Tag: Indianapolis 500

Doug Boles spoke to the media about the impending rainstorm approaching Indianapolis from the west.

He said it appears the raion should hit around noon.

“Our biggest concern in that weather is not the rain as much as it is the lightning and our biggest concern overall is making sure that our customers here at the speedway are safe. So we will continue to monitor that. I think over the course of the next couple of hours will really define on when that when that storm could hit Indianapolis,” Boples said.

“And we will want to make sure that we are informing our customers, letting them know where we are so that they have a top at halftime to decide what they want to do whether they want to hang here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or whether they want to stay in their cars or frankly whether they want to wait until they see how is weather comes together. So I really think over the next couple of hours we will have a pretty good definition of what that’s going to look like.”

Boles said fans will leave the stands long before lightning is detected in the standard 8 mile radius to give them time to find shelter..

There will be another update in about two hours. Boles believes they will have a good sense of timing of the rain by then.

Good morning from a dark IMS. The track s already buzzing as everything is getting in place for the gates to open in 15 minutes.

Traffic was as heavy as I have ever seen it on 16th St an hour ago.

Here is the starting lineup:

Still waiting for word on what the weather will hold for us today. I hope we get the full race in without interruption. it is going to be one of the most compelling races in a while. Colton Herta is n ow my pick to win.

I will up date the weather during the morning hours on @tutorindie on Xwitter, and The Pit Window on Facebook.

Some photos from this morning:

Word came last night that the local television blackout would not be lifted. The weather threat slowed the brisk ticket sale, leaving about 5,000 unsold reserved seats. The outcry from some fans, many of whom don’t even live in the blackout radius and can watch the race live, was loud and anguished. I heard a few complaints from Indy area folks. The race is shown on WTHR tv at night, so local fans can watch the race the same day. If you don’t live here, you have no right to complain about it.

Historic Car Drivers

I don’t remember the speedway publishing a list of who would drive the cars in the historic car parade, but here it is. It is the only part of the pre race ceremonies where I recognize the participants.

From yesterday

108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Race Preview

Weather Watch

As of now, it appears the race can start on time, but going the distance may be an issue. Rain could begin in the 2 pm hour and might be severe. If more than 101 laps have been run, there will not be a postponement to Monday. Officials will work to see if the track can dry in time to resume the race. I will have an update in the morning.

Carb Day Crowd

I haven’t seen any estimated attendance figures from Friday, but that was one of the largest Carb Day crowds I have ever seen. This day used to be virtually a semi private Thursday run, which was sparsely attended.

I will be back early in the morning with the latest weather and any other developments. Enjoy whatever pre race activities you are doing tonight.

Today which should a day of honoring great drivers of the past, has become a perfunctory autograph session for the drivers on the grid and separate sessions for a few old-timers. A ceremonial drivers’ meeting is the highlight of the day.

Gone are the classic cars driving around the track, the former driver honoree of the year, and the memorabilia show. Then the track closes until 6 am Sunday. Fans used to be able to wander around the track the day before the race. The museum is closed for construction, which compounds the frustration this year.

If you are a first timer to the race, the drivers’ meeting is enjoyable. It is a good chance to see the entire field.

I will spend my day in Plainfield at the memorabilia show.

For those of you planning to go to the track, here is the info from IMS:

Gainbridge Legends Day Presented by Firestone track activity Saturday, May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

SCHEDULE (All times local):

8 a.m.-3 p.m.: Public Gates Open

9-10 a.m.: Driver Autograph Session (Pagoda Plaza)

10:30 a.m.: Public Driver Meeting (Pit Lane – Tower Terrace)

Noon-1 p.m.: Former Driver Autograph Session #1

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Former Driver Autograph Session #2

TICKETS: General Admission tickets are $20. Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.

PUBLIC GATES OPEN (8 a.m.-3 p.m.): Gate 2, Gate 4, Gate 6 South, Gate 7 South, Gate 7 Vehicle, Gate 7S, Gate 10, Gate 10A

PARKING: Limited free parking is located in the N Lot, and the West Museum Lot, Tower Terrace Lot and Flag Lot for ADA, and South Carousel Lot for motorcycles. Paid parking and paid ADA parking is $10 in Lot 2. Bicycle parking is located outside Gate 1, Gate 6 and Gate 9.

CASHLESS OPERATIONS: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a cashless facility. Fans should be prepared to complete their ticket, credentials, parking, concession and merchandise purchases with ease during their event via debit or credit card.

Tap-to-pay phone payments will be accepted, as will credit and debit transactions. Cash-to-Card machines, which convert paper money onto a temporary debit card, will be located in Pagoda Plaza and outside Turn 1 by concessions stand 7. These funds can be spent inside the venue, outside the venue, online or anywhere in the world where Mastercard/Visa debit cards are accepted.

MUSEUM: The IMS Museum is closed for a major renovation, reopening in April 2025. To learn more, please visit imsmuseum.org/renovation.

From Indycar:

INDYCAR has informed race teams of procedural updates ahead of the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. During this morning’s drivers’ meeting, teams were made aware of:

• The dashed white line from the exit of Turn 4 to the pit entry attenuator will be officiated for Sunday’s race. Cars that have left-side tires past the dashed line will be penalized unless entering the pit lane, for incident avoidance or in an obvious attempt to avoid a closed pit lane and return to the racetrack.

In accordance with INDYCAR penalty guidelines, INDYCAR can impose penalties that include:

• Drive-through penalty
• If at the conclusion of the race, a time penalty equal to a drive-through penalty
• If under yellow condition, the car is ordered to the rear of the restart lineup

• Consistent with its use at other NTT INDYCAR SERIES events, EM Motorsports light panels positioned around the track will illuminate all flag conditions, including green, to supplement the traditional cloth flag waved at the start-finish line for both starts and restarts. The EM Motorsports light panels are mounted in addition to the traditional track condition lights used at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

• Restart procedure:
  • In collaboration with NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams and drivers, the 2024 restart line designated in the last corner will not be implemented at the “500.”
  • As in previous years, cars may begin racing (including passing) at the declaration of a green condition.

The 2024 INDYCAR rulebook will be updated to reflect these changes later today.

The 108th Indianapolis 500, round five of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, is Sunday, May 26. Coverage begins at 11 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock with a Spanish-language version available on Universo. The award-winning INDYCAR Radio Network is available on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

Here is a list of the historic cars expected to run Race morning. The laps begin at 10:54 ET.

1974 McLaren M16C

1974 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds Pace Car

2003 Penske Panoz G GForce/Toyota

1954 Dean Van Lines Special Kuzma

1973 Sugar Ripe Prune Special Eagle

1964 Sheraton Thompson Special Watson

1934 Cummins Engine Special

1939 Boyle Special Maserati 8 CTF

1968 Lotus Powered by Ford Type 29

1914 Delage

1909 Buick

Simon Pagenaud will drive the 2003 Panoz in which Gil de Ferran won the race.

The 1939 Boyle Special is arguably the greatest car in Speedway history, with two wins and three other top 5 finishes.

From earlier

108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Race Preview

Winners

IMS has awarded blue jackets to all the living winners of the Indianapolis 500.

I believe this is the largest group of living former winners in history, thanks to safety advances.

We have arrived at the most exciting time of the year. A strong field will, weather permitting, take the green flag Sunday for the 108th Indianapolis 500. At least a third of the field has a chance to win. Several variables were in play before the dreaded R word entered the picture. Will we see the engine issues that appeared in qualifying? Both Chevy and Honda have changed engines at a rapid rate this season. Will tire degradation be sufficient to make for a good race? Are six rookies a cause for concern?

It has been a long time since the series has seen such a plague of engine issues. Chevrolet had at least six problems with plenum fires in qualifying runs. Honda changed a car’s engine at the slightest hint of trouble. In all as of Saturday, the two OEMs switched more than a dozen powerplants.

Reliability could be what determines a driver’s fate on race day. Late race drama could be in the offing.

From last night

Carb Day- Weather, Schedule, Notes

Tires

In a media availability on Monday, Colton Herta said that the tire degradation was similar to last year, and possibly a little less. I hope there is enough wear to provide for some good racing, especially on the final stint. I have a feeling someone might gamble on a long stint, if they believe rain is coming. The strategy would turn the race into a fuel saving exercise as well. Ugh.

Rookies

Six Indianapolis 500 rookies-Kyle Larson, Christian Rasmussen, Linus Lundqvist, Marcus Armstrong, Tom Blomqvist, and Kyffin Simpson-will start their first 500. This is about as talented a rookie class as we have seen at IMS. How will they fare? In 2022, nearly all the first year drivers were involved in incidents. I don’t think that will happen Sunday, but I expect a couple of these drivers to have issues on track.

Red Flag

The rule I want- if the red flag isn’t wet, don’t wave it.

What will happen- Indycar seems determined to have a green flag finish. As we saw last year, this is a dangerous policy which leads to more accidents.

I hope the latest caution is around lap 172, so there is no reason for a controversial finish like 2023.

I would even take a rain shortened race over a finish like last year.

Weather-or Not?

There will be no decision on delays or postponements until Sunday. I understand the reason for this. Indycar and IMS want to run the race on its appointed day if at all possible. Please be patient as officials decide what to do. Theer are a lot of moving parts to a postponement for the series, their broadcast partners, and also the fans.

We have been spoiled with 17 straight races without weather interference. Historically, we are part due for a messy race day. I sincerely hope it won’t be as bad as 2004 or the disastrous 1973.

The Winner

Assuming the race goes full distance without interruption, even if it is Monday, I like Alexander Rossi to get his second victory. He has been racy all week, and he nearly broke up the Penske front row party. His teammate Pato O’Ward is my second choice. Among the Hondas, the Andretti duo of Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood have the best chance. They have been very fast in race trim.