To Plank, Or Not To Plank? ... That Is The IndyCar Question!

Planking has just hit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This pose, which got its start in Australia became the perfect activity for a down weather day at the famed race track ready to celebrate its 100th year. Arie Luyendyk Jr. posted up this example calling it "The highest plank at IMS" ... taken at the spotter's perch. Image Credit ariejr

To Plank, Or Not To Plank? ... That Is The IndyCar Question!

Planking is a social media phenomenon that got its start in England around 2009 and most recently is catching fire in Australia. The rules for planking are simple - planking takes its name from how players mimic a wooden board by lying rigid, preferably in a public place or on an unusual spot, such as a washing machine, a sign or a railing. The person planking lays down on the place to be planked, then stretches out stiff pointing ones fingers and toes, face down with no expression. The point is to post a wacky planking photo online.

At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, today, the practice was called of due to inclement weather. A lot of drivers and team support personnel were keyed up with nothing to do so Alex Lloyd decided to lay down a challenge with the following "tweets".

alex_lloyd Alex Lloyd

After seeing @scottdixon9's tweet on PLANKING, I decided to give it a go myself. http://t.co/4VCUPIu

alex_lloyd Alex Lloyd

50 bucks to any driver than 'planks' during driver intros.

Then former Vision Racing PR person Pat Caporali started keeping tabs on who was joining in on the planking mayhem!

Examples:

Scott Dixon's second ... and best attempt. Image Credit: scottdixon9


Bookended Aussies from Penske Racing - Will Power and Ryan Briscoe. Image Credit: PenskeRacing


Leading rookie, James Hinchcliff in the Newman/Haas garage. Image Credit: hinchtown


KV Racing Technologies' Tony Kanaan gives it a good stiffing. Image Credit: PCaporali


James Hinchcliff poseing plankstyle on a pole. Image Credit: Jalopnik via hinchtown


Rafa Matos planking across the buiness end of his AFS Dallara. Image Credit: PCaporali

All four drivers on the KV Racing Technologies team. L to R - EJ Viso, Takuma Sato, Tomas Scheckter, and Tony Kanaan. Image Credit: PCaporali


The "Yard Of Bricks" planking photo featuring Sam Schmidt Motorsports' Wade Cunningham. Image Credit: Jalopnik via wadecunningham

This excerpted and edited from CNN -

'Planking' death puts spotlight on bizarre Web craze
By Mark Milian, CNN - May 18, 2011 1:21 p.m. EDT

Apparently lying face down is all it takes to create an Internet phenomenon.

An obscure activity called "planking" is garnering international exposure after an Australian man fell to his death last week while attempting to take part in the online fad.
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Acton Beale, the 20-year-old Aussie who fell seven stories while planking on a high-rise balcony, upped the ante to fatal consequences, police said.
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All the recent attention has sparked a flood of fresh planking photos, as well as YouTube clips of television-news anchors face down on their desks.

Diplo, a popular electronic-music DJ, wrote on Twitter: "planking right now." A spokesperson for Honey Bunches of Oats (yes, the cereal) promoted safe planking in a message on its blog Monday.

"It's the most fun you can have being still," Sam Smith, from Australia, wrote on Facebook.
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Among the gems: a woman lying on a bar, a man planking across the humps of two live camels' backs, a group face-down on an escalator, a woman on Kmart shopping carts, and a guy prone across the shelves of a convenience-store refrigerator.

The concept has been around for at least a decade, according to an English duo which takes credit for its invention and was profiled in a 2009 column in the Toronto Star. Then, it was called the Lying Down Game. (Not exactly a catchy name.)
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Plankers say the activity is generally harmless fun -- though that idea was challenged last week. Some even refer to it, tongue-in-cheek, as a type of alternative sport.

"Planking is an extreme sport which requires years of constant training to perfect the complex technique," wrote Jake Mason on the Planking Facebook page.

The game hasn't won over everyone, and those opposed are especially vocal. A bunch of anti-planking pages have sprung up on Facebook.
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Steve Molk, a radio personality in Brisbane, Australia, declares that planking has "jumped the shark."

Hopefully that won't give anyone ideas about planking an actual shark.
[Reference Here]

Gotta add Tomas Scheckter's "Yard Of Bricks" plank. Just imagine what Tomas Scheckter and the rest of the male IndyCar field would look like if they take up the suggestion made by teammate Tony Kanaan below. Image Credit: PCaporali

One last "tweet" by Tony Kanaan puts this exercise in boredom relief in perspective:

TonyKanaan Tony Kanaan

Under control bro RT @tomasscheckter Tomorrow is every driver has to take viagra and plank naked.

... notes from The EDJE

Tony George now has several less jobs in Motorsports - Resigns from IMS Board

Tony George - Team Owner, Vision Racing - Perhaps best known as the CEO and President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and founder of the Indy Racing League, Anton “Tony” Hulman George also got into the team owning business when colleague and friend Tom Kelley put his IndyCar operation up for sale in 2004. Caption & Image Credit: Vision Racing

Tony George now has several less jobs in Motorsports - Resigns from IMS Board

Tony George resigned today from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Board of Directors. Last year, Robin Miller writing for SPEED TV cited a source close to the IMS that confirmed that the 49-year-old grandson of Tony Hulman would no longer be CEO of the Speedway after a vote of the IMS board of directors which includes mother Mari, sisters Josie, Nancy and Kathy, attorney Jack Snyder and George.

So now the ouster has been made complete ... Tony George is neither the CEO, or a mamber of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Board of Directors or any remaining role in Hulman & Company, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy Racing League, IMS Productions and other affiliated companies.

This from a press release issued from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -

TONY GEORGE RESIGNS BOARD MEMBERSHIPS OF INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, HULMAN & COMPANY - INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 –

The Board of Directors of Hulman & Company and affiliated companies, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has received the resignation of Anton H. “Tony” George from the board of directors effective immediately, according to Mari Hulman George, chairman.

“As members of his family, we are sorry to see Tony leave,” said Mrs. George. “We are grateful for his service to our company as a board member and of course for formerly serving as CEO and president of our companies. I speak for our whole family in wishing him well.

“All of us had hoped that Tony would continue to serve on the board, and we made that clear to him. We are disappointed with his decision to step down despite our wishes.”

His resignation removes George from any remaining role in Hulman & Company, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy Racing League, IMS Productions and other affiliated companies. His term as CEO of the family companies ended June 30, 2009. He continues to be involved in racing through his ownership of Vision Racing, a competitor in the IZOD IndyCar Series of the Indy Racing League.

The board vacancy will be addressed at a later date. In addition to Mari Hulman George, board members include Nancy George, Josie George, Kathi George-Conforti and Jack Snyder.

Mari Hulman George said she is very pleased with the direction of the company and the progress that has been made during the last six months.

“Our company is healthy and is weathering the economic recession well,” she said. “Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and Curt Brighton, president and CEO of Hulman & Company, are both doing excellent jobs in guiding our companies through this difficult time. Many hard decisions have been made, and now our companies are well positioned for the future.”

Personally, we at The EDJE wish Tony great success as a car owner in the IZOD Indy Racing League. Great success in your sophomore year at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in April 16-18, 2010.

... notes from The EDJE

Mobile Eagle Eye Tower Systems See Threats From Above

Are You Being Watched? Raytheon's unmanned blimp at this year's INDY 500. The blimp flying above your head may be watching your every move [ctrl-click for slideshow]. Image Credit: Raytheon Company

Mobile Eagle Eye Tower Systems See Threats From Above

Of all of the vehicles one encounters at this year's largest motorsports event, one doesn't expect that the one hanging around, attached to a guide wire, quietly floating along inconspicuously, is there to watch you and the 400,000 or so enthusiasts gathered to watch the spectacle on the ground.

At this year's INDY 500, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a new surveillance tool was deployed, tested, and passed its first major hurdle as an important part of a security and surveillance grid to be used at major crowd gatherings such as sporting events and street fairs. Street cameras, cop cars, helicopters and foot patrols are generally what this terrestrial platform helps to stitch together and develop a clearer understanding of the security challenges that exist today in an age of potential terrorism and terrorist acts.

The blimp airship developed and deployed by Raytheon features cameras and infrared sensors developed through military contracts for applications associated with battlefield surveillance is being adapted to aid in civilian applications of security and event research if a hostile act were to occur.

The fastest vehicle at the INDY 500, in terms of identifying and neutralizing a threat that would disrupt the action on the ground, may actually be hanging above the crowd, observing and sensing the action as it happens.

Raytheon developed the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) Mobile Eagle Eye tower systems (in 2007) to protect U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. The adapted civilian application of this technology is now being tested and deployed [ctrl-click for b-roll video from Newsweek]. Image Credit: Raytheon Company

This excerpted and edited from Newsweek Magazine -

Eye in the Sky: Raytheon's unmanned blimp at this year's Indy 500
By Kurt Soller | Newsweek Web Exclusive - Jun 11, 2009

At first glance, there was nothing special about the blimp floating high above the cars and crowd at this year's Indy 500 on Memorial Day weekend. Like most airships, it acted as an advertising vehicle; this time for the Fisher House, a charity focused on helping injured veterans and their families. But the real promo should have been for the blimp's creator, Raytheon, the security company best known for its weapons systems. Hidden inside the 55-foot-long white balloon was a powerful surveillance camera adapted from the technology Raytheon provides the U.S. military. Essentially an unmanned drone, the blimp transmitted detailed images to the race's security officers and to Indiana police. "The airship is great because it doesn't have that Big Brother feel, or create feelings of invasiveness," says Lee Silvestre, vice president of mission innovation in Raytheon's Integrated Defense division. "But it's still a really powerful security tool."

Until recently, Raytheon's eye-in-the-sky technology was used in Afghanistan and Iraq to guard American military bases, working as airborne guards against any oncoming desert threat. Using infrared sensors and a map overlay not unlike Google Earth, the technology scans a large area, setting important landmarks (say, the perimeter of a military base), and constantly relays video clips back to a command center. If a gun fires or a bomb is detonated, the airships can detect the noise and focus the camera—all from a mighty-high 500 feet.

After the success of the Indy 500 trial, the company is targeting police departments and sporting facilities that want to keep an eye on crowds that might easily morph into an unruly mob. "Large municipalities could find many uses for this [technology] once we figure out how to get it in their hands," says Nathan Kennedy, the blimp's project manager.

For now, cost might be the only thing preventing a blimp from appearing over your head. Raytheon won't disclose how much the system may eventually cost, but chances are it won't be cheap. For municipalities without a Pentagon-size police budget, the blimps' potential to display ads may assist with financing. Raytheon says local authorities could install a built-in LED screen to attract sponsors, generate revenue and defer operating costs.
Reference Here>>

So, when it feels like someone is watching you ... look up and smile, you are being watched by that blimp advertising the money you could have saved by switching to ... Geico!

Tony George Ousted, Has One Less Job In Motorsports - UPDATED

Tony George, Vision Racing Team Owner/President of the IRL along pitlane during qualifications for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach last month. Tony George has one less major task in the world of Motorsports to worry about after being ousted from the management of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I wonder if he will retain his golf membership? Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Tony George Ousted, Has One Less Job In Motorsports - UPDATED (at bottom)

Probably one of the most compelling figures in all of Motorsports ... certainly, in the annuals of North America open-wheel racing, Tony George has been ousted from the management of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Robin Miller writing for SPEED TV cites that a source close to the situation confirmed that the 49-year-old grandson of Tony Hulman would no longer be CEO of the Speedway after a vote of the IMS board of directors which includes mother Mari, sisters Josie, Nancy and Kathy, attorney Jack Snyder and George.

This excerpted and edited from SPEED.tv -

INDYCAR: Tony George Ousted From IMS
Written by: Robin Miller - 05/27/2009

The controversial, ground-breaking, tumultuous 20-year reign of Tony George at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is over. SPEEDtv.com has learned George was voted out of power in a Tuesday night board meeting in Indianapolis.
----
Calls to Snyder and Fred Nation, IMS vice president of communications, were not returned and George did not respond to an email.

George, who started the Indy Racing League in 1996, will continue as CEO of the IndyCar series and is expected to take more of a hands-on role after Tuesday's developments at the Speedway.

It had been rumored for several years that his sisters were concerned with the amount of money George had spent on keeping the IRL afloat and changing the look of the Speedway.

It's estimated that between paying purses, supplying cars, engines and parts for other teams, hiring high powered public relations firms and starting his own IRL team, plus remaking Indy to accomodate Formula One, the IRL founder has spent more than $600 million during the past 13 years.

And his siblings were reportedly concerned about running out of money.
Reference Here>>

Many who lived through the split ... then the merger of open-wheel racing in North America were willing to bury the hatchet, but we had no idea this was where we would find the hatchet buried ... in the end.

UPDATE:

Both Tony George & Mari Hulman-George Deny Reports ... after earlier reports that Tony George had been ousted by the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway -

Tony George denies the reports saying:

"I am still CEO and still president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, Hulman and Company and CEO of the Indy Racing League" -Tony George

Mari Hulman-George denies the reports saying:

"There haven't been any changes. We just discussed things like we usually do and how to make things better." -Mari Hulman-George

Quotes courtesy of WTHR
(ht: 16thAndGeorgetown)

I guess the buried hatchet has been pulled out, wound patched, and the hatchet will be placed in an undisclosed and secure location. As for Tony and his T-Times at the golf course, he will be able to get on anytime he wants! ... stay tuned.

Final UPDATE on the Tony George "Ouster" story first broke by famed and revered Motor Press reporter Robin Miller.

Tony George is still the CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Further, he still retains ownership of the IRL team, Vision Racing, and he is still the President and CEO of the Indy Racing League (the last two positions were never in doubt).

Most everyone in this community respect Robin Miller but it appears that he was sucked into a family feud over the management of the famed racing venue, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

I guess we have to say that Tony George's one less job in motorsports is that he never has to take Robin Miller seriously (or grant him special access to any of the properties he controls) ... anymore.

IMS Statement Here>>

... notes from The EDJE

93rd INDY500 - A Centennial Ride - Tweet By Tweet

Crazy Fans On CARB Day - No, these are not "Tweets". Tweets are 140 character messages used to communicate information in what are called micro bursts. Gathering tweets to tell a story is the purpose of this posting. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

93rd INDY500 - A Centennial Ride - Tweet By Tweet

So here we are again, itching to watch a competition performed by 33 cars and drivers on what the announcers at the on-air (an on internet) voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - IMS call "The World's Greatest Race Course". For those of us who are addicted to watching cars, without fenders, compete at the limits of speed ... we'd have to agree.

This year, we have a field that is stronger and even more unified now its second year ... all teams are on an even knowledge basis with the Dallara and how these cars behave on the four-turn, low banked, 100 year old 2 1/2 mile "oval". In the final practice session, two of the top three fastest times ... five of the top ten, and six of the top fifteen ... were posted by Transition Players (drivers from ChampCar, or driving for former CCWS Teams), or drivers without a full season ride.

These are the drivers that have the best chance at making a name for themselves for being able to win the INDY 500 after being merged from the ChampCar World Series, driving for a merged team, or not having a full-time ride listed in order of their fastest final practice rank: 2) Will Power/Penske Racing, 3) Mario Moraes/KV Racing Technology, 8) Graham Rahal/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, 9) Townsend Bell/KV Racing Technology, 10) Davey Hamilton/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, and 12) Paul Tracy/KV Racing Technology.

... And so, let the day begin and we all pray for a competitive and safe 500 miles on "The World's Greatest Race Course" for the 93rd INDY 500 at the 100 year old Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

500coverage10:44 - Cars are starting to arrive on pit lane - a sign that preparations are complete. It's all about pageantry and tradition until 1:12!

Other Transition Players to watch include: Alex Tagliani/Conquest Racing, Oriol Servia/Rahal Letterman Racing, Justin Wilson/Dale Coyne Racing, Bobby D - Robert Doornbos/Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, EJ Viso/HVM Racing, and honorable mention ... Alex Lloyd/Gannasi Sam Schmidt Racing.

500coverage10:46 - Stuck in traffic? Just be patient and keep your radios on 93.1 WIBC, 97.1 HANK FM or 1070 The Fan for all you need on your way in!

autoracingdailyVision Racing Finishes Final Preparations For #Indy 500
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VisionRacingRyan just made a mad dash for the washroom. Will he be back in time for driver intros for the #Indy500 ? Stay tuned

TheEDJE93rd INDY500 - A Centennial Ride - Tweet By Tweet - http://tinyurl.com/oqlpnd #indy500

NascarTweeter2009 INDIANAPOLIS 500 BRONZE BADGE/PIN INDY Indianapolis 500 Centennial Era http://bit.ly/lkbbc

SpeedJournal(Indy)5/24 :: To infinity and beyond- http://tinyurl.com/r2xfss #autoracing

indy44Omg that new danica boost mobile commercial is hilarious pit crew is in drag

500coverage12:32 - Right on schedule, driver introductions are now underway with PA announcer Dave Calabro. Are you getting excited yet? #indy500
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patronhighcroftHanging out with Sebring teammate Dario Franchitti in the green room before #Indy500 driver intros. http://yfrog.com/173b5hj

CrashGladysHoly cow - Danica got some boos at intros... Indy 500

TwitPic - Posted on May 24, 2009 -by pjchesson

pjchessonhttp://twitpic.com/5usiu - My view from Indy 500
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VisionRacingCrews lineup behind car. Anthem coming up. Can we go now? How about now? Okay now? Maybe now? Please? Build up has us all wound up!

500coverage12:47 - Florence Henderson sings "God Bless America." Welcome to the Indy 500!

One final shot with Patrón Highcroft boss Duncan Dayton as Florence Henderson sings at the #Indy500 - Image Credit: Patrón Highcroft

500coverage12:56 - The B-25 bombers fly over to a huge cheer from the crowd. A great way to honor our Military heroes and get ready for a great race!

VisionRacingDrivers to their cars!
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the500Last minute predix, 500 followers? Mine: 1) TK, 2) Helio, 3) Dixon ... darkhorse Rahal. --pd

TheEDJELast minute predix, 500 followers? Transition Players Will Power, Mario Moraes, Graham Rahal, Paul Tracy, and Bobby D - #indy500

pressdogAnthem, fly-over, taps, back home again in indiana, let's light this American candle.

500coverage1:03 Now you KNOW it's Indy! Jim Nabors sings Back Home Again in Indiana.
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500coverage1:05 - "Ladies and Gentleman...Start Your Engines! Mari Hulman George says the most famous words, and 33 engines are fired!

pressdogRow 1, hot. Row 2, hot. Row 3, hot ...

openpaddockEngines are started and it is time for the greatest spectacle in racing!!!!

They are rolling off and on their first pace lap - Turn one on the fist lap at race speed is probably the most dangerous time in the whole of the race at the INDY 500!
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FuriousWedgeAlex Lloyd's wife is feeling contractions, imagine that possible end of race for Lloyd, congrats on the race, here's your son/daughter

VisionRacingIt's overcast + hot. Hardly a breeze felt in the pits. Packy, spotter for Ryan and Dude, spotter for Ed will call the green for the guys.

The Green Flag was waved off because the field of cars lined up three wide were not formed up evenly.

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN - Crash in the short chute between turns one and two. Mario Moraes/KV Racing Technology OUT, just like that ... Marco Andretti out as well.

IndyTalkYellow. Contact between Turns 1 and 2 between Moraes, Andretti. #indy500
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Marco26WebMarco out of the car on lap one after a brush with MM.

MyNameIsIRLThe ghost of Troy Ruttman just smacked down two of his three challengers today.

CrashGladysPaul Tracy singing "We will rock you!" - listening in pit now ;) - Indy 500

500coverage1:21 - Cars at the back make early pit stops. EJ Viso, Milka Duno Alex Tagliani run 29th-30th-31st. #indy500
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toomuchracing#Indy500 restart

500coverage1:25 - Franchitti beats Castroneves to turn one on the restart. #indy500

Dario Franchitti turns a 218 mph lap at full race trim ... that is pretty quick!

500coverage1:27 - After 10 laps it's Franchitti, Castroneves and Briscoe. Speeds right around 220mph, with 230's on the straightaways.

racingvideosLive Timing and Scoring... FREE! http://www.indy500.com/
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SSM99Early pit to remove broken rain light. Long race to go still...

the500Hearing Andretti's car is getting work ... his day might not be done, even if his chances at winning are. --pd

TheEDJERyan Hunter-Reay crashes LAP 20 or 21 #indy500

IndyCarNationYELLOW: #21 Hunter-Reay has made contact with the SAFER Barrier in Turn 4. Car comes to rest in pit lane.

IndyTalkAll cars to pits. #indy500 LAP23
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RacingNationTop 5: Franchitti, Briscoe, Castroneves, Dixon, Rahal after pits

the500Big jumpers early: Matos 12 to 7, Carpenter 17-12, Wheldon 18-13, Servia 25-16. --pd

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN - Restart!

IndyCarPRLap 28: GREEN. #10 Franchitti leads the field down the frontstretch. #9 Dixon passes #3 Castroneves for third.

500coverage1:49 - Scott Dixon has gotten around Helio to move into 4th. First time someone else has cracked the top 3.

500coverage1:51 - Townsend Bell moved 24th to 12th on first green-flag run. Dropped to 22nd on pitstop, now back up to 19th. Passing a lot of cars!
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the500Pink Lloyd really could use the lucky dog right about now. Oops, wrong series. --pd

autoracingdaily#Indy500: 1. Franchitti, 2. Briscoe, 3. Dixon, 4. Castroneves, 5. rahal, 6. Matos after lap 36

500coverage1:54 - EJ Viso makes a stop and falls a lap down. He's shown in 30th place. #indy500

Marco26WebAutosport - MA: ""He had nobody inside of him and he is just clueless out there... It's so disappointing."

the500Servia into top 15 after starting 25th. --pd
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autoracingdaily#Indy500: 1. Franchitti, 2. Briscoe, 3. Dixon, 4. Castroneves, 5. rahal, 6.Kanaan 7. Matos, 8. Power, 9. Danica Patrick, 10, Tracy lap 44

Marco26WebJalopnik: "Moraes was apparently on his cell phone and not paying attention, pushing Andretti into the wall".

IndyCarNationLap 50: #10 Franchitti leads #6 Briscoe by .8261 of a second. Lots of red cars at the front of the field.

patronhighcroftLap 50: Scott in P20 at the 1/4 way mark. Car a little loose. Adjustments coming at next stop at #Indy500

Bobby D, Robert Doornbos scrapes the wall comes into the pits ... shuts off the engine - Day Over!

500coverage2:04 - Despite Doornbos' contact we stay green. Briscoe now takes the lead from Franchitti!

IndyCarNationNew leader is #6 Briscoe

Graham Rahal Slams the wall - both Newman/Haas/Lanigan teammates out within just a couple of laps!!! YELLOW Flag!

500coverage2:07 - Chris Denari on IMS Network: Rahal got behind slower cars heading into pits and elected to go high. Obviously not the right choice.
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VisionRacingRT @IndyCarPR: Lap 56: YELLOW. #02 Graham Rahal makes contact with the Safer Barrier in Turn 4.

Pit Open - LAP60

TheEDJEJustin Wilson slides in pitlane while entering the pits #indy500

Here's the view from the pits when Justin Wilson got spun around. Image Credit: Ernie Mills

VisionRacingGood job by No.20 Menards Crew! Ed just cracked the Top-10 at the #Indy500.

kvracingYellow flag,bell coming into pit, front wing adjustment, fuel and tires and fluid, his drink system is not working. That was a fab change!!

kvracingTownsend just gained 5 spots from his pit crew. He is now 13th!

FastMachines@VisionRacing sorry about Ryan :( #indy500

SarahFisher67Moving up. Now 16th- Klint
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GREEN, GREEN, GREEN - LAP63

TheEDJEFour wide with Dan Weldon ... Briscoe sliding back and causing problems - Penske orders him into the pits! #indy500

VisionRacingEd: "Those are some of the most scr*wed up laps I think I have ever run!" Jeff Britton: "It's okay. We'll get 'em back"

Marco Andretti back into the race - 59 laps down!

FastMachineswhat is point of putting Marco back out there? To help tow Danica or TK??? Me no understand #indy500
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autoracingdaily#Indy500: 1.Dixon, 2.Franchitti, 3.Kanaan, 4.Matos, 5.Danica Patrick, 6,Castroneves,7. Power, 8. Wheldon, 9. Townsend Bell after lap 70

FuriousWedge@FastMachines 4-5 cars already out of the race that he can pass to up his points if enough of them go out

RyanRacingI was sending an update when Rys incident happened. He was up 9 spots! I ran to him & got there @ the same time as safety crew!

autoracingdailyIndy 500: Matos watched YouTube videos of Helio's in-car cam to prepare for first #Indy500

Marco26WebSo who is the youngest driver left in contention?

500coverage2:25 - 75 laps: Dixon, Franchitti, Kanaan, Matos, Patrick, Castroneves, Power, Wheldon, Bell, Tracy. #indy500

VisionRacingBaby update: Heather is in pits with two security personnel keeping an eye on her. So far so good for mom, baby and well dad on track too.

toomuchracingMatos is impressing isn't he!

TheEDJE@toomuchracing - WAY! ... saw him at LBGP in press room - Savvy beyond years! He's on a Penske Team, sort of #indy500

YELLOW, YELLOW, YELLOW - Davey Hamilton (oldest driver in the field at 47) way loose into the wall LAP82

500coverage2:32 - Hamilton simply got loose at the exit of Turn 4 and went right into the wall. Tough break for a fan favorite.
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Pitstops - LAP84

500coverage2:35 - Everyone in for another pit stop. Ganassi cars quick out, with Dario re-taking the lead from Dixon.

IndyCarPRLap 90: We're back to green flag racing. #9 Dixon makes the move for the lead around his teammate, #10 Franchitti.

IndyTalkBriscoe back on lead lap by staying out during that round of pit stops. #indy500

500coverage2:44 - Dixon gets by Franchitti on the restart to re-claim the lead. TK, Helio and Matos top 5.

kvracingGreen Flag again, Bell still 9th and Tracy 11th after 93 laps

TheEDJEWheel-Base discussion on ABC - One of the problems the Transition Teams encountered last year - NOW set at 22" - was variable #indy500

The discussion was having to do with a set wheel-base and the compound used on the tires - teasing was done at 20" - wheel-base set at 22"

FuriousWedgeNow that we're halfway I can tell you one clear difference from ABC/ESPN and VERSUS, I have not seen a car beyond Top 10 on screen yet

TheEDJETK BIG CRASH!!! Something Broke #indy500

IndyCarNationLap 98: YELLOW. #11 Kanaan, who was running third, made contact with wall on the backstretch. Car appeared to suffer a mechanical failure.

Sorry TK fans, but this is how the 11 car looks now. Image Credit: Ernie Mills
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Leaders in the pits Lap 100: Scott Dixon wins the race off of pit lane.

kvracingGEICO - KV Racing Technology crew just did another great stop for Paul Tracy

500coverage2:56 - Reshuffled top 10 after stops: Will Power is now up to 3rd in the Penske 12. Wheldon 6th, Bell 7th, Tracy 8th, Carpenter 9th.

500coverage2:58 - More notables at 102 laps: Tagliani 11th, Mike Conway 13th, John Andretti 14th, Sarah Fisher 15th. All their highest positions today.

Danica Patrick drops four positions - slides past pitlane, has to be pushed back and waste time.

the500Power showing third, Matos fourth as the race becomes official. --pd

MyNameIsIRLServia is off the board. Anyone know what happened? I'm in a roomful of media and I still don't know.

chunter16@MyNameIsIRL They're following the money as usual.

TheEDJE@MyNameIsIRL T&S shows him 7 laps down and in the pits?! #indy500

TheEDJE@MyNameIsIRL Servia out with fuel pressure loss - interview on ABC #indy500

TheEDJEDoornbos back in race 41 laps down - GREEN, GREEN, GREEN - Lap 109: Helio Castroneves takes Raphael Matos into Turn 1 for P4. #indy500

RacingNationTop 5: Dixon Franchitti Power Castroneves Matos
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pressdogIt's a Festival of Fuel Saving now, kids.

IndyTalkTop three separated by just 1.53 seconds after 119 laps. #indy500

500coverage3:16 - 120 laps, 300 miles. Dixon, Dario, Power, Helio, Matos, Wheldon, Bell, Carpenter, Tracy, Danica, Tagliani, Meira, John Andretti.

MyNameIsIRLHi, I'm Will Power, and I'm auditioning for a job. Will you please hire me? I'm pretty darn good.

TheEDJE@MyNameIsIRL Hi, I'm The EDJE, and I'm auditioning for a job. Will you please hire me? I'm pretty darn good - OK, OK, OK! #indy500

IndyTalkTop 10 on Lap 126: Dixon, Dario, Power, Helio, Matos, Wheldon, Bell, Carpenter, Tracy, Patrick. #indy500
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IndyTalkDixon, Dario lapping at 219.7, 219.8. #indy500

70 Laps to go and Team Target Chip Ganassi drivers have the measure of the field.

YELLOW Flag - Caution as Nelson Philippe brushes the wall at exit of Turn 4. 132 laps down, 68 to go

VisionRacingRT @MyNameIsIRL: Laughter in media center @ Samantha Lloyd, who says she's having contractions but will wait "til after race to have baby.

FastMachinesYou can tell that Cheever and Goodyear hate each other...you can feel the tension #indy500 #indycar

SarahFisher67Everyone is coming in as well as Sarah. Full stop.

Dario Franchitti has major problems with the fuel hose ... Vitor Meira on fire in the ABC Supply Co. pits - Broken fuel probe

the500That was no small fire on the 14. But it was out as quickly as it started. Meira back on track. Wow. --pd

FastMachinesVitor gets burns on his face and goes back out on track...badass #indy500 #indycar
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IndyCarNationPit report: #9 Dixon won race off of pit lane. #3 Castroneves is second followed by #12 Power, #15 Tracy. #10 Franchitti lost six spots

Six YELLOW Caution Flag periods so far in the race - Four different leaders with five lead changes - average speed just a tick over 148 MPH!

500coverage3:35 - Reset the lineup after the stops: Dixon, Helio, Power, Tracy, Wheldon, Bell, Carpenter, Franchitti, Danica, and Briscoe back to 10th.

the500Per ABC: Big miscommunication led to Dario's pit stall drop. --pd

FastMachinesPT in 4th...this could get really, really good #indy500 #indycar

VisionRacingGreen green green LAP140. Restart Castroneves takes the lead in turn 1. Carpenter P7

500coverage3:39 - Great battles as first Wheldon, then Bell both get around Paul Tracy.

FastMachinesPTs equipment feels done #indy500 #indycar

RacingNationLap 145: [TOP 10] Helio Dixon Power Wheldon Bell Tracy Carpenter Briscoe Patrick Conway

500coverage3:42 - Ryan Briscoe ordered to fall behind Danica Patrick after something happened between them on the restart. #indy500
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pressdogListening to Danica on the scanner. She told her spotter that Briscoe jumped the start. Race control apparently agreed.

FuriousWedgeDanica warned for blocking, how funny would it be if she was forced to give the spot back up to Briscoe he just got forced to give up to her

SpeedJournal50 to go - Castroneves, Dixon, Power top 3 #indy500 #autoracing

500coverage3:45 - 150 laps, three-quarters of the way. Helio, Dixon, Power, Wheldon, Bell, Carpenter, Danica, Tracy, Briscoe, Conway top 10. #indy500

TheEDJE150 LAPS to go and 10 cars are OUT of the race #indy500

FuriousWedgeAnd there we have it folks with Wilson on the wall we will have to wait until 2010 for our first green flag pit-stops at Indy since mid-2007

LAP 161: Yellow for contact in Turn 1 by Justin Wilson

toomuchracing#YELLOW for Wilson in the wall. Marty Reid says we saw it side by side, I didn't because I'm not watching the domestic coverage now..

IndyTalkEverybody is coming in for what should be last stops of race. #indy500

FastMachinesugh...power just got slaughtered on pit road #indy500 #indycar

the500Last pit stop (possibly) going on ... the results: 3, 6, 4, 7, 8, 12, 9, 20, 10, 24. --pd

IndyTalkRace out of the pits: Helio, Briscoe, Wheldon, Patrick. Briscoe gained SIX spots in pits. #indy500

FastMachinesI hate it when my nut comes out of my gun #indy500 #indycar

TheEDJE@FastMachines - So do I - NICE! #indy500

MyNameIsIRLWhat's wrong with this? @DanicaPatrick just tweeted "my crew is awsome!!!!!!! P4 with 37 laps to go."
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TheEDJELap 167: Back to green flag racing! #indy500

33 LAPS to go!

SarahFisher67Battling alex tag for 13th place- Klint

IndyCarPR30 to go: #3 Castroneves leads #6 Briscoe by .3059 of a second

VisionRacingSounds like fuel conservation is going to become an issue for many. Including Ed. We'll need another caution probably.

IndyTalkCindric telling Helio on radio he has enough fuel to make the finish. #indy500

Lap 171: Ryan Briscoe is looking good as he catches Helio.

Lap 173: Yellow for heavy impact between Vitor Meira and Raphael Matos in Turn 1.

500coverage4:06 - Contact! Vitor Meira and Rafa Matos, running 19th and 20th at the end of the lead lap, hit hard, especially Meira.
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Caution is the eighth of the race - fuel will not make a difference and it looks as though a predictable established team and driver combination will win this race - so much for unification.

CrashGladysCar parts in Turn One stands - my friends just texted that!! Apparently no one hurt tho - Indy 500

FastMachinesvery crunched front end of Vitor's car, betting he's got lower extremety issues #indy500 #indycar

500coverage4:14 - 87 degrees at the Speedway, warmer than anyone predicted. Track temp 105. Only rain in area is now southeast of Indianapolis.

indy44WOW that's the first time I've seen someone drive the wall in reverse at about 150 MPH

Lap 179: Pits are open

IndyCarPRPits are open: =Only #6 Briscoe coming to pit road. Leaders are now: #3 Castroneves, #4 Wheldon, #7 Patrick, #12 Power and #5 Bell.

toomuchracingSince I started using #F1 and #Indy500 hashtags I've gained a small no of racing followers and a ton of spammers

TheEDJE@toomuchracing - Welcome to HashTag City! #indy500

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN - 17 LAPS to go

500coverage4:21 - Hideki Mutoh running 10th into the grass but saves it and gets back on the track!

IndyTalkTownsend Bell up to 4th. #indy500

the500Helio up by more than one second as Wheldon battles Danica for 2nd. --pd

Helio Castroneves runs a lap at 220.08 - 1 MPH faster than #2 Dan Weldon!

the500Barring caution, this looks over. Wow. Helio is dominating right now. --pd
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RacingNationMeira transferred to Methodist Hosp with lower back pain

P3 Danica Patrick/AGR is now the fastest car on the track

9 LAPS to go - TB is 4th and PT is 9th

VisionRacingFans are on their feet for final 9 laps. Ed is P8.

RacingNationWill Helio win his third? Will Dan win his second? Will Danica win her first? Who? Who will win??

IndyTalkLap 193: Helio up by 1.64 over Wheldon. #indy500

MyNameIsIRLAfter the Conquest switcheroo, it looks like Alex Tagliani could win Rookie of the Year. He's 11th.

500coverage4:28 - 6 laps to go. Helio still a comfortable lead -nearly 2 seconds - over Wheldon. Then Danica, Bell, Power. #indy500

IndyTalkHelio is five laps away from becoming only the ninth driver to win the Indy 500 three times or more. #indy500

500coverage4:32 - 2 to go, and Helio's lead is now over 2.3 seconds on the field. #indy500

IndyTalkCastroneves wins by 1.98 seconds over Dan Wheldon. Danica Patrick third. #indy500

TheEDJEHelio Castroneves - "Thank You, GOD!" #indy500

IndyTalkHelio stops on yard of bricks, climbs fence in joy. #indy500

FastMachinesmmm....nothing like the sound of Helio crying #indy500 #indycar

CrashGladysHelio Castroneves to the IRS - TAKE THAT BITCHES! Indy 500 #indy500

ISNHaganNumber 3 at Indy for #3. Congrats Helio!!!

500coverage4:39 - Helio drinks the ice cold milk in Victory Circle, and is in tears as the post-race interviews begin.

CrashGladysHelio... again to the IRS... I got ur 1099 right here! Indy baby... Indy 500 #indy500

SpeedJournal(ThatsRacin)Castroneves dances to 3rd Indy 500 win- http://tinyurl.com/paltwf #autoracing

16:32:45 GMT-0400 Helio Castroneves wins the 2009 Indianapolis 500! This is his third victory.

... notes from The EDJE

IMS - Marco Andretti Ends Day On Top

Marco Andretti sits out the day's session, waiting with legendary grandfather, Mario Andretti, on top of the speed charts. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

IMS - Marco Andretti Ends Day On Top

Bobby D started the day at the top of the charts.

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing driver, Bobby D (Robert Doornbos), climbs to register the fastest time in the scheduled Practice Day 2 (the first day of combined team practice, Practice Day 1 was rained out) in early going.

Newman/Haas/Lanigan's Bobby D (Robert Doornbos) looks good at speed during the first couple of hours of the morning session of Practice Day #2 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

His speed of 223.194 places him ahead of Team Penske drivers Ryan Briscoe @ 223.109 - P2 and Helio Castroneves @ 223.047 - P3 (for the top 15, refer to photo below).

Rookie Orientation Practice, held two days ago, was led by Paul Tracy, KV Racing Technology at a speed of 223.089 which would place him at third highest for all laps run in the month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

Up until noon on this day, Paul has been able to place in at P6 with a speed of 222.010 but what this says about how competitive this field for the 110th edition of the INDY 500 is fantastic. What with two of the top three lap speeds being registered in the month of May, at this early time by teams that are in only their sophomore year and Transition Players competing in the Indy Racing League, the competition for the Centennial Indy 500 is wide open.

Timing and Scoring snapshot from the morning sessions. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks via computer display (2009)

UPDATES from Twitter throughout the day:

10:50 AM PT - Danica Patrick sets Fastest Lap - 223.253 ... Sarah Fisher up to P10!

IndyTalk32 cars on track so far. Danica, Doornbos, Briscoe, Helio faster than 223. #indy500

FuriousWedgeTop 29 cars within one second of each other for best lap time. Will the Bottom get closer as they get more time, or will the Top go higher?

IndyTalkThe ins and outs of the Indianapolis 500 qualifying procedure, all on one page! http://www.indy500.com/imag...

TheEDJE@FuriousWedge - Top 29? ... Now that is competitive! Great early going results.

RaceRemoteWatching Practice for the Indy 500 See it live on-line and with T+S at http://www.indycar.com

11:05 AM PT - Scott Dixon sets Fastest Lap - 223.275

11:15 AM PT - Graham Rahal @ 222.967 is up to P6 making it 3 Transition Players (joining Robert Doornbos and Paul Tracy) placing in the Top 10 on lap speed.

11:32 AM PT - Helio Castroneves sets Fastest Lap - 223.650

IndyTalkHelio just jumped to No. 1 on speed charts at 223.650. Definitely NO tow. Did it solo

11:41 AM PT - Dario Franchitti sets Fastest Lap - 223.679

IndyTalkFranchitti tops of day at 223.679. Didn't see lap, don't know if it was solo or tow. Sorry.

IndyCarNationRT @IndyCarNation: RT @IndyCarNation: Ryan Hunter Reay first to make contact at Indy. Here's the direct link http://ow.ly/5Ewt

Marco Andretti, Andretti Green Racing in his new Venom Energy Drink black and red livery. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2009)

12:25 PM PT - Marco Andretti blisters Fastest Lap by 1.8 MPH - 225.478

VisionRacingVision team repairing & looking over the no. 21 car to make sure it is A-ok. Expecting to head back out on track before the end of the day.

IndyCarPR3:30 [PM ET] update: Fastest of the Day is now @Andretti26 with a lap of 225.478 mph.

Track Yellow Flag for inspection.

IndyTalkTop 5 at 3:55: [PM ET] Marco 225.4, Dario 223.67, Helio 223.65, Doornbos 223.5, Briscoe 223.4

TRACK STATUS: 16:01:23 GMT-0400 The track is green.

IndyTalkRT @Goblowsoup @IndyTalk tow for Marco, he was right behind Robert Doornbos.

IndyCarNationGuys r getn the car ready w changes. Going bck out n hope 2 find some speed. Wide open n not enough speed n abt 10 degrees 2 much steering

kvracing#5 and #15 cars are both back on track, 1hr 30mins left of practice. Currently PT is 10th & MM is 16th. Marco is P1 (225.478mph)

IndyCarNationMarco fastest. Watch latest highlight clip here: http://ow.ly/5FGI

IndyCarNationRT @IndyTalk: New IndyCast video podcast with Al Unser Jr., Sarah Fisher: http://bit.ly/9JToY

SarahFisher67Sarah could revisit her 221 lap if she could improve T 1,2. T 3,4 are the same as before

IndyTalkTop 5 at 5:25: Marco 225.478, Helio 225.237, Dixon 224.448, Dario 223.679, Doornbos 223.592

IndyCarPR5:30 update: @Andretti26 still the fastest at 225.478 mph.

RaceRemoteCongratulations to Townsend Bell for his Indy500 Ride: His interview is now "Live" on the Sidepods Podcast http://www.sidepods.com

He will be driving a KV Racing Technology Dallara sponsored by HerbalLife.

VisionRacingED Carpenter is on track @ #Indy 500 practice & is currently P14 @ 220.447 mph & has turned 112 laps. Only Conway & Matos put in more laps.

FuriousWedgeHope the trend continues; Stanton Barrett/Team 3G just went out & found a very slight more speed to get to 218.089mph; field now within 1.3s

5:53 PM ET - #16 Scott Sharp just turned a lap of 222.437 mph. This is their fastest lap of the day.

5:54 PM ET - #18 Justin Wilson just turned a lap of 221.200 mph. This is their fastest lap of the day.

5:56 PM ET - #4 Dan Wheldon just turned a lap of 224.022 mph. This is their fastest lap of the day.

5:58 PM ET - #14 Vitor Meira just turned a lap of 221.142 mph. This is their fastest lap of the day.

Timing and Scoring snapshot - Final stack ranking of the top 15 positions. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks via computer display (2009)

18:00:27 GMT-0400 The checkered flag is out. Up next: IndyCar Series Fast Friday practice on May 8 at Noon (EDT).

kvracingPractice has finished for today, PT is 12th (222.671) and MM is 16th (222.150). Fastest was Andretti (225.478.ph)

VisionRacingCheckered flag on a FULL day of practice @ #Indy 500. TOP speed of the day 225.478 mph by M.Andretti. He has BIG toes or is that A BIG TOW?

patronhighcroftAll the news from the first full rain-free day of practice for Scott Sharp in the Tequila Patrón car at Indy http://tinyurl.com/indy-5-7

... notes from The EDJE