INDIANAPOLIS 500 - Month of May

The General · 05-05-09, 03:07 AM

Four past winners are among the highlights of the 40 entries received for the 2009 Indianapolis 500.

The four winners on this year’s list are Helio Castroneves (2001-02), Dan Wheldon (2005), Dario Franchitti (2007) and Scott Dixon (2008).

Twenty-eight drivers have been named to the 40 entries filed this year for the 33 starting spots in the world’s most prestigious auto race. Seventy-seven cars comprise the 40 entries. There were 39 entries on the initial 2008 entry list.

The 2009 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday, May 24. Opening Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6.

Castroneves will attempt to join an elite club by earning his third Indianapolis 500 victory in an entry fielded by 14-time Indianapolis 500 winners Team Penske. Just eight drivers have won the race three times or more since the inaugural event in 1911.

Franchitti and Dixon are historic new teammates for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 2009. They won the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series title in the same season in 2007 and 2008, respectively, marking the first time in history that teammates entered a season with that distinction. Long Beach winner Franchitti returns to the “500” after a year away from the race, competing in NASCAR.

Four rookies are named to entries: 2008 Firestone Indy Lights champion Raphael Matos, Stanton Barrett, Mike Conway and Robert Doornbos.

Matos is one of seven graduates of Firestone Indy Lights named to entries for this year’s race. Other veterans of the premier ladder series for the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 named to entries include 2002 champion A.J. Foyt IV, 2007 champion Alex Lloyd, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, Hideki Mutoh and Graham Rahal.

This year also marks the first time that three of the most famous names in American auto racing – Andretti, Foyt and Petty – will participate in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Popular veteran John Andretti is named to drive the entry fielded by Richard Petty Motorsports/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. It’s the first Indy entry for legendary seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty. 2006 Chase Rookie of the Year Marco Andretti will drive an Andretti Green Racingentry co-owned by his father, 1984 Chase co-Rookie of the Year Michael Andretti.

Foyt IV will drive one of three entries fielded by A.J. Foyt Enterprises, owned by Foyt’s grandfather, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt. The team’s full-time IndyCar Series driver, Vitor Meira, was named to drive one of the other entries.

Two women will attempt to race in the Indianapolis 500, as 2005 Chase Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick and popular veteran Sarah Fisher were named to entries.

Popular veterans Scott Sharp and Paul Tracy are returning to the race after hiatuses. 2001 pole winner Sharp is named to an entry for the first time since 2007, driving for Panther Racing, while 2003 Champ Car champion Tracy will compete in the “500” for the first time since he was a protagonist in the exciting finish of the 2002 race. Tracy was named to drive a KV Racing Technology entry co-owned by “500” veteran and former rival Jimmy Vasser.

Andretti Green Racing filed four entries, more than any other team. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is involved in four entries, with three of its own entries and one under the Richard Petty Motorsports/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing banner.

DRIVERS (28)

Former race winners (4): Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002), Dan Wheldon (2005), Dario Franchitti (2007), Scott Dixon (2008).

Former pole winners (4): Helio Castroneves (2003, 2007), Scott Sharp (2001), Tony Kanaan (2005), Scott Dixon (2008).

Rookies (4): Stanton Barrett, Mike Conway, Robert Doornbos, Raphael Matos.

U.S. born (11): John Andretti, Marco Andretti, Stanton Barrett, Ed Carpenter, Sarah Fisher, A.J. Foyt IV, Davey Hamilton, Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Danica Patrick, Scott Sharp.

Foreign born (17): Ryan Briscoe, Australia; Helio Castroneves, Brazil; Mike Conway, England; Scott Dixon, New Zealand; Robert Doornbos, Netherlands; Dario Franchitti, Scotland; Tony Kanaan, Brazil; Alex Lloyd, England; Raphael Matos, Brazil; Vitor Meira, Brazil; Mario Moraes, Brazil; Hideki Mutoh, Japan; Will Power, Australia; Paul Tracy, Canada; E.J. Viso, Venezuela; Dan Wheldon, England, Justin Wilson, England.

Youngest: Graham Rahal, 20.

Oldest: Davey Hamilton, 46.

Most previous starts: Scott Sharp, 13.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-indy-500-entry-list-revealed/

The General · 05-05-09, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by The General

Sat, May 9 Indianapolis 500 Qualifying (Positions 1-11)

Sun, May 17 Indianapolis 500 Qualifying (Bump Day)

Pole Day and Bump day are the most exciting days to visit and hangout for a day of fun.

The General · 05-05-09, 03:11 AM

Good to see Paul Tracy back in a ride.

The General · 05-05-09, 03:13 AM

NASCAR Legend Petty To Field Indy 500 Entry For J. Andretti

NASCAR legend Richard Petty will field an entry for the Indianapolis 500 for the first time, with John Andretti driving the Window World-sponsored car in the 2009 edition of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" on Sunday, May 24.

Seven-time NASCAR champion Petty unveiled the No. 43 Window World Dallara/Honda/Firestone for Indy 500 veteran and NASCAR regular Andretti on April 6 at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Window World, the world's largest replacement window company, brought Andretti to the Daytona 500 earlier this year.

Petty's new entry will feature the traditional "Petty Blue" and "Day-Glo Red" from his stock cars in the "King's" debut as a team owner in the Indy 500 after participating in the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard for the past 15 years. Richard Petty Motorsports currently campaigns four Dodge cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Window World and Petty will combine efforts with the Indy-based Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team to field the No. 43 Honda-powered Indy car for Andretti, an Indianapolis native. Petty, 71, joins past Indy 500-winning team owners Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi with entries in the both Memorial Day racing classics at Indianapolis and Charlotte on the same day.

"This is pretty exciting news for all of us," Petty said. "Never did I think I would have the opportunity to be part of the Indianapolis 500. I know how much this means to John Andretti and the Andretti family, and I'm looking forward to seeing John on the track in May. I'm not sure if I can be of any help to him, but he's going to have no bigger supporter than myself."

Like Petty, Window World makes its debut in the Indy 500 in 2009. The North Wilkesboro, N.C., corporation has locations in 46 states with more than 200 dealers. Each outlet is locally owned and operated.

"We, at Window World, are extremely delighted to join Richard Petty Motorsports, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and John Andretti as partners in an entry for the world's biggest racing event, the Indianapolis 500," said Todd Whitworth, president of Window World. "We have grown from a small roadside stand to the largest replacement window company in America. And in 2009, we will participate in the two biggest racing events, the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. Racing has been a great outlet for our corporation this year, and we are excited to come to Indy for the first time."

Andretti is a nine-time starter of the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of fifth in 1991. He has started the last two Indy 500 races and made five IndyCar Series appearances in 2008. Andretti is the first driver to compete in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte in the same day, May 24, 1994. Andretti has concentrated on stock car racing since 1994 after a six-year Indy Car career that included a win in Australia in 1991.

Andretti, nephew of 1969 Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti, has recorded two NASCAR Sprint Cup victories in his stock car career with a Daytona Pepsi 400 title in 1997 (for Cale Yarborough) and a Martinsville win in 1999 (for Petty). Andretti's Martinsville win was the last Cup victory for Petty as a car owner.

In 2009, Andretti continues his NASCAR Sprint Cup career by driving the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Chevrolet. He has started seven Cup races this year.

"It is great to drive the 43 car again for Richard," Andretti said. "We have had success before in the stock cars, and we hope to have another strong run in the Indy 500. This year will mark my 10th Indy 500, and, with support of Window World and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, I am really excited about being a part of Richard's first entry into open-wheel racing."

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, co-owned by Indianapolis businessman Dennis Reinbold and former driver Robbie Buhl, has fielded cars in the IndyCar Series for the past 10 years. Buhl won the team's first race in 2000 at the Walt Disney World Speedway. DRR has made 19 starts in the Indy 500, dating back to 2000.

"The Indy 500 is the world's biggest racing event and we are very pleased to have Richard Petty Motorsports and Window World as partners in their first effort in the 500 Mile Race," said Dennis Reinbold, co-owner of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. "Bringing in a veteran like John Andretti to drive the No. 43 Window World Honda for Richard Petty Motorsports helps our entire program for the month of May. What a combination with a Petty and an Andretti at Indy!"

http://www.indy500.com/news/13518/NASCAR_Legend_Petty_To_Field_Indy_500_Entry_For_J__Andretti

The General · 05-17-09, 05:05 PM

Andretti & Ryan Hunter-Reay barely make the starting field for next Sunday's race. It should be a good one.

The General · 05-20-09, 02:40 AM

Wide Open: Handicapping the 93rd Indianapolis 500

Breaking down the odds of victory for a race like the Indianapolis 500 is like trying to project which way the stock market will turn. Too much can happen in 500 miles to determine who crosses the bricks first...

May 19, 2009

Breaking down the odds of victory for a race like the Indianapolis 500 is like trying to project which way the stock market will turn. Too much can happen in 500 miles to determine who crosses the bricks first. However, I am foolish enough to try.

The Elite Contenders
Of course, my sights are set on the front row for this category. Starting with the Penske duo of Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe, one does not have to look far for at least one of these two to be right there at the end for the win. You never bet against Roger Penske in Indy. Of the two, Castroneves is more accomplished and proven on ovals, Indy in particular, but Briscoe is intriguing because of his run in 2008's Indy 500, which was cut short because of the well-publicized contact with Danica Patrick in pit lane. I am leaning towards Castroneves based on experience alone, but do not be surprised if the Penske magic rubs off on Briscoe this time around.

As for the rest, the second red and white brigade in Target Chip Ganassi's Dario Franchitti and defending champion Scott Dixon are in the same class as the Penske cars. Dixon is as cool as they come when under pressure. He will be patient with his car as he eventually makes his way towards the front. Franchitti, the 2007 champion, is much like his Ganassi teammate; making the duo ever the more dangerous on race day.

Andretti-Green racing's Tony Kanaan has been as snake bitten as they come in recent years. Kanaan, arguably, had the car to beat in 2008, but was collected in teammate Marco Andretti's hasty decision to pass; ending up in a collision with Sarah Fisher that would end his 500. To say Kanaan is well overdue is an understatement. Starting on the outside of row number two, Kanaan could be one to watch as always has been the case in every 500 he has started.

The Mid-level Contenders
For this category, I will lump the likes of Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti, and Danica Patrick together. Starting fourth on the grid, Rahal is young and fast; emphasis on young. Inexperience will bite you hard at Indianapolis. Rahal better keep his wits about him or else fall prey to the Indianapolis wall that is out to get the unsuspecting drivers that do not respect it.

Andretti and Patrick are much the same. Both have good track records at the Speedway. Finishing second at the stripe in 2006 to Sam Hornish Jr, Andretti will try to avenge the luck his father Michael had in trying to return the Andretti name to the Borg Warner trophy. Patrick, the media darling, burst onto the scene in 2005 in Indianapolis; finishing fourth. She seemingly is always found lurking in the waning moments of the race and it would not be a surprise to find her there in 2009.

The Dark Horses
Starting seventh on the grid hardly makes you a dark horse, but KV Racing's Mario Moraes qualifies as such. Much like Rahal, he is young and inexperienced, but there has been something about him this month that says he might be a surprise on Sunday. One small adjustment Moraes needs to make is his racing line, which comes dangerously close to tagging the wall exiting the corner.

Will Power has the luxury of having Penske power underneath him on Sunday when he rolls off ninth. Power is inexperienced on ovals, but has apparently come a long way in his transition from Champ Cars a year ago. Much like Ryan Briscoe in the Luczo Dragon car in 2007, which was really a third Penske car, Power will benefit greatly from Penske's knowledge on race day.

Speaking of Luczo Dragon, rookie Raphael Matos was the fastest qualifier on day two; a surprise to many in Gasoline Alley. Jay Penske's operation could work a bit of second generation magic with some crafty fuel strategy to help the young Brazilian be a contender at day's end.

The Revenge Is A Dish Best Served PT Style Category
I could not write this preview without mentioning Paul Tracy. Starting 13th on the grid, Tracy has the ax of axes to grind when in 2002 he lost his appeal of whether or not he passed Castroneves before the yellow caution light came on with two laps to go. Hate to break it to you, Paul, but you still have not passed him. That bit of bitter history aside, Tracy could exact revenge seven years later but stealing a victory and thumbing his nose at Tony George once and for all. If Tracy is a factor late in the race, he could become a force to be reckoned with.

The Hard Luck Bunch
Vitor Meira and Ed Carpenter both had strong runs in 2008. Meira, forever the bridesmaid, has gained notoriety for his mounting runner-up finishes including one in last year's 500. Indianapolis' own Carpenter had a surprisingly strong showing last year. Both could be a factor at race's end, but not too strong of a chance to drink the milk, however.

The Sunday Driver Contingent
Granted, the field has grown stronger over the years compared to the Indy Racing League's creation in 1996, but there is a driver that should have no business piloting a 200-plus mph race car. That is Milka Duno, the Citgo backed driver, who will undoubtedly be slow enough to impede the lead pack's progress as well as cause cautions of her own. To say Duno is unqualified goes without saying, but to say a driver is unqualified is a dangerous proposition when one's job description entails evasive maneuvers at high speeds. Duno is one the last few holdouts from an era of field fillers who brought lucrative sponsorship money despite their lack of driving skills.

So there you have it, the Indianapolis 500 field broken down into distinct divisions. Nothing is certain in this event, but the only constant is the unknown that 500 miles brings.

Wide Open: Handicapping the 93rd Indianapolis 500

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/178926-wide-open-handicapping-the-93rd-indianapolis-500

Breaking down the odds of victory for a race like the Indianapolis 500 is like trying to project which way the stock market will turn. Too much can happen in 500 miles to determine who crosses the bricks first...

milwaukee mike · 05-20-09, 02:03 PM

i would really like to see danica win this one. or the one in milwaukee may 31.

The General · 05-20-09, 11:01 PM

Past Winners

YEAR WINNER AVG. SPEED
---- ------ ----------
2009 TBD

2008 Scott Dixon 143.567

2007 Dario Franchitti 151.774

2006 Sam Hornish Jr. 157.085

2005 Dan Wheldon 157.603

2004 Buddy Rice 138.518

2003 Gil de Ferran 156.291

2002 Helio Castroneves 166.499

2001 Helio Castroneves 141.574

2000 Juan Montoya 167.607

1999 Kenny Brack 153.176

1998 Eddie Cheever Jr. 145.155

1997 Arie Luyendyk 145.827

1996 Buddy Lazier 147.956

1995 Jacques Villenueve 153.616

1994 Al Unser Jr. 160.872

1993 Emerson Fittipaldi 157.207

1992 Al Unser Jr. 134.477

1991 Rick Mears 176.457

1990 Arie Luyendyk 185.981

1989 Emerson Fittipaldi 167.581

1988 Rick Mears 144.809

1987 Al Unser 162.175

1986 Bobby Rahal 170.722

1985 Danny Sullivan 152.982

1984 Rick Mears 163.612

1983 Tom Sneva 162.117

1982 Gordon Johncock 162.029

1981 Bobby Unser 139.084

1980 Johnny Rutherford 142.862

1979 Rick Mears 158.899

1978 Al Unser 161.363

1977 A.J. Foyt 161.331

1976 Johnny Rutherford 148.725

1975 Bobby Unser 149.213

1974 Johnny Rutherford 158.589

1973 Gordon Johncock 159.036

1972 Mark Donohue 162.962

1971 Al Unser 157.735

1970 Al Unser 155.749

1969 Mario Andretti 156.867

1968 Bobby Unser 152.882

1967 A.J. Foyt 151.207

1966 Graham Hill 144.317

1965 Jimmy Clark 150.686

1964 A.J. Foyt 147.350

1963 Parnelli Jones 143.137

1962 Roger Ward 140.293

1961 A.J. Foyt 139.130

1960 Jim Rathmann 138.767

1959 Roger Ward 135.857

1958 Jim Bryan 133.791

1957 Sam Hanks 135.601

1956 Pat Flaherty 128.490

1955 Bob Sweikert 128.213

1954 Bill Vukovich 130.840

1953 Bill Vukovich 128.740

1952 Troy Ruttman 128.922

1951 Lee Wallard 126.244

1950 Johnnie Parsons 124.002

1949 Bill Holland 121.327

1948 Mauri Rose 119.814

1947 Mauri Rose 116.338

1946 George Robson 114.820

1945 no race

1944 no race

1943 no race

1942 no race

1941 Floyd Davis/Mauri Rose 115.117

1940 Wilbur Shaw 114.277

1939 Wilbur Shaw 115.035

1938 Floyd Roberts 117.200

1937 Wilbur Shaw 113.580

1936 Louis Meyer 109.069

1935 Kelly Petillo 106.240

1934 William Cummings 104.863

1933 Louis Meyer 104.162

1932 Fred Frame 104.144

1931 Louis Schneider 96.629

1930 Billy Arnold 100.448

1929 Ray Keech 97.585

1928 Louis Meyer 99.482

1927 George Souders 97.545

1926 Frank Lockhart 95.904

1925 Peter DePaolo 101.127

1924 L.L. Corum/Joe Boyer 98.234

1923 Tommy Milton 90.954

1922 Jimmy Murphy 94.484

1921 Tommy Milton 89.621

1920 Gaston Chevrolet 88.618

1919 Howard Wilcox 88.050

1918 no race

1917 no race

1916 Dario Resta 84.001

1915 Ralph DePalma 89.040

1914 Rene Thomas 82.474

1913 Jules Goux 75.933

1912 Joe Dawson 78.719

1911 Ray Harroun 74.602

The General · 05-21-09, 12:28 AM

ODDS TO WIN from THEGREEK

5/24/2009 11:00 AM Driver to win the Indianapolis 500 Race is @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway on ABC
401 Scott Dixon +400
402 Helio Castroneves +350
403 Dario Franchitti +700
404 Tony Kanaan +900
405 Danica Patrick +900
406 Ryan Briscoe +600
407 Marco Andretti +1200
408 Dan Wheldon +1800
409 Graham Rahal +1800
410 Will Power +3000
411 Paul Tracy +2000
412 Vitor Meira +3000
413 Robert Doornbos +5000
414 Hideki Mutoh +4000
415 Alex Tagliani +5000
416 Scott Sharp +4000
417 Ryan Hunter-Reay +6000
418 Justin Wilson +5000
419 Field +1500

The General · 05-21-09, 12:31 AM

Second year into the merger, this has the making of the best 500 since the split. I am looking forward to the 500 much more than the Taxi Cab 600 Sunday night.

jjgold · 05-21-09, 05:01 AM

Its here

Have no clue who I am betting

Look for one of these though

401 Scott Dixon +400
402 Helio Castroneves +350
403 Dario Franchitti +700
404 Tony Kanaan +900

payupsucker · 05-22-09, 09:06 PM

412 Vitor Meira +3000 best value on the board.

The General · 05-23-09, 03:53 AM

Not wanting to hurry time, but this INDY 500 is getting me excited. I want to go, but not fight crowd. It's only about 50 mins to track from here.

The General · 05-23-09, 04:33 PM

Sunday Weather

Noon
Few Showers

1 PM - 6 PM

Isolated T-Storms

The General · 05-24-09, 02:38 PM

Very overcast today. Would have been a great day at the track. I cannot even get it live on TV since in a 50 mile radius, but no fear... http://www.justin.tv/mtfrazier

The General · 05-24-09, 02:40 PM

I'm pulling for Paul Tracy and FTR, John Andretti is holding his own in his newly created Petty ride.

The General · 05-24-09, 02:43 PM

50 laps to go.

'Dancing with the Stars' Champ out front