Sage Karam and Dreyer & Reinbold will enter next weekend’s harvest Classic doubleheader at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team had hope to expand their program this year, but their plans were disrupted by the coronavirus. Karam finished 24th in the Indianapolis 500 in August.
Sage Karam after qualifying for the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500. Photo by John Cote, Indycar
Karam began his Indycar career in 2014. he has competed in six Indianapolis 500s. his best finish is a third place at Iowa in 2015.
Their sponsor, Oil2Soil, is a peat moss based oil absorbent intended to be an environmentally friendly method of oil cleanup. Their product is available on Amazon and has residential and commercial applications.
As we prepare for the Harvest Classic at IMS next week, here is a brief history of the last Harvest Classic.
Photo: Johnny Aitken prepping his tires before the 1916 Harvest Classic at IMS. No, I did not take this photo.
Seven years into his venture of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Carl fisher and the other founders were still searching for their footing. It had not been the success they had hoped. The 500 mile races were a hit with fans, but in 1916 the race was shortened to a 300 mile contest because Fisher thought 500 miles was too long. The fans were not happy about the decision. Dario Resta, who narrowly lost the 1915 500 to Ralph DePalma, won the 1916 event.
With war on the horizon, Fisher decided to add a September race meeting to the Speedway calendar. He was looking for extra income in case the 1917 race couldn’t run because of United States involvement in the European conflict. The Harvest Classic on September 9 featured three separate races of 20 miles, 50 miles, and 100 miles. There were separate purses of $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000. The first two races were not heat races for the 100 miler.
Attendance was disappointing. The event was a week after the Indian State Fair. People had spent their money going to the fair. Also, as the name of the evnt implies, the farmers were beginning preparations for harvest. Some estimates out the crowd at less than 10,000.
The event itself featured several current and future stars. 1915 500 winner Ralph DePalma entered in a Duesenberg. Eddie Rickenbacker drove a Maxwell. Tommy Milton, a future 500 mile race winner, made his first appearance at the speedway. Speedway star Johnny Aitken entered the event in a Peugeot.
Aitken won all three races. The 20 mile race was the easiest victory. In the fifty mile race, Aitken and Hughie Hughes had a wheel to wheel battle with Aitken winning by 0.28 seconds. There was more drama to come in the final race of the day.
In the 100 mile race, Aitken led most of the way, but battled with Rickenbacker during the last 50 miles. With four laps to go, Aitken’s steering broke, and Rickenbacker took the lead. He had his own issue, however. A loose right rear wheel buckled with two laps to go giving the lead back to Aitken.
This would be the final race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway until 1919. After the 1916 event the speedway announced that the May race would again be 500 miles. When the United States entered World War I in 1917, racing halted until the war ended. Johnny Aitken never got a chance to race at Indianapolis again. He died in 1918 of pneumonia during the flu pandemic.
The Indianapolis 500 was the only race at the Speedway from 1919 until 1994, when the Brickyard 400 NASCAR event debuted. The stock car race was the first race outside of May since September 1916. Will this year’s Harvest Classic also be a one time event? I’m not so sure.
At last, fans will be able to attend an Indycar race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. IMS announced this morning a limit of 10, 000 fans each day will be permitted for the Harvest Classic Indycar races October 2 and 3 and the eight hour sports car race October 4. Tickets are on sale now at IMS.com. Fans will finally get to see improvements Roger Penske has made to the facility. The complete release from IMS:
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 – For the first time in 2020, Indianapolis Motor Speedway will welcome fans to the Racing Capital of the World for the INDYCAR Harvest GP presented by GMR weekend. Up to 10,000 spectators can be in the grandstands each day of racing action Oct. 1-4, per approval from the Marion County Public Health Department.
Tickets are available now via IMS.com and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
The massive facility, which holds more than 300,000 people, will provide two spectator zones with up to 5,000 fans in each. The zones will be located in Turns 1 and 4 of the oval, offering strong sightlines of the road course. Strict health and safety rules will be in place, including the following:
Face coverings must be worn throughout the property at all times;
All fans will receive temperature screenings before gate entry;
Grandstand seats will be marked for distancing;
Attendees must use pre-assigned gates and remain in their designated zones.
Global Medical Response, the world leader in compassionate, quality emergency medical and patient relocation services, will be the presenting sponsor of the penultimate weekend of INDYCAR racing this season.
“We can’t wait to see fans come through our gates for the first time in 2020,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “They’ll be greeted by a vastly improved facility, featuring significant upgrades to the spectator experience. We’re also extremely grateful to have a presenting sponsor with the expertise and resources of GMR as we look to implement our detailed and comprehensive health and safety plan.”
The plan, which includes each attendee receiving a mask and a bottle of hand sanitizer upon entering the track, was developed in consultation with state and local health officials.
This event weekend is highlighted by an NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader, with races Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3. It will be the penultimate event of the series’ season as the field pursues the champion’s prestigious Astor Challenge Cup to be awarded Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The INDYCAR Harvest GP will pay tribute to a storied IMS event, the Harvest Classic in September 1916. The Harvest Classic was the only racing event held outside of May at IMS from 1911 through 1993. The event featured three races, all won by legendary driver Johnny Aitken.
Fans also will see a host of facility improvements during the event weekend, including more than 30 new LED video boards, refreshed concession stands and restrooms, and 5G wireless connectivity throughout the facility.
The first race will air at 3:30 p.m. (ET) Friday, Oct. 2 on the USA Network. NBC will broadcast the second race at 2:30 p.m. (ET) Saturday, Oct. 3, with WTHR-13 airing the action live in Central Indiana.
Also racing that weekend will be the first pairing of two major sports car series — the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli and its North American counterpart, GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS. Former Indianapolis 500 pole winner Ryan Briscoe is among the drivers in the Indianapolis 8 Hour event held Sunday, Oct. 4.
The event also will showcase drivers in SRO America’s Pirelli GT4 America, GT Sports Club America and the TC America series.
The full on-track schedule is available at IMS.com.
Venue Enhancements on Display as INDYCAR Title Rac Reaches Exciting Final StretchINDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 – For the first time in 2020, Indianapolis Motor Speedway will welcome fans to the Racing Capital of the World for the INDYCAR Harvest GP presented by GMR weekend. Up to 10,000 spectators can be in the grandstands each day of racing action Oct. 1-4, per approval from the Marion County Public Health Department.Tickets are available now via IMS.com and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.The massive facility, which holds more than 300,000 people, will provide two spectator zones with up to 5,000 fans in each. The zones will be located in Turns 1 and 4 of the oval, offering strong sightlines of the road course. Strict health and safety rules will be in place, including the following:Face coverings must be worn throughout the property at all times;All fans will receive temperature screenings before gate entry;Grandstand seats will be marked for distancing;Attendees must use pre-assigned gates and remain in their designated zones.Global Medical Response, the world leader in compassionate, quality emergency medical and patient relocation services, will be the presenting sponsor of the penultimate weekend of INDYCAR racing this season.“We can’t wait to see fans come through our gates for the first time in 2020,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “They’ll be greeted by a vastly improved facility, featuring significant upgrades to the spectator experience. We’re also extremely grateful to have a presenting sponsor with the expertise and resources of GMR as we look to implement our detailed and comprehensive health and safety plan.”The plan, which includes each attendee receiving a mask and a bottle of hand sanitizer upon entering the track, was developed in consultation with state and local health officials.This event weekend is highlighted by an NTT INDYCAR SERIES doubleheader, with races Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3. It will be the penultimate event of the series’ season as the field pursues the champion’s prestigious Astor Challenge Cup to be awarded Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.The INDYCAR Harvest GP will pay tribute to a storied IMS event, the Harvest Classic in September 1916. The Harvest Classic was the only racing event held outside of May at IMS from 1911 through 1993.
Braden Eves suffered two neck fractures in a horrific crash in an Indy Pro 2000 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday. He sent this tweet from the hospital this morning Safety advances and the AMR safety team did agreat job in keeping the outcome from being worse.
Wanted to give you guys a little health update after my crash yesterday, I’m going to need a few months to recover, I fractured a couple vertebrae in my neck, as well as above my right eye. Thanks to everyone who has reached out, it means the world to me. I appreciate you all♥️ pic.twitter.com/Y43ftI43RN
Takuma Sato becomes the 20th multiple winner of the Indianapolis 500. The two time club includes Tommy Milton, Bill Vukovich, Rodger Ward, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser, Jr., and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Since 2013 Alexander Rossi is the only driver under the age of 30 to win the 500. There may be a youth movement in the series, but the veterans own this race.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan is the first team other than Team Penske or Andretti Autosport to win the 500 since 2013.
Sunday was a rough day for Ed Carpenter Racing. Conor Daly crashed. Rimus Veekay ran well early until he came into the pits too hard and hit a crewman.Ed Carpenter needed a front wing replaced early and finished 13 laps behind the winner.
The aeroscreen once again helped keep the drivers safe. James Davison said it protected from the fire and fumes after his brake caught fire. It appeared that the screen kept debris out of the cockpit on some other incidents. I’m sure Indycar officials will have a look at spencer pigot’s car. it appears a suspension piece mat have poked through the screen. The aeroscreen was definitely scratched up.
Very glad that Pigot is okay after that hit.
The purse of $7,500,000 was the lowest since 1991. Sato’s take was $1,350,000.
The Finish
The NTT Indycar Series made the right call in finishing the race under yellow. A red flag would have meant a 60-90 minute delay for repairs. That’s too long to wait for just one green flag lap. When you watch a race, there no guarantee that there will be a dramatic ending just as there is not guarantee that a basketball game will always end on a three pointer at the buzzer or a baseball game will end with a walk off home run. The majority of contests end rather routinely.
While finishes under yellow are disappointing, I don’t have a problem with them. Life doesn’t always work out how we want it to.
Moving On
The series moves to World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis for a double header this coming weekend. I will post the weekend schedule in a bit.
Scott Dixon now leads Josef Newgarden by 84 points, and looks to be in good shape for his sixth title. I’m not going to crown him yet, but with the schedule in danger of shrinking some more, Dixon is in good shape.
We are still waiting to confirm a date for Mid Ohio, and find out whether fans will be allowed. This weekend the track is allowing 20% capacity. This could possibly be the last Indycar weekend with fans this year.
It is probably a good thing that there was a repeat winner this year. It would have been a shame if a first time winner didn’t get to hear the cheers from the fans as he drove around on his cool down lap.
I hope I never have to watch the race on live television again. The commercials came at inopportune times, Leigh Diffey mentioned the drivers’ kids in the middle of a first place battle, and they seemed behind on every accident. I feel sorry for those of you who have to do this every year. So much was missing.
In his last four Indianapolis 500s, Takuma Sato has two wins and a third place finish. Prior to his first win in 2017, Sato had never finished the race higher than 13th place.
It was eerie seeing the opening ceremonies taking place in an empty track. “(Back Home Again In) Indiana was still emotional.
I agree with Indycar’s decision not to throw the red flag. Lap 200 would have been the only green lap. utter chaos would ensue. The red flag should only be thrown if there can be at least three green flag laps remaining. The attenuator repair would take more than an hour. How many fans don’t NBCSN and would not be able to watch the finish?
I felt the penalty on Rossi was appropriate. I am surprised Sato didn’t get at least a warning for his move on Dixon.
It was a decent race with more passing than I expected. I really enjoyed the final two stints. They had great battles for position. Have to wonder what a green ending would have been like, but races have been shortened by rain with someone charging towards the lead.
It was a rough day for the rookies. Rinus VeeKay and Alex Palou looked great early. P{alou crashed and VeeKay had issues in the pits. Pato O’Ward ended as the highest finishing rookie and will probably get Rookie of the Year.
Dixon now has an 85 point lead over Josef Newgarden for the series championship. He is in good shape with seven races left, none of which pay double points.
Dixon is now third on the all time Indianapolis 500 laps led list.
It seems that hat the accidents caused more fire and left more fluid on the track than I remember seeing in a while.
It’s been a while since Team Penske wasn’t a factor in the 500.
Sato improved to sixth in season points. will he stay in the top 10?
After 455 days, the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 begins at 2:30 pm this afternoon. Many will be watching live on television for the first time in Indianapolis. There are several historic events on tap today.
Of course, the the biggest thing is no fans are allowed in for the first time in history. The track has always been open to fans every day cars run, including test days. It will make for a strange atmosphere at the track and on television.
For the first time since 1955, a member of the Hulman-George family will not give the command. Roger Penske will give the command as the Speedway’s new owner. My understanding is he will begin the command with the word, “Drivers.” I disagree with that, but will reserve further comment until later this week.
For the first time three generations of one family will be on track at the same time. Mario Andretti will drive the 2 seater with Michael Andretti as his passenger. Marco Andretti starts on the pole.
The Schedule:
1 p.m: All Cars on Grid
1:20 p.m: On the Banks of the Wabash”
1:47 p.m: Driver Introductions
2:09 p.m: Invocation – Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Archdiocese of Indianapolis
2:10 p.m: Rifle Volley
2:11 p.m: Taps
2:12 p.m.: National Anthem – “Singing Surgeons” Dr. Elvis Francois & Dr. William Robinson
2:14 p.m.: First Flyover – U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
2:14 p.m.: “Drivers, To Your Cars.” – Dave Calabro
2:20 p.m.: “Back Home Again in Indiana” – Jim Cornelison
2:22 p.m.: Second Flyover – U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
2:22 p.m.: Command To Start Engines – Roger Penske
2:30 pm: Green Flag waved by Dan Towris
Of note in the schedule: a rifle volley and two flyovers by the US Air Force Thunderbirds.
This schedule of ceremonies is a nice, compact lead up to engines starting. I hope the Speedway will look to keep it this way in the future. I think the opening ceremonies have gotten way too long.
I hope for a safe, clean race. It’s only 280 days until the 105th running, which I hope fans will be allowed to attend.
An emotional drivers’ meeting followed by an impromptu parade and home visits made what was supposed to be Legends’ Day a little easier to take.
The live streamed drivers’ meeting began with drivers sitting in the seats of longtime ticket holders and telling the fans how they missed them being there this year. I and some other fans I talked to today were affected by a mysterious dust storm that occurred at this moment. We all had to stop and wipe our eyes.
The meeting is on You Tube at this link:
The best line of the meeting was marco Andretti’s when ;leigh diffey asked how special it would for grandfather Mario and father Michael to be in the two seater on the pace laps.
“I can’t believe I’m on the pole and I’m still starting behind these guys,” Marco quipped.
The meeting took place on the Pagoda Plaza with masked drivers sitting in chairs at the proper social distance. Diffey introduce the drivers in groups of 11 at various points in the proceedings. Their 500 participation rings lay in boxes underneath each driver’s chair.
I thought the meeting was great although it was the first time for me that the reality of not being at the race solidly hit me.
After the meeting, the drivers took 33 official cars and paraded down Main Street before driving to the homes of local long time ticket holders.
IMS is doing everything they can to show the fans how much they are missed abnd what they mean to the drivers. If you have ever doubted that the drivers care about the fans (which i didn’t) today should put that idea to rest. I can’t think of another sport where something like this would happen.
I’ll be back tomorrow mornign with a quick preview of the day and then Quick Thoughts after the race.
Pato O’Ward led an incident free Carb Day practice session as the 33 drivers in the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 completed the final tune up session. Scott Dixon was second, followed by Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato. O’Ward’s teammate Oliver Askew was fifth.
About 150 fans were on 16th street listening to the cars and following along on the video boards.
In keeping with Carb Day tradition, the fans applauded at the end of the session.
I gained a new perspective just listening to the engines without the visual of the cars. I paid more attention to the sounds, which is hard to do in a packed grandstand. I could tell when a car was on the pit exit road, when they slowed for turn 1 or when they were close to another car. the difference between the two engines was distinct.
It is hard to imagine doing this on Sunday. I know some people plan to, but I will stay home and watch from the comfort of my den, surrounded by racing memorabilia. Since this is the first time I have watched the 500 live on television, I should probably put rookie stripes on my satellite box.
The Pit Window by Mike Silver 