2004 Indianapolis 500
Encyclopedia
The 2004 Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis
on Sunday, May 30, 2004. It was part of the 2004 IndyCar Series season and the ninth Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League
. Pole winner Buddy Rice
led the most laps and won the race for team owners Bobby Rahal
and David Letterman
.
After a morning rain delay, the race began two hours behind schedule. After 27 laps, rain began to fall again, and threatened to wash out the rest of the day. After nearly two hours, the race resumed. After 450 miles (20 laps short of the full-distance), a severe thunderstorm
and a tornado
in the area halted the race, and Rice
was declared the winner.
Scott Dixon
led the speed chart with a lap of 219.760 mph on opening day. No incidents were reported.
Thunderstorms kept the track closed most of the afternoon. The track re-opened just before 5 p.m., and Helio Castroneves
set the fastest lap of the month at 220.300 mph. Late in the day, Robby Gordon
spun and hit the outside wall in turn 2, but was uninjured.
Felipe Giaffone
brushed the wall in the northchute, then slid along the wall to the entrance to the pits. He was uninjured. Adrián Fernández
becomes the first driver of the month to break the 221 mph barrier, but Kosuke Matsuura
(221.857 mph) ends up with the fastest lap of the day.
Tony Kanaan
drives the fastest lap of the month, at 222.668 mph.
Rain kept the track closed until 3 p.m. The session was ended about 10 minutes early when Scott Sharp
crashed in turn 1. Helio Castroneves
turns the fastest lap of the day (221.156 mph). Buddy Rice
is among the top 5 for the first time all week.
The track opened at 11 a.m., but lasted only four minutes, as rain began falling, and closed the track for the day. During the brief session, only four cars had entered the track, with Sarah Fisher
(212.616 mph), the only car to run a single lap at speed.
Pole day dawned cool and damp. Overnight rain kept the track closed until shortly after 12 noon. During the first practice session, Tony Kanaan
reached 223.224 mph, the fastest lap of the month.
Pole qualifying began ar 2:15 p.m. Roger Yasukawa
earned the distinction as the first driver in the field. Shortly after, Robby Gordon
qualified his car and immediately boarded a plane to Richmond
to participate in the NASCAR
event that evening. At 3:06 p.m., Dan Wheldon
placed himself on the provisional pole position after a qualifying run of 221.524 mph. Several wave offs and two wrecks (Bryan Herta
and Felipe Giaffone
) characterized the early attempts.
At 4:14 p.m., Buddy Rice
took over the pole position with a run of 222.024 mph. Rice held off late runs by Dario Franchitti
and Tony Kanaan
to secure his first Indy 500 pole. At the end of the day, the field was filled to 22 cars.
Four cars completed attempts, to fill the field to 26 cars. After both wrecking the day before, Bryan Herta
and Felipe Giaffone
put their cars safely in the field. Herta was the fastest qualifier of the afternoon.
Mark Taylor brushed the wall in turn 2, but suffered only minor damage. Scott Dixon
led all drivers at 220.576 mph, while Marty Roth
was the fastest of the non-qualified cars (212.292 mph).
A. J. Foyt IV
spun in turn 3 and brushed the inside wall, suffering minor damage. Kosuke Matsuura
was the fastest of the day (220.784 mph), and Marty Roth
once again led the non-qualified cars (212.352 mph).
Adrián Fernández
topped the speed chart at 218.257 mph. Meanwhile, Buddy Lazier
joined DRR
to drive the #24 car (which later became #91 in a joint entry with Hemelgarn
). On his first day of track activity, Lazier led non-qualified cars at 215.513 mph.
The final full day of practice saw heavy activity. P. J. Jones took to the track for the first time, but only managed 208 mph. Buddy Lazier
led the non-qualified car at over 214 mph.
The final day of qualifying saw seven positions open in the field. P. J. Jones was the first car to qualify (213.355 mph), followed by Marty Roth
and others. At 1:45 p.m., Greg Ray
filled the field to 33 cars, with a run of 216.641 mph, the fastest attempt of the afternoon.
A short rain shower followed, with Robby McGehee
sitting on the bubble as the slowest qualifier at 211.631 mph. At that point, it did not appear that any further cars would attempt to qualify. The only driver left on the sidelines was Jaques Lazier
, who briefly practiced during the week for Foyt
. However, the ride fizzled.
During the afternoon, Tony Stewart
came to visit the track. He was running full-time in NASCAR
, and had raced in the all-star event
the night prior. A. J. Foyt
reportedly called Stewart while he was at the track, and invited him to practice in one of his back-up cars. Stewart quickly passed his physical, and went to the pit area to prepare for a possible qualifying attempt. With little else going on during the afternoon, the rumors quickly buzzed around the track, and throngs of media surrounded Stewart to cover the breaking story.
With about an hour left in the day, a car was prepared for Stewart, and fired up on pit lane. Stewart had yet to climb in the car, but was suited up in his drivers uniform. At 5:36 p.m., however, Stewart left the pits on foot, and announced he would not make an attempt to qualify. Stewart's contracts with Joe Gibbs Racing
, Home Depot
, and Chevrolet
precluded him from driving Foyt's
Toyota Indycar.
gave the traditional command to start engines at 1:02 p.m.
took the lead from the pole position. Rice led Dario Franchitti
, Tony Kanaan
, Dan Wheldon
, and Helio Castroneves
.
On lap 10, A. J. Foyt IV
brushed the wall in turn four, the proceeded to spin and crash in turn 1. Foyt was uninjured. Several of the leaders pitted under the caution. Bryan Herta
led the field back to green on lap 16. Three laps later Wheldon
took the lead, but on lap 22, rain began to fall again, and the caution was out once again. The field circulated under yellow for several laps, and on lap 28, the red flag came out. Rain was falling hard, and the cars were parked in the pits. Many believed the resumption would have to be delayed until Monday.
, who was attempting to race in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, departed the grounds and flew to Charlotte. Jaques Lazier
was standing by, and climbed in the car to drive relief.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m., the race continued. Dan Wheldon
led at the green, but Buddy Rice
quickly assumed the lead. An intense segment of racing saw several changes in position amongst the top 10, and the leaders racing closely together. On lap 56, Larry Foyt
wrecked in turn two, guaranteeing the Foyt team
would finsh 32nd-33rd.
continued to lead during the next stretch of green flag racing. Dan Wheldon
and Sam Hornish, Jr.
ran 2nd-3rd.
The third crash of the day involved Ed Carpenter
and Mark Taylor
on lap 64.
As the race approached the halfway point, Rice
still led, and Wheldon
and Hornish
continued to battle for 2nd and 3rd. The top five were still within seconds of each other.
On lap 94, P. J. Jones made contact with the wall exiting turn 2. Jaques Lazier
dropped out with a broken axle, and leader Buddy Rice
stalled exiting the pits. Dan Wheldon
took over the lead, with Helio Castroneves
now second, and Rice dropping down to 8th.
and Greg Ray
got together, crashing in turn four, and subsequently collecting Sam Hornish, Jr.
The three cars slid into the end of the pit wall, and came to rest at the entrance of the pits. Tony Kanaan
now led, with Rice still mired back in 8th.
Kanaan
and Wheldon
traded the lead a couple times, until Marty Roth
brought out the next caution, after he crashed in turn 4. Buddy Rice worked his way up to 5th for the restart, meanwhile, Bruno Junqueira
stayed out while the leaders pitted, and took over the lead. Junquiera was gambling that his fuel would outlast the leaders, in case rain were to resume.
led Buddy Rice
and Tony Kanaan
. Approaching rain and one final round of pit stops for the leaders was looming, and threatened to turn the result into a crap shoot. The first driver to go was Bruno Junqueira
, who pitted for fuel and tires on lap 151.
The lead went back to Buddy Rice
, who was followed closely by Tony Kanaan
and Dan Wheldon
. Kanaan ducked into the pits for fuel on lap 164, and Wheldon pitted on lap 165. Two laps later, Rice was in the pits, handing the lead over to Bryan Herta
. Rain was fast approaching the Speedway, and the race was not expected to reach the full distance before the rain fell. More of the leaders cycled into the pits.
Herta gave up the lead on lap 169 in order to pit for fuel. That handed the race lead to Adrian Fernandez
, as slight moisture was being reported around the track. Fernandez made it to lap 171, but significant rain was not falling yet, and the green flag conditions still prevailed. Fernandez made a quick 9 second pit stop, but lost the lead. After the hectic sequence of pit stops, Buddy Rice
was back into the lead.
With Rice leading, Kanaan second, and Wheldon back to third, rain started falling on lap 174. The yellow came out with Rice the certain winner. A severe thunderstorm approached the area, and the race was halted after the completion of lap 180 (450 miles (724.2 km)), a mere 20 laps short of the finish. Lightning forced the victory celebration indoors to the Pagoda.
Rice became the first American winner since Eddie Cheever
in 1998. It was also the first rain-shortened 500 since 1976. An F3
tornado
missed the Speedway and its quarter-million spectators by only six miles as it raked across the south central portion of Indianapolis. The tornado caused widespread damage.
On race day May 30, precipitation in Indianapolis totaled 3.80 inches, a record single-day amount for that date, and any date during the month since records had been kept.
Failed to qualify:
#10
Luis Díaz
#14
Jaques Lazier
(W) = Former Indianapolis 500 winner; (R) = Indianapolis 500 rookie
*C Chassis
: D=Dallara
, P=Panoz
*E Engine
: C=Chevrolet
, H=Honda
, T=Toyota
All cars in the 2004 Indianapolis 500 used Firestone
tires.
Notes: Race halted on lap 27 due to rain. The race was resumed, and when rain pelted the Speedway again late in the race, officials waved the checkered flag 15 minutes after the traditional 6 PM closing time. It was only the second time in IMS history racing went past the 6 PM closing time; in 1995, the Brickyard 400 raced into 7 PM because of rain delays. Since the adoption of Daylight Saving Time
, the Brickyard 400 will usually run past 6 PM.
During the rain delay, Robby Gordon flew to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, which prompted the team to put Jaques Lazier in the car, but a mechanical failure forced the car not to finish
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
on Sunday, May 30, 2004. It was part of the 2004 IndyCar Series season and the ninth Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League
IndyCar
IndyCar is the trade name of an American-based open-wheel auto racing sanctioning body. IndyCar sanctions three racing series, the premier IZOD IndyCar Series with its centerpiece Indianapolis 500, and developmental series Firestone Indy Lights and the U.S...
. Pole winner Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
led the most laps and won the race for team owners Bobby Rahal
Bobby Rahal
Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500...
and David Letterman
David Letterman
David Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
.
After a morning rain delay, the race began two hours behind schedule. After 27 laps, rain began to fall again, and threatened to wash out the rest of the day. After nearly two hours, the race resumed. After 450 miles (20 laps short of the full-distance), a severe thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
and a tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
in the area halted the race, and Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
was declared the winner.
Practice - Week 1
- Sunday May 9
Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon
Scott Ronald Dixon, MNZM is a New Zealand motor racer who became the most successful all-time driver in the Indy Racing League championship in the United States when he won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio in August 2009. This took his total to 21 wins...
led the speed chart with a lap of 219.760 mph on opening day. No incidents were reported.
- Monday May 10
Thunderstorms kept the track closed most of the afternoon. The track re-opened just before 5 p.m., and Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...
set the fastest lap of the month at 220.300 mph. Late in the day, Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon
Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series...
spun and hit the outside wall in turn 2, but was uninjured.
- Tuesday May 11
Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006. His father, "Zeca" Giaffone is the 1987 Stock Car Brasil champion and Mil Milhas Brasil five times winner in the 1980s.-Racing career:...
brushed the wall in the northchute, then slid along the wall to the entrance to the pits. He was uninjured. Adrián Fernández
Adrian Fernández
José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Early career:...
becomes the first driver of the month to break the 221 mph barrier, but Kosuke Matsuura
Kosuke Matsuura
is a race car driver currently competing in the Formula Nippon series. He previously competed in the IRL IndyCar Series.-Early career:After winning the Japanese Formula Dream Championship in 2001, Kosuke attracted the attention of former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki as a teenager and was placed...
(221.857 mph) ends up with the fastest lap of the day.
- Wednesday May 12
Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
drives the fastest lap of the month, at 222.668 mph.
- Thursday May 13
Rain kept the track closed until 3 p.m. The session was ended about 10 minutes early when Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp is an American race car driver in the American Le Mans Series. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Scott Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing League....
crashed in turn 1. Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...
turns the fastest lap of the day (221.156 mph). Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
is among the top 5 for the first time all week.
- "Fast Friday" - Friday May 14
The track opened at 11 a.m., but lasted only four minutes, as rain began falling, and closed the track for the day. During the brief session, only four cars had entered the track, with Sarah Fisher
Sarah Fisher
Sarah Marie Fisher is a retired American professional racecar driver who competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500...
(212.616 mph), the only car to run a single lap at speed.
Time trials: weekend 1
- Pole Day - Saturday May 15
Pole day dawned cool and damp. Overnight rain kept the track closed until shortly after 12 noon. During the first practice session, Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
reached 223.224 mph, the fastest lap of the month.
Pole qualifying began ar 2:15 p.m. Roger Yasukawa
Roger Yasukawa
Roger Yasukawa is a Japanese-American auto racing driver.Yasukawa started karting in Southern California, winning the California State Championship in 1991 in Junior Sportsman. He then moved to Italy to compete in JICA...
earned the distinction as the first driver in the field. Shortly after, Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon
Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series...
qualified his car and immediately boarded a plane to Richmond
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
to participate in the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
event that evening. At 3:06 p.m., Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
placed himself on the provisional pole position after a qualifying run of 221.524 mph. Several wave offs and two wrecks (Bryan Herta
Bryan Herta
Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series...
and Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006. His father, "Zeca" Giaffone is the 1987 Stock Car Brasil champion and Mil Milhas Brasil five times winner in the 1980s.-Racing career:...
) characterized the early attempts.
At 4:14 p.m., Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
took over the pole position with a run of 222.024 mph. Rice held off late runs by Dario Franchitti
Dario Franchitti
George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing...
and Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
to secure his first Indy 500 pole. At the end of the day, the field was filled to 22 cars.
- Second Day - Sunday May 16
Four cars completed attempts, to fill the field to 26 cars. After both wrecking the day before, Bryan Herta
Bryan Herta
Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series...
and Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone
Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006. His father, "Zeca" Giaffone is the 1987 Stock Car Brasil champion and Mil Milhas Brasil five times winner in the 1980s.-Racing career:...
put their cars safely in the field. Herta was the fastest qualifier of the afternoon.
Practice: week 2
- Wednesday May 19
Mark Taylor brushed the wall in turn 2, but suffered only minor damage. Scott Dixon
Scott Dixon
Scott Ronald Dixon, MNZM is a New Zealand motor racer who became the most successful all-time driver in the Indy Racing League championship in the United States when he won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio in August 2009. This took his total to 21 wins...
led all drivers at 220.576 mph, while Marty Roth
Marty Roth
Marty Roth is a former Canadian race car driver who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series where he owned his own team, Roth Racing....
was the fastest of the non-qualified cars (212.292 mph).
- Thursday May 20
A. J. Foyt IV
A. J. Foyt IV
Anthony Joseph "A.J." Foyt IV is an American race car driver. He competed in the IndyCar Series and briefly in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, then called the Busch Series. He is the grandson of A. J. Foyt....
spun in turn 3 and brushed the inside wall, suffering minor damage. Kosuke Matsuura
Kosuke Matsuura
is a race car driver currently competing in the Formula Nippon series. He previously competed in the IRL IndyCar Series.-Early career:After winning the Japanese Formula Dream Championship in 2001, Kosuke attracted the attention of former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki as a teenager and was placed...
was the fastest of the day (220.784 mph), and Marty Roth
Marty Roth
Marty Roth is a former Canadian race car driver who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series where he owned his own team, Roth Racing....
once again led the non-qualified cars (212.352 mph).
- Friday May 21
Adrián Fernández
Adrian Fernández
José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Early career:...
topped the speed chart at 218.257 mph. Meanwhile, Buddy Lazier
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier is an American Indycar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times...
joined DRR
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is an American motor racing team in the open wheel Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, with one series win by co-owner Robbie Buhl, who owns the team with Indianapolis BMW, Infiniti, Volkswagen and Maserati dealer Dennis Reinbold....
to drive the #24 car (which later became #91 in a joint entry with Hemelgarn
Hemelgarn Racing
Hemelgarn Racing was a racing team in the Indy Racing League owned by Ron Hemelgarn. The team won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and 2000 Series Championship with driver Buddy Lazier. Along with A.J...
). On his first day of track activity, Lazier led non-qualified cars at 215.513 mph.
- Saturday May 22
The final full day of practice saw heavy activity. P. J. Jones took to the track for the first time, but only managed 208 mph. Buddy Lazier
Buddy Lazier
Robert Buddy Lazier is an American Indycar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times...
led the non-qualified car at over 214 mph.
Time trials - weekend 2
- Bump Day - Sunday May 23
The final day of qualifying saw seven positions open in the field. P. J. Jones was the first car to qualify (213.355 mph), followed by Marty Roth
Marty Roth
Marty Roth is a former Canadian race car driver who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series where he owned his own team, Roth Racing....
and others. At 1:45 p.m., Greg Ray
Greg Ray
Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver.After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994....
filled the field to 33 cars, with a run of 216.641 mph, the fastest attempt of the afternoon.
A short rain shower followed, with Robby McGehee
Robby McGehee
Robby McGehee is a Indy Racing League driver from St. Louis, Missouri. He won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth and raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the next few seasons...
sitting on the bubble as the slowest qualifier at 211.631 mph. At that point, it did not appear that any further cars would attempt to qualify. The only driver left on the sidelines was Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier is an American racing driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier....
, who briefly practiced during the week for Foyt
A. J. Foyt Enterprises
A.J. Foyt Enterprises is a racing team in the IZOD Indycar Series and formerly NASCAR. It is owned by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A. J. Foyt. Foyt Enterprises won IRL titles in 1996 with Scott Sharp and 1998 with Kenny Bräck, the latter driver also winning the Indianapolis 500 for the team...
. However, the ride fizzled.
During the afternoon, Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
came to visit the track. He was running full-time in NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, and had raced in the all-star event
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race
The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, formerly known as The Winston until 2004, then the NEXTEL All-Star Challenge from 2004 until 2007, is a race open to race winners from the previous season as well as the current season, plus the past ten event winners and past decade's Cup Series champions...
the night prior. A. J. Foyt
A. J. Foyt
Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr., or as he is universally known as in motorsports circles, A. J. Foyt , is a retired American automobile racing driver. He raced in numerous genres of motorsports. His open wheel racing includes USAC Champ cars and midget cars. He raced stock cars in NASCAR and USAC. He won...
reportedly called Stewart while he was at the track, and invited him to practice in one of his back-up cars. Stewart quickly passed his physical, and went to the pit area to prepare for a possible qualifying attempt. With little else going on during the afternoon, the rumors quickly buzzed around the track, and throngs of media surrounded Stewart to cover the breaking story.
With about an hour left in the day, a car was prepared for Stewart, and fired up on pit lane. Stewart had yet to climb in the car, but was suited up in his drivers uniform. At 5:36 p.m., however, Stewart left the pits on foot, and announced he would not make an attempt to qualify. Stewart's contracts with Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J. D. Gibbs, his son...
, Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain...
, and Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
precluded him from driving Foyt's
A. J. Foyt Enterprises
A.J. Foyt Enterprises is a racing team in the IZOD Indycar Series and formerly NASCAR. It is owned by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A. J. Foyt. Foyt Enterprises won IRL titles in 1996 with Scott Sharp and 1998 with Kenny Bräck, the latter driver also winning the Indianapolis 500 for the team...
Toyota Indycar.
First rain delay
Rain fell early in the morning, between 6:00-6:20 a.m. Rain resumed at 9:18 a.m., and continued intermittently until about 10:30 a.m. Track drying efforts began, and the start of the race was delayed by a little over two hours. Mari Hulman GeorgeMari Hulman George
Mari Hulman George, born Mary Antonia Hulman on December 26, 1934, in Terre Haute, Indiana, is the daughter of the late Anton "Tony" Hulman and Mary Fendrich Hulman, prominent Indiana philanthropists and business owners...
gave the traditional command to start engines at 1:02 p.m.
Start
At 1:07 p.m., the field pulled away for the pace laps, about two hours and fifteen minutes behind schedule. At the start, Buddy RiceBuddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
took the lead from the pole position. Rice led Dario Franchitti
Dario Franchitti
George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing...
, Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
, Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
, and Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...
.
On lap 10, A. J. Foyt IV
A. J. Foyt IV
Anthony Joseph "A.J." Foyt IV is an American race car driver. He competed in the IndyCar Series and briefly in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, then called the Busch Series. He is the grandson of A. J. Foyt....
brushed the wall in turn four, the proceeded to spin and crash in turn 1. Foyt was uninjured. Several of the leaders pitted under the caution. Bryan Herta
Bryan Herta
Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series...
led the field back to green on lap 16. Three laps later Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
took the lead, but on lap 22, rain began to fall again, and the caution was out once again. The field circulated under yellow for several laps, and on lap 28, the red flag came out. Rain was falling hard, and the cars were parked in the pits. Many believed the resumption would have to be delayed until Monday.
Re-start
After a delay of 1 hour and 47 minutes, the race was ready to resume. Robby GordonRobby Gordon
Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series...
, who was attempting to race in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, departed the grounds and flew to Charlotte. Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier is an American racing driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier....
was standing by, and climbed in the car to drive relief.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m., the race continued. Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
led at the green, but Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
quickly assumed the lead. An intense segment of racing saw several changes in position amongst the top 10, and the leaders racing closely together. On lap 56, Larry Foyt
Larry Foyt
Larry Joseph Roberds Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR and IndyCar driver. He is the biological grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a biological cousin of A. J. Foyt IV. His biological mother is Terry Lynn Foyt, daughter of A. J. Foyt, who divorced his biological father Larry Gene Roberds...
wrecked in turn two, guaranteeing the Foyt team
A. J. Foyt Enterprises
A.J. Foyt Enterprises is a racing team in the IZOD Indycar Series and formerly NASCAR. It is owned by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A. J. Foyt. Foyt Enterprises won IRL titles in 1996 with Scott Sharp and 1998 with Kenny Bräck, the latter driver also winning the Indianapolis 500 for the team...
would finsh 32nd-33rd.
First half
Buddy RiceBuddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
continued to lead during the next stretch of green flag racing. Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
and Sam Hornish, Jr.
Sam Hornish, Jr.
Racing League]] championships. He currently drives the #12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger for Penske Racing part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also drives the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford when Travis Kvapil is unable to drive the car....
ran 2nd-3rd.
The third crash of the day involved Ed Carpenter
Ed Carpenter
Ed "Special Ed" Carpenter is an IRL IndyCar Series driver. He is the stepson of Indy Racing League founder Tony George and is currently competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series, driving for Sarah Fisher Racing.-Early career:...
and Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor may refer to:*Mark Taylor , Canadian television actor *Mark Taylor , City councillor of Bay Ward in Ottawa*Mark Taylor , Australian cricketer...
on lap 64.
As the race approached the halfway point, Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
still led, and Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
and Hornish
Sam Hornish, Jr.
Racing League]] championships. He currently drives the #12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger for Penske Racing part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also drives the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford when Travis Kvapil is unable to drive the car....
continued to battle for 2nd and 3rd. The top five were still within seconds of each other.
On lap 94, P. J. Jones made contact with the wall exiting turn 2. Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier is an American racing driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier....
dropped out with a broken axle, and leader Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
stalled exiting the pits. Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
took over the lead, with Helio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves
Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing...
now second, and Rice dropping down to 8th.
Second half
As the race completed the 101st lap, it was scored official, and would not need to carry over into a second day. On lap 105, Darren ManningDarren Manning
Darren Manning is a motor racing driver, most recently racing in the IRL IndyCar Series for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Early career:...
and Greg Ray
Greg Ray
Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver.After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994....
got together, crashing in turn four, and subsequently collecting Sam Hornish, Jr.
Sam Hornish, Jr.
Racing League]] championships. He currently drives the #12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger for Penske Racing part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also drives the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford when Travis Kvapil is unable to drive the car....
The three cars slid into the end of the pit wall, and came to rest at the entrance of the pits. Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
now led, with Rice still mired back in 8th.
Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
and Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
traded the lead a couple times, until Marty Roth
Marty Roth
Marty Roth is a former Canadian race car driver who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series where he owned his own team, Roth Racing....
brought out the next caution, after he crashed in turn 4. Buddy Rice worked his way up to 5th for the restart, meanwhile, Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:...
stayed out while the leaders pitted, and took over the lead. Junquiera was gambling that his fuel would outlast the leaders, in case rain were to resume.
Finish
At lap 150, Bruno JunqueiraBruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:...
led Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
and Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
. Approaching rain and one final round of pit stops for the leaders was looming, and threatened to turn the result into a crap shoot. The first driver to go was Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira
Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:...
, who pitted for fuel and tires on lap 151.
The lead went back to Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
, who was followed closely by Tony Kanaan
Tony Kanaan
Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara...
and Dan Wheldon
Dan Wheldon
Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011...
. Kanaan ducked into the pits for fuel on lap 164, and Wheldon pitted on lap 165. Two laps later, Rice was in the pits, handing the lead over to Bryan Herta
Bryan Herta
Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series...
. Rain was fast approaching the Speedway, and the race was not expected to reach the full distance before the rain fell. More of the leaders cycled into the pits.
Herta gave up the lead on lap 169 in order to pit for fuel. That handed the race lead to Adrian Fernandez
Adrian Fernández
José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Early career:...
, as slight moisture was being reported around the track. Fernandez made it to lap 171, but significant rain was not falling yet, and the green flag conditions still prevailed. Fernandez made a quick 9 second pit stop, but lost the lead. After the hectic sequence of pit stops, Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:...
was back into the lead.
With Rice leading, Kanaan second, and Wheldon back to third, rain started falling on lap 174. The yellow came out with Rice the certain winner. A severe thunderstorm approached the area, and the race was halted after the completion of lap 180 (450 miles (724.2 km)), a mere 20 laps short of the finish. Lightning forced the victory celebration indoors to the Pagoda.
Rice became the first American winner since Eddie Cheever
Eddie Cheever
Edward "Eddie" McKay Cheever, Jr. is an American racing driver who raced for almost thirty years in Formula One, Sports cars, CART and the Indy Racing League. Cheever participated in 143 World Championship Formula One races and started 132, more than any other American, driving for nine different...
in 1998. It was also the first rain-shortened 500 since 1976. An F3
Fujita scale
The Fujita scale , or Fujita-Pearson scale, is a scale for rating tornado intensity, based primarily on the damage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation...
tornado
Tornado
A tornado is a violent, dangerous, rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. They are often referred to as a twister or a cyclone, although the word cyclone is used in meteorology in a wider...
missed the Speedway and its quarter-million spectators by only six miles as it raked across the south central portion of Indianapolis. The tornado caused widespread damage.
On race day May 30, precipitation in Indianapolis totaled 3.80 inches, a record single-day amount for that date, and any date during the month since records had been kept.
Starting Grid
| Row | Inside | Middle | Outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buddy Rice Buddy Rice Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:... |
 Dan WheldonDan Wheldon Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011... |
Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing... |
| 2 |  Bruno JunqueiraBruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:... |
Tony Kanaan Tony Kanaan Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara... |
Adrian Fernandez Adrian Fernández José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Early career:... |
| 3 | Vitor Meira Vitor Meira Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the IndyCar Series. He has twice finished second in the Indianapolis 500.... |
Helio Castroneves Hélio Castroneves Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing... (W) |
 Kosuke MatsuuraKosuke Matsuura is a race car driver currently competing in the Formula Nippon series. He previously competed in the IRL IndyCar Series.-Early career:After winning the Japanese Formula Dream Championship in 2001, Kosuke attracted the attention of former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki as a teenager and was placed... (R) |
| 4 |  Tomas ScheckterTomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of 1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter.-Early years:... |
Sam Hornish, Jr. Sam Hornish, Jr. Racing League]] championships. He currently drives the #12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger for Penske Racing part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also drives the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford when Travis Kvapil is unable to drive the car.... |
Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa is a Japanese-American auto racing driver.Yasukawa started karting in Southern California, winning the California State Championship in 1991 in Junior Sportsman. He then moved to Italy to compete in JICA... |
| 5 |  Scott DixonScott Dixon Scott Ronald Dixon, MNZM is a New Zealand motor racer who became the most successful all-time driver in the Indy Racing League championship in the United States when he won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio in August 2009. This took his total to 21 wins... |
Mark Taylor Mark Taylor (driver) Mark Taylor is a racing driver who drove in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He drove the entire 2004 season for two different teams, but could not find a seat for the 2005 season.... (R) |
Darren Manning Darren Manning Darren Manning is a motor racing driver, most recently racing in the IRL IndyCar Series for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Early career:... (R) |
| 6 | Ed Carpenter (R) |
Al Unser, Jr. Al Unser, Jr. Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:... (W) |
Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series... |
| 7 | Sarah Fisher Sarah Fisher Sarah Marie Fisher is a retired American professional racecar driver who competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500... |
Scott Sharp Scott Sharp Scott Sharp is an American race car driver in the American Le Mans Series. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Scott Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing League.... |
A.J. Foyt IV |
| 8 | Larry Foyt Larry Foyt Larry Joseph Roberds Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR and IndyCar driver. He is the biological grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a biological cousin of A. J. Foyt IV. His biological mother is Terry Lynn Foyt, daughter of A. J. Foyt, who divorced his biological father Larry Gene Roberds... (R) |
Alex Barron Alex Barron (driver) Alex Barron in San Diego, California) is an American race car driver. He began racing CART FedEx World Series Championship cars in 1998 and made his first Indy Racing League Northern Lights Series start in 2001.... |
Bryan Herta Bryan Herta Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series... |
| 9 | Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006. His father, "Zeca" Giaffone is the 1987 Stock Car Brasil champion and Mil Milhas Brasil five times winner in the 1980s.-Racing career:... |
Tora Takagi |
Greg Ray Greg Ray Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver.After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.... |
| 10 | Buddy Lazier Buddy Lazier Robert Buddy Lazier is an American Indycar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times... (W) |
Jeff Simmons Jeff Simmons (driver) Jeff Simmons is an American race car driver, most recently driving open wheel cars in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series.-Early career:... (R) |
Richie Hearn Richie Hearn Richie Hearn , is an American IndyCar racing driver.Hearn was born in Glendale, California. He ran in the Toyota Atlantic championship for two seasons, winning the title in 1995. In 1996, he began driving for John Della Penna in both the IRL and Champ Car ranks... |
| 11 | P.J. Jones P.J. Jones P. J. Jones is a race car driver. He has raced in NASCAR, Indycar, IMSA GT, ALMS, and Champ Car. He is the son of racing legend Parnelli Jones, and brother of Page Jones.-Sprint Cup Series:... (R) |
 Marty RothMarty Roth Marty Roth is a former Canadian race car driver who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series where he owned his own team, Roth Racing.... (R) |
Robby McGehee Robby McGehee Robby McGehee is a Indy Racing League driver from St. Louis, Missouri. He won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth and raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the next few seasons... |
Failed to qualify:
#10
Luis Díaz#14
Jaques LazierJaques Lazier
Jaques Lazier is an American racing driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier....
Results
| Finish | Start | No | Name | Qual | Rank | C | E | Laps | Led | Status | Entrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 15 | Buddy Rice Buddy Rice Buddy Rice is an American racecar driver. He is best known for winning the 2004 Indianapolis 500 while driving for Rahal Letterman Racing, and the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona for Brumos Racing.-Early career:... |
222.024 | 1 | P | H | 180 | 91 | Running | Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is an auto racing team that currently races in the American Le Mans Series and part–time in the IndyCar Series. Based in Hilliard, Ohio, it is co–owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, television talk show host David Letterman, and businessman Mike... |
| 2 | 5 | 11 | Tony Kanaan Tony Kanaan Antoine Rizkallah Kanaan Filho, commonly known as Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian race car driver of Lebanese heritage. Kanaan won the 2004 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series championship driving Andretti Green Racing's 7-Eleven sponsored car, winning three times in his Honda-powered Dallara... |
221.200 | 5 | D | H | 180 | 28 | Running | Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Autosport is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda Championship, and U.S. F2000 National Championship.-Current IndyCar Drivers and Cars:*7 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy.com*26 Marco Andretti... |
| 3 | 2 | 26 | Dan Wheldon Dan Wheldon Daniel Clive "Dan" Wheldon was a British racing driver from England. He was the 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion, and winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2005 and 2011... |
221.524 | 2 | D | H | 180 | 26 | Running | Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Autosport is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda Championship, and U.S. F2000 National Championship.-Current IndyCar Drivers and Cars:*7 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy.com*26 Marco Andretti... |
| 4 | 23 | 7 | Bryan Herta Bryan Herta Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Firestone Indy Lights Series... |
219.871 | 13 | D | H | 180 | 3 | Running | Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Autosport is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda Championship, and U.S. F2000 National Championship.-Current IndyCar Drivers and Cars:*7 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy.com*26 Marco Andretti... |
| 5 | 4 | 36 | Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian race car driver that most recently competed in the IRL IndyCar Series. He is a former Formula 3000 champion and three-time runner-up in the Champ Car World Series.-Early career:... |
221.379 | 4 | P | H | 180 | 16 | Running | Newman/Haas Racing |
| 6 | 7 | 17 | Vitor Meira Vitor Meira Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the IndyCar Series. He has twice finished second in the Indianapolis 500.... |
220.958 | 7 | P | H | 180 | 0 | Running | Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is an auto racing team that currently races in the American Le Mans Series and part–time in the IndyCar Series. Based in Hilliard, Ohio, it is co–owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, television talk show host David Letterman, and businessman Mike... |
| 7 | 6 | 5 | Adrian Fernández Adrian Fernández José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican racing driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Early career:... |
220.999 | 6 | P | H | 180 | 3 | Running | Fernandez Racing Fernández Racing Fernández Racing is a Mexican motor racing team that competes in the American Le Mans Series and previously Champ Car, the IRL IndyCar Series, and the Rolex Sports Car Series. The team was co-founded by Adrian Fernández and Tom Anderson in 2001.-Open wheel:... |
| 8 | 13 | 1 | Scott Dixon Scott Dixon Scott Ronald Dixon, MNZM is a New Zealand motor racer who became the most successful all-time driver in the Indy Racing League championship in the United States when he won the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio in August 2009. This took his total to 21 wins... |
219.319 | 14 | P | T | 180 | 0 | Running | Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. They have won 4 Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League and 1 Grand-Am championships... |
| 9 | 8 | 3 | Hélio Castroneves Hélio Castroneves Hélio Castroneves is a Brazilian auto racing driver currently competing in the North American IndyCar Series. In IndyCar competition, Castroneves has 14 wins and 28 poles, and has never placed lower than sixth in the standings in a complete season of racing... (W) |
220.882 | 8 | D | T | 180 | 0 | Running | Team Penske |
| 10 | 12 | 16 | Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa is a Japanese-American auto racing driver.Yasukawa started karting in Southern California, winning the California State Championship in 1991 in Junior Sportsman. He then moved to Italy to compete in JICA... |
220.030 | 12 | P | H | 180 | 0 | Running | Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is an auto racing team that currently races in the American Le Mans Series and part–time in the IndyCar Series. Based in Hilliard, Ohio, it is co–owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, television talk show host David Letterman, and businessman Mike... |
| 11 | 9 | 55 | Kosuke Matsuura Kosuke Matsuura is a race car driver currently competing in the Formula Nippon series. He previously competed in the IRL IndyCar Series.-Early career:After winning the Japanese Formula Dream Championship in 2001, Kosuke attracted the attention of former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki as a teenager and was placed... (R) |
220.740 | 9 | P | H | 180 | 0 | Running | Super Aguri Fernandez Racing |
| 12 | 24 | 51 | Alex Barron Alex Barron (driver) Alex Barron in San Diego, California) is an American race car driver. He began racing CART FedEx World Series Championship cars in 1998 and made his first Indy Racing League Northern Lights Series start in 2001.... |
218.836 | 17 | D | C | 180 | 3 | Running | Team Cheever |
| 13 | 20 | 8 | Scott Sharp Scott Sharp Scott Sharp is an American race car driver in the American Le Mans Series. He is the son of six-time SCCA champion Bob Sharp. Scott Sharp is best known for his years as a competitor in the Indy Racing League.... |
215.635 | 24 | D | T | 180 | 0 | Running | Kelley Racing Kelley Racing Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004... |
| 14 | 3 | 27 | Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver. He formerly competed in the CART series before switching to the IndyCar Series where he was 2007 champion, and won the rain-shortened 2007 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti is also a former NASCAR driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, competing... |
221.471 | 3 | D | H | 180 | 1 | Running | Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Autosport is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda Championship, and U.S. F2000 National Championship.-Current IndyCar Drivers and Cars:*7 Danica Patrick, GoDaddy.com*26 Marco Andretti... |
| 15 | 25 | 24 | Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006. His father, "Zeca" Giaffone is the 1987 Stock Car Brasil champion and Mil Milhas Brasil five times winner in the 1980s.-Racing career:... |
216.259 | 22 | D | C | 179 | 0 | Running | Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is an American motor racing team in the open wheel Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, with one series win by co-owner Robbie Buhl, who owns the team with Indianapolis BMW, Infiniti, Volkswagen and Maserati dealer Dennis Reinbold.... |
| 16 | 29 | 21 | Jeff Simmons Jeff Simmons (driver) Jeff Simmons is an American race car driver, most recently driving open wheel cars in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series.-Early career:... (R) |
214.783 | 26 | D | T | 179 | 0 | Running | Mo Nunn Racing |
| 17 | 17 | 20 | Al Unser, Jr. Al Unser, Jr. Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:... (W) |
217.966 | 19 | D | C | 179 | 0 | Running | Patrick Racing Patrick Racing Patrick Racing was an auto racing team in both Champ Car and the Indy Racing League.Patrick Racing was started by Pat Patrick with the formation of CART in 1978. Patrick Racing would win three Indianapolis 500s and two CART championships, making it one of the most successful CART teams ever.In... |
| 18 | 10 | 4 | Tomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of 1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter.-Early years:... |
220.417 | 10 | D | C | 179 | 0 | Running | Panther Racing Panther Racing Panther Racing is an American open wheel auto racing team. It is one of the oldest continually operating teams in Indy Racing League LLC's IZOD IndyCar Series.... |
| 19 | 26 | 12 | Tora Takagi |
214.364 | 27 | D | T | 179 | 0 | Running | Mo Nunn Racing |
| 20 | 30 | 33 | Richie Hearn Richie Hearn Richie Hearn , is an American IndyCar racing driver.Hearn was born in Glendale, California. He ran in the Toyota Atlantic championship for two seasons, winning the title in 1995. In 1996, he began driving for John Della Penna in both the IRL and Champ Car ranks... |
213.715 | 29 | P | T | 178 | 0 | Running | Sam Schmidt Motorsports Sam Schmidt Motorsports Sam Schmidt Motorsports is an auto racing team in the IndyCar IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series owned by quadriplegic former driver Sam Schmidt.... |
| 21 | 19 | 39 | Sarah Fisher Sarah Fisher Sarah Marie Fisher is a retired American professional racecar driver who competed in the IZOD IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500... |
215.771 | 23 | D | T | 177 | 0 | Running | Kelley Racing Kelley Racing Kelley Racing is a former Indy Racing League team founded by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based car dealer Tom Kelley that most notably fielded a Delphi sponsored car for Scott Sharp during its entire existence from 1998 to 2004... |
| 22 | 33 | 18 | Robby McGehee Robby McGehee Robby McGehee is a Indy Racing League driver from St. Louis, Missouri. He won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 1999 after finishing fifth and raced for veteran owner Fred Treadway the next few seasons... |
211.631 | 33 | D | C | 177 | 0 | Running | PDM Racing PDM Racing PDM Racing is a racing team in the Indy Racing League and USAC Silver Crown series owned by Paul Diatlovich. Almost always a low budget team and affectionately dubbed "Poor Dumb Mechanics" by one of its former owners, it is known to make the most out of mediocre equipment... |
| 23 | 28 | 91 | Buddy Lazier Buddy Lazier Robert Buddy Lazier is an American Indycar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times... (W) |
215.110 | 25 | D | C | 164 | 0 | Fuel System | Hemelgarn Racing Hemelgarn Racing Hemelgarn Racing was a racing team in the Indy Racing League owned by Ron Hemelgarn. The team won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and 2000 Series Championship with driver Buddy Lazier. Along with A.J... |
| 24 | 32 | 25 | Marty Roth Marty Roth Marty Roth is a former Canadian race car driver who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series where he owned his own team, Roth Racing.... (R) |
211.974 | 32 | D | T | 128 | 0 | Accident FS | Roth Racing Roth Racing Roth Racing was a race team owned by Canadian real estate magnate and racecar driver Marty Roth. It competed in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series.- 2004-2005 :... |
| 25 | 15 | 10 | Darren Manning Darren Manning Darren Manning is a motor racing driver, most recently racing in the IRL IndyCar Series for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Early career:... (R) |
219.271 | 16 | P | T | 104 | 0 | Accident T4 | Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. They have won 4 Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League and 1 Grand-Am championships... |
| 26 | 11 | 6 | Sam Hornish, Jr. Sam Hornish, Jr. Racing League]] championships. He currently drives the #12 Alliance Truck Parts Dodge Challenger for Penske Racing part-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He also drives the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford when Travis Kvapil is unable to drive the car.... |
220.180 | 11 | D | T | 104 | 9 | Accident T4 | Team Penske |
| 27 | 27 | 13 | Greg Ray Greg Ray Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver.After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.... |
216.641 | 20 | P | H | 98 | 0 | Accident T4 | Access Motorsports Greg Ray Greg Ray is a former IRL IndyCar Series driver.After winning the SCCA national Formula Atlantic championship in 1993, he moved up to the CART-sanctioned Toyota Atlantic series in 1994.... |
| 28 | 31 | 98 | P. J. Jones (R) |
213.355 | 30 | D | C | 92 | 0 | Accident BS | CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports |
| 29 | 18 | 70 | Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series... Jaques LazierJaques Lazier Jaques Lazier is an American racing driver born January 25, 1971 in Denver, Colorado and is the younger brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 champion Buddy Lazier and son of former Indy racer Bob Lazier.... |
216.522 | 21 | D | C | 88 | 0 | Mechanical | Robby Gordon Motorsports Robby Gordon Motorsports Robby Gordon Motorsports is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. It fields the #7 Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon. It is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is owned by Gordon and heavily supported by John Menard, Jr.-2005:... |
| 30 | 14 | 2 | Mark Taylor Mark Taylor (driver) Mark Taylor is a racing driver who drove in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He drove the entire 2004 season for two different teams, but could not find a seat for the 2005 season.... (R) |
219.282 | 15 | D | C | 62 | 0 | Accident T3 | Panther Racing Panther Racing Panther Racing is an American open wheel auto racing team. It is one of the oldest continually operating teams in Indy Racing League LLC's IZOD IndyCar Series.... |
| 31 | 16 | 52 | Ed Carpenter (R) |
218.590 | 18 | D | C | 62 | 0 | Accident T3 | Team Cheever |
| 32 | 22 | 41 | Larry Foyt Larry Foyt Larry Joseph Roberds Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR and IndyCar driver. He is the biological grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a biological cousin of A. J. Foyt IV. His biological mother is Terry Lynn Foyt, daughter of A. J. Foyt, who divorced his biological father Larry Gene Roberds... (R) |
213.277 | 31 | P | T | 54 | 0 | Accident T2 | A.J. Foyt Enterprises |
| 33 | 21 | 14 | A. J. Foyt IV A. J. Foyt IV Anthony Joseph "A.J." Foyt IV is an American race car driver. He competed in the IndyCar Series and briefly in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, then called the Busch Series. He is the grandson of A. J. Foyt.... |
214.256 | 28 | D | T | 26 | 0 | Handling | A.J. Foyt Enterprises |
(W) = Former Indianapolis 500 winner; (R) = Indianapolis 500 rookie
*C Chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
: D=Dallara
Dallara
Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993...
, P=Panoz
Panoz
Panoz Auto Development is an American manufacturer of high-performance automobiles founded in 1989 by Dan Panoz, son of pharmaceutical and motorsport mogul Don Panoz. The company is located in Braselton, GA. Panoz products have included the Panoz Roadster and AIV Roadster, and the Panoz Esperante...
*E Engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
: C=Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
, H=Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, T=Toyota
All cars in the 2004 Indianapolis 500 used Firestone
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is an American tire company founded by Harvey Firestone in 1900 to supply pneumatic tires for wagons, buggies, and other forms of wheeled transportation common in the era. Firestone soon saw the huge potential for marketing tires for automobiles. The company...
tires.
Notes: Race halted on lap 27 due to rain. The race was resumed, and when rain pelted the Speedway again late in the race, officials waved the checkered flag 15 minutes after the traditional 6 PM closing time. It was only the second time in IMS history racing went past the 6 PM closing time; in 1995, the Brickyard 400 raced into 7 PM because of rain delays. Since the adoption of Daylight Saving Time
Daylight saving time
Daylight saving time —also summer time in several countries including in British English and European official terminology —is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less...
, the Brickyard 400 will usually run past 6 PM.
During the rain delay, Robby Gordon flew to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, which prompted the team to put Jaques Lazier in the car, but a mechanical failure forced the car not to finish