100th Anniversary INDY 500: A 95th Race For The Ages

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100th Anniversary INDY 500: A 95th Race For The Ages

One could tell through the driver introductions that this first race ofhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif the 100th year that the race track, located near the postal stop of Speedway, Indiana, was going to one for the ages.

It is not just because the 95th race since the track was established was marking a monumental milestone in time, but that this was quite possibly, the most experienced and talented group of drivers, ever, to be fielded for an INDY 500 race ... really!

Five former champions, two 48 year-olds (John Andretti and Davey Hamilton), and a hoard of drivers with multiple starts, in the Dallara that will be running in its final year of competition, at this track.

Scott Dixon took the lead from the Green Flag and the field settled down with little incident thoughout the first eight laps until Tagliani passed Dixon for the lead.

Simona De Silvestra pulled in after brushing the wall, changed tires, adjusted the front wing and rejoined the field one lap down.

At the end of 15 the top of the order which is lapping at around 221mph sees Tagliani, Dixon, Townsend Bell, Dan Weldon, Dario Franchitti, Oriol Servia, Will Power, Ed Carpenter, Bertrand Baguette, and Buddy Rice With Graham Rahal making the biggest move of 9 positions from 29 to 20

Lap 21, Paul Tracy and Takuma Sato hit the wall in separate incidents. Tracy pulls onto pit lane and Sato's off brings a Yellow Flag.

Pit Stops on Lap 23 - Will Power leaves without a left rear tire ... the tire rolls along the pit wall and ends up in another pit.

At the Gree Flag on Lap 28 its Tagliani, Dixon, Bell, Franchitti, Servia, Weldon, Carpenter, Miera, Kanaan, and Rice - EJ Viso clobbers the wall and brings out the Yellow Flag going three wide with Hinchcliff and Viso touch. Scott Dixon had passed Tagliani on the restart.

This should be "IT" for EJ Viso ... the most expensive driver in modern open-wheel history.

Lap 32 Green Flag has Dixon, Tagliani, Bell, Franchitti, Servia, Weldon, Carpenter, Miera, Kanaan, and Rice on the double file restart. Everyone makes it through with Townsend Bell dropping positions.

Oriol Servia is also dropping spots all of the way back to 9th with the top five being Dixon, Tagliani, Franchitti, Weldon, and Carpenter on Lap 37.

Lap 44, Franchitti passed Tagliani placing Target Chip Ganassi teammates at P1 and P2.

Lap 50 has Dixon, Franchitti, Weldon, Tagliani, and Bell in the top 5 positions. Kanaan is up to P6 from P22. Rahal is up to P6 from P29. The biggest surprise is that NO Penske is in the top 10!

The top Penske team driver after 50 laps is Castroneves in P13, followed by Briscoe in P21, and Power in P26.

Pit Stops were just beginning when the Yellow Flag flew with 61 laps - Jay Howard was just coming out of a pit stop and loses a wheel and smacks the wall. Danica Patrick comes in for a quick fuel stop with the pits being closed.

Can't anyone tighten a single lug nut? Can we get a NASCAR wheel guy in there?

Andretti Autosport is also having its troubles with Danica Patrick being shown in P13, Marco Andretti in P16, and John Andretti in P24.

Green Flag Double file restart on lap 71 sees the top five as Franchitti, Dixon, Tagliani, Weldon and Bell.

Some of the tires that came off in the last round of pit stops were worn down to the cord (fabric) layer.

Lap 80 has P24 Ryan Hunter-Reay as the last car on the lead lap. He brushed the wall three laps earlier. Top five cars are pulling away - Dixon, Franchitti, Tagliani, Weldon, and Bell. P6-P10 ... JR Hildebrand, Servia, Carpenter, Graham Rahal, and Tomas Scheckter.

After 98 laps, Graham Rahal is in the top 10 at P8 ... Dixon, Franchitti Weldon, Tagliani, and Bell are the top 5. Marco Andretti breaks into the top 10 at P10 and Ryan Broscoe is the top Penske at P13.

Lap 100 has pit stops by many of the leaders - CRASH, Franchitti wins again as he just entered the pits ... that is twice in one race.

Oriol Servia's Newman Haas teammate, James Hinchcliff, gets high and skids into the wall Yellow Flag pit stops begin on lap 102.

On Lap 107 Green Flag drops with the top 10 being reset with Franchitti benefitting from his good fortune followed by Oriol Servia, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, Scott Dixon, Dan Weldon, Alex Tagliani, Townsend Bell, JR Hildebrand, and ...... Ryan Briscoe. Four wide down the front straight with 18 cars on the lead lap.

Helio just passed Dario Franchitti to get his lap back on Lap 109 and is now using the rosary to get a Yellow Flag called so he can go around.

Lap 112 Oriol Servia uses P2P for the first time and gets by Dario Franchitti for P1!

Servia is using Helio Castroneves to draft for speed and stay away from Franchitti. Danica Patrick breaks into the top ten while Alex Tagliani is slowing and has dropped back to P13.

Servia dispatches Castroneves on lap 120 which gives him a temporary cushion as Dixon passes Marco Andretti to secure P3.

Two of the three Penske Racing cars are one lap down. Ryan Briscoe is in the top 10 at P8.

Dario Franchitti passes Servia for the lead on lap 130 placing him in a Ganassi sandwich.

Tagliani gets placed one lap down on Lap 134 at P17 due to poor handling. Dan Weldon pits from P5.

Dario in at Lap 136, Green Flag stops are in full swing. Rookie JR Hildebrand takes the lead.

Lap 148 and the next to last pit stops have been made. Top 10 are Dario Franchitti pulling away by about 10 seconds from Scott Dixon, Servia, Weldon, M.Andretti, Bell, Kanaan, Hildebrand, Patrick and Rahal.

Yellow Flag - Alex Tagliani, the pole sitter, slams the wall and this ends the day for Sam Schmidt Racing's best hope for a win.

Helio Castroneves and the rest of the lap down cars come back in to the pits for fuel and tires.

At this point the race looks as if it is Target Chip Ganassi's to win with his cars running P1, P2, and P8 (Rahal) running in the top 10.

Danica Patrick is up to P7.

Lap 155 Green Flag Restart has three abreast, and running two aside for most of the first lap.

Lap 157 Yellow Flag - Townsend Bell and Ryan Briscoe take each other out. Helio Castroneves is running without a tire on the rim. Bell chops down on Briscoe in a corner and the tangled mess slides into the wall. Penske Racing and Sam Schmidt Racing are having a horrible 500.

Lap 164 has Franchitti ducking in for fuel.

Lap 165 Green Flag leads with Servia, Rahal, Dixon, Kanaan, Weldon, Scheckter, Hildebrand, Patrick, Carpenter, and Franchitti round out the top 10.

Graham Rahal passes Servia for the lead.

Lap 169 Dixon passes Servia for P2.

Lap 172 Dixon passes Rahal for the lead. Kanaan passes Servia for P3.

Lap 176-178 Kanaan and Rahal duel for P2 with Kanaan on top for now ... no Rahal ... no Rahal pit Stop.

Patrick takes the lead with 20 laps to go ... needs about 4 extra laps of fuel to make it to the end.

Lap 185 - 15 to go - Patrick, Baguette, Scheckter, M. Andretti, Franchitti, Hildebrand, Dixon, Weldon, Kimball and Kanaan.

Lap 187 Bertrand Baguette passes Patrick on the back straight but both cars can not make it to the end on fuel. Tomas Scheckter pits for fuel so Franchitti moves to P4.

Patrick in for fuel on Lap 190. Franchitti in P2 behind Baguette.

Three laps to go and Rookie JR Hildebrand passes Franchitti for the lead as Baguette comes in for fuel.

The Panther Racing's National Guard sponsored Dallara receives the White Flag. The rookie hits the wall coming out of turn #4 giving Dan Weldon his second win of the INDY500 ... the 9th driver to do so. JR Hildebrand crosses the line with three wheels in P2. Ganassi's Service Central Sponsored Dallara driven by Graham Rahal sneaks in at P3 to finish the podium.

Brian Herta Motorsports William Rast sponsored Dallara WINS THE INDY 500.

The final finishing top 10 places - P4-P10 - Kanaan, Servia, Dixon, Baguette, Scheckter, M. Andretti, and Patrick.

What a beginning to the Centennial Era of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

... notes from The EDJE

33 Indy 500 Winners Line Up At The Brickyard For Their "Close Up"

The display on the Speedway’s front straightaway was part of the ongoing Centennial Celebration; the 2011 Indianapolis 500 will mark the event’s 100th anniversary. Each car present on Tuesday was a former race winner, and each has a story. Image Credit: IMS/Ron McQueeney

33 Indy 500 Winners Line Up At The Brickyard For Their "Close Up"

On Tuesday of this week, 33 winning Indy 500 cars were pushed to the front straight for the photo opportunity of a lifetime. Most of the Indy open-wheel racers came from the Hall of Fame Museum leaving the museum about half full, while other cars were on loan for the shoot from as far away as California. One car was a replica because the original is on view at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. where as all other cars are the actual winning steeds.

Director of the Hall of Fame Museum, Ellen Bireley introduces us to this effort to capture a unique moment in time and the staging of this historic "close-up" beauty shot in celebration of this upcoming centennial season!

This excerpted and edited from AutoWeekRacing.com -

The “pole” car was the Marmon Wasp that won the first 500 in 1911. Next to it on the “front row” were the cars driven by Dario Franchitti (2010) and A.J. Foyt (1961). Foyt’s car represented both his first 500 win and the winner of the 50th-anniversary event.

The rest of the legendary machines were positioned in a way that revealed an interesting evolution of race cars. Every row included front-engine and rear-engine cars in a pattern. Each decade was represented.

The four double winners were included along with the first winner after World War II. Twenty-seven of the cars are owned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation.

The rows and the years the cars won:

-- Row 1: 1911 (Ray Harroun), 2010 (Dario Franchitti), 1961 (A.J. Foyt)

-- Row 2: 1979 (Rick Mears), 1939-40 (Wilbur Shaw), 1970 (Al Unser)

-- Row 3: 1963 (Parnelli Jones), 1990 (Arie Luyendyk), 1947-48 (Mauri Rose)

-- Row 4: 1980 (Johnny Rutherford), 1953-54 (Bill Vukovich), 1968 (Bobby Unser)

-- Row 5: 1964 (A.J. Foyt), 1965 (Jimmy Clark), 1922 (Jimmy Murphy)

-- Row 6: 1969 (Mario Andretti), 1957-58 (Sam Hanks, Jimmy Bryan), 1983 (Tom Sneva)

-- Row 7: 1912 (Joe Dawson), 1982 (Gordon Johncock), 1952 (Troy Ruttman)

-- Row 8: 1972 (Mark Donohue), 1962 (Rodger Ward), 2000 (Juan Montoya)

-- Row 9: 1928 (Louis Meyer), 1995 (Jacques Villeneuve), 1950 (Johnnie Parsons)

-- Row 10: 1977 (A.J. Foyt), 1951 (Lee Wallard), 1992 (Al Unser Jr.)

-- Row 11: 1946 (George Robson), 1978 (Al Unser), 1932 (Fred Frame)

Reference Here>>

... notes from The EDJE

IZOD Indy 500: Bobby & Graham Rahal Unite For Historic Effort

Graham Rahal driving for Sarah Fisher Racing at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2010)

IZOD Indy 500: Bobby & Graham Rahal Unite For Historic Effort

It was announced today that Graham Rahal will drive the No. 30 Dallara/Honda fielded by his father, Bobby Rahal, in a one-race deal for the 94th edition of the Indianapolis 500 with Rahal Letterman Racing. The sponsor is expected to be announced sometime before the first practice session on May 16, 2010.

There have been generations from famous racing families before, but most felt that this came as a surprise given that Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame honoree, Bobby Rahal was on record saying that he wanted his son to be able to make a name for himself out from under his, Bobby's, shadow.

Graham has won in the IRL (St. Pete, 2008, as the youngest ever driver to win a IZOD IndyCar Series race) and had some good history with Newman Haas in ChampCar so it was felt the time was right for the Rahal generations to mount an effort of their own.

Given that Graham has been mostly caught out in the shuffle this season, Rahal drove in three of the first four IndyCar Series races for Sarah Fisher Racing, but does not have a full-time ride with any team for the season. So he now has a one-race opportunity to start and hopefully finish his first Indy 500 - Rahal has failed to finish in two previous Indy 500 starts.

Graham Rahal shares a moment of ChampCar camaraderie with IZOD IndyCar Series points leader and, Will Power - Penske Racing, and fellow CCWS transition driver Alex Tagliani - FAZZT Racing at Barber Motorsports Park. Image Credit: Andy Sallee (2010)

This excerpted and edited from USA Today -

Graham Rahal reaches deal for father-son effort in Indy 500
By Gary Graves, USA TODAY

After previously saying he wanted his son to drive for another team to establish his own identity, Bobby Rahal said Tuesday that the timing was right for the generational merger at the Brickyard.

"I think he has proven he belongs and I'm thrilled to have him," said the three-time CART champion, referring to his son's historic 2008 St. Petersburg victory that made him open-wheel racing's youngest winner at 19 years, 93 days.

"It's flattering when your child wants to do what you do, even better when he wants to do it for you."

"I've made my mistakes there [INDY]," Graham Rahal said. "The main thing is to get to the checkered flag."
Reference Here>>

Knowing the competitive nature of Bobby Rahal ... he will bring the best equipment and engineers for this first time effort put forth by the Rahal family. Graham could come in as a dark horse winner given that Bobby, as a team owner (2004) and a driver (1986), has captured wins at the Brickyard and drank (worn) the quart bottle of milk!

The 94th Indianapolis 500 will take place Sunday, May 30th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ET - broadcast on ABC

... 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!

Vitor Miera Out For The Rest Of The Season

Vitor Miera and AJ Foyt discuss set-up strategy in the pitbox at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Vitor Miera Out For The Rest Of The Season

My Name Is IRL reports that the medical diagnosis is in and Vitor Miera has fractured lumbar vertebrae (refer to yellow section in graphic) in his lower back and that it will take several months to heal.

The Vertebral Column - Image Credit: Gray' Anatomy

This excerpted and edited from My Name Is IRL -

Vitor has been defined, his entire career, by his valiant inability to win races. Now, after being lit on fire and crashing hard into the wall in Turn One (in separate incidents, no less) it appears for the remainder of 2009 he won't even be able to enter races, much less [NOT] win them.

The intrepid Curt Cavin has now busted out his twitter and told us "Vitor out 4-6 months, but he and Matos have reconciled things. Anthony is 50-50 as choice at Milwaukee." Fractures in the L-1 and L-2 vertebrae are the culprits for the demise of his season.

I know that Anthony, a.k.a. AJ Foyt IV, is family, but considering how badly the pairing of Foyt and Foyt went a few years ago this might not be good idea. Regardless of who fills the seat, our thoughts and prayers for as speedy a recovery as possible go out to the Vitor during his convalescence.
Reference Here>>

Vitor debates set-up strategy with AJ Foyt, Team owner of the ABC Supply Dallara. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

I really thought that with Vitor Miera, ABC Supply, and AJ Foyt (the elder) had a winning combination. I watched the two of them sharing set-up information in the pits at Long Beach and they seemed to have a special rapport.

Odd that AJ would take to the Brazilian after having a history of issues with drivers in the past. It says a lot about Vitor.

Hope Vitor heals and is able to do what any good cowboy does when he gets kicked off of a horse ... he gets right back on!

Additional Background On Vitor Miera's Compelling Race Day At The 93rd INDY 500 Plus Photos Of AJ & Vitor From Racing Nation>>

... 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

2009 LB Motorsports Walk Of Fame Inductee Gives The 411 On INDY 500

4th Annual Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame inductees Bobby Rahal and Al Unser, Jr. share a word while standing in front of Parnelli Jones just before the medallion unveiling ceremony. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

2009 Long Beach Motorsports Walk Of Fame Inductee Gives The 411 On INDY 500

It was barely over one month ago that Al Unser Jr. was experiencing "the best week ever" here around Shoreline Drive in Long Beach California.

The week (actually, four days) started off with Al receiving the honor, along with co-inductee Bobby Rahal, of having a medallion placed in a walkway on the Westside of the Long Beach Convention Center designated as the Long Beach Motosports Walk Of Fame. Since this was the fourth time this ceremony has been held, the list of previous inductees is not as long as one might think ... but it is full of people of extreme high accomplishment and recognizable to nearly all motorsports enthusiast familiar with the Southern California area and venue.

Thursday April 16, 2009, Al Unser, Jr., and his wife Gina, Bobby Rahal, and his son Graham were there ... along with a crowd of well wishers that included J.C. Agajanian, Jr. (whom I sat next to) Parnelli Jones (past inductee), Brian Redmond (inductee and first driver to ever win at the Long Beach Grand Prix), and about 200 other family, friends, fans, and photographers shared in the unveiling.

The section of the Wyland Mural on the side of the Long Beach Convention Center that was to be re-dedicated after its restoration earlier in the month of April. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Al Unser, Jr., muralist Robert Wyland, and Mayor of Long Beach Bob Foster get ready to rise up on the scissor-lift to cut the ribbon to re-dedicate the Wyland Mural. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

On Friday, Al, was involved in a re-dedication ribbon cutting ceremony of the large mural of whales and other sea creatures that adorn the landmark Long Beach Convention Center building in the center of the Long Beach Grand Prix venue.

Al Unser, Jr. signs an autograph soon after his win in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race at the Long Beach Grand Prix venue. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Saturday, Al Unser, Jr. drove a 250 hp Toyota Scion tC to victory in the annual Toyota Pro-Celebrity race. Being that this win gave Al his seventh official win at this track, with the six previous wins at the wheel of a CART/ChampCar, it came as little surprise even though he had to steer his way around several wrecks caused by some of the anxious Celebrities to best the field.

The happiest person, besides Al was Keanu Reeves, who also drove a good and steady race while avoiding all the mayhem in turn one and about the course, to win the Celebrity category of this competition.

Al Unser, Jr. sits at the driver's seat in the ceremonial Toyota convertable pace car as IRL Dallaras line up behind him in order to begin the warm-up laps before the 35th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2009)

Then on Sunday, Al Unser, Jr. was the Grand Marshal of the 35th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach ... did I mention, a race that earned him the nickname "King Of The Beach" due to his six wins here, the most by any driver. He led the field in the Toyota pace car for the first ever Long Beach Grand Prix held under the sanctioning body of the Indy Racing League (IRL) in unification. Last year, the race featured ChampCar drivers and equipment only ... and the points were scored to count for the 2008 IndyCar Series Championship.

The best week ever!

So now Al Unser, Jr. moves on to the Indianapolis and Speedway, Indiana ... where there is a little 2.5 mile motorsports racetrack that has become known as "The World's Greatest Race Course". The venue, itself, has been in existence for 100 years and this year will be the 93rd running of the most famous and grueling 500 mile annual motorsports competition in the world ... the INDY 500!

Al Unser, Jr., as it turns out, has been successful here too, winning this race twice and finishing in the top 10 in a set field of 33 cars, 10 out of 20 competitions.

As an elder statesman, Al Unser, Jr. may just be having the best year ever. At Indianapolis, he is also the IndyCar Series driver coach and he had a few tips for the drivers who will be racing tomorrow in the INDY 500

This excerpted and edited from IndyCar.com -

Race Day analysis
By Dave Lewandowski - Indycar.com - Friday, May 22, 2009

Vitor Meira, the 2008 Indianapolis 500 runner-up, preaches patience - to himself in the mirror - in preparation for Race Day.

"I think here patience pays a lot, not only because it is a very long race but it's a track that doesn't forgive a lot of mistakes," said Meira, who will start 14th in the No. 14 ABC Supply Co. car for A.J. Foyt Racing. "The strategy is you go out, log some laps, make sure that you risk as few times as possible up to 50 laps to go, then you drop the hammer."

That's a strategy endorsed by two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and IndyCar Series driver coach Al Unser Jr. With the field - top to bottom separated by a tick over 3 seconds (the closest margin with four-lap qualifications in place) - patience will pay.

"All the teams have the cars figured out; they're on a level playing field like no other time," Unser said. "You're to a point right now, I was talking to Michael Andretti and they were looking for a half a pound of drag reduction. Any little bit.

"In the old days - in the' 70s, '80s and '90s - you had several different makes of cars and several engine manufacturers. Say I qualified 15th, I could count on five of the cars in front of me not finishing because of mechanical failure. I could count five more running into each other. I could count three that would have problems in the pits. So that really only left one or two guys that I really had to race, and that's how it unfolded in front of me when I ran the 500.

"Today, the front row is going to finish this race unless something strange or a freak deal happens. And the mistakes, if they make any, will be very small. The drivers know this, yet they have to have patience. It's really hard to have patience when everything is going by so quickly. That's when you really have to count on your team - the whole team comes into play. And when mistakes are made, you have to be there to capitalize on them. "

Unser said no matter where in the 33-car field the driver starts, the initial section of the 200-lap race is crucial.

"You need to get through the first couple of laps clean and get going and get your rhythm," he said. "If you're in the front half of the field, you'll do what the leader does all day as far as pitting and all that. If you're in the back half of the field and an early yellow comes out, then you'll get off-sequence with the leaders. The leaders will most likely stay out and that's when you'll come in.

"It's going to be all about track position, because the field is so close from front to back, and what I've been seeing during the Month of May is that it's impossible to pass. You can have a car that's running 222 in the lead and come up on a car that's running 218 and he won't be able to pass. When that happens, it's going to stack up and that's the most important time to have patience. It's going to be too much risk to pass another car. Just stay behind the guy in front of you until he makes a mistake and then it's an easy pass. The driver in front of you loses patience and does something that puts him out of shape then you're able to pass.

"It's a long race but it goes by very quickly these days. You don't really have to take care of anything these days. The engines, cars, tires and gearboxes are known reliability. It comes down to truly a whole team effort. The restarts are going to be very important as far as being able to pass on restarts. You have to be sharp; you do the passing instead of somebody passing you because once you get going you're stuck behind whoever is in front of you. Traffic will dictate a lot of what goes on during the race."
Reference Here>>

Click it: Starting grid | Race Day schedule | Final practice: All systems go

2009 is a hallmark year for North American Open-Wheel Racing now that full unification of team talent and drivers has taken place. To be honest, the last century was not so bad but this INDY 500 marks the beginning of a new era and just may be the start of the best century ever for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

... notes from The EDJE