100th Running of The Indy 500

Back in 1911, the race with winner Marmon Wasp was introduced as the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes;  yeah wait a minute, that's 106 years of track history, what's with the math? Six years were not run because of WWI (1917 & 1918) and WWII (1942 thru 1945) which brings the 100th running of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing on Memorial Day weekend. This really kicks off racing in the Northern Hemisphere.

Pickwick Theater

For the Fans of Indy, back in 1967, closed caption was available in 9 theaters throughout the Chicago land area.  At the Pickwick in Park Ridge, IL. the projection for the feed was set up in the middle of the main isle and produced a live feed of the race on the theater screen.  This was the next best thing as to being there.

Winner A.J.Foyt driving a Ford powered Coyote 1967 Indianapolis 500

In 1967 on the final day of practice, Mario Andretti turned the fastest practice lap in Indy history at over 168 mph.  Among the others that were expected to challenge for the front row were Roger McCluskey,  A. J. Foyt and Gordon Johncock.  Parnelli Jones, driving the new Granatelli STP-Paxton Turbocar was in the top ten of practice speeds, but never on top, and some in the garage area were accusing the team of sandbagging.

Well, the team might have been sandbagging qualifying 6th running 166.075 mph.  Parnelli Jones wheeling the radically new, four-wheel drive STP-Paxton Turbocar, entered by Andy Granatelli. (the big man above)  With three laps to go leading the race, Jones coasted to a stop when a $6 transmission bearing failed.  A Rumor got out that the bearing in the turbo failed.

CanadianIndycarFan

 

Some Cool Indy Rides

1969 Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti, team STP #2 Brawner Hawk- Ford

1972 Indy winner Mark Donohue, team Penske #66 Eagle-Offenhauser

1973 Indy winner Gordon Johncock, team Patrick Racing #20 Eagle-Offenhauser

1973 Mario Andretti driving #11 Viceroy car

1973 Bobby Allison, team Penske Sunoco #12 McLaren-Offenhauser on pit lane

1974 Indy winner Johnny Rutherford 3 time Champion, team Bruce McLaren Motor Racing #3 Mclaren-Offenhauser

1977 Indy 4 time Champion AJ Foyt, team Foyt Enterprises #14 Coyote-Foyt

1980 #21 Tim Richmond wins Indy 500 Rookie of the Year

1985 Indy winner Danny Sullivan, team Penske #5 March-Cosworth the "spin and win" passing Mario Andretti

1987 Indy winner and 4 time Champion Al Unser, team Penske 1986 #25 March-Cosworth backup car

1991 Indy winner Rick Mears, team Penske #3 Penske-Chevrolet (some call him the great) four time champion of the Indy 500

List of Indianapolis 500 winners


100th Running of The Indy 500

The home page for the Indy is linked in the photo above as a record crowed will be attending this year.  There's 15 cars running (select qualification day 1) 230 & 229 mph at Indy this year!  Alexander Rossi as of Sat the 21st has the fastest ride, running 231.249 mph.  That's a giant leap in speed from Mario's record of 168 mph back in 1967.

Helio Castroneves in Penske 2016 #3, turning 230.500 mph during qualifying, 446 one hundredth of a second slower than 1st qualifying James Hinchcliffe, during first round of qualifying.  This is a good view of the new chassis, 2016 Aero Kit-Chevy. 

The Specs:

Materials: Carbon fiber, kevlar and other composites

Weight: Approximately 1575 lbs (Road/Street/Short Ovals) and 1545 lbs (Speedways) Length: 192 inches minimum Width: 78.5 inches maximum, 77.5 inches minimum (measured outside rim to rim), floor is 79 inches

Height: Approximately 40 inches

Wheelbase: 120 inches

Wheel Size: Front: 15 inches diameter, 10 inches wide

Minimum weight: 13.48 pounds

Rear: 15 inches diameter, 14 inches wide 

Minimum weight: 14.7 pounds

Tires: Firestone Firehawk Front diameter: 26 inches maximum, 25 inches minimum @ 35 psi Rear diameter: 27.5 inches maximum, 26.5 inches minimum @ 35 psi

Gearbox: XTRAC #1011 gearbox Six forward gears, one reverse gear, Mega-Line Assisted Gear Shift (paddle-shift)

Fuel Cell: Single, rupture-proof cell, 19 U.S. gallons (standard)

Manufacturer: Dallara Automobili, Italy


ENGINE:

Type: 2.2-liter (134.25 cubic inches) V-6, turbocharged (single or twin), Max. bore diameter 95 millimeters

Weight: Minimum weight is 248 pounds. RPM: 12,000 maximum (INDYCAR-supplied rev limiter)

Power: Estimated 550-700 horsepower depending on variable turbo boost used at track

Fuel: E85 fuel (blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline)

Injector: Direct injection Models: Honda HI13R Indy-V-6 , Chevy IndyCar V6

Manufacturers: American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Chevrolet

(end specs)

The Indy channel on You Tube has recorded hours! of qualifying time for this years running, they're flying out there! 

Enjoy this years event and Happy Memorial Day

 indycar

 

Indy Car

Indianapolis 500 Practice 

 Sage Karam team Reinbold Kingdom Racing #24 Aero Kit-Chevy 

They're running at Indy 

 indycar

 

2016 Indy 500 Last 15 Laps 

Alexander Rossi No. 98 NAPA  Aero Kit-Honda

Top Rookie Alexander Rossi and winner of the 2016 Indy 500 with team Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian, sandbagged the field by nailing the fuel economy.  Because during fast practice the 98 NAPA was truing 231.249 mph.  After finishing the race Rossi ran out of fuel, half a lap beyond the finish line.  Leading fast laps at Indy burns fuel, all the Hot Rodders needed a splash, at which point put Rossi a half a lap ahead of the lead pack.  

Good Cinderella story for The 100th Running of Indy. 

Andretti Autosport

Juan Pablo Montoya in HD