The grid for tomorrows Indy 500. 3 women will start for the 1st time ever

[A HERETIC I AM]

http://www.indycar.com/grid/index-indy.htm

Danica Patrick starts middle of row 3
Sarah Fisher starts outside of row 7
Milka Duno starts middle of row 10

Pole sitter - Helio Castroneves
Last starting position (33rd starter, outside row 11) - Phil Giebler

Everyone is running Honda engines and everyone is using Firestone tires.

There are two chassis makers - Panoz and Dallara

There are 2 rookies and 6 former winners starting.

Tomorrows forecast for central Indiana is 60% chance of rain.

Scattered thunderstorms with temps in the high 70's

[RB TexLa]

1. I just wish they'd get the start times for it and the race in NC so people could run both

Folks in Champ Car really didn't have a chance to run at Indy due to money but there are more than a few in NASCAR that could run the double if the start times worked out.

[A HERETIC I AM]

3. There have been many attempts to run both. The 600 starts at 5:00 PM Eastern

The 500 starts at 1:00 Eastern - noon in Indy. The 500 used to always start at 11:00 AM Central. It is still possible for a driver to do both races provided the 500 runs in 3 hours or less. Any driver who tries to run both has to helicopter from the speedway to the airport and take a private jet to Charlotte (Concord Regional, about 3 miles from the Charlotte Motor Speedway)in order to make it.

No one that has ever won Indy has ever tried to run both races.

BTW, the folks in "Champ Car" run a different formula than the IRL so they would have to have an entirely different car to run the one race. IRL cars are naturally aspirated. Champ Car runs turbocharged engines. The old days of CART/Champ Car having the same formula as required at the speedway are long gone. Tony George (owner of the Speedway) has totally fucked open wheel racing in this country.

[RB TexLa]

5. That's all I want is them to go back to the 11:00 AM start time

Of course if you win, you stick around for the party instead of going to Charlotte.

[liberal N proud]

2. Now if they would only make it a real car race

Today the team with the most money will walk away with the win.
Indy used to be a test ground for tire technology and engine efficiency.
It is however I will not miss it.

[alfredo]

4. So Honda is in control of Indy racing. Maybe soon Toyota will

find a winning setup in Nascar. Right now they seem to be in a learning phase.

[A HERETIC I AM]

6. Honda isnt in "Control" They are just the only engine supplier right now.

I used to work in the business and have been out of it for 10 years now so i have not really kept up on the rules. It is possible that the IRL has mandated a single engine. If that is the case, Toyota, Cosworth and anyone else wishing to participate are locked out. It wasnt always like this. There was a time when Chevrolet, Ford, Porsche, Buick and Alfa Romeo all ran there in 88, 89 & 90 and there have been races in the past that had many more engine makers participating.

[alfredo]

7. I remember it was a huge four cyclinder engine that dominated

Big oval and short track racing. Offenhauser, that's the engine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offenhauser







During WWII didn't they use Diesel engines?

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. The Offy's were making better than 1000 HP at one time......

re WWII, There were no races from 1942 thru 1945. There have been diesels that ran if i am not mistaken but i don't know who did it and it has been at least 40 years.

[Oldtimeralso]

12. As an OLD Racer

All I can remember about diesels at Indy is that somewhere in the late 40's or early 50's that Cummins power was used in a car the also had the advantage of phenomenal fuel mileage.

[alfredo]

14. This one?

Maserati won Indy in 39 and 40

[alfredo]

13. I remember some midgets running diesel in the late 50's early

60's. They weren't that competitive.

[WinkyDink]

8. I'll be watching AFTER the world's greatest race, the Monaco Grand Prix! ;)

Go, Alonso!!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. Alonso can eat my shorts. GO MASSA!!!

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

15. No, Alonso

Monaco is where Lewis Hamilton gets his first win!

[OzarkDem]

9. Mom would be happy

We were the only kids in the neighborhood during the 1960's whose mom was a rabid fan of Indy Car racing. She was also the first feminist I ever knew. This would thrill her to no end.