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For complete coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500, visit SB Nation's Pop Off Valve.
With the 100th anniversary running of the Indianapolis 500 just four short days away, it is time move past the drama of ride-buying and focus on the 33 cars and drivers that will start their engines on Sunday. Today, SB Nation Indiana looks at the back half of the field - can any of these drivers do what Ray Harroun and Louis Meyer did in 1911 and 1936, repspectively, in winning the 500 from this deep in the field?
Note: each of these cars has moved up from its original qualifying position after the No. 41 car was moved to the rear of the field following the driver swap of Ryan Hunter-Reay for Bruno Junquiera.
23. No. 78T - Simona De Silvestro
All De Silvestro has done this month is flip her car into the catch fence at IMS, have the car catch on fire and walk away with second and first degree burns on her hands. Oh, and then 48 hours after that wreck, she drove with heavily bandaged hands and qualified for her second straight 500.
The 2010 Rookie of the Year continues to gain fans with an effervescent personality (including a willingness to sign autographs with her "Mickey Mouse gloves" on as she called them). Asking for a win might be a little much, given her situation, but a top 10 performance would exceed last year's 14-place effort.
24. No. 23 - Paul Tracy
The highest qualifier from Sunday's Bump Day, Tracy left no doubt as to whether he would be in the 500 after withdrawing a time and failing to requalify. With rain imminent at IMS, Tracy put down four blistering laps; had he run those on Saturday, he would have been on the outside of Row 6 instead of the Outside of Row 8.
Always popular among open-wheel racing fans, Tracy is driving this race with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing; last year, the team had both Justin Wilson and Mike Conway in position to capture the Borg-Warner Trophy. If Tracy can avoid trouble, he should be running near the front in the search for his first (or second) 500 title.
25. No. 7 - Danica Patrick
Seemingly quick all month, Patrick (and the rest of Andretti Autosport) were barely up to snuff over the weekend, putting just two of its four primary drivers in the field (a third, Ryan Hunter-Reay, would be added to the field on Monday). Still, when push came to shove, Patrick found speed again, qualifying on the inside of Row 9.
Over the last few years, Andretti Autosport's setups have been better on race day than in qualifications. The team must hope that is the case again, though with Tom Anderson taking the fall for the poor qualification performance, there will be some added pressure on the Engineers. Patrick took a solid sixth last year, and with rumors flying that she will head to NASCAR full time next year (and allowing her to still race the 500), this may be her last best chance at a 500 win.
26. No. 6T - Ryan Briscoe
It is rare to find a Team Penske car this low on the grid. However, that's where Briscoe sits after a wreck the morning of Pole Day left his primary car damaged and his backup low on speed. Giving the Team Penske IZOD team a night to work on the backup however, it was only a matter of where Briscoe would qualify, provided he did not find the wall again.
Briscoe, since scoring two top 10s to start his career at IMS, the Australian has seemingly been snake bit, recording finishes of 23rd, 15th and 24th. Avoiding trouble while trying to move to the front of the field will be paramount if he wants to reverse his recent fortune.
27. No. 26 - Marco Andretti
The last car to qualify, Andretti said his mentality on the final run was to "put it in the Show or put it in the fence." Fortunately for Andretti Autosport, it was put in the 500 (at the cost of buying a ride for Ryan Hunter-Reay).
Unfortunately for the young Andretti, he has a habit of bouncing results around at IMS; in his first five starts look like this: 2nd, 24th, 3rd, 30th, 3rd. If we follow that pattern (and this certainly isn't the SATs), then Andretti is due for a disappointing performance on Sunday.
28. No. 83 - Charlie Kimball (R)
One of five rookies in the field, Kimball and teammate Graham Rahal struggled during qualifying weekend, while their counterparts at Target Chip Ganassi Racing had plenty of speed in participating in the Fast Nine.
Still, it would be a mistake to count out Kimball, who will be a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. Having his teammate directly next to him should allow the duo to work their way through the field over the course of the race. Perhaps more important, having a week to pour over data from the Target Chip Ganassi Racing cars and finding the right race trim should give Kimball an edge.
29. No. 38 - Graham Rahal
It's hard to believe that Rahal is making his fourth start at IMS, but the 22-year old is now a veteran of the Indianapolis 500. The middle of Row 10 marks Rahal's worst starting position for the 500, but again, his Chip Ganassi Racing Team has the benefit of being able to study telemetry from the Target Chip Ganassi Racing cars of Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti.
Last year, Rahal was quick, qualifying for the Fast Nine and running up near the front before a Black Flag scuttled his chances at a historic win. On the 25th anniversary of his father's lone 500 win, finding a Rahal in Victory Lane would be a great story (as would a throwback mustache in tribute to his dad).
30. No. 19 - Alex Lloyd
As impressive as Andretti's qualifying effort was on Sunday at the gun, Alex Lloyd's may have saved a race team. It was fairly apparent that rookie James Jakes was slow, and some of the money associated with a run at Indianapolis can help fill the budget for a team. Still, it looked as if Dale Coyne Racing was slow on speed in both cars. Instead, Lloyd, who finished fourth last year, put his car solidly in the field with about six minutes left on Bump Day.
If Lloyd can replicate some of last year's run, in which he finished fourth, it would be remarkable for a team that looked dead in the water until late on Sunday.
31. No. 31 - Pippa Mann (R)
In her first IZOD IndyCar Series event, Mann outqualified Conquest Racing's primary driver, Sebastian Saavedra. The Firestone Indy Lights veteran, Mann has always been quick at IMS, qualifying on the pole for the 2010 Freedom 100 before collecting her first career Lights win at Kentucky Speedway later in the year.
Mann is a dark-horse for Rookie of the Year honors. Sometimes the award can be won simply by avoiding attrition and collecting a stealthy top 15 finish. In other years, the driver needs to charge through the field. Mann has the experience in Lights to do this, but it remains to be seen if her car will have the handling and speed needed to put her in position to challenge for Rookie of the Year.
32. No. 32 - Ana Beatriz
The last of four Dreyer & Reinbold Racing cars in the field of 33, the most of any team in the field, Beatriz will be looking to build on a 21st place finish in her rookie campaign at IMS. The Brazilian is the slowest car in the field, though, which does not necessarily bode well for the race, as the slowest car in qualifying has never won the Indianapolis 500.
However, Beatriz has experience navigating traffic at IMS, running at or near the front in the Freedom 100 on several occasions. Being faced with getting through the field in one piece won't phase the 26-year old.
33. No. 41 - Ryan Hunter-Reay
The Andretti Autosport driver takes the seat originally filled by Bruno Junquiera, who qualified the ABC Supply car 19th on the grid. However, the No. 41 will now carry sponsorship from ABC Supply, DHL and Sun Drop after Andretti Autosport bought the seat in an effort to please its sponsors.
Hunter-Reay has last row experience, starting 32nd in 2009. Since a sixth-place finish with Rahal-Letterman Racing earned him the 2008 Rookie of the Year award, though, Hunter-Reay has not finished better than 18th in the 500. While karma has not seemed to be on his side this week, Hunter-Reay will need it to turn around if he wants to collect prize money for the most positions made up during the race.
Rookie driver J.R. Hildebrand had the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 in hand. He had, quite literally, only one turn to make before he raced to glory as the winner. But, Hildebrand took the turn wide, and he slammed into the wall. As a result, Dan Wheldon passed Hildebrand after the crash and crossed the finish line as the checkered flag waved.
Dan Whledon is your winner of the 100th anniversary race for the Indianapolis 500 in one of the most amazing and thrilling finishes in Indy 500 history. Wheldon did not have a full-time ride heading into this IndyCar season. Now, he's drinking milk in the winner's circle.
Amazingly, despite hitting the wall and driving on just three tires, finished second. That is how close the rookie was to winning the race.
Graham Rahal, who started in the back of the field, battled to the front and finished third.
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
In what might be her last Indy 500 before she moves on to greener pastures at NASCAR, Danica Patrick took the lead at the 100th anniversary race of the Indianapolis 500. Danica started 28th in this race, but has hung around long enough to take the lead.
However, the issues for Danica are she must pit for fuel with about seven laps to go, and her car is only going 218 MPH. Other cars, behind her, are driving faster.
Danica taking the lead was the 21st lead change. She is the eighth different leader in this race.
Drivers lurking in the rear are Dario Franchitti, who does not need to pit, and Scott Dixon.
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
19 lead changes. That's all you need to know about how exciting this 100 anniversary Indy 500 has been. One of the great stories of the day has been Graham Rahal, who started 30th out of 33 drivers. With 29 laps to go in this historic race, Rahal took the lead.
The parallels with his famous father, Bobby Rahal, are pretty amazing. 25 years ago, Bobby Rahal started way back in the rear of the field, came back to win the Indy 500. Now, Bobby is watching his son fight with Scott Dixon, Oriol Servia, and Tony Kanaan for the lead.
Top leaders:
1) Scott Dixon
2) Graham Rahal
3) Tony Kanaan
4) Oriol Servia
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
Towndsend Bell and Ryan Briscoe crashed on lap 159 of the 100 anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, making this race a nightmare for the 'overlord' of the Indy 500, owner Roger Penseke. Briscoe was the highest running Penske car with roughly 40 laps left at the No. 10 spot.
Now, his race is done. The crash has resulted in the sixth caution for the day.
Townsend Bell was running in the top five for most of the day prior to the crash. His race is over as well.
Another Team Penske driver, Helio Castroneves, has also struggled all day. His tire seemed to blow out right after the Briscoe crash. He is currently running a lap behind.
Dario Franchitti continues to lead the field.
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
On turn one of lap 149, pole position leader Alex Tagliani, who battled Scott Dixon early with the lead going back and forth, crashed his No. 77 car. His race is over.
Tagliani, after about 50 laps, had something happen to the oil pressure on his car. During pit stops, Tagliani's crew did everything to customize his car to relieve the pressure, but in doing so it cost Tagliani speed on the track. His car slowly dropped from doing 221 MPH to 216. He dropped from first to fourth to tenth to thirteenth.
Then, he hit the wall on lap 149, and is day was finished at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Top five at the time of Tagliani's crash:
1) Dario Franchitti (led for 40 laps)
2) Scott Dixon (led for 66 laps)
3) Oriol Servia
4) Dan Wheldon
5. Tony Kanaan
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
After 118 laps, Oriol Servia has taken the lead and is the fourth person to led in this 100 anniversary race. Amazingly, Marco Andretti, who barely made it in the race during qualifying and started 28th, is at 3rd now. Alex Tagliani, who started on the pole and battled Scott Dixon and Franchitti, has fallen back to 13th after a oil pressure issue with his car.
Danica Patrick, who started 26th, has moved up to 10th. Helio Castroneves, who has been quiet all day, is starting to make some moves despite being one lap down.
1) Oriol Servia
2) Dario Franchitti
3) Marco Andretti
4) Ed Carpenter
5) Scott Dixon
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
After 100 laps raced at the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, Scott Dixon has re-taken the lead over Dario Franchitti. Dixon has led this race for most of the day. Fanchitti and Dixon have pitted and gotten replacement tires. Dan Wheldon, who has raced steady and strong all day, has pitted along with Alex Tagliani.
Interesting note regarding Franchitti, he was in pit when James Hinchcliffe slammed into the wall during lap 100. This crash resulted in the race's fourth caution. But, because Franchitti was pitted during the crash, he did not lose position. This is the second time Franchitti has been 'charmed' in this way during today's race. To have it happen once during a season is noteworthy. Twice in one race, and to have that race be the Indy 500...that's charmed.
Top five in the Indy 500 after 100 laps:
1) Scott Dixon
2) Dario Francitti
3) Dan Wheldon
4) Alex Tagliani
5) Townsend Bell
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
Jay Howard's crash was the third so far during this 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. The third caution allowed Dario Franchitti, who started 9th in this race, to move into the lead. Scott Dixon is in second. Dixon has led for 40 laps.
Interesting note on Dixon: There seems to be an issue with one of his front tires. However, he is still running at 223 miles per hour.
Simona De Silvestro is now out of the race after she, according to her words, 'made a mistake' out of the first turn of the race and touched the wall. The car never ran well after that. Characteristic of De Silvestro, she apologized for her 'mistake.' De Silvestro was racing with second degree burns on her hands after a crash during practice earlier this month.
Danica Patrick was one of seven drivers penalized for taking a pit under caution.
Top five after 73 laps:
1) Dario Franchitti
2) Scott Dixon
3) Alex Tagliani
4) Dan Wheldon
5) Townsend Bell
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
Alex Tagliani started the race from the pole position, and since then has been battling Scott Dixon after 45 laps and two cautions. However, after the last caution, something has happened to Tagliani's car as it has lost two miles an hour. He's been passed by Dario Franchitti, who started at 11th and has moved up to 2nd. Dan Whledon has also passed him.
Danica Patrick has moved up six spots. After starting 5th, Will Power exited pit row during one of the cautions without a rear tire. He's back in the race, but is running in the back of the field.
Ssott Dixon has led after 39 laps.
Top five after 50 laps:
1) Scott Dixon
2) Dario Franchitti
3) Dan Wheldon
4) Alex Tagliani
5) Townsend Bell
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
E.J. Viso hit the wall hard after the cars came out of the caution following Takoma Sato touching the wall, which caused the first caution. Once the green flag was waved, three cars, including Viso, tried to turn three-wide at top speed. Ryan Briscoe was also involved in Viso’s crash. Viso spun out and slammed into the wall. He seems injured, but his car is a mangled beyond repair.
Paul Tracy and Simona De Silvestro have also pitted early.
John Andretti has moved up to 11th after starting 17th. Andretti is the grandson of Mario Andretti.
Top five in the Indy 500 after 25 laps:
1) Alex Tagliani
2) Scott Dixon
3) Townsend Bell
4) Oriol Servia
5) Dario Franchitti
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
Racer Takoma Sato, who started the race at the No. 10 spot, has hit the wall at lap 21 and it appears his racing day is finished. His No. 5 Dallara-Honda car grazed the wall. The result was significant damage, and it seems he is finished for the day.
Paul Tracy has also pitted early with a ‘front wing adjustment.’ He had to shut his engine off in order to get the car repaired. He is three laps down.
Simona De Silvestro also went to pit row after just a few laps to start the race. It’s rumored that she was having difficulty controlling the car as a result of injuries she received during practice races earlier this month. De Silvestro was involved in a horrible crash which gave her second degree burns on her hands. Despite the injuries, she was able to qualify for the race.
After pitting, Will Power exited pit lane with his back, left rear tire. He has since been bumped back to 29th. Apparently, despite driving out of pit row without a tire, the car does not seem to be damaged.
Top five in the Indy 500 after 25 laps:
1) Alex Tagliani
2) Scott Dixon
3) Townsend Bell
4) Oriol Servia
5) Dario Franchitti
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
When the A.J. Foyt driven pace car exited the race track and the green flag was waved, the 100th anniversary race of the Indianapolis 500 was officially underway.
Right off the bat, Scott Dixon jumped out to the lead. Dixon was the fastest driver during practices even though Alex Tagliani started the race at the pole position. After 10 laps, Tagliani retook the lead, and he and Dixon are battling early for the top spot in the race.
Simona De Silvestro went to pit row after just a few laps to start the race. It's rumored that she was having difficulty controlling the car as a result of injuries she received during practice races earlier this month. De Silvestro was involved in a horrible crash which gave her second degree burns on her hands. Despite the injuries, she was able to qualify for the race.
De Silvestro has returned to the race after pitting.
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
The racing field for the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 is as follows
1. (77) Alex Tagliani, Dallara-Honda, 02:38.2613 (227.472)
2. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 02:38.3528 (227.340)
3. (2) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Honda, 02:38.4727 (227.168)
4. (99) Townsend Bell, Dallara-Honda, 02:38.6696 (226.887)
5. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 02:38.7493 (226.773)
6. (98) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 02:38.9477 (226.171)
7. (44) Buddy Rice, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.4431 (225.786)
8. (67) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.9137 (225.121)
9. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.0253 (226.379)
10. (5) Takuma Sato, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.4785 (225.736)
11. (14) Vitor Meira, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.5814 (225.590)
12. (4) JR Hildebrand, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.5895 (225.579)
13. (06) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.5942 (225.572)
14. (30) Bertrand Baguette, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.7973 (225.285)
15. (11) Davey Hamilton, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.8223 (225.250)
16. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 02:39.8464 (225.216)
17. (43) John Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.0133 (224.981)
18. (59) EJ Viso, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.1907 (224.732)
19. (41) Bruno Junqueira, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.2203 (224.691)*
20. (22) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.3488 (224.511)
21. (88) Jay Howard, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.3685 (224.483)
22. (07) Tomas Scheckter, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.4040 (224.433)
23. (82) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.4156 (224.417)
24. (78T) Simona de Silvestro, Dallara-Honda, 02:40.4335 (224.392)
25. (23) Paul Tracy, Dallara-Honda, (224.939)
26. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, (224.861)
27. (6T) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, (224.639)
28. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, (224.628)
29. (83) Charlie Kimball, Dallara-Honda, (224.499)
30. (38) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, (224.380)
31. (19) Alex Lloyd, Dallara-Honda, (223.957)
32. (36) Pippa Mann, Dallara-Honda, (223.936)
33. (24) Ana Beatriz, Dallara-Honda, (223.879)
* Despite qualifying 19th, Bruno Junqueira was replaced with driver Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Start Time: The IMS race track opens at 6 a.m. on Sunday, with six hours of festivities. These festivities are much more tame than what they were in years past, including parades featuring former winners. The Indy 500 is set to get underway at noon following the parade and pace laps.
TV: ABC has the coverage, beginning with the pre-race show at 11:00 a.m. At 12:00 p.m., the 'Greatest Spectacle In Racing' begins on ABC. Thirty-three drivers will take to the track for the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500.
Radio: In addition to the television broadcast, you can also find the Indy 500 on your radio dial and on Sirius and XM radio. On Sirius, coverage can be found on Channel 211. Channel 145 has the race on XM. A full list of the 400-plus radio partners can be found here.
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
Welcome to race day, folks.
Somebody at #indy500 holding up sign for KY jelly, official sponsor of Bruno Junqueira. Ouch!
That's a Tweet from the race track via Phil Wilson of the Indianapolis Star.
As you may recall, Junqueira was replaced as a driver for this year's race despite qualifying. Ryan Hunter-Reay took Junquiera's spot in the field and will start 33rd in today's running after Andretti Autosport bought the ride from A.J. Foyt Racing.
Basically, A.J. sold Junquiera out (or, 'screwed him' if you will) so his old buddy Mario Andretti could get one of his racers in the field. Thus, even though Junquiera himself qualified, Hunter-Reay (who did NOT qualify) will race the car.
Yeah, it's sleazy business on IndyCar's part. But, if owners are allowed to do this kind of thing, they will do it. The only other way for Junquiera to get 'screwed' even more is if Hunter-Reay wins the race.
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
When you're talking about the 100th anniversary running of the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing,' one does not just right a standard, 150 word preview about who the favorites are and who has 'the inside track' to winning. SB Nation Indiana's Bill Potter has written three months worth of previews leading up to this important race, and each article captures not just the significance of today's spectacle, but of all the 100 races the Indy Motor Speedway has held.
The 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500 begins today at 12:00 p.m. The green flag is scheduled to drop at around 12:12 p.m. According to SB Nation's IndyCar racing blog Pop Off Valve, the weather at the track is perfect, save for a bit of a late-May heat wave.
Rather than fill this update with three months worth of article links, we'll just give you the best-of-the-best. When you're done soaking them all in, get ready for race day!
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
The events and pre-race activities prior to the running of the Indianapolis 500 are often just as much fun as the race itself. History will be on display today for the 100 anniversary race of the Indy 500. A parade of cars that have won previous races will take place prior to the green flag, displaying the diversity and development of Indycars.
The green flag is slated to take place at 12:12 p.m. ET. The pre-race activities will begin at 11:0 a.m., as ABC will broadcast live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at that time.
SB Nation Indiana's race writer Bill Potter will also be live at the track, providing updates here at SB Nation Indiana and on Twitter @sbnationindiana.
A complete list of today's schedule is available after the jump. Welcome to racing history!
It's been called the most important race, ever. No doubt, it's the mother of all races. All drivers, no matter the circuit, dream of winning this race in Indianapolis in late May. That this is the 100 anniversary of the race makes today even more special.
Welcome to the place where racing cars was practically invented: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All day today, we'll have coverage from IMS on the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500.
Start Time: The IMS race track opens at 6 a.m. on Sunday, with six hours of festivities. These festivities are much more tame than what they were in years past, including parades featuring former winners. The Indy 500 is set to get underway at noon following the parade and pace laps.
TV: ABC has the coverage, beginning with the pre-race show at 11:00 a.m. At 12:00 p.m., the 'Greatest Spectacle In Racing' begins on ABC. Thirty-three drivers will take to the track for the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500.
Radio: In addition to the television broadcast, you can also find the Indy 500 on your radio dial and on Sirius and XM radio. On Sirius, coverage can be found on Channel 211. Channel 145 has the race on XM. A full list of the 400-plus radio partners can be found here.
For more on the race, stay with our StoryStream here at SB Nation Indiana. Also, be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for additional IndyCar awesomeness, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.
Four former winners and four part-time or one-off drivers are in the first 11 spots in the field, presenting an interesting mix that is sure to make the start of the Indianapolis 500 quite interesting. With the 500 just over 48 hours away, it is time to look at the front of the field.
1. No. 77 - Alex Tagliani
Tagliani and his owner, Sam Schmidt, have already given the Indianapolis Motor Speedway one of the best story lines of the month by qualifying on the pole. The pole has been the best starting position to win the 500 from, as 21 winners have started on the pole, including four in today's spec car era.
Schmidt has routinely been fast at Indianapolis with his entries. Tagliani started fifth last year, but was never a major factor in the race, finishing 10th. Already the best driver-owner story since Bobby Rahal and Jim Trueman in 1986, it would be appropriate for Schmidt and Tagliani to enter Victory Lane 25 years later.
2. No. 9 - Scott Dixon
The first of the four winners in the top 11, Dixon had just enough fuel to post the provisional pole speed before Tagliani knocked him off. Characteristically quick at Indianapolis, Dixon has not finished worse than sixth in any of the last five years at Indianapolis.
With Target Chip Ganassi Racing having seemed to figure out Indianapolis, Dixon figures to be a major factor in the race. He and teammate Dario Franchitti should enter the race as favorites, though it should be noted that Dixon could not get to the front in the heat of last year's 500. Quiet and quick all month, expect the Kiwi to be among the contenders at the end.
3. No. 2 - Oriol Servia
Another surprise on the front row, Servia sat on the provisional pole until the last two drivers of the Fast Nine knocked him off. After missing last year's 500, Servia brings a promising sponsor in Telemundo to the front row at Indianapolis.
Servia's (and his teammate James Hinchcliffe's) qualifying effort seems to reinforce the notion that Newman/Haas Racing is a team on the comeback. In each of the last two years, Newman/Haas had qualified well, only to be disappointed on race day, finishing 28th a year ago due to handling with Hideki Mutoh. Despite leading 791 laps in 28 previous entries at Indianapolis, Newman/Haas Racing has never entered Victory Lane.
4. No. 99 - Townsend Bell
The quickest of the one-off entries in the field, Bell has performed well in recent years at Indianapolis, taking fourth in 2009 and having a chance at a similar result last year before a blocking penalty relegated him to 16th. Running with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, Bell has a legitimate chance for a career-best finish.
One of the IZOD IndyCar Series' most outspoken drivers, Bell has strong feelings on the need to bring back speed at IMS, and he is not shy about saying he has to win on Sunday to get a full-time ride for the rest of the year. However, Bell says there is no added pressure on him to perform. Look for the Herbalife car to run near the front for most of the race.
5. No. 12 - Will Power
The lone Team Penske car in the top 11, Indianapolis is the first track this year on which Power did not claim the pole. Leading his first laps at IMS last year, Power appears primed for his first victory on an oval.
The one aspect of the race that concerns Power is the double-file restart, for which he made clear his disdain during Media Day. If Power is up front, look for him to always choose the inside lane, and should he wind up on the outside, look for him to take the first chance to duck low.
6. No. 98 - Dan Wheldon
The 2005 Indianapolis 500 champion, Wheldon has a chance to match Bill Holland for the best three-year run at the 500. After consecutive second-place finishes, all Wheldon has to do is win the 500 in a one-off entry for Bryan Herta Autosport.
Wheldon clearly is comfortable at IMS, recording five top five finishes at IMS in his eight career starts. Given his knack for finding the front during the 500, the creamsicle No. 98 figures to be in the mix throughout the race.
7. No. 44 - Buddy Rice
The 2003 500 winner returns to Indianapolis after a two-year absence. Running with Panther Racing, who has finished second in each of the last three 500s, Rice should have the chance to get to the front and stay near the front throughout.
However, no driver has missed a 500 (or more) and come back to win in their return to IMS in the rear-engine era. In an odd twist, Rice has only completed 200 laps once in five starts at Indianapolis, coming in his last race here in 2008.
8. No. 67 - Ed Carpenter
One of two local products in the 500, Ed Carpenter and his Sarah Fisher Racing team will be the sentimental favorites on Sunday. Starting eighth for the second straight year, Carpenter will look for the breaks he did not get last year, when he had to pit while the pits were closed, playing a part in his 17th-place finish.
Last year's result seems like an outlier for the Butler University product, as fifth and eighth-place results in the previous two years gave one the impression that Carpenter was figuring out his home track. Carpenter alluded to it yesterday, but after seeing his alma mater finish as the NCAA Basketball runners-up in each of the last two years, he would like to replicate the effort, only bettering the result.
9. No. 10 - Dario Franchitti
Franchitti would likely be on the front row, but a rare mistake from his Target Chip Ganassi Racing crew resulted in Franchitti running out of fuel prior to his fourth qualifying lap. In turn, Franchitti put on a rare show of public anger, storming down pit road following the mishap.
After a near-perfect run at IMS last year, Franchitti was easily fast at IMS this month, which made the mistake that much more surprising. Franchitti has a chance to make history on Sunday - a third win puts him in the company of Louis Meyer, Wilbur Shaw, Mauri Rose, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser and Helio Castroneves. Back-to-back victories would make the Scotsman the sixth driver to achieve the feat in 500 history.
10. No. 5 - Takuma Sato
Sato was surprisingly quick on Pole Day, nearly reaching the Fast Nine before settling on the inside of Row 4. Throughout the month, the Tokyo native has raised money and awareness for the earthquake and tsunami victims of Japan, with schools throughout the Indianapolis area chipping in.
In his second start at Indianapolis, it will be interesting to see Sato's strategy on Sunday. Last year, starting 31st, Sato took his time, quietly picking up 11 spots by mainly avoiding attrition on his way to a 20th-place finish. This year, Sato has the option to bide his time or press the issue and try and move to the front as quickly as possible.
11. No. 14 - Vitor Meira
It has been 12 years since A.J. Foyt went to Victory Lane as an owner and on the 50th anniversary of Foyt's first 500 win, Meira represents Foyt's best chance at returning since Kenny Brack brought Foyt there in 1999. Meira's qualifying effort in the middle of Row 4 represents the best by a Foyt team since Eliseo Salazar started third in 2000.
Always a fan favorite, Meira is a two-time runner up at Indianapolis. The last two years, however, have not been kind to Meira at IMS, as he broke his back in 2009 and finished 27th last year due to contact. Foyt has had just one top 10 in the last five years (Darren Manning, 9th, 2008), so if Meira can avoid trouble, he figures to tally a top 10 for Foyt.
Three rookies, two would-be winners and a three-time champion are among the 11 drivers in the middle of the field for the 100th anniversary running of the Indianapolis 500. With the 500 just three days away, it's time to focus on the drivers, and see if any of these drivers can become the 20th in 500 history to win between Row 4 and the inside of Row 8.
12. No. 4 - JR Hildebrand (R)
Hildebrand was labeled 'Captain America' as he rose through the IndyCar ranks, on one hand for his solid driving (he was the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion), and on the other because he appeared to represent the limited number of young, talented American drivers in the open-wheel ranks. Driving the National Guard car for Panther Racing certainly does nothing to change the monicker, nor does Hildebrand's ability to get up to speed quickly at IMS, qualifying 12th, the best among any rookie drivers.
The car Hildebrand will pilot on Sunday is a known commodity at Indianapolis; Dan Wheldon and Vitor Meira have brought it to second place finishes in each of the last three years. Expecting Hildebrand to continue that streak, or even to improve upon it may be asking a lot of the Californian, but he appears more than up for the challenge.
13. No. 06 - James Hinchcliffe (R)
The Canadian was a scant .0047 second away from being the top rookie in the field. Another product of the Firestone Indy Lights, Hinchcliffe has been a godsend during the rainy days at Indianapolis, conducting numerous interviews with drivers and sharing the lighter side of Gasoline Alley with fans. Plus, he gave IMS planking, which managed not only to kill a rainy Wednesday, but also gave the news media something to talk about when they did exposés on the dangers of planking (seriously).
Regardless, Hinchcliffe and his Newman/Haas Racing team have been quick and relatively under the radar (as much as you can be when planking). With car coloring similar to that of Scott Goodyear's in 1992, Hinchcliffe will be looking for a similar result, albeit crossing the finish line first this time.
14. No. 30 - Bertrand Baguette
Baguette showed well as a rookie last year for Conquest racing, showing some surprising skills on the ovals given his road and street course background. The Belgian did not stay with Conquest, however, but upgraded his ride for the 500, signing on with Rahal Letterman Lanigan, where he has continued to demonstrate his talent on the most prestigious course in the world, qualifying in the middle of Row 5.
Last year, Rahal Letterman delivered a car that appeared to have a chance at winning before a black flag took the legs out from under the team; Baguette will have to make some moves to get to the front, but a top 10 or top five finish is not out of the question for this team.
15. No. 11 - Davey Hamilton
Hamilton was the first driver out in the 2010 500, with the Idahoan finding the wall on the opening lap. In his fifth consecutive 500 since missing five in a row due to devastating leg injuries suffered in 2001, Hamilton is starting in a nearly identical place to last year, the outside of Row 5 (in 2010, he was in the middle of the same row).
The highest-qualifying Dreyer & Reinbold car on the grid, avoiding trouble is a must if Hamilton wants to replicate his career-best finish at IMS, fourth in 1998. His his four races back at Indianapolis, Hamilton has completed all 200 laps just once, tallying a ninth-place finish in 2007, his first race at IMS since the 2001 edition of the 500.
16. No. 3 - Helio Castroneves
The three-time Indianapolis 500 champion has never started the race so low in the field, surprising many with a qualifying effort that left him on the outside of Row 6. There is good fortune for the Brazilian, however: in his first two wins at IMS, Castroneves did have qualifying runs that left him in Row 4 and Row 5, where he was able to navigate through the field.
Castroneves' modus operandi at Indianapolis has been to largely bide his time, work his way towards the front and then seize control of the race in the final 125 miles. Starting 16th will allow for plenty of time for this strategy to play out, so keep an eye out on the Shell V-Power/Pennzoil No. 3.
17. No. 43 - John Andretti
The only Andretti Autosport car to make the field of 33 on Saturday, the local product is making his 12th career start at Indianapolis (in the 500). However, since coming back to IMS in 2007, Andretti has yet to record a finish better than 16th, completing 200 laps only once.
Still, Andretti Autosport has been fairly spot on with its setups for the 500, and Andretti figures to have the easiest route to the front, given that three of his teammates start in the last three rows. Asking for a top 10 from the Ritter H.S.-product does not seem out of the question for this team.
18. No. 59 - E.J. Viso
The only thing possibly complicated matters for Andretti (or those in Row 7) may be E.J. Viso, the talented but erratic young Venezuelan. At times, Viso can be more pinball on the track than car, racking up incidents in two of the first races of the year. Still, the talented youngster is also capable of running up front, as he did at Sao Paulo this year.
Having never finished better than 24th in three runnings of the Indianapolis 500, the pressure is beginning to amount on Viso to deliver results, rather than repair bills. Oddly enough, Viso's 500s have all ended after 139 laps; getting past that mark would be the first step in achieving a solid result.
19. No. 22 - Justin Wilson
Looking back at last year's 500, it is easy to forget that for a time, it was Justin Wilson who was leading the race. Dreyer & Reinbold's decision to stay out with 39 laps to go in the race came up one more yellow flag shy of potentially putting the Englishman in Victory Lane. A solid, if unspectacular qualifying effort puts Wilson on the outside of Row 7 this year.
2010 marked Wilson's first top 10 finish at Indianapolis. Traditionally a strong performer on the road and street courses, Wilson has not been up to his usual strong standards thus far. However, in his fourth run at Indianapolis, Wilson may be primed for a breakout on an oval, especially one where he could nearly taste Victory last year.
20. No. 20 - Jay Howard (R)
Howard is in his first 500 in three attempts at qualifying for the 500. Perhaps the most veteran of the rookies at Indianapolis, Howard first arrived at the track in 2008, only to have his ride taken by John Andretti, who brought sponsorship to Roth Racing. Returning in 2010, Howard put his Sarah Fisher Racing car in the field, only to withdraw the time and fail to bump his way back into the field.
The Englishman left no doubts this time, sticking in the middle of Row 7 in a partnership between Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Having achieved his goal of running at Indianapolis, it will be interesting to see how Howard performs; given the pedigree of the teams he has partnered with, he should have a solid car on Sunday, putting him in contention for Rookie of the Year honors.
21. No. 07 - Tomas Scheckter
It has been a career of almosts for the South African. Controlling the 2002 Indianapolis 500, the rookie got high in Turn 4 with 27 laps separating him and a visit with the Borg-Warner Trophy. Consistently fast, Scheckter has never been able to consistently find a ride for more than a year or for one-off deals, bouncing from team to team in a nine-year IndyCar career.
Still, Scheckter remains one of the drivers called when a team wants to put a car in the 500 field, and this year was no exception when he hooked up with KV Racing Technology. Scheckter ran near the front for most of the 2010 500, eventually taking 15th, and KV would certainly be happy with any place above that for Scheckter.
22. No. 82 - Tony Kanaan
Nearly without a ride in the season-opening race, Kanaan was thrown a lifeline by KV Racing Technology, Geico and Lotus. That Kanaan was able to muster a podium finish in his first start with the team shows both the talent of the driver and the potential of the team. Figuring out Indianapolis may present a bigger challenge, but Kanaan knows how to navigate traffic.
Last year, after a hellish weekend saw him start 33rd on the grid, Kanaan nearly pulled off the comeback, sitting in second place before a late pit stop was needed. Frequently one of the hardest chargers in the IZOD IndyCar Series, watching the green and yellow No. 82 (a tribute to Jim Clark's 1965 winning Lotus), will be a treat for fans. Always a fan favorite, sentiment will be with Kanaan to finally collect his first Borg-Warner Trophy.
100th Anniversary Indy 500: Danica Patrick Perseveres, Takes 10th
Starting 25th, Danica Patrick had her work cut out for her, but the Andretti Autosport driver showed why she is always among the cars to watch at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading late and eventually finishing 10th after leading the race with 17 laps to go.
From the time Patrick cycled to the front of the field, it was apparent that she would not be able to run until the finish if the race stayed green, but she gave herself a chance, saying after the race:
The 10th-place finish was the sixth top 10 for Patrick in seven starts at Indianapolis, cementing her reputation as one of the top drivers at IMS.
Early in the race, Patrick actually fell back in the field before finding teammate Marco Andretti; the duo carved their way through the field, gaining positions via attrition and by speed, climbing into the top 10 and positioning themselves for a chance at the win.
May 29 6:59p by Bill Potter