Tag: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

1953-Vukovich Dominates

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After falling just nine laps short of victory in 1952, Bill Vukovich finished the job this time on the hottest day in 500 history to date. Vukovich led 195 laps starting from pole. Sam Hanks led three laps, and Fred Agabashian and Jim Rathmann each led a lap. Vukovich took the lead for good on lap 54.

Had Vukovich won in 1952, the year ending in a 3 would have produced a multiple winner for the third staright time. Tommy Milton won his second 500 in 1923 and Louis Meyer won his second in 1933.

While the race seemed easy for Vukovich- he and runner-up Art Cross were the only drivers who did not use a rellief driver in the 90 degree heat- winning the pole was not. A heavy rain began while he was on his qualification run. Vukovich completed the four laps and still won the pole.

Bill Vukovich celebrates his pole in the rain.

The race featured just two former winner, Johnnie Parsons and BillmHolland. It was Holland’s first 500 since his suspension for driing in non sanctioned races. Six future winners started the race- Bob Sweikert, Pat Flaherty Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, Jim Rathmann, and Sam Hanks.

Gene Hartley did not have a good race. He crashed on lap 53, then took over as a relief driver and crashed again.

Driver Carl Scarborough collapsed from the heat during a pit stop on lap 70.He later died.

1953 saw the debut of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. Previously, Mutual Broadcasting would brak induring the day with 15 minutes summaries as the race progressed.

Bill Vukovich ajnd the Fuel Injection Special won two concsecutive 500s

Vukovich won again in 1954 and was fatally injured while leading the 1955 race. It is intersting to speculate what might have been. He could have been not only the first four time winner, but the first arguably only man to win more than two consecutive 500s.

Simplified Screening at IMS

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From Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Epic Month of May at IMS Set for Green Flag  

Racing Capital of the World Ready To Welcome Fans from Across the Globe

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, May 4, 2023) – It’s May in Indianapolis, and that means it’s time to start preparing for your trip to racing’s most-famed venue: Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gates will be open to fans 12 days throughout the action-packed and exhilarating Month of May for practice, qualifying, concerts, race days and more.

“The Month of May at the Racing Capital of the World is full of can’t-miss track activity featuring the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the many time-honored traditions and pageantry our fans love,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Ticket sales are strong, and we’re expecting large crowds again this year as we show the world what it truly means when we say, “This is May.”


”As always Race fans are encouraged to“PlanAhead” through IMS.com/PlanAhead, an interactive web page that serves as a home base for fans headed to the track. The “Plan Ahead” page features detailed information about the entire fan experience at IMS, including directions, parking, schedule, gate regulations, digital ticket guide, ADA accessibility and much more.

Race fans are encouraged to download the IMS App on iOS or Android and use the technology from NTT INDYCAR SERIES title sponsor NTT and its Smart Solutions platform, which will update the IMS App every 30 seconds with wait time information at each gate to allow race fans smoother entry into the facility.

Fans will notice one addition to the safety and security measures in place this year. New security screening detection devices have been added to all pedestrian gates.

“With hundreds of thousands of fans walking through the gates of IMS throughout the Month of May, our goal is to continue to provide a secure, safe and very welcoming environment at IMS, while doing our best to ensure a smooth entry with minimal impact to our fans,” Boles said. “As always, our fans help make this possible by planning ahead and arriving early so they don’t miss any of the pre-race action that takes place long before the green flag waves.”

As fans pass through one of the pedestrian entrances, they will walk through a CEIA OPENGATE® security device. Fans won’t need to empty their pockets or remove items of clothing, simply walking through the gate and enter the facility. Since its introduction in 2021, the CEIA-manufactured OPENGATE system has become the choice for pedestrian entry screening at hundreds of facilities, including professional and collegiate sports facilities and theme parks.

IMS has retained GXC Inc. to place this innovative technology and pair it with an entry process designed for least-encumbered pedestrian movement.

Certain items remain prohibited at IMS, including weapons. In addition, glass containers, bikes, golf carts and illegal drugs also are not allowed. Coolers and bags will be checked for both size and contents at each pedestrian gate. All coolers must be no larger than 18 inches by 14 inches by 14 inches in size. Additional gate regulation information is available at ims.com/gate-regulations.

While the additional screening is a simple process, fans are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to allow time to park and patiently make their way in through the gates. Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 13 and at 6 a.m. for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28. To check the gate hours for other days in May, visit IMS.com. 
 

1933-Meyer Wins Second 500 in Year of Innovation and Tragedy

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Photo: Louis Meyer in 1928

Ten years after Tommy Milton won his second Indianapolis 500, another driver joined the two time winners club. Louis Meyer, who won in 1928, took the lead on lap129 and neverb looked back. He beat Wilbur Shaw by six minutes. Meyer completed the distance at an average speed of 104.2 miles per hour, breaking the record Fred Frame set the previous year.

1933 was a year of innovation and tragedy. Chet Gardner was the first driver to use a two way radio. His riding mechanic communicated with the pits during the race. Gardner finished fourth.

Two drivers, Mark Billman and Les Spangler, were fatally injured in the race, along with Spangler’s riding mechanic G. L. Jordan. Driver Bill Orem and riding mechanic Hugh Hurst were killed during qualifications.

New rules went into effect for the 20th 500. Qualifications increased from four lps to 10 laps. Each car started the race with six gallons of oil and could not add oil during the race.

A record 42 cars started the race. Fourteen cars completed the 200 laps. Bill Cummings won the pole and led the first 32 laps. Fred Frame and Babe Stapp exchanged the lead until Meyer took charge on lap 129. Cummings, Frame, and Stapp all dropped out with mechanical issues.

Meyer prevailed over a strong grid which featured four former winners and four future winners. 1933 was Mauri Rose’s rookie year. Meyer would go on to win a third 500 in 1936. Tommy Milton drove the pace car that year and witnessed Meyer mo ahead of him with the most wins in 500 history.

After a crash in the 1939 500, Meyer retired from racing. He formed a partnership with Dale Drake to take over the Offenhauser engine company. Meyer-Drake Offenhauser engines powered Indianapolis 500 winners into the 1960s.

From yesterday-

1923-Tommy Milton Becomes the First Multiple 500 Winner

1923- Tommy Milton Becomes the First Multiple 500 Winner

Juncos Hollinger Livery Honors World Cup Champs

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Yesterday Juncos Hollinger Racing revealed the livery for car 78 for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500. Augustin Canapino will drive the car which is atribute to Argentina’s World Cup champions.

This car is a stunner in my view.

The release from Juncos Holliunger:


MAY 3, 2023

Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Agustín Canapino will proudly carry the colors of the Argentine flag on his #78 Dallara-Chevrolet when he goes into battle at the INDY 500 later this month (May 28).

The stunning blue and white livery is expected to be one of the stars of the show at the sixth round of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and reflects the colors of Agustín’s home country flag.

The livery is the result of a strategic partnership between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) – with the collaboration of Visit Argentina, the international tourism promotion brand of Inprotur.

As well as honoring the Argentine flag, the livery will also feature design elements that celebrate Argentina’s success at the 2022 World Cup.

Claudio Tapia, President of the AFA, said: “Generating actions such as the ones we are celebrating today highlight the union between Argentines through sport. To be able to unite two great passions such as soccer and motor racing in a foreign territory is a demonstration of teamwork. The AFA is proud to support an Argentine driver in the iconic INDY 500 race and wishes the best of luck to Agustín Canapino and the Juncos Hollinger Racing team.”

Ricardo Juncos, President and Co-owner of JHR, said: “As an Argentinean, I am proud to have the colors of my country and the Argentinean Football Association with us for this edition of the INDY 500 race. To be able to bring together the two greatest passions of Argentines, together with the AFA and Agustín Canapino, in the most important and oldest event in the history of world motorsport, the 500, is a dream come true. I believe it will undoubtedly be a historic event for the sport in our country, which beyond any result will remain in everyone’s memory.”

1923- Tommy Milton Becomes the First Multiple 500 Winner

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Since the 1960s fans have become used to seeing a driver win the Indianapolis 500 more than once. Rodger Ward, A. J. Foyt,Booby Unser, Al Unser, Sr., Johnny Rutherford, Rick Mears, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser, Jr., Dario Franchitti, and Helio Catroneveshave all won at least twice since 1962. In the early days of the race, multiple winners were rare.

The 500 did not crown its first two time winner until the 11th race 100 years ago this month..It would be another 10 years before the race saw its second double winner.

Tommy Milton won the 1921 500 starting from 20th and led the final 90 laps after Ralph DePalma once again dominated the race but dropped out with mechanial failure. Only 23 cars started the race.

Milton started and finished 24th in 1922. Fuel Tank issues put him out of the race after 44 laps.

In 1923 Milton won the pole and led 128 laps. The race was the most competitive 500 to date with 28 lead changes in a 24 car field.

Tommy Milton in the HCS Miller after his second 500 win.

Milton began racing on dirt tracks near his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1914.He began racing nationally in 1917. In 1919 he won five of the nine championship races. In 1921 Milton won the national championship.

He drove in his last 500 in 1927. His Indianapolis career included four top five and five top 10 finishes.

Milton had no vision in his left eye and limited vision in his right eye. He would fail a driving physical today. Drivers in his day were more concerned with Howdy Wilcox’s diabetes.

In 1936. Milton drove the pace car for the race, ironically won by the race’s second multiple winner, Louis Meyer. It was Meyer’s third win. Milton suggested the winner receive the pace car, and that tradition continues today.

Tommy Milton served the Speedway as Chief Steward from 1949-1957.

500 Qualifying Tweaked

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced the qualifying format for the 107th running of the the Indianapolis 500. While similar to lastyear as far as the number of cars eligible for the pole, the program has been modified to create more content on Sunday.

The new format, per IMS and Indycar: The schedule does not include the practice periods preceding each day’s action.

DAY ONE: Saturday, May 20

11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.: Full Field Qualifying (Live on Peacock, also 2:30-4:30 p.m. on NBC)

Qualifying will take place for positions 1-30. Positions 13-30 will be set, and those drivers will not requalify Sunday.

When every car in the qualifying order for Saturday has been presented at least one chance to qualify, teams may choose from two lanes for second and subsequent attempts. Cars in the priority lane (Lane 1) must withdraw their qualified time – if the car has one – but get priority access to the track ahead of Lane 2. Lane 2 is for cars that have already qualified but wish to improve their position.

Once cars are outside of the Top 30, they are considered to not have a qualification speed as only positions 1-30 will be locked in during Day One.

DAY TWO: Sunday, May 21

2-3 p.m.: Top 12 Qualifying (Live on Peacock)

Positions 7-12 will be determined. The order is based on Saturday times, slowest to fastest. Each car is guaranteed one attempt. The fastest six advance to the Firestone Fast Six to determine positions 1-6.

4-5 p.m.: Last Chance Qualifying (Live on NBC)

Positions 31-33 will be determined. Each car is guaranteed one attempt and may make multiple attempts until time expires. Each car’s most recent qualification speed will remain eligible for the starting lineup until the time is withdrawn or qualifications end.

5:15-5:45 p.m.: Firestone Fast Six (Live on NBC)

Positions 1-6 will be determined. The order is based on times from Top 12 Qualifying earlier Sunday, slowest to fastest. Each car is guaranteed one attempt. The fastest driver in the Firestone Fast Six will earn the coveted NTT P1 Award for pole.

This program eliminates the two hour gap that Sunday in 2022 had. I assume the series will play Sunday by ear each year, since this may be the last year there are more than 33 cars for a while.

As I stated last year, I thnk 12 cars eligible for the pole is too many. I am also unsure of the value of bumping for just one car. I will expand on my thoughts next week when I sharethe entire May program.

Unfulfilled Dreams- The Bettenhausens

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While the Andretti curse at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is discussed often, the Bettenhausen curse is rarely mentioned. Perhaps it is not spoken of because the Bettenhausen family never won the Indianapolis 500.

Robin Miller once said the Bettenahusen story would make “one hell of a documentary,” and now we have it. The film is more for the die hard race fan who has a deep interest in the history of American open wheel racing, but the drama and poignancy has a universal appeal.

FloRacing has produced “Legends of Racing: The Bettenhausens,” which premeired at the Indy Film Fest Saturday. Laura Andrew directed the film. Robin was right.

Tony Bettenhausen came from a hardscrabble background, and he began racing in the 1940s. He first entered the 500 in 1946, and drove in every race through 1960. His best finish was in 1955, when he finished second co driving with Paul Russo. Bettenhausen had two other fourth place finishes. He led only 24 laps, all in 1958.

Despite his lack of success at Indianpolis, Bettenhausen won 21 Champ car races in his career and national championships in 1951 and 1958. The latter title was acheived without winning a race.

The film spent little time on the elder Bettenhausen, which disappointed me. I was glad for what was there, but I wanted more about him. The story mainly focused on Gary Bettenahusen, his okldest son, but also told the stories of merle, and Tony Junior.

Winning the 500 was the family’s elusive white whale, always there, sometimes just within their grasp, but always escaping capture.

Gary had the best chances. In 1972 he drove for Roger Penske and was leading the race before mechanical woes ended his day. His teammate Mark Donohue won the race. Gary had other great shots, but always some gremlin crushed his mhopes. There ius a touching interview after he dropped out of one of his last 500s, when he realized his family would never reach their goal.

Injuries

Injuries and crashes stalk the Bettenhausens throughout their racing life. Tony had 26 crashes where his car ended upside down. The 27th time, at IMS in practice on May 12, 1961, was fatal. He was testing Paul Russo’s car when a steerring bolt fell off,sending Bettenhausen into the outside wall, upside down and on fire. The day before, he had set fast time and was favored to win the pole.

Merle lost his right arm ina fiery crash at Micihigan International Speedway in 1972. Two years later, Gary’s left arm was paralyzed in a crash on the dirt track at Syracuse. Merle raced on with a prosthetic arm for a while, and Gary still raced despite having only one good arm.

Tony, Jr. had a successful race team. He was killed in a plane crash in 2000.

Merle Bettenhausen sums up the family philosophy about the setbacks.

“Never give up and keep moving forward” he tells the audeience.

Other Voices

Pat Sullivan guides the storytelling with embellishment from Merle.

Sullivan’s assessment of the Bettenhausen boys is “They willed themselves to be great drivers.”

I agree with him. I think Tony, Sr. was the most naturally talented of them all. The others needed time to develop their skills.

A bittersweet part of the film is the several appearances of Robin Miller at his unfiltered finest. And of course Robin has the final word. Keep rolling until the very end.

The 88 minute film is available free of charge on the Floracing website.

Abel Motorsports Officially Confirms 500 Entry

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Abel Motorsports today officially confirmed the 34th entry for the 107h running of the Indianapolis 500 with R C Enerson as the driver. Car number 50 will have Chevrolet power, giving each manufacturer 17 entries.

Abel Motorsports also runs an IndycNXT team driven by Jacob Abel. They have have expressed interest in a full time Indycar effort for 2024.

R C Enerson

Enerson,a five time Indycar starter, attempted to qualify for the 500 in 2019 with Top Gun Racing.

“I can’t thank Bill and John enough for this opportunity to be back at the ‘500,’ Enerson said. “In the works for many months, the Abel Motorsports crew is top notch and loaded with experience well beyond my years. I’m honored to carry the banner for the organization during the Month of May, and while it’s going to be a few more weeks until we go on track, I expect we’ll be up to speed quickly at the Speedway. I’m just so looking forward to climbing behind the wheel of an NTT INDYCAR SERIES machine at IMS once again – so cool!”

Enerson led the Indy Lights championship in 2015 in a field that included four current Indianapolis 500 starters.

The announcement comes a day after the Indycar Open Test at Indiuanapolis Motor Speedway. The team did not participate. Enerson will need to complete a refresher test when practice for the 500 begins May 16.

Rain Brings Early End to Indy 500 Open Test 

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From Indycar Series PR:

 INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, April 21, 2023) –
Due to rain showers moving through the Indianapolis area, Day Two of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Indy 500 Open Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been canceled, concluding the test.During Day One on Thursday, 33 drivers combined to turn a total of 3,522 laps in sessions that featured extended hours in anticipation of weather Friday.

Teams will return to IMS on Friday, May 12 for practice and qualifying ahead of the GMR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 13 on the IMS road course. Practice for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 16, with the race scheduled for Sunday, May 28.

The next event for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on Sunday, April 30 at Barber Motorsports Park. Coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and INDYCAR LIVE. Coverage is also available from the INDYCAR Radio Network via the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.