The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is here, I am beyond excited and can’t wait for what is always a phenomenal race! Let’s get you ready for the biggest racing of the year!
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was first used in 1911, with 115 years of history, tradition and speed bringing motor racing and technological advancement to the world and joy to fans the world over! In modern times drivers will have qualified with speed of 232 miles per hour, these rocketships are capable of immense speed, and grip making this spectacle all the more remarkable!
500 miles is a long time, with the race usually lasting around 3-4 hours, double that of your standard IndyCar race. To win at Indy requires the utmost skill, talent and execution over a gruelling and fast paced race! The speedway we all know and love is 2.5 miles long, with one yard of bricks as homage to that original circuit!
What are the key storylines?
ALEXANDER ROSSI’S GUTSY RUN
The ecr driver is due to start 2nd this weekend but this was put in doubt after a monumental shunt during Monday practice almost flipping off turn 2 before being hit by Pato O’Ward who spun trying to avoid. Rossi will race this weekend but not without some minor injuries to his hands and feet. He has one of the fastest cars on the speedway and if he were to win it would be a heroic effort
ALEX PALOU CHASING PERFECTION
The man to beat in IndyCar, 4 championships in 5 years, the reigning Indy 500 champion and your pole sitter for this great race! He is looking to pad an already extraordinary resume and go back-to-back at this great race!
KATHERLINE LEGGE’S DOUBLE
Three doubles in as many years is amazing and it’ll be fun to see Kat get the chance, it’s last minute entries for both the 500 and NASCAR’s Coca Cola 600 at Charlotte but it does provide interest as it’s only been completed once and she will become the first woman to try this challenging motor racing feat
Who to watch?
Josef Newgarden
Yes he starts deep in the field but we saw as recent as last year he has no problem carving his way through the field and the car should have the speed. It’s always exciting when someone like Newgarden has the drive through the field and provides a lot of action to the race
Pato O’Ward
The Mexican driver will unfortunately be in a backup car after Monday’s crash, but that isn’t the end for the boy from Monterrey who has been in the mix for victory in every of his Indianapolis 500 starts; and has finished top 10 in all but one where he crashed out from P3. If he wins it’ll be a very popular victory for the sports fan favourite driver!
Conor Daly
Another populous victory would be that of Conor Daly who has looked bad fast all month, topping several practice days and going P3 in group qualifying! He’s a man for raceday and the Noblesville, Indiana native will have legions of home crowd support to cheer him on
Santino Ferrucci
He’s not the most popular driver but he races for the great AJ Foyt and has NEVER finished outside of the top 10 at IMS. In seven starts he has mastered being there at the end and this year looks no different
How can I watch?
Coverage begins at 10am est with the green flag at 12:45pm est, under the Fox broadcasting stateside, tsn will cover it up here in Canada and Sky Sports will cover you for the European audience.
written by Carlos Faria // Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
