Round 5: The 98th Indianapolis 500, 23 - 25 May, 2014
With P1 for the 500 starting tomorrow, it's time to start the 500 thread.
Sunday the 25th will see the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500. The Speedway was built in 1909, however the very first motorsport event to take place there was a motorcycle race, held on August 14, 1909, on the 2.5 mile oval track, consisting of a gravel-and-tar. Since the very first 500, May 30, 1911, the event has always been held on
Memorial Day.
Some interesting facts:
The most victories by any driver is 4 and this is held jointly by:
A.J. Foyt - 1961, 1964, 1967, 1977.
Al Unser - 1970, 1971, 1978, 1987.
Rick Mears - 1979, 1984, 1988, 1991.
The team with the most victories is Penske, with 15:
1972 1979 1981 1984 1985
1987 1988 1991 1993 1994
2001 2002 2003 2006 2009
The driver/owner with the most vitories is, A.J. Foyt - 1964, 1967, 1977.
Out of the current crop of drivers, the driver with the most victories is Hélio Castroneves - 2001, 2002, 2009.
Track layout:
Length: 2.5 mi / 4.0 km
Turns: 4
Lap record: May 10, 1996. Arie Luyendyk, Reynard 96i-Cosworth, 00:37.616 seconds, 239.260 mph (385.052 kmh)
Last year's winner:
Tony Kanaan,
KV Racing Technology,
Dallara/Chevrolet.
Laps: 200
Distance: 500 Miles (805 km Km)
Race Time: 2:40:03.4181
Average Speed: 187.433 mph, fastest ever race.
TV Coverage:
ABC are televising the race, with the Green flag at 12:00pm ET.