97th Indianapolis 500 Mile-Race

[heliocastroneves#3]

http://digbza2f4g9qo.cloudfront.net/~/media/IndyCar/Schedules/2012/Race-Logos/Indy_2013.png?mw=210&vs=1&d=20120927T100719

Race 5 of 19

Race - 97th Indianapolis 500

Location - Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway, IN

Date - Sunday, May 26th

Time & TV Schedule - Pre-Race Show - 11:00AM , Green Flag - Approx. 12:12PM - ABC

Course Type - 2.5 Mile Oval

Distance - 200 Laps / 500 Miles

Practice Sessions -

Saturday, May 11th -12:00 -6:00pm Eastern
Sunday, May 12th -12:00 - 6:00pm Eastern
Monday, May 13th - 12:00 -6:00pm Eastern
Tuesday, May 14th - 12:00 - 6:00pm Eastern
Wednesday, May 15th - 12:00 -6:00pm Eastern
Thursday, May 16th - 12:00 - 6:00pm Eastern
Friday, May 17th -Fast Friday - 12:00 - 6:00pm Eastern / Qualification Order Drawing - 6:15pm
Saturday, May 18th - Pole Day - 8:00-8:30am Group 1 & 8:30-9:00am Group 2 / 9:00am - 10:00am All Cars
Sunday, May 19th - 9:00am - 10:00am
Wednesday, May 22nd -Pit Stop Practice - 9:00am -12:00pm
Thursday, May 23rd - Pit Stop Practice 12:15pm - 1:00pm & 2:30pm -5:00pm
Friday, May 24th - Miller Lite Carb Day - 11:00am-12:00pm / Pit Stop Competition - 1:30pm -3:30pm

Qualifications

Saturday, May 18th - Pole Day -

10:45am - Qualifying Line Begins
11:00am -4:00pm Segment 1 qualifying- positions 1-24
4:30pm -6:00pm - Segment 2 & 3 - Positions 1-9 (to determine pole)
6:15pm - Qualification Order Drawing for Bump Day

Sunday, May 19th - Bump Day

11:30am -Cars go in qualification line
12:00pm -6:00pm -Qualifying for positions 25-33 / 6:15pm - Race Day Pit Selection

Sunday, May 26th - Race Day

9:30am - 9:55am- Cars moved to pit lane
10:15am -10:40am - Grid
10:50am -11:00am - Engine Warm-up
11:33am - Driver Introductions
12:04 - Pace Laps
12:12 - Approximate Green Flag Start Time

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Length - 2.5 Miles
Front & Back Straightaways - 5/8 of a mile each
Short Chutes (Straights between turns) - 1/8 of a mile each
Turns 1-4 -1/4 of a mile each
Banking -9 degrees - 12 minutes on Turns - 0 degrees on straights

Track layout

http://motorsportswelcome.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/ims-track-map.jpg

Entry list

#1 - Ryan Hunter-Reay - Andretti Autosport
#2 - A.J. Allmendinger (R) - Penske Racing
#3 - Helio Castroneves - Penske Racing
#4 - J.R. Hildebrand - Panther Racing
#5 - E.J. Viso - Team Venezuela/Andretti/HVM
#6 - Sebastian Saavedra - Dragon Racing
#7 - Sebastien Bourdais - Dragon Racing
#8 - Ryan Briscoe - NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing
#9 - Scott Dixon - Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#10 - Dario Franchitti - Target Chip Ganassi Racing
#11 - Tony Kanaan - KV Racing Technology
#12 - Will Power - Penske Racing
#14 - Takuma Sato - A.J. Foyt Enterprises
#15 - Graham Rahal - Rahal Letterman Lanigan
#16 - James Jakes - Rahal Letterman Lanigan
#17 - Michel Jourdain - Rahal Letterman Lanigan
#18 - Ana Beatriz - Dale Coyne Racing
#19 - Justin Wilson - Dale Coyne Racing
#20 - Ed Carpenter - Ed Carpenter Racing
#21 - Josef Newgarden - Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing
#22 - Oriol Servia - Panther/Dreyer & Reinbold
#25 - Marco Andretti - Andretti Autosport
#26 - Carlos Munoz (R) - Andretti Autosport
#27 - James Hinchcliffe - Andretti Autosport
#41 - Conor Daly (R) - A.J. Foyt Enterprises
#55 - Tristan Vautier (R) - Schmidt/Peterson Motorsports
#60 - Townsend Bell - Panther Racing
#63 - Pippa Mann - Dale Coyne Racing
#77 - Simon Pagenaud - Schmidt/Peterson Motorsports
#78 - Simona de Silvestro - KV Racing Technology
#81 - Katherine Legge - Schmidt/Peterson Motorsports
#83 - Charlie Kimball - Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing
#91 - Buddy Lazier - Lazier Partners Inc.
#98 - Alex Tagliani - Team Barracuda - Bryan Herta Autosport

2012 Indy 500 Race Information

2012 Winner - Dario Franchitti
2012 Pole Sitter - Ryan Briscoe - 226.484 mph
Length Of Race - 2 hours, 42 minutes, 44 seconds
Average Speed - 167.734 mph
Number Of Cautions - 8 for 39 laps
Lead Changes - 34

[heliocastroneves#3]

Qualifying results and other information can be found on the IndyCar website (http://www.indycar.com). I'm curious who's not going to make it, if Katherine Legge will be up to speed, I fear Jourdain is not gonna get it done..

[booger]

Qualifying results and other information can be found on the IndyCar website (http://www.indycar.com). I'm curious who's not going to make it, if Katherine Legge will be up to speed, I fear Jourdain is not gonna get it done..

Anybody have any idea why there's no TV and no feed as of 1230? There's some stupid hockey game on NBCS and no feed from the Indycar website. Did they run out of "boring" for today?

[Anubis]

Is the official website down for anyone else?

[Nem14]

Yep! Google Chrome told me indycar.com wasn't there.

Sad as it may seem, stick a fork in the Indy 500.

Attendance for yesterday's pole qualifying was astonishingly low.

[gm99]

Is the official website down for anyone else?

Yep, although if you go directly to racecontrol.indycar.com, timing and scoring works for me.

Honda appears to have a bit of a problem in qualifying trim, with Chevy taking the top ten positions yesterday. I wonder if they'll be more competitive in race trim.

[Nem14]

Though the page says:

Live - Bump Day Broadcast
Sunday May 19th
12: 00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

It's 2:06 PM ET, but no Live - Bump Day Broadcast

[Nem14]

33 cars have qualified - Indianapolis 500 Live Grid - Indianapolis 500 - Indianapolis Motor Speedway (http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/eventinfo/52179/)

[gm99]

What a boring bump day. But congrats to Legge - not a bad pace for a last-minute effort.

[mr nobody]

What a boring bump day. But congrats to Legge - not a bad pace for a last-minute effort.Couldn't agree more on the boring part. Bump day the last 3 years has been a joke. They need to get back to teams owning/building their own engines (whatever they the teams think will be a winning engine) and mandate two chassis makers and that they build a chassis that can accept any engine that wants to be run: 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engine as long as it is a stock block based engine.

[heliocastroneves#3]

Well, I'm not a Jourdain fan but man... I do feel for him.. For me it's not boring at all because I just keep the hope that he will make the field. Nothing against Legge but Jourdain is capable of so much more I think.

EDIT: Oh boy, this is so sad for Jourdain..

[Starter]

Well, I'm not a Jourdain fan but man... I do feel for him.. For me it's not boring at all because I just keep the hope that he will make the field. Nothing against Legge but Jourdain is capable of so much more I think.

EDIT: Oh boy, this is so sad for Jourdain..
I feel bad for him, but going back to CART days, he's never been able to properly sort a car.

[FormerFF]

What a boring bump day. But congrats to Legge - not a bad pace for a last-minute effort.

+1 I'm very impressed how quickly she got up to speed and put in a respectable run.

[call_me_andrew]

Yep! Google Chrome told me indycar.com wasn't there.

Sad as it may seem, stick a fork in the Indy 500.

Attendance for yesterday's pole qualifying was astonishingly low.

Look how few people showed up for Daytona 500 qualifying. Clearly the Daytona 500 is way more dead than the Indy 500.

dawTPtI0i9g

[mr nobody]

Yep! Google Chrome told me indycar.com wasn't there.

Sad as it may seem, stick a fork in the Indy 500.

Attendance for yesterday's pole qualifying was astonishingly low. It wasn't WNBA low. When it gets that low, then I will start to get worried.

[FormerFF]

It wasn't WNBA low. When it gets that low, then I will start to get worried.

To be fair, the weather was awful. If i were a local, I think I would have stayed at home as well.

[EagleEye]

The attandance was far below that from the heyday, but given the weather, there were more than we thought we'd get. It had been increasing slightly the last few years, this year was down a bit. Carb day will be big (pending weather, and despite Poison!). Ticket sales seem ahead of last year...and it is harder to get freebies this year! Our allotment is gone....

I really feel bad for Jourdain. One of the nicest guys, and certainly not his fault. Apparently they are suspecting a bellhousing issue (cracked?) though they will og through the car. Graham confirmed the car was incredibly difficult to drive.

Huge congrats to Ed for the pole. I used to get on him quite a bit, but he has certainly put in the hard work, and he drove the wheels off that car.

I should have snapped a photo of AJ Almindinger acting as Legge's umbrella holder...great drive by Kat with such few miles on the car.

[MAX_THRUST]

She done good....Pleased for AJ being up so high, no pun intended. Will he win it?

CAn't wait for Sunday will be watching on ESPN UK as the race is live. Monaco GP then half till the 500 starts. This will be like the good old days for me. The missus has been warned I will be doing nothing on Sunday. Could be beer and Pizza or maybe hot dogs. Fit to burst.

4 women drivers as well, somw interest there for the casual fan. No idea who is gonna win, hope its as good as last 2 years at race end.

[Anubis]

I'd love to see Sato go one better than last year. Well, ok, that would just involve not crashing, but you know what I mean. Talking about a Sato win would have seemed insane in years gone by (Danica had more chance), but now...I think it's entirely possible. He was mighty when it mattered last year, right up to the (probably understandable) do or die effort. Be interesting to see if Penske and Ganassi get their act together. Would be nice to see a small team take the big price.

[FIAT1]

I went with six of my friends on the pole day and I have to say I had a great time. Spoke with few old timers in the pit area and I think some positive baby steps will take place. I advice anyone who loves motor racing at Indy pit pass is a must. Infield was another trill with everything military imaginable was there and those guys are something very special. Beside usual critic of lack in innovation and ugly looking bumpers on the cars that don't get my blood boiling like old machines , I did observe that Indy brass doesn't pay to much attention to detail ,like hiring some college kids to spray paint rusted looking fence and white painted concrete turning brown ,and looking like junk yard. Place needed more color and festive fell in my opinion like F1 first race. I don't want to be picky but this is the place of Indycar biggest show case and should be immaculate looking especially in month of May . I think parking next to the track is pretty cheap and museum that we visit during rain,needs to raise the price and display more cars. I hope defenders of status quo go easy on my critic as my only wish is for Indycar to be successful. People where great as always and will go back for the race like every year as this is amazing place.

[Rex Monaco]

Look how few people showed up for Daytona 500 qualifying. Clearly the Daytona 500 is way more dead than the Indy 500.

Pole qualifying for the Daytona 500 was never an event. A much better comparison would be the Daytona Duel 150's, held on a Wednesday. And the crowds were not sparse at all.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn7ISIv-O6g

[heliocastroneves#3]

2013 Indianapolis 500 already has been started.Will indycar show on ESPN?

HERE (http://www.motorsportforums.com/indycar/158417-97th-indianapolis-500-mile-race.html) is the official race thread mate. Welcome to the forum!

[bricarr2]

Qualifying these days is a tough sell. They're not setting any new records, and there's lots of dead time at the track. When there is "action," it's just one car, which as stated earlier isn't setting records or doing anything new.

This isn't so much an IndyCar problem per se. Just another example of how the modern event-goer needs more to get them through the gate than they did 10-20 years ago.

[FIAT1]

2013 Indianapolis 500 already has been started.Will indycar show on ESPN?


When? looking forward to this.

[zako85]

I wonder if I might be able to watch Indy 500 race live on NBC without seeing any spoilers with regards to the Monaco GP aired earlier the same day. Is there any hope for this?

[call_me_andrew]

As the 500 is on ABC, you have no hope of watching it on NBC this year.

And the outcome of Monaco will probably be in the Bottom Line. I suggest not looking at it.

[ndegroot89]

Look how few people showed up for Daytona 500 qualifying. Clearly the Daytona 500 is way more dead than the Indy 500.

dawTPtI0i9g
Not many people care to watch qualifying these days no matter if it is NASCAR or Indycar. Hopefully the Indy 500 will have a full house Sunday though.

[FIAT1]

What's a point having a discussion forum when there is no freedom to openly discuss everything including things that some of us find disturbing.

[garyshell]

What's a point having a discussion forum when there is no freedom to openly discuss everything including things that some of us find disturbing.


Because I thought it was tasteless and crass, that's why. There are plenty of other places where such discussion can, and does, go on. While I am moderating this forum, this won't be one of them. I have no issue with the discussion of crashes in the context of the discussion of a particular race, but a thread whose sole purpose was to discuss "worst crashes" is in poor taste.

Gary

[FIAT1]

Because I thought it was tasteless and crass, that's why. There are plenty of other places where such discussion can, and does, go on. While I am moderating this forum, this won't be one of them. I have no issue with the discussion of crashes in the context of the discussion of a particular race, but a thread who's sole purpose was to discuss "worst crashes" is in poor taste.

Gary

Respect to the powers that be, but strongly disagree for sake of honest discussion, as subject how awful it might be,
unfortunately is part of the sport that we love.

[garyshell]

Respect to the powers that be, but strongly disagree for sake of honest discussion, as subject how awful it might be,
unfortunately is part of the sport that we love.

Please reread my reply. I didn't say that crashes could not be discussed. I just see no need for a "sensationalistic" thread about "worst crashes". We have had and will continue to have discussion of crashes. We will not have threads with the sole purpose of listing and ranking crashes and posting pictures of them. The emphasis here is and will be on racing, and crashes discussed in that context are part and parcel of what this forum is about.

Gary

[FIAT1]

Please reread my reply. I didn't say that crashes could not be discussed. I just see no need for a "sensationalistic" thread about "worst crashes". We have had and will continue to have discussion of crashes. We will not have threads with the sole purpose of listing and ranking crashes and posting pictures of them. The emphasis here is and will be on racing, and crashes discussed in that context are part and parcel of what this forum is about.

Gary

I did read again and still disagree, but I think I better end this with have a great weekend.

[garyshell]

I did read again and still disagree, but I think I better end this with have a great weekend.

Agreed. Enjoy the racing this weekend!!!

Gary

[ndegroot89]

Because I thought it was tasteless and crass, that's why. There are plenty of other places where such discussion can, and does, go on. While I am moderating this forum, this won't be one of them. I have no issue with the discussion of crashes in the context of the discussion of a particular race, but a thread who's sole purpose was to discuss "worst crashes" is in poor taste.

Gary
I agree; there are plenty of better things to talk about other than the worst crashes ever. This is the greatest weekend in motorsports with Monaco, Indy & the Coke 600...lets talk about that!

[SoCalPVguy]

Here's to praying for a safe race, good weather, a competitive race, many passes and close entertaining finish !!! SoCal

[Nem14]

Katherine Legge was 8th fastest today. :thumbsup:

[call_me_andrew]

Is it my imagination, or were a lot of seats at the entrance to turn 3 demolished?

[garyshell]

Katherine Legge was 8th fastest today. :thumbsup:

Not bad for someone who stepped into the car very late this year!

Gary

[FormerFF]

Is it my imagination, or were a lot of seats at the entrance to turn 3 demolished?

I believe you are correct. There were a number of seats removed this year, and I think some were in that section.

[garyshell]

Alessandro in da' house!

https://twitter.com/MarioAndretti/status/338056943967010816/photo/1/large?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=MarioAndretti&utm_content=338056943967010816

3150

Gary

[jimispeed]

So far, typical of Indy as far as the race goes...........but all of the color men need to get off the Ambien! Not enough excitement in their voices, and they've already dropped the ball on who the drivers are. Where is a technical guy?? I miss the NBC Sports Network crew already!!

These color guys might as well be doing golf!!!

[garyshell]

Congrats Tony. I guess the medallion and Zanardi's gold medal helped but YOU won the race!

[Captain Chaos]

And the Andretti Curse continues. :(

But I'm happy for Tony at least.

[jimispeed]

Well deserved! He was in it the whole race!! It was nice to see Alex there as well. Congrats Tony!!!

[marcamillion]

Congrats to Tony on his win, he did a spectacular job after years of almost getting there he finally did it. Carlos Munoz did an exceptional job for getting 2nd place for his first IndyCar race. :)

[heliocastroneves#3]

It was a superb race. What I just thought: Dan Wheldon's last win was Iowa 2008, until he won at Indy in 2011. Tony Kanaan's last win was Iowa 2010 until he won at Indy 2013, coincidence? Because both had an almost 3 year gap between their last wins and Tony was one of DW's best friends, so was Dario of course... Really, I was looking forward to see a new winner OR Hélio becoming a 4-time champion. I'm glad TK did it; He was clearly one of the best "never to win the Indy 500" drivers on the grid. Exactly; Was... Because, now he IS an Indy 500 champ!

[call_me_andrew]

It's a new track record!

The 500-mile average 187.433mph beat Arie Lurendyk's 185.981mph average from 1990.

Tony Kanann also beat his own 500-mile record from Michigan in 1999.

Contrary to some predictions, the race did not suck.

http://www.motorsportforums.com/indycar/140650-randy-wants-see-record-broken-2.html#post872146

[Rex Monaco]

When did the start of the Indy 500 begin having huge gaps between the rows? I seriously can't remember a less exciting start of an Indy 500.

Is drafting back and forth really racing? Is it exciting to see car's sling shot past each other every other lap?

If it was exciting, then someone needed to tell the announcers. Jamie in pit row was the only person in the broadcast with an enthusiasm level to match the event. Could the other announcers have talked more about punching a hole in the air? Well no, because then they'd have nothing else to talk about.

Someone at ABC and/or Indycar should consider watching the Coca-Cola 600 tonight. Even when a NASCAR race is boring, they are able to use the camera MUCH better to create some excitement. It was well past the half way point before ABC even let the viewer know that they had a front straight camera and a helicopter.

I am glad Tony Kanan got his "ugly face" on the trophy. He was deserving of this win, even if it was won under caution (I prefer NASCAR's Green/White/Yellow rule).

[Rex Monaco]

It's a new track record!

The 500-mile average 187.433mph beat Arie Lurendyk's 185.981mph average from 1990.

From the thread you linked:


The 500 mile race speed record could easily be broken right now. All it takes is for the race to go caution free, or at least less than the number they had in 1990.

And that's exactly how it happened.

[FormerFF]

Is drafting back and forth really racing? Is it exciting to see car's sling shot past each other every other lap?




Yes, yes it is. What else would you call it?

At this level, there are only a few ways that you're going to see a pass. Drafting is one, having someone's tires go off is another. Having someone make a mistake is a third way, but at this level, that's pretty uncommon.

[Anubis]

I like the fact Munoz looked dejected because he only came second. Someone needs to give that kid a drive for the season on that showing.

[speedsville]

That was the racing nascar wishes they could put on.
Exciting drafting and slingshoting, most of the field still within the front straight for most of the race.

Great clean start, and restarts!!!

[gm99]

Didn't get to see the race, but from what I read, it seems to have been a good one.
Congrats to Kanaan; the Brickyard has never been kind to him in the past, but now he has put his demons to rest. Jimmy Vasser must be over the moon as well.
Good year for rookies, with Munoz in second and 'Dinger in 7th.

[libra65]

Congrats to TK!! It was a well deserved and long overdue win. They are going to have to use a whole lot of silver to put a mold od his profile on the Borg Warner. ;-D

[call_me_andrew]

And that's exactly how it happened.


There were 5 cautions this year; there were 4 in 1990.

Speaking of NASCAR's cameras, the Coke 600 is currently under a red flag because a camera cable fell on the track.

[beachgirl]

Someone at ABC and/or Indycar should consider watching the Coca-Cola 600 tonight. Even when a NASCAR race is boring, they are able to use the camera MUCH better to create some excitement. It was well past the half way point before ABC even let the viewer know that they had a front straight camera and a helicopter.



Right. The Fox camera cable snapped and came down on the track, damaging several cars and creating an extended red flag. Some excitement alright. No thank you.

[Rex Monaco]

There were 5 cautions this year; there were 4 in 1990.

It's not the number of cautions, it's the number of laps run under a caution. In 1990 there were 28 laps run under caution and in 2013 there were 21 laps run under caution.


Speaking of NASCAR's cameras, the Coke 600 is currently under a red flag because a camera cable fell on the track.

Leaving aside this freak mishap, I've been using the same critical eye while viewing the NASCAR race. Here's my observations.

Obviously the racing is different. Even though NASCAR is also a 'spec series', the engines are not equal. There is no sling shoting to pass. When they pass, they are working for it and it takes 1 or 2 laps to complete it. And other than the first laps after a restart, the car's start to spread out. That makes the racing boring.

But this is where the announcers and the TV coverage help the show. First, the cameras take you down as close to the track as possible to give you a sense of the speed from multiple angles. When there is a race taking place on the track, the camera follows it all around the track. And it doesn't matter where that race is occurring.

The announcers seem much more knowledgeable about the drivers and the racing. More than likely, this is because a producer is feeding them information.

If the ABC had followed the racing taking place all over the track in the Indy 500, if they had brought us down into the action with their cameras and if the announcers had taken uppers instead of downers, the Indy 500 would have been an exciting broadcast.

At the 1/2 way point of the CC 600, I'll lean towards Indycar having the better race. But NASCAR hands down has a much better broadcast.

[Rex Monaco]

Yes, yes it is. What else would you call it?

At this level, there are only a few ways that you're going to see a pass. Drafting is one, having someone's tires go off is another. Having someone make a mistake is a third way, but at this level, that's pretty uncommon.

You're right. At this level, which is spec racing, this is probably as good as it will get. Without differing horsepower or differing aero packages between cars, a single file race with back and forth sling shot passes is probably all we can hope for. The days of 2 or 4 car's breaking away from the pack or 1 car lapping the field before the halfway point are likely gone forever. And we will likely never see side by side racing for position again.

Some people will settle for this. And if they can improve the broadcast, they might make gain a few NASCAR fans.

[Starter]

You're right. At this level, which is spec racing, this is probably as good as it will get. Without differing horsepower or differing aero packages between cars, a single file race with back and forth sling shot passes is probably all we can hope for. The days of 2 or 4 car's breaking away from the pack or 1 car lapping the field before the halfway point are likely gone forever. And we will likely never see side by side racing for position again.

Some people will settle for this. And if they can improve the broadcast, they might make gain a few NASCAR fans.
One car lapping the field before halfway is a guaranteed snoozefest.

[dj_bytedisaster]

One car lapping the field before halfway is a guaranteed snoozefest.

Only if you dislike its driver. A car race usually has more than one participant and a 5-car scuffle for a distant second can be just as entertaining and exciting to watch.

[Ranger]

Congratulations to Tony Kanaan, definitely paid his dues to finally win!

[MAX_THRUST]

GReat race shamed it finished under yellow, but so pleased for TK he was obviously the fans favourite during driver annoucements. Loved the race. Hardly any yellows really till the end. Good racing. Much better than the Monaco GP.

[Lousada]

One car lapping the field before halfway is a guaranteed snoozefest.

The difference was that in the old days it would not be clear cut that any car would compete the 500 miles. Now you just know beforehand that everyone who doesn't crash finishes on the lead lap. What's the point in driving 500 miles when the only thing that matters is the last restart???

[garyshell]

The difference was that in the old days it would not be clear cut that any car would compete the 500 miles. Now you just know beforehand that everyone who doesn't crash finishes on the lead lap. What's the point in driving 500 miles when the only thing that matters is the last restart???

so you would prefer one car lapping the field on lap 100 over a day full of competitive passing and drivers manouvering for position? Really? Sounds boring to me.

Gary

[champcarray]

A great race in many ways. My only complaint (aside from the announcers and camera work) was that it finished under yellow. The race had great dogfights throughout the race and deserved to finish at full throttle.

Does anyone know whether Dario crashed on his own? Also, who took out Saavedra with that chop/block? ABC never bothered to find out. I was gutted for K Legge -- she was flying before her car kissed the wall.

[MAX_THRUST]

Dario crahsed on his own, car was a dog all day. He got loose going into the turn and it snapped on him as he corrcted it. Hit the outside wall.

[Nem14]

What was up with AJ's seat belts?

Way to go Tony Kanaan. :thumbsup:

What was Ryan Hunter-Reay thinking on that, what turned out to be, last restart?


The difference was that in the old days it would not be clear cut that any car would compete the 500 miles. Now you just know beforehand that everyone who doesn't crash finishes on the lead lap. What's the point in driving 500 miles when the only thing that matters is the last restart???

Not everyone that finished was on the lead lap.
When there is a late yellow, everyone closes up, negating any lead the front car has managed to pull out as the race distance is approached.
That is what makes the last restart critical.

[Odie Stracs]

Im not on here that often but im fast falling in love with this race. Last years was awesome with Sato on the last lap and i was glued on Sunday.

Think extra mention to Justin Wilson, how on earth did he end up 5th? great job JW!!!

Top 10 in the standings has closed up nicely!!

[FIAT1]

Again, had a great time at Indy. Nice to see all those fans,but I have to say again that ugly useless bumpers must go. Looking back of those satellite dish looking cars makes me puke. Lawnmower sound of the cars is weak. Spec Indy light racing at best. There is people who love spec manufactured show and it could be entertaining ,but I'm not one of them and sooner they get rid of it, the better. Lead changes 60 or more but no one wants to lead as they know is not real and means nothing. When leading Indy500 three laps to go is a bad thing than something is very wrong. Yellow finish is fine with me ,as win some or lose some by the same historic rule ,but it's real 500. No manufactured finishes please.Track and stands needs update, looks like antique place.Paint is cheap and millions from taxpayers could do wonders to the place. Cute speeches and big plans of opening competition are lip service, show me. Builder of ugly race cars is locked in until 2017, TV 2018. Good lock with that. Trying to be nascar will not bring nascar fans to the seats but will make Indycar fans leave the sport more and more every year. Fact? Ratings. See u in Mlwaukee.

[Starter]

First you say
Again, had a great time at Indy. Nice to see all those fans.....

Then you say
.....ugly useless bumpers must go......those satellite dish looking cars makes me puke.....Lawnmower sound of the cars is weak..... Spec Indy light racing at best.....but I'm not one of them and sooner they get rid of it, the better.....no one wants to lead as they know is not real and means nothing.....leading Indy500 three laps to go is a bad thing than something is very wrong.....Cute speeches and big plans of opening competition are lip service.....
Which is it?

[Rex Monaco]

Which is it?

Why can't it be both? Can't you have a good time at a Madonna concert and still criticize her wardrobe, political rantings and/or tired dance routines?

[FIAT1]

First you say



Then you say
Which is it?

Yes Indy, beer and that over sized piece of fried meat was great. People where great and most that I have talked to feel the same, and talk mostly about good old days,why?




Yes,ugly spec racing is not Indy or Indycar, and picking through my post will not change the fact of lowest rating in history because of the product that suck.Typical response from you ,but is not me that bothers you is it? Fact that you are wrong ,and phony product that doesn't sell is your enemy. People like you who would settle for anything keep on preaching, not many are listening anymore I'm afraid.

[Starter]

Yes Indy, beer and that over sized piece of fried meat was great. People where great and most that I have talked to feel the same, and talk mostly about good old days,why?
Anytime you can combine racing, beer and good food is not a wasted day. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.





Yes,ugly spec racing is not Indy or Indycar, and picking through my post will not change the fact of lowest rating in history because of the product that suck.
I guess it's what you are calling the "product". Is it racing or the spectacle? I am a racing fan and the racing this year was pretty good. The spectacle, as in faster cars and new lap records, not so much. Personally, I find any competitive race to be enjoyable. From SCCA FVs up to F1. It's the drivers getting the maximum out of the machine they are driving (and not some other machine not in the race) in wheel to wheel competition.


Typical response from you ,but is not me that bothers you is it? Fact that you are wrong ,and phony product that doesn't sell is your enemy. People like you who would settle for anything keep on preaching, not many are listening anymore I'm afraid.
First, if you truly though it was a "phoney product", why did you spend the bucks necessary to attend?

And second, you completely misunderstand my position. I still fondly remember the days of the CanAm with the McLarens, Porsche 917s, Chaparrals, and Shadows. Much faster cars than any CART Indy car and a great series while it ran. But the economics were unsustainable. I miss it, but that doesn't mean I spend my time lamenting that today's cars aren't as fast. I agree today's IndyCar is not as good as the days of CART. The problem is that current economics won't support the old CART either. It's still good racing though and I still enjoy it. There's a saying that the only thing in life that never changes is change.

It's not a question of settling for anything. It's understanding the realities. Where there's a chance to make changes, I'll work on it and where it's just wishful thinking, I'll spend my energies on something which will result in a positive outcome.

[FIAT1]

I guess it's what you are calling the "product". Is it racing or the spectacle? I am a racing fan and the racing this year was pretty good. The spectacle, as in faster cars and new lap records, not so much. Personally, I find any competitive race to be enjoyable. From SCCA FVs up to F1. It's the drivers getting the maximum out of the machine they are driving (and not some other machine not in the race) in wheel to wheel competition.



First, if you truly though it was a "phoney product", why did you spend the bucks necessary to attend?

It's understanding the realities. Where there's a chance to make changes, I'll work on it and where it's just wishful thinking, I'll spend my energies on something which will result in a positive outcome.



I did say some might enjoy this type a racing as it could be entertaining. I don't despute it could be fun to watch at times but we know is not real and I will say again, when driver is leading a Indy 500 he shouldn't be a sitting duck,that's wrong. Leading the race last laps is considered bad position, please!That is a phoney product that Indy fans are rejecting in big numbers.


Spend to see the race because I love motor racing, still believe that open wheel will come back to be open wheel at Indy some day, and couldn't be in Monaco .

Understanding the realities means this type Indy light cars and racing ,manufactured passing, is not selling. There are fans who express their opinion on what they like, support the series and don't want to see it die, and there are fans who watch it daying and think they doing something positive by settling for less and cheering how its a best as ever been.

[Starter]

That is a phoney product that Indy fans are rejecting in big numbers.
You'd get much less push back from me if you'd cut down on the hyperbola. It's not a "phoney product". The product is real, you just don't care for it.



Spend to see the race because I love motor racing, still believe that open wheel will come back to be open wheel at Indy some day, and couldn't be in Monaco .
Good answer.


Understanding the realities means this type Indy light cars and racing ,manufactured passing, is not selling.
Perhaps, but there isn't a viable alternative at the moment.


.....and there are fans who watch it daying and think they doing something positive by settling for less and cheering how its a best as ever been.
I'm sure you aren't talking about me, as I said just the opposite in my post just above yours.

[FIAT1]

You'd get much less push back from me if you'd cut down on the hyperbola. It's not a "phoney product". The product is real, you just don't care for it.









Push all you want, it's not about me and what I like. Numbers speak for themselves and it's alarming.

[wedge]

I sympathise with those who have been critical but on balance it was a good race. Reminiscent of the CART/Hanford era with lots of overtaking and arguably too much but it was great to watch drafting and slingshots - this is the type of racing NASCAR needs for their plate tracks.

Its a work in progress but I'd rather watch that type of racing than pack racing on cookie cutter ovals.

[EagleEye]

And second, you completely misunderstand my position. I still fondly remember the days of the CanAm with the McLarens, Porsche 917s, Chaparrals, and Shadows. Much faster cars than any CART Indy car and a great series while it ran. But the economics were unsustainable. I miss it, but that doesn't mean I spend my time lamenting that today's cars aren't as fast. I agree today's IndyCar is not as good as the days of CART. The problem is that current economics won't support the old CART either. It's still good racing though and I still enjoy it. There's a saying that the only thing in life that never changes is change.

It's not a question of settling for anything. It's understanding the realities. Where there's a chance to make changes, I'll work on it and where it's just wishful thinking, I'll spend my energies on something which will result in a positive outcome.

Winner winner chicken dinner!

[FIAT1]

Yep, blindfolded in la-la land are still singing same old boring tune, but reality bites!!!

[garyshell]

Yep, blindfolded in la-la land are still singing same old boring tune, but reality bites!!!

You know the reality is you could actually look in the mirror and read this to yourself as well. There is a reality that no money exists to do what you keep calling for and most of us agree we also want. The difference is, we don't see a scenario playing out to allow it to happen and we, unlike you, admit that fact. Until someone finds a way to PAY the costs to get the changes we all want, it ain't gonna happen.

Gary

[FIAT1]

Acapela Group invents speech solutions to vocalize content with authentic & original voices that bring more meaning & intent, while reality still bites.

[call_me_andrew]

Anyone else notice how much the racing was a product of weather?

Last year the weather was hot and sunny, a failed passing attempt would result in lifting and lifting killed forward momentum.

This year the weather was cold and overcast. This gave extra grip so there wasn't much need to lift and that made it easier to pass.

[Rex Monaco]

There is a reality that no money exists to do what you keep calling for and most of us agree we also want.

The reality is, that the Indycar series is not seen as a viable investment for Fortune 500 companies and/or auto manufactures. There is money out there. Lots of it. There is no ROI in Indycar. Fix that, and the money will come.