sprint and midget racing, made his only Indy
500 appearance in 2012 as a benefactor of an IndyCar
scholarship that funded his ride with Sarah Fisher
Hartman Racing (now CFH Racing). Clauson started
31st and finished 30th, retiring after just 46 laps with
mechanical problems. The Noblesville, Indiana, resident
has had a year to prepare for this opportunity after
being named to drive the No. 88 KVSH Racing/
Jonathan Byrd's Chevrolet in May 2014.
He spent Opening Day going through the mandatory
driver refresher program to get himself back up to speed
at a methodical pace. Clauson, 25, believes the fact that
everyone else has little experience with the new aero kits
will work to his benefit.
Since he last took on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,
Clauson has continued with his stellar sprint car and
midgets career, racking up 66 career USAC national
victories.
Despite a three-year absence from the "Greatest
Spectacle in Racing," Bryan Clauson feels on more
even footing with the competition as practice began,
thanks to the new aero kits.
Clauson, the multiple national champion in United States
Auto Club sprint and midget racing, made his only Indy
500 appearance in 2012 as a benefactor of an IndyCar
scholarship that funded his ride with Sarah Fisher
Hartman Racing (now CFH Racing). Clauson started
31st and finished 30th, retiring after just 46 laps with
mechanical problems. The Noblesville, Indiana, resident
has had a year to prepare for this opportunity after
being named to drive the No. 88 KVSH Racing/
Jonathan Byrd's Chevrolet in May 2014.
He spent Opening Day going through the mandatory
driver refresher program to get himself back up to speed
at a methodical pace. Clauson, 25, believes the fact that
everyone else has little experience with the new aero kits
will work to his benefit.
Since he last took on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,
Clauson has continued with his stellar sprint car and
midgets career, racking up 66 career USAC national
victories.
| Juan Montoya Fastest Opening Day New Superspeedway Aero Kits Premier |
Grand Prix of Indianapolis - Qualifying
May 8 - The starting grid is set for the second annual
Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, with Team Penske's Will Power taking
the pole with a blazing run in Firestone Fast Six qualifying.
Power, the defending Verizon IndyCar Series champion,
broke the IMS road course track record with a time of 1
minute, 9.4886 seconds. Scott Dixon, of Target Chip
Ganassi Racing, will join Power on the front row after
qualifying second with a time of 1:09.7156. A total of 25
drivers are in the field.
May 8 - The starting grid is set for the second annual
Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, with Team Penske's Will Power taking
the pole with a blazing run in Firestone Fast Six qualifying.
Power, the defending Verizon IndyCar Series champion,
broke the IMS road course track record with a time of 1
minute, 9.4886 seconds. Scott Dixon, of Target Chip
Ganassi Racing, will join Power on the front row after
qualifying second with a time of 1:09.7156. A total of 25
drivers are in the field.
STARTING GRID:
1. Will Power Verizon Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
2. Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
3. Helio Castroneves Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
4. Juan Pablo Montoya Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
5. Simon Pagenaud Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
6. Tony Kanaan Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
7. Sebastien Bourdais KVSH Racing (C) Round 2 - Top 12
8. Sebastian Saavedra Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 2 - Top 12
9. Luca Filippi CFH Racing (C) Round 2 - Top 12
10. Stefano Coletti KV Racing Technology (C) Round 2 - Top 12
11. Jack Hawksworth AJ Foyt Enterprises (H) Round 2 - Top 12
12. Josef Newgarden CFH Racing (C) Round 2 - Top 12
13. James Hinchcliffe Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (H) Round 1 - Group 1
14. Charlie Kimball Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 1 - Group 2
15. JR Hildebrand CFH Racing (C) Round 1 - Group 1
16. Gabby Chaves BHA with Curb-Agajanian (H) Round 1 - Group 2
17. Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (H) Round 1 - Group 1
18. Justin Wilson Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 2
19. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 1
20. James Jakes Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (H) Round 1 - Group 2
21. Carlos Munoz Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 1
22. Takuma Sato AJ Foyt Enterprises (H) Round 1 - Group 2
23. Carlos Huertas Dale Coyne Racing (H) Round 1 - Group 1
24. Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 2
25. Francesco Dracone Dale Coyne Racing (H) Round 1 - Group 2
1. Will Power Verizon Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
2. Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
3. Helio Castroneves Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
4. Juan Pablo Montoya Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
5. Simon Pagenaud Team Penske (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
6. Tony Kanaan Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 3 - Firestone Fast Six
7. Sebastien Bourdais KVSH Racing (C) Round 2 - Top 12
8. Sebastian Saavedra Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 2 - Top 12
9. Luca Filippi CFH Racing (C) Round 2 - Top 12
10. Stefano Coletti KV Racing Technology (C) Round 2 - Top 12
11. Jack Hawksworth AJ Foyt Enterprises (H) Round 2 - Top 12
12. Josef Newgarden CFH Racing (C) Round 2 - Top 12
13. James Hinchcliffe Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (H) Round 1 - Group 1
14. Charlie Kimball Chip Ganassi Racing Team (C) Round 1 - Group 2
15. JR Hildebrand CFH Racing (C) Round 1 - Group 1
16. Gabby Chaves BHA with Curb-Agajanian (H) Round 1 - Group 2
17. Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (H) Round 1 - Group 1
18. Justin Wilson Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 2
19. Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 1
20. James Jakes Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (H) Round 1 - Group 2
21. Carlos Munoz Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 1
22. Takuma Sato AJ Foyt Enterprises (H) Round 1 - Group 2
23. Carlos Huertas Dale Coyne Racing (H) Round 1 - Group 1
24. Marco Andretti Andretti Autosport (H) Round 1 - Group 2
25. Francesco Dracone Dale Coyne Racing (H) Round 1 - Group 2
Grand Prix of Indianapolis
May 9 - The only incident during the 82-lap race around
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course occurred
at the first turn of the first lap. Several cars got into the
back of those in front. It looked like Helio Castroneves
bumped and spun Scott Dixon, who was in 2nd place.
Behind them, Jack Hawksworth and Josef Newgarden
went around when Newgarden tapped Stefano Coletti,
causing James Hinchcliffe to get into the back of the
No. 21.
Dixon and others pitted to replace front and even rear
wings. Both Newgarden and Hawksworth needed
assistance in getting re-fired, but also rejoined the race.
Dixon and Newgarden fell off the lead lap before the
restart, which went off without issue.
Will Power had won the pole for the race and he deftly
drove out front all day to the finish and the win.
Graham Rahal had another good drive and finished 2nd
again. Juan Montoya finished third. Rookie Stefano
Colletti finished 8th, his best finish so far this year.
Colletti is from Monaco and previously won a lot of races
n GP2.
May 9 - The only incident during the 82-lap race around
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course occurred
at the first turn of the first lap. Several cars got into the
back of those in front. It looked like Helio Castroneves
bumped and spun Scott Dixon, who was in 2nd place.
Behind them, Jack Hawksworth and Josef Newgarden
went around when Newgarden tapped Stefano Coletti,
causing James Hinchcliffe to get into the back of the
No. 21.
Dixon and others pitted to replace front and even rear
wings. Both Newgarden and Hawksworth needed
assistance in getting re-fired, but also rejoined the race.
Dixon and Newgarden fell off the lead lap before the
restart, which went off without issue.
Will Power had won the pole for the race and he deftly
drove out front all day to the finish and the win.
Graham Rahal had another good drive and finished 2nd
again. Juan Montoya finished third. Rookie Stefano
Colletti finished 8th, his best finish so far this year.
Colletti is from Monaco and previously won a lot of races
n GP2.
Time of race:
Average Speed:
Pole Speed:
Cautions:
Margin of Victory:
Lead changes:
Average Speed:
Pole Speed:
Cautions:
Margin of Victory:
Lead changes:
1:42:42
116.842 mph
126.357 mph
1 for 2 laps
1.502 sec
11
116.842 mph
126.357 mph
1 for 2 laps
1.502 sec
11
| 1st Turn Melee |
Will Power
| <<< DAY 1 - OPENING DAY - TESTING & PRACTICE >>> |
| <<< DAY 2 - ROOKIE ORIENTATION >>> |
May 12 - Helio Castroneves ran the fastest lap in a busy
second day of practice for the "500," 227.514 mph in the
No. 3 Shell V-Power Nitro+ Chevrolet. Teammate Simon
Pagenaud was second in the No. 22 Avaya Team Penske
Chevrolet at 227.382 mph.
"It was a good day. The Shell V-Power Nitro+ car was
super strong, super solid, felt comfortable," said the
three-time Indianapolis 500 champion. "Now we've got to
just keep working with this new aero kit. Today was
basically the second day that we've been working
constantly, but I like what I see. Things are looking in the
right direction. We're not focused on just the lap, we're
focused on the performance of it all."
Andretti Autosport's Simona de Silvestro had her second
fire scare in four years at Indianapolis on Tuesday when
her No. 29 TE Connectivity Honda had a fuel leak that
lead to a fire shortly after 2 p.m.
De Silvestro steered to a stop and climbed out safely but
the car sustained significant damage. The Swiss driver
sustained second-degree burns on her hands in a 2011
Indianapolis 500 practice crash and also had a car catch
fire in 2010 at Texas Motor Speedway. She's hot!
A total of 34 drivers turned 1,958 laps on the 2.5-mile
oval under partly cloudy skies.
second day of practice for the "500," 227.514 mph in the
No. 3 Shell V-Power Nitro+ Chevrolet. Teammate Simon
Pagenaud was second in the No. 22 Avaya Team Penske
Chevrolet at 227.382 mph.
"It was a good day. The Shell V-Power Nitro+ car was
super strong, super solid, felt comfortable," said the
three-time Indianapolis 500 champion. "Now we've got to
just keep working with this new aero kit. Today was
basically the second day that we've been working
constantly, but I like what I see. Things are looking in the
right direction. We're not focused on just the lap, we're
focused on the performance of it all."
Andretti Autosport's Simona de Silvestro had her second
fire scare in four years at Indianapolis on Tuesday when
her No. 29 TE Connectivity Honda had a fuel leak that
lead to a fire shortly after 2 p.m.
De Silvestro steered to a stop and climbed out safely but
the car sustained significant damage. The Swiss driver
sustained second-degree burns on her hands in a 2011
Indianapolis 500 practice crash and also had a car catch
fire in 2010 at Texas Motor Speedway. She's hot!
A total of 34 drivers turned 1,958 laps on the 2.5-mile
oval under partly cloudy skies.
| <<< DAY 3 - PRACTICE >>> |
May 11 - Sporadic rain reduced practice today.
Townsend Bell completed all phases of his refresher test.
Stefano Coletti completed all three phases of his rookie
orientation.
Coletti’s initial impression of the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval: “It’s fast.”
Anything else? “It’s really fast … and fun,” said Coletti,
who completed the three phases of rookie orientation
during on-track sessions today.
Coletti, who has competed in the five Verizon IndyCar
Series road/street course races this season with a best
finish of eighth in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of
Indianapolis on May 9 in the No. 4 KV Racing
Technology Chevrolet, had not driven on a
superspeedway – or any oval – during his GP3 and
GP2 series stint in Europe.
He did not participate in opening day on the oval May
3 – the first opportunity to test the new superspeedway
aerodynamic packages from Chevrolet and Honda –
because of a visa issue in Europe.
“I’ve been waiting for three months to be on this oval,”
said Coletti, 26, the first native of Monaco to drive in
an Indy car race since Louis Chiron competed in the
1929 Indianapolis 500. “I’ve always watched (the Indy
500) since I was a kid and I’ve always wanted to race in
the ‘500.’ The atmosphere and all the people here looks
incredible on TV, and being here is a dream come true."
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk
offered instructions before the test and was on the pit
lane stand with supplemental pointers via the radio.
“When I coach somebody it’s almost as exciting as
driving yourself because it’s nice to see somebody pick
up the pace quickly and pick up the lines around the
track quickly,” said Luyendyk, who 25 years ago won
his first Indy 500. “So far, I’m happy with the lines
he’s taken because that’s really important here.”
Gabby Chaves, the 2014 Indy Lights champion who is
driving the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport entry,
completed his rookie orientation test May 3.
Townsend Bell completed all phases of his refresher test.
Stefano Coletti completed all three phases of his rookie
orientation.
Coletti’s initial impression of the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval: “It’s fast.”
Anything else? “It’s really fast … and fun,” said Coletti,
who completed the three phases of rookie orientation
during on-track sessions today.
Coletti, who has competed in the five Verizon IndyCar
Series road/street course races this season with a best
finish of eighth in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of
Indianapolis on May 9 in the No. 4 KV Racing
Technology Chevrolet, had not driven on a
superspeedway – or any oval – during his GP3 and
GP2 series stint in Europe.
He did not participate in opening day on the oval May
3 – the first opportunity to test the new superspeedway
aerodynamic packages from Chevrolet and Honda –
because of a visa issue in Europe.
“I’ve been waiting for three months to be on this oval,”
said Coletti, 26, the first native of Monaco to drive in
an Indy car race since Louis Chiron competed in the
1929 Indianapolis 500. “I’ve always watched (the Indy
500) since I was a kid and I’ve always wanted to race in
the ‘500.’ The atmosphere and all the people here looks
incredible on TV, and being here is a dream come true."
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk
offered instructions before the test and was on the pit
lane stand with supplemental pointers via the radio.
“When I coach somebody it’s almost as exciting as
driving yourself because it’s nice to see somebody pick
up the pace quickly and pick up the lines around the
track quickly,” said Luyendyk, who 25 years ago won
his first Indy 500. “So far, I’m happy with the lines
he’s taken because that’s really important here.”
Gabby Chaves, the 2014 Indy Lights champion who is
driving the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport entry,
completed his rookie orientation test May 3.
| Stefano Coletti |
| Stefano Coletti's car above Oriol Servia's |
| Townsend Bell |
| Tim Cindric and Helio Castroneves |
| Simona de Silvestro fire |
| <<< DAY 4 - PRACTICE >>> |
May 13 - Helio Castroneves had a wild ride today after
he made contact with the Turn 2 wall. After the car
spun backwards, it caught air and flew into the air,
flipping. See video below.
Luckily Castroneves was uninjured. In fact, later in the
day he got into another car and went out to practice
some more!
he made contact with the Turn 2 wall. After the car
spun backwards, it caught air and flew into the air,
flipping. See video below.
Luckily Castroneves was uninjured. In fact, later in the
day he got into another car and went out to practice
some more!
| Video of Castroneves' Crash |
I wonder if Chevy will have to make changes to their
superspeedway aero kits to somehow avoid this
happening again.
superspeedway aero kits to somehow avoid this
happening again.
At 5pm, Pippa Mann spun exiting Turn 4 and made
contact with the inside wall, bounced back and hit the
pit-in attenuator, which spun her more and she then slid
into the outer wall. She said she escaped with just a
couple of bruises.
At 5:54 p.m., Carlos Munoz completes lap of 230.121
mph, fastest of the month. No practice laps above 230
mph were turned last year until “Fast Friday” on May
16, 2014, when engine manufacturers were permitted to
increase turbocharger boost levels from 130 kPa to 140
kPa. The turbocharger boost level is at 130 kPa this
week, until Friday’s practice.
contact with the inside wall, bounced back and hit the
pit-in attenuator, which spun her more and she then slid
into the outer wall. She said she escaped with just a
couple of bruises.
At 5:54 p.m., Carlos Munoz completes lap of 230.121
mph, fastest of the month. No practice laps above 230
mph were turned last year until “Fast Friday” on May
16, 2014, when engine manufacturers were permitted to
increase turbocharger boost levels from 130 kPa to 140
kPa. The turbocharger boost level is at 130 kPa this
week, until Friday’s practice.
| Pippa Mann's Pink Crashed Car |
| <<< DAY 5 - PRACTICE >>> |
May 14 - Another beautiful day at the track.
Tristan Vautier, 2013 IndyCar Rookie of the Year,
completed his refresher course today. He will be standing
in for Dale Coyne's James Davison this
weekend. Vautier will try to qualify Davison's car while
Davison is competing in a sports car in Canada this
weekend.
At 5:19pm, Josef Newgarden did a half spin to the left
and made hard left front contact with the SAFER Barrier
in Turn 1. The car overturned and slid down the
racetrack and came to rest in the warmup lane in Turn 2.
Newgarden was checked by Dr. Michael Olinger and
cleared to drive.
Tristan Vautier, 2013 IndyCar Rookie of the Year,
completed his refresher course today. He will be standing
in for Dale Coyne's James Davison this
weekend. Vautier will try to qualify Davison's car while
Davison is competing in a sports car in Canada this
weekend.
At 5:19pm, Josef Newgarden did a half spin to the left
and made hard left front contact with the SAFER Barrier
in Turn 1. The car overturned and slid down the
racetrack and came to rest in the warmup lane in Turn 2.
Newgarden was checked by Dr. Michael Olinger and
cleared to drive.
| Tristan Vautier |
| Josef Newgarden's Crash |
| <<< DAY 6 - FAST FRIDAY >>> |
May 15 - For today’s practice and this weekend’s
qualifications, the boost level is increased from 130
kPa to 140 kPa. The change in pressure adds about a
40-horsepower boost to the engines produced by
Chevrolet and Honda. The boost level will return to
130 kPa for the race.
The day started out decent for racing, but the temps
and humidity rose throughout the afternoon making
the track more slippery.
All of the NFL Indianapolis Colts rookies came out to
experience IMS today and were quite impressed by
the speeds. Six drivers got over 230 mph today. All
four of the Penske drivers were in the top 10.
Beth Paretta, former marketing director for SRT
Motorsports (think Dodge and Vipers) joined CART
driver Katherine Legge today to announce a new
race team that will try to compete in next year's Indy
500. The team will be called Grace Autosport and
will feature all females in all leading roles of the team.
“This is a very visible campaign for women’s
empowerment,” said Paretta. “Motor racing is one of
the few sports where men and women can compete
side by side and win.”
Rookie Stefano Coletti said, "This is my first time on
an oval so we had to take it slow. Going at that speed,
it is not something I am used to. So we took it step-by-
step, slowly reducing the aero and trying to go faster
each time. I have to be honest. After the first two days
it was pretty difficult because, like I said, I am not used
to going these kinds of speeds. I finally did get used to
it and today was the first time we actually started to get
close to a qualifying trim.
qualifications, the boost level is increased from 130
kPa to 140 kPa. The change in pressure adds about a
40-horsepower boost to the engines produced by
Chevrolet and Honda. The boost level will return to
130 kPa for the race.
The day started out decent for racing, but the temps
and humidity rose throughout the afternoon making
the track more slippery.
All of the NFL Indianapolis Colts rookies came out to
experience IMS today and were quite impressed by
the speeds. Six drivers got over 230 mph today. All
four of the Penske drivers were in the top 10.
Beth Paretta, former marketing director for SRT
Motorsports (think Dodge and Vipers) joined CART
driver Katherine Legge today to announce a new
race team that will try to compete in next year's Indy
500. The team will be called Grace Autosport and
will feature all females in all leading roles of the team.
“This is a very visible campaign for women’s
empowerment,” said Paretta. “Motor racing is one of
the few sports where men and women can compete
side by side and win.”
Rookie Stefano Coletti said, "This is my first time on
an oval so we had to take it slow. Going at that speed,
it is not something I am used to. So we took it step-by-
step, slowly reducing the aero and trying to go faster
each time. I have to be honest. After the first two days
it was pretty difficult because, like I said, I am not used
to going these kinds of speeds. I finally did get used to
it and today was the first time we actually started to get
close to a qualifying trim.
| The Colt's rookies talk to Josef Newgarden |
| Stefano Coletti |
| <<< DAY 7 - 1st DAY of QUALIFYING >>> |
May 16 - After several cars practiced today, two car
were able to attempt to qualify before rain came and
prevented any further track action.
Carlos Huertas was first to qualify. His four-lap average
was 228.235 mph
Ryan Hunter-Reay qualified next at 229.845 mph.
The track was then closed at 2:06 pm.
Because there was not a complete run through the
qualifying line, qualifying times posted today are deleted.
Ali Mathena of Whiteland, Ind., was crowned the
2015 500 Festival queen. Mathena is a junior at
Purdue University.
were able to attempt to qualify before rain came and
prevented any further track action.
Carlos Huertas was first to qualify. His four-lap average
was 228.235 mph
Ryan Hunter-Reay qualified next at 229.845 mph.
The track was then closed at 2:06 pm.
Because there was not a complete run through the
qualifying line, qualifying times posted today are deleted.
Ali Mathena of Whiteland, Ind., was crowned the
2015 500 Festival queen. Mathena is a junior at
Purdue University.
May 17 - Ed Carpenter hit the turn 2 wall, spun and
got airborn. This was the third time a similar accident
has happened in the last 5 days prompting concern
about the new aero-package, especially the Chevy as
all three cars that got air born were Chevys.
IndyCar's reaction has been to
1) reduce turbo boost pressure back to the normal 140
kPa.
2) They also will require qualifying cars to use race
trim.
Due to the one day qualifying because of rain,
1) No championship points will be awarded this year
for qualifying.
2) The scheduled "Fast Nine Shootout" -- the fastest
nine cars from initial qualifications returning for a single
four-lap timed run to determine the Verizon P1 Award
and first three rows for the May 24 race -- has been
canceled.
Since there are drivers who have not had a chance to
practice, qualifying has been pushed back to 3:15pm.
I was afraid it would rain, but it remained dry the rest
of the afternoon!
Everyone was watching to see if Ed Carpenter could
win his 3rd pole in a row, which would have been a
first. However he qualified at 224.883 mph, currently
placing hin in 11th.
Scott Dixon had the fastest 4-lap average today of
226.760 mph and he will be leading the field of 33 cars
to the green flag next Sunday!
got airborn. This was the third time a similar accident
has happened in the last 5 days prompting concern
about the new aero-package, especially the Chevy as
all three cars that got air born were Chevys.
IndyCar's reaction has been to
1) reduce turbo boost pressure back to the normal 140
kPa.
2) They also will require qualifying cars to use race
trim.
Due to the one day qualifying because of rain,
1) No championship points will be awarded this year
for qualifying.
2) The scheduled "Fast Nine Shootout" -- the fastest
nine cars from initial qualifications returning for a single
four-lap timed run to determine the Verizon P1 Award
and first three rows for the May 24 race -- has been
canceled.
Since there are drivers who have not had a chance to
practice, qualifying has been pushed back to 3:15pm.
I was afraid it would rain, but it remained dry the rest
of the afternoon!
Everyone was watching to see if Ed Carpenter could
win his 3rd pole in a row, which would have been a
first. However he qualified at 224.883 mph, currently
placing hin in 11th.
Scott Dixon had the fastest 4-lap average today of
226.760 mph and he will be leading the field of 33 cars
to the green flag next Sunday!
| <<< DAY 8 - 2nd DAY of QUALIFYING >>> |
| Armed Forces Day at the speedway |
| Practice speeds before change |
| <<< DAY 9 - PRACTICE >>> |
May 18 - James Hinchcliffe crashed heavily into the
Turn 3 wall at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during
practice today because of a mechanical failure.
According to timing and scoring data, he was carrying at
least 228mph of momentum before a right-front suspension
failure sent the No. 5 ARROW Dallara-Honda into the
SAFER barrier nose first. Without the ability to steer the
car, Hinchcliffe was unable to alter his course. The force of
the impact reportedly measured 125 Gs.
Many observers, including those who've witnessed some of
the most troubling crashes at Indianapolis, believe
Hinchcliffe's impact was among the most violent on record.
Upon reaching the crash site, emergency workers radioed
the incident in as a "Code 5," which is reserved for
traumatic situations.
In the impact, which flattened the right side of the chassis,
one of the suspension wishbones penetrated the Dallara
safety cell, and subsequently caused the majority of the
physical damage Hinchcliffe received. Hinchcliffe had the
steel wishbone enter and exit his right leg, then enter his
upper left thigh, and continue into his pelvic region before it
came to a stop.
The suspension component pinned the 28-year-old
Canadian in the car, leading the safety team to cut the
wishbone from the chassis to allow Hinchcliffe's extraction.
With the multiple intrusions, Hinchcliffe experienced
massive blood loss at the crash site, and despite the gravity
of the soft tissue injuries to his lower extremities, stopping
the bleeding became an immediate priority for the medical
staff to address once he was pulled from the chassis.
After being placed in the ambulance, the doctors and
technicians inside evidently stabilized Hinchcliffe's injuries.
Great response by IndyCar's safety and medical teams
more than likely saved his life.
Turn 3 wall at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during
practice today because of a mechanical failure.
According to timing and scoring data, he was carrying at
least 228mph of momentum before a right-front suspension
failure sent the No. 5 ARROW Dallara-Honda into the
SAFER barrier nose first. Without the ability to steer the
car, Hinchcliffe was unable to alter his course. The force of
the impact reportedly measured 125 Gs.
Many observers, including those who've witnessed some of
the most troubling crashes at Indianapolis, believe
Hinchcliffe's impact was among the most violent on record.
Upon reaching the crash site, emergency workers radioed
the incident in as a "Code 5," which is reserved for
traumatic situations.
In the impact, which flattened the right side of the chassis,
one of the suspension wishbones penetrated the Dallara
safety cell, and subsequently caused the majority of the
physical damage Hinchcliffe received. Hinchcliffe had the
steel wishbone enter and exit his right leg, then enter his
upper left thigh, and continue into his pelvic region before it
came to a stop.
The suspension component pinned the 28-year-old
Canadian in the car, leading the safety team to cut the
wishbone from the chassis to allow Hinchcliffe's extraction.
With the multiple intrusions, Hinchcliffe experienced
massive blood loss at the crash site, and despite the gravity
of the soft tissue injuries to his lower extremities, stopping
the bleeding became an immediate priority for the medical
staff to address once he was pulled from the chassis.
After being placed in the ambulance, the doctors and
technicians inside evidently stabilized Hinchcliffe's injuries.
Great response by IndyCar's safety and medical teams
more than likely saved his life.
BUMPED!
Nothing went Buddy Lazier's way and he failed to
qualify.
"We missed the whole day of practice, we were rained
out the other day, we missed practice on Thursday,"
Lazier said. "You get a late start and you are a small
effort, you are really going to be up against it."
Lazier said an upright and an axle broke on the car and
by the time he got in line for qualifying, it was nearly too
late.
It's not unfamiliar territory for Lazier, though, who has
seen the highs and the lows of racing at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway.
The 47-year old failed to qualify in his first attempt to
race in the Indy 500 back in 1989 and was bumped from
the field the following year. He failed to qualify in 1993
and 1994.
Then, he won the race in 1996, while mending from a
broken back!
Nothing went Buddy Lazier's way and he failed to
qualify.
"We missed the whole day of practice, we were rained
out the other day, we missed practice on Thursday,"
Lazier said. "You get a late start and you are a small
effort, you are really going to be up against it."
Lazier said an upright and an axle broke on the car and
by the time he got in line for qualifying, it was nearly too
late.
It's not unfamiliar territory for Lazier, though, who has
seen the highs and the lows of racing at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway.
The 47-year old failed to qualify in his first attempt to
race in the Indy 500 back in 1989 and was bumped from
the field the following year. He failed to qualify in 1993
and 1994.
Then, he won the race in 1996, while mending from a
broken back!
Jordin Sparks To Sing National Anthem
May 18 - Grammy-nominated multi-platinum recording
artist and actress Jordin Sparks will sing the national
anthem during pre-race ceremonies at the Indianapolis
500 on Sunday.
In 2007, Sparks rose to fame after becoming the
youngest champion in series' history to win American
Idol at the age of 17.
"The opportunity to sing at the world's largest one-day
sporting event is the thrill of a lifetime," Sparks said. "I
can't wait to be part of it."
May 18 - Grammy-nominated multi-platinum recording
artist and actress Jordin Sparks will sing the national
anthem during pre-race ceremonies at the Indianapolis
500 on Sunday.
In 2007, Sparks rose to fame after becoming the
youngest champion in series' history to win American
Idol at the age of 17.
"The opportunity to sing at the world's largest one-day
sporting event is the thrill of a lifetime," Sparks said. "I
can't wait to be part of it."
Sparks is the only American Idol contestant to have her
first five singles reach the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard
Hot 100 charts. Throughout her career, Sparks has won
numerous awards, including an American Music Award, a
BET Award, an NAACP Image Award, a People's
Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards.
Joining a growing list of distinguished "500" anthem
singers, Sparks follows in the footsteps of LeAnn Rimes,
Kelly Clarkson, Seal, Julianne Hough, Jessica Simpson,
Steven Tyler and Jewel in honoring our nation before
"The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
first five singles reach the top 20 on the U.S. Billboard
Hot 100 charts. Throughout her career, Sparks has won
numerous awards, including an American Music Award, a
BET Award, an NAACP Image Award, a People's
Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards.
Joining a growing list of distinguished "500" anthem
singers, Sparks follows in the footsteps of LeAnn Rimes,
Kelly Clarkson, Seal, Julianne Hough, Jessica Simpson,
Steven Tyler and Jewel in honoring our nation before
"The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
He was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where
he underwent surgery.
"He's probably not going to race anymore this year but the
most important thing is that all those great people saved his
life," said his friend.
he underwent surgery.
"He's probably not going to race anymore this year but the
most important thing is that all those great people saved his
life," said his friend.
Community Day Update
This year all the drivers are celebrating Community Day by
going out into the community.
They plan to visit 9.000 school children at the Fitness Farm
on 44th Street, where theyll cheer on and assist kids as
they engage in a variety of health and wellness events.
J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president,
said, "To be able to introduce our starting field to
thousands of Indianapolis Public School students is a great
opportunity, and I think by the end of the day we'll have a
few thousand new race fans."
This year all the drivers are celebrating Community Day by
going out into the community.
They plan to visit 9.000 school children at the Fitness Farm
on 44th Street, where theyll cheer on and assist kids as
they engage in a variety of health and wellness events.
J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president,
said, "To be able to introduce our starting field to
thousands of Indianapolis Public School students is a great
opportunity, and I think by the end of the day we'll have a
few thousand new race fans."
INDY 500 NOTES
Tony Kanaan has finished in the top four in three of the
last four Indianapolis 500s, including his win in 2013.
Carlos Munoz and Juan Montoya have each finished
in top five in their two previous Indianapolis 500 starts.
There are two rookies this year - Gabby Chaves and
Stefano Coletti.
Tony Kanaan has finished in the top four in three of the
last four Indianapolis 500s, including his win in 2013.
Carlos Munoz and Juan Montoya have each finished
in top five in their two previous Indianapolis 500 starts.
There are two rookies this year - Gabby Chaves and
Stefano Coletti.
May 3
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 22
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 22
Juan Montoya
Sage Karam
Helio Castroneves
Carlos Munoz
Simon Pagenaud
Simon Pagenaud
Helio Castroneves
Will Power
Sage Karam
Will Power
Sage Karam
Helio Castroneves
Carlos Munoz
Simon Pagenaud
Simon Pagenaud
Helio Castroneves
Will Power
Sage Karam
Will Power
226.772 mph
225.802 mph
227.514 mph
230.121 mph
228.793 mph
230.698 mph
233.474 mph
227.377 mph
227.831 mph
229.020 mph
225.802 mph
227.514 mph
230.121 mph
228.793 mph
230.698 mph
233.474 mph
227.377 mph
227.831 mph
229.020 mph
Date
Driver
Speed
| FASTEST SPEED IN PRACTICE |
May 12
May 13
May 13
May 14
May 16
May 18
May 13
May 13
May 14
May 16
May 18
Simona de Silvestro
Helio Castroneves
Pippa Mann
Josef Newgarden
Ed Carpenter
James Hinchcliffe
Helio Castroneves
Pippa Mann
Josef Newgarden
Ed Carpenter
James Hinchcliffe
Car fire
Hit T2 wall and flipped over
Hits walls on front straight
Hard hit T1, flipped
Hard hit T2, flipped
Dangerously Hard hit T3
Hit T2 wall and flipped over
Hits walls on front straight
Hard hit T1, flipped
Hard hit T2, flipped
Dangerously Hard hit T3
| TRACK MISHAPS THIS MONTH (not including Grand Prix) |
She's OK
He's OK
She's OK
He's OK
He's OK
Surgery
He's OK
She's OK
He's OK
He's OK
Surgery
May 24 - With the retirement of Jim Nabors, a
group of male acapella singers who call themselves
"Straight No Chaser" sang "Back Home Again".
Nascar driver Jeff Gordon drove the Z06 Corvette
pace car to lead the 33-drivers to the green flag today.
Actor and racer Patrick Dempsey waved the green
flag as honorary starter.
The weather was nice today, not hot, but windy.
There were drivers from 11 countries competing
today.
The oldest driver in today's field was Alex Tagliani
(41) and the youngest was Sage Karam (20).
Conor Daly's car began smoking on the parade lap
and before he knew it, his day was over.
Scott Dixon, driving the Target Chip Ganassi car, led
the field from pole. He would lead a lot today.
There was a first lap incident between Sage Karam,
Takuma Sato and Ryan Briscoe. Karam was
unable to return to the race.
Another incident occurred on the restart between
Juan Montoya and Simona de Silvestro
Tony Kanaan and Simon Pagenaud had success
early in the race swapping the lead with Dixon.
On lap 64. Bryan Clauson hit the turn 4 wall.
On lap 110, Ed Carpenter and Oriol Servia tangled
in turn 1 and then made contact with the wall.
Kanaan was having a good day until lap 153 when
he spun and hit the wall in turn 3.
A pit lane incident injured two Dale Coyne crew
members. Greg Senerius was ok, but Daniel Jang
was transported to the hospital with an ankle injury.
On lap 177, Jack Hawksworth hit Sebastian
Saavedra. They hit the turn 4 wall. Stefano Coletti,
came along and ran into one of the cars.
Juan Montoya ended up at the back of the field today
after an early incident. He came charging back
through out the day, passing cars and moving up to
the front.
During the remaining laps, the lead was contested
by Dixon, Pagenaud, Montoya and Will Power.
Juan Montoya chose the right strategy and passed
Power on lap 197. Montoya was able to keep the
lead to the checkered flag, beating Power to the line in
0.1046 of a second. This was the 4th closest finish
in 500 history. Montoya led 9 laps today. Dixon led
the most laps today at 84.
Montoya said, “It was fun and the Verizon Chevy
was good all day. These guys, Team Penske, did an
amazing job. I had the feeling that I had a really
good car, but that fight at the end was really, really
hard. Oh my god. It’s awesome.”
Montoya's team-owner Roger Penske said,
"Montoya coming all the way from the back, I’ll tell
you. You give that guy the bit and put it in his
mouth and he doesn’t give up. It’s a great day for
Team Penske. I’m just so thrilled for everybody that
works for us in our company and all the people who
support us. What a great day.” (About watching his
drivers duel for the lead): “I knew we had two up
there, but the worry was (Scott) Dixon and the 83
(Charlie Kimball). At the end of the day, they played
fair. Good passing and we won the race. That’s all I
can say.” This was Penske's 16th Indy 500 win as a
car owner.
Montoya won the race 15 years ago as a rookie,
before leaving for Formula 1. He returned to
IndyCars last year where he finished the 2014 Indy
500 in 5th place.
group of male acapella singers who call themselves
"Straight No Chaser" sang "Back Home Again".
Nascar driver Jeff Gordon drove the Z06 Corvette
pace car to lead the 33-drivers to the green flag today.
Actor and racer Patrick Dempsey waved the green
flag as honorary starter.
The weather was nice today, not hot, but windy.
There were drivers from 11 countries competing
today.
The oldest driver in today's field was Alex Tagliani
(41) and the youngest was Sage Karam (20).
Conor Daly's car began smoking on the parade lap
and before he knew it, his day was over.
Scott Dixon, driving the Target Chip Ganassi car, led
the field from pole. He would lead a lot today.
There was a first lap incident between Sage Karam,
Takuma Sato and Ryan Briscoe. Karam was
unable to return to the race.
Another incident occurred on the restart between
Juan Montoya and Simona de Silvestro
Tony Kanaan and Simon Pagenaud had success
early in the race swapping the lead with Dixon.
On lap 64. Bryan Clauson hit the turn 4 wall.
On lap 110, Ed Carpenter and Oriol Servia tangled
in turn 1 and then made contact with the wall.
Kanaan was having a good day until lap 153 when
he spun and hit the wall in turn 3.
A pit lane incident injured two Dale Coyne crew
members. Greg Senerius was ok, but Daniel Jang
was transported to the hospital with an ankle injury.
On lap 177, Jack Hawksworth hit Sebastian
Saavedra. They hit the turn 4 wall. Stefano Coletti,
came along and ran into one of the cars.
Juan Montoya ended up at the back of the field today
after an early incident. He came charging back
through out the day, passing cars and moving up to
the front.
During the remaining laps, the lead was contested
by Dixon, Pagenaud, Montoya and Will Power.
Juan Montoya chose the right strategy and passed
Power on lap 197. Montoya was able to keep the
lead to the checkered flag, beating Power to the line in
0.1046 of a second. This was the 4th closest finish
in 500 history. Montoya led 9 laps today. Dixon led
the most laps today at 84.
Montoya said, “It was fun and the Verizon Chevy
was good all day. These guys, Team Penske, did an
amazing job. I had the feeling that I had a really
good car, but that fight at the end was really, really
hard. Oh my god. It’s awesome.”
Montoya's team-owner Roger Penske said,
"Montoya coming all the way from the back, I’ll tell
you. You give that guy the bit and put it in his
mouth and he doesn’t give up. It’s a great day for
Team Penske. I’m just so thrilled for everybody that
works for us in our company and all the people who
support us. What a great day.” (About watching his
drivers duel for the lead): “I knew we had two up
there, but the worry was (Scott) Dixon and the 83
(Charlie Kimball). At the end of the day, they played
fair. Good passing and we won the race. That’s all I
can say.” This was Penske's 16th Indy 500 win as a
car owner.
Montoya won the race 15 years ago as a rookie,
before leaving for Formula 1. He returned to
IndyCars last year where he finished the 2014 Indy
500 in 5th place.
| <<< DAY 10 - CARB DAY >>> |
May 22 - Verizon IndyCar Series driver Carlos Huertas
has been ruled out of the Indianapolis 500 with an inner
ear condition. The 23-year-old Colombian is out for the
remainder of Indianapolis 500 on-track activities,
including today’s Coors Light Carb Day practice and the
May 24 race. Tristan Vautier, the 2012 Indy Lights
champion and 2013 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of
the Year who qualified the No. 19 Coyne entry for the
“500” May 17 while filling in for James Davison, was
named to replace Huertas in the No. 18 car. Vautier will
start 32nd based on entrant points.
The IndyCars practiced for an hour before noon. Carb
Day is there last chance to get on the track before the
500-mile race. Will Power had the fastest lap speed
(229.020 mph.)
The Indy Lights series Freedom 100 race started at 1:30
p.m. It was supposed to be a 100-mile (40-Lap) race.
Ethan Ringel had the pole position. Jack Harvey and
Ringel would swap the lead throughout the race. With
two laps to go, Ed Jones crashed in turn 4. Harvey won
the race under caution.
has been ruled out of the Indianapolis 500 with an inner
ear condition. The 23-year-old Colombian is out for the
remainder of Indianapolis 500 on-track activities,
including today’s Coors Light Carb Day practice and the
May 24 race. Tristan Vautier, the 2012 Indy Lights
champion and 2013 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of
the Year who qualified the No. 19 Coyne entry for the
“500” May 17 while filling in for James Davison, was
named to replace Huertas in the No. 18 car. Vautier will
start 32nd based on entrant points.
The IndyCars practiced for an hour before noon. Carb
Day is there last chance to get on the track before the
500-mile race. Will Power had the fastest lap speed
(229.020 mph.)
The Indy Lights series Freedom 100 race started at 1:30
p.m. It was supposed to be a 100-mile (40-Lap) race.
Ethan Ringel had the pole position. Jack Harvey and
Ringel would swap the lead throughout the race. With
two laps to go, Ed Jones crashed in turn 4. Harvey won
the race under caution.
May 21 - IndyCar announced Thursday a five-year deal
for the Verizon IndyCar Series to race in the South
Boston Waterfront area, beginning on Labor Day
weekend 2016. The Grand Prix of Boston from Sept.
2-4, 2016, will feature an 11-turn, 2.25-mile temporary
street course that surrounds the Boston Convention and
Exhibition Center. The event marks the first time
IndyCar has raced in the Boston area, a key northeast
market for the series.
for the Verizon IndyCar Series to race in the South
Boston Waterfront area, beginning on Labor Day
weekend 2016. The Grand Prix of Boston from Sept.
2-4, 2016, will feature an 11-turn, 2.25-mile temporary
street course that surrounds the Boston Convention and
Exhibition Center. The event marks the first time
IndyCar has raced in the Boston area, a key northeast
market for the series.
May 21 - May 22 - Veteran driver Ryan Briscoe was
named Thursday to replace injured James Hinchcliffe
in the No. 5 Arrow/Lucas Oil Honda for Schmidt
Peterson Motorsports in the Indianapolis 500. Briscoe
has won seven races in an Indy car career that began in
2005. He will make his 10th Indianapolis 500 start and
130th overall in Indy car racing Sunday. He was the
2012 Indy 500 pole sitter.
named Thursday to replace injured James Hinchcliffe
in the No. 5 Arrow/Lucas Oil Honda for Schmidt
Peterson Motorsports in the Indianapolis 500. Briscoe
has won seven races in an Indy car career that began in
2005. He will make his 10th Indianapolis 500 start and
130th overall in Indy car racing Sunday. He was the
2012 Indy 500 pole sitter.
| <<< DAY 11 - 99th INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE DAY >>> |
| Jack Harvey |
The Pit Stop competition is an annual event on Carb Day
where certain teams and drivers are selected to compete
head-to-head in elimination rounds. Helio Castroneves
and his Penske race team won today. With today's TAG
Heuer Pit Stop Challenge triumph, Team Penske has won
the event a record 15 times. Castroneves owns the most
TAG Heuer Pit Stop Challenge titles by a driver with
seven, all with Team Penske. Castroneves and his crew
will take home the $50,000 first place prize out of the total
TAG Heuer Pit Stop Challenge purse of $100,000.
After that, fans headed over to the fourth turn infield to
watch the annual Carb Day concert. This year it
featured three acts: O.A.R., .38 Special and Jane's
Addiction. Each act performed for one hour and was
over with at 6:30 p.m.
where certain teams and drivers are selected to compete
head-to-head in elimination rounds. Helio Castroneves
and his Penske race team won today. With today's TAG
Heuer Pit Stop Challenge triumph, Team Penske has won
the event a record 15 times. Castroneves owns the most
TAG Heuer Pit Stop Challenge titles by a driver with
seven, all with Team Penske. Castroneves and his crew
will take home the $50,000 first place prize out of the total
TAG Heuer Pit Stop Challenge purse of $100,000.
After that, fans headed over to the fourth turn infield to
watch the annual Carb Day concert. This year it
featured three acts: O.A.R., .38 Special and Jane's
Addiction. Each act performed for one hour and was
over with at 6:30 p.m.
| Tag Heuer Pit Stop Challenge |
| Jane's Addiction performing |
Juan Pablo Montoya earned $2,449,055 from an
overall purse of $13,397,315 for his victory Sunday,
May 24, in the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
overall purse of $13,397,315 for his victory Sunday,
May 24, in the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Mile Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Flyover (A-10C Warthog - Indiana Air National Guard
122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind.)
122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne, Ind.)
| Juan Montoya's lead over 2nd place Will Power |
| Oriol Servia and Ed Carpenter wreck |
| Arie Luyendyk got a laugh wearing a wig and his old suit. |
| Juan Montoya leading Scott Dixon |
Hinchcliffe Released From Hospital
May 27 - IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe was
released from IU Health Methodist Hospital in
Indianapolis on May 26, following surgery May 18 for
an upper left thigh and pelvic injury suffered in a
practice crash on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
oval.
He returned to his Indianapolis area home and is
expected to make a full recovery. Hinchcliffe, 28, of
Toronto, has not been cleared by the IndyCar medical
staff to resume competition.
Conor Daly will fill in for Hinchcliffe in the No. 5
Arrow/Lucas Oil Honda for Schmidt Peterson
Motorsports this weekend in the Dual in Detroit
doubleheader on the 2.3-mile Belle Isle street circuit.
Veteran IndyCar Series driver Ryan Briscoe drove
Hinch's car in the Indy 500 where he finished in
12th-place.
May 27 - IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe was
released from IU Health Methodist Hospital in
Indianapolis on May 26, following surgery May 18 for
an upper left thigh and pelvic injury suffered in a
practice crash on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
oval.
He returned to his Indianapolis area home and is
expected to make a full recovery. Hinchcliffe, 28, of
Toronto, has not been cleared by the IndyCar medical
staff to resume competition.
Conor Daly will fill in for Hinchcliffe in the No. 5
Arrow/Lucas Oil Honda for Schmidt Peterson
Motorsports this weekend in the Dual in Detroit
doubleheader on the 2.3-mile Belle Isle street circuit.
Veteran IndyCar Series driver Ryan Briscoe drove
Hinch's car in the Indy 500 where he finished in
12th-place.
| James Hinchcliffe and Will Power |
First Pit Stop Challenge: 1977
Total prize money: $100,000 (first place $50,000, runner-up $15,000)
2014 winner: No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing (driver Scott Dixon)
Competition procedures: Cars compete head-to-head in elimination rounds. Each car must drive into its pit
box, with the crew completing a four-tire change and simulated fuel hookup before the car exits the pit box
and crosses the finish line. The time clock begins for a car when it enters its pit box and ends when it crosses
the finish line. The fastest time of the two cars competing wins the round. Penalty time may be added for
various infractions including loose wheel nuts and running over air hoses.
Total prize money: $100,000 (first place $50,000, runner-up $15,000)
2014 winner: No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing (driver Scott Dixon)
Competition procedures: Cars compete head-to-head in elimination rounds. Each car must drive into its pit
box, with the crew completing a four-tire change and simulated fuel hookup before the car exits the pit box
and crosses the finish line. The time clock begins for a car when it enters its pit box and ends when it crosses
the finish line. The fastest time of the two cars competing wins the round. Penalty time may be added for
various infractions including loose wheel nuts and running over air hoses.
Rain ends 1st Dual in Detroit
May 30 - A wet track caused chaos in today's IndyCar
race. Five cars crashed in the first 14 laps in three
separate incidents.
Takuma Sato moved from 3rd to 1st place in the first
three laps. He later suffered damage and fell back, but
his teammate, Jack Hawksworth would also lead
today.
As the track dried, Marco Andretti was the first to pit
for slick tires. This strategy enabled him to take over
the lead.
On lap 25, Carlos Munoz pushed Tristan Vautier off
and into a foam barrier, but Vautier was able to reverse
and get back on track!
On lap 34 as the field began to go green, Ryan
Hunter-Reay hit Conor Daly, who ducked right into
the pits.
Andretti's engine had a temporary engine malfunction
which dropped him back to 5th.
Sage Karam did a drive through penalty for blocking.
Scott Dixon was the first to pit for rain tires. Soon,
many others followed which left Andretti in the lead.
He bravely drove on lap after lap on slicks as the rain
threatened. However, he finally had to pit for fuel on
lap 41. This lost him the race as it was red flagged on
lap 48 of 70.
Munoz ended up winning his first IndyCar race. He
races for Andretti Autosport.
May 30 - A wet track caused chaos in today's IndyCar
race. Five cars crashed in the first 14 laps in three
separate incidents.
Takuma Sato moved from 3rd to 1st place in the first
three laps. He later suffered damage and fell back, but
his teammate, Jack Hawksworth would also lead
today.
As the track dried, Marco Andretti was the first to pit
for slick tires. This strategy enabled him to take over
the lead.
On lap 25, Carlos Munoz pushed Tristan Vautier off
and into a foam barrier, but Vautier was able to reverse
and get back on track!
On lap 34 as the field began to go green, Ryan
Hunter-Reay hit Conor Daly, who ducked right into
the pits.
Andretti's engine had a temporary engine malfunction
which dropped him back to 5th.
Sage Karam did a drive through penalty for blocking.
Scott Dixon was the first to pit for rain tires. Soon,
many others followed which left Andretti in the lead.
He bravely drove on lap after lap on slicks as the rain
threatened. However, he finally had to pit for fuel on
lap 41. This lost him the race as it was red flagged on
lap 48 of 70.
Munoz ended up winning his first IndyCar race. He
races for Andretti Autosport.
Detroit Race #2 is Wet
May 31 - Qualifying was rained out, so the field lined
up based on entrant points. The cars all started on rain
tires. Besides having tread, rain tires are softer than
even the red sticker tires. The tread can break apart
when ran in the dry.
At the start, Will Power moved ahead of pole sitter
Juan Montoya. Montoya passed him back the next
lap and began to pull away.
Carlos Munoz lost water pressure and pulled off the
track on lap 6.
It soon began to rain again. James Jakes regretted
pitting for slicks on lap 2 and came back in for wets on
lap 11.
Power gave up 2nd place when he pitted to replace his
steering wheel which was having electrical problems.
Rodolfo Gonzalez, driving for Dale Coyne, crashed
on lap 36.
Conor Daly, who is filling in for injured James
Hinchcliffe led the race for 12 laps. Montoya had led
for 35.
Eventually the track started drying out and tire strategy
proved important.
Josef Newgarden, who had been as high as 3rd, had
to pit for tires. When he came out, he clobbered the
wall, ending his day.
On the restart, Sebastien Bourdais was in the lead,
followed by Montoya, Graham Rahal and Takuma
Sato. Rahal drove across the track blocking Sato and
the race officials penalized Rahal, making him let Sato
go by.
With 12 laps to go, Charlie Kimball accidentally
punted team-mate Scott Dixon into the wall after
being passed by Power.
On another restart, Hawksworth gets spun by Sage
Karam, but he kept it running and continued.
Running out of fuel before the end became a concern
for the leaders. However there would be enough
caution laps for everyone to finish.
Another caution due to debris on track. On the restart,
as Montoya begins to fall back, Power tangled with his
team-mate Helio Castroneves and they both get
knocked out of the race. This causes another full
course yellow and the officials waved the red flag.
They wanted time to clean up the track so that the race
could finish under green. Then they announced the
race would be a timed race, with five minutes to run
after the cars left the pits.
After a warm-up lap, they hit the green flag with 3:21
minutes to race. Montoya fell back further and would
finish in 10th. Bourdais held on to the lead easily,
followed by Sato and Rahal. Bourdais ran out of gas on
the cool-down lap.
May 31 - Qualifying was rained out, so the field lined
up based on entrant points. The cars all started on rain
tires. Besides having tread, rain tires are softer than
even the red sticker tires. The tread can break apart
when ran in the dry.
At the start, Will Power moved ahead of pole sitter
Juan Montoya. Montoya passed him back the next
lap and began to pull away.
Carlos Munoz lost water pressure and pulled off the
track on lap 6.
It soon began to rain again. James Jakes regretted
pitting for slicks on lap 2 and came back in for wets on
lap 11.
Power gave up 2nd place when he pitted to replace his
steering wheel which was having electrical problems.
Rodolfo Gonzalez, driving for Dale Coyne, crashed
on lap 36.
Conor Daly, who is filling in for injured James
Hinchcliffe led the race for 12 laps. Montoya had led
for 35.
Eventually the track started drying out and tire strategy
proved important.
Josef Newgarden, who had been as high as 3rd, had
to pit for tires. When he came out, he clobbered the
wall, ending his day.
On the restart, Sebastien Bourdais was in the lead,
followed by Montoya, Graham Rahal and Takuma
Sato. Rahal drove across the track blocking Sato and
the race officials penalized Rahal, making him let Sato
go by.
With 12 laps to go, Charlie Kimball accidentally
punted team-mate Scott Dixon into the wall after
being passed by Power.
On another restart, Hawksworth gets spun by Sage
Karam, but he kept it running and continued.
Running out of fuel before the end became a concern
for the leaders. However there would be enough
caution laps for everyone to finish.
Another caution due to debris on track. On the restart,
as Montoya begins to fall back, Power tangled with his
team-mate Helio Castroneves and they both get
knocked out of the race. This causes another full
course yellow and the officials waved the red flag.
They wanted time to clean up the track so that the race
could finish under green. Then they announced the
race would be a timed race, with five minutes to run
after the cars left the pits.
After a warm-up lap, they hit the green flag with 3:21
minutes to race. Montoya fell back further and would
finish in 10th. Bourdais held on to the lead easily,
followed by Sato and Rahal. Bourdais ran out of gas on
the cool-down lap.
| Takuma Sato and Larry Foyt, pleased with 2nd. |
| Sebastien Bourdais got his 2nd IndyCar victory |
