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2005 Indianapolis 500

Overview

The 89th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race....

on Sunday, May 29, 2005. It was the premier event of the 2005 IndyCar Series season, and the tenth Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League

Indy Racing League

The Indy Racing League, better known as IRL, is an American based open-wheel racing series sanctioning body.The League sanctions two series, the premier IndyCar Series , whose centerpiece is the Indianapolis 500, and Firestone Indy Lights, the official developmental series of the Indy...

. Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

Daniel Clive Wheldon is a English auto racing driver. The 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 winner, Wheldon is nicknamed "Difficult Dan" in the IRL pit lane for his choleric temperament. He currently resides in St...

won the race under a yellow flag. Wheldon became the first British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...

winner since Graham Hill

Graham Hill

Norman Graham Hill was a British racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He was born in Hampstead, London.Graham Hill is the only driver to win the so-called Triple Crown of Motorsport....

in 1966

1966 Indianapolis 500

Results of the 1966 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Monday, May 30, 1966....

.

Rookie Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, currently competing in the IndyCar Series, as well as a model and advertising spokeswoman. She was raised in Roscoe, Illinois. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season...

, who qualified fourth and finished fourth, became the first female driver in Indy history to lead laps during the race.

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Encyclopedia

The 89th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race....

on Sunday, May 29, 2005. It was the premier event of the 2005 IndyCar Series season, and the tenth Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League

Indy Racing League

. Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

won the race under a yellow flag. Wheldon became the first British

United Kingdom

winner since Graham Hill

Graham Hill

in 1966

1966 Indianapolis 500

Results of the 1966 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Monday, May 30, 1966....

.

Rookie Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

, who qualified fourth and finished fourth, became the first female driver in Indy history to lead laps during the race. Patrick led three times for a total of 19 laps, and won the Rookie of the Year award. Considerable media hype and attention was focused on the race and on Patrick in particular during the month, giving birth to the term "Danica Mania."

The increased attention going into the race helped register a 6.5 Nielsen rating

Nielsen Ratings

Nielsen ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...

, the highest since 1996

1996 Indianapolis 500

Results of the 1996 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 26, 1996. This was the first Indianapolis 500 run under the Indy Racing League, but still under USAC sanction. The majority of teams and drivers present in 1995 chose to boycott the race following the creation of Tony...

News

Over the offseason, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race....

was milled

Asphalt milling machine

Asphalt milling machines have been around for over 30 years. Asphalt milling is the process of grinding up asphalt that can then be recycled. The process came about because many streets were getting higher and higher on curbs, and therefore drainage of the roadway was becoming an increasingly bad...

and repaved in asphalt

Asphalt concrete

Asphalt concrete, normally known simply as asphalt or AC , is a composite material commonly used for construction of pavement, highways and parking lots...

. Selective diamond grinding

Diamond Blade

A diamond blade may be a circular saw blade used for cutting hard or abrasive materials. They are commonly used in the construction industry for building, remodeling and repairs...

was done in an effort to smooth out bumps in the turns. On April 5, 2005, a private test session saw four teams (AGR

Andretti Green Racing

Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, American LeMans Series, and A1 Grand Prix.-CART:Founded in 1993 by Barry Green and Gerry Forsythe as Forsythe Green Racing, they fielded two Atlantic cars for Claude Bourbonnais and Jacques Villeneuve...

, Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IndyCar Series and Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates...

, Rahal Letterman Racing

Rahal Letterman Racing

Rahal Letterman Racing is an auto racing team that currently races part-time in the IndyCar Series. It is co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and television talk show host and comedian David Letterman and is based in Hilliard, Ohio....

, and Panther Racing

Panther Racing

Panther Racing is an American open wheel auto racing team. It is one of the oldest continually operating teams in the Indy Racing League ....

) test for Firestone

Firestone Tire and Rubber Company

The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was 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 was a pioneer in the mass...

. The session was cancelled, however, when the inconsistent pavement in the turns created an unsuitable dual level of grip in the corners. A week later, the entire track was diamond grinded to cure the problem.

Among the numerous team/driver changes for 2005 included Rahal Letterman Racing

Rahal Letterman Racing

. Defending Indy 500

2004 Indianapolis 500

The 2004 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 30, 2004. It was flagged at only 450 miles due to severe thunderstorms and a tornado in the area.-Recap:...

winner Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice is an auto racing driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. 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:Buddy's racing career started in 1996, when he dove in one...

returned, and was joined by rookie Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

. Newman/Haas Racing

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing is a motor racing team competing in the IndyCar Series. The team operations are based in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Newman/Haas Racing was formed when actor Paul Newman and long-time racer Carl Haas, competitors in the Can-Am championship, each began looking to Champ Car...

returned to the Indy 500 for the first time since 1995, entering Sébastien Bourdais

Sébastien Bourdais

Sébastien Olivier Bourdais is a French race car driver. He is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Champ Car World Series, having won four successive championships from 2004 to 2007....

and Bruno Junqueira

Bruno Junqueira

Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian racecar driver, currently competing 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:...

Sunday May 8

Opening day of practice focused on rookie orientation. The coveted first driver on the track was Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

. Among the top drivers of the day were Patrick (221.463 mph), Ryan Briscoe

Ryan Briscoe

Ryan Briscoe is an Australian auto racing driver who has raced open wheel and sports cars in Europe and America.- Early career :...

, and Patrick Carpentier

Patrick Carpentier

Patrick Carpentier is a Canadian race car driver. He is best known for his career in the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series...

. Seven out of the nine drivers participating completed their required rookie test.

Monday May 9

The second day of rookie orientation saw Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

again set the pace. She set the fast lap of the month thus far at 222.741 mph. Sébastien Bourdais

Sébastien Bourdais

completed his rookie test, while Jeff Ward

Jeff Ward (motocross)

Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...

completed a refresher test.

Tuesday May 10

The first full day of veteran practice saw heavy activity. Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

led the speed chart at 226.808 mph, and no incidents were reported.

Wednesday May 11

Defending Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice

suffered a significant crash at 12:16 p.m. The car spun in turn 2 and made heavy contact to the rear of the car. Kosuke Matsuura

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:...

spun to avoid the crash, but received minimal damage. Rice was tranported to Methodist Hospital

Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis

Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis is the largest hospital in the State of Indiana and is a part of Clarian Health.Methodist is one of only two regional Level I Trauma Centers in Indiana, has 802-staffed beds and is one of the largest teaching hospitals in the area...

with a concussion.

Rain ended the day about a half hour early, with 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...

fastest of the day, and fastest of the month thus far, at 227.453 mph.

Thursday May 12

Darren Manning

Darren Manning is a motor racing driver, most recently racing in the IRL IndyCar Series for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.-Early career:...

and Paul Dana

Paul Dana

Paul Dana was an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series.-Early life:A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dana graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University...

both suffered single-car crashes during the session, but neither were seriously injured. Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

led the pace early over 227 mph, but late in the day, Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

upped the speed to 227.633 mph. It marked the fastest lap thus far during the month, and the first time a female driver had led the speed chart on a full day of practice (without a rain delay) since 1977.

Friday May 13

"Fast Friday" practice saw cloudy skies, and warm terperatures. Paul Dana

Paul Dana

wrecked his backup car, the second day in a row crashing. Exiting turn two, Dana spun and hit the outside wall, and slid down the backstrech. Sam Hornish, Jr.

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

hit a piece of debris from the wreck on the backstrech, and did a full flip. The car came down upright, but continued to spin and came to a rest overturned. Hornish was uninjured, but Dana was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Tomas Scheckter

Tomas Scheckter

Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter and the nephew of racer Ian Scheckter.-Early years:...

turned the fastest lap thus far around 1 p.m., at 227.804 mph. Rain began to fall shortly after 2 p.m., and closed the track for the day.

Saturday May 14

Rain fell overnight and into the morning, preventing any track activity. A new qualifying format was put into place for 2005, providing that only the top 11 cars would secure positions on pole day, and bumping would then occur. Track officials decided to cancel activities for the day at 12:15 p.m., and postpone pole qualifying until Sunday.

Shortly after the official postponement, the rain stopped and blue skies emerged. Some complained that qualifying could have been held afterall, but head official Brian Barnhart

Brian Barnhart

Brian Barnhart is the Chief Operating Officer of the Indy Racing League. Having previously served as director of race operations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IRL, he is ultimately charged with not only the financial wellbeing of the league and producing a good product, but the safety and...

still felt there would not be sufficient time to finish the qualifying order.

Sunday May 15 (Pole day)

Cool temperatures in the mid-50s were observed for morning practice. Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

set the fastest lap of the entire month during the morning session at 229.675 mph. The lap made her a favorite for the front row. Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti

George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver of Italian descent. 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...

and Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

were close behind on the speed chart.

Due to the rainout on Saturday, 22 positions were to be filled on Sunday. After the field filled to 22 cars, bumping would begin.

At noon, 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....

was the first car to make a qualifying attempt. He placed himself in the field with a speed of 227.126 mph. Moments later, Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

put himself on the provisional pole position with a speed of 227.566 mph.

At 12:45 Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

took to the track. On her first lap, midway through turn 1, the back end of the car wiggled a bit, and slowed her exit from the turn. The first lap was a disappointing 224.920 mph. The second lap, however, increased to 227.638 mph. her fourth and final lap was run at 227.860 mph, the fastest single lap of the day. The final four-lap average of 227.004 mph put her in the fourth starting position. Many feel that if not for the mistake on the first lap, her speed would have been sufficient to secure the pole position.

Later in the day, Sam Hornish, Jr.

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

bumped his way onto the front row. 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...

withdrew his earlier speed, but ended up losing a position when he requalified. The field filled to 22 cars, and the day ended as 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 "bumped."

Wednesday May 18

Rahal Letterman Racing

named Kenny Bräck

Kenny Bräck

Kenny Bräck is a race car driver from Sweden. Until his retirement from racing, he competed in the CART, Indy Racing League and the IROC series. He is the winner of the 1999 Indianapolis 500 and the 1998 driving champion of the Indy Racing League...

as the replacement for injured Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice

. Brack was the 1999 winner

1999 Indianapolis 500

The 1999 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 30, 1999.-Recap:Robby Gordon and Team Menard take a major gamble late in the race, and try to stretch their fuel for the win. Gordon had last pit on lap 164, and attempted to run the final 36 laps on one tank...

, but sat out the 2004 season recovering from a massive crash in October 2003 at Texas

Texas Motor Speedway

Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas -- the portion located in Denton County, Texas. The track layout is very similar to Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway...

.

Nearly 2,500 laps were run during the afternoon, with Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

fastest at 227.320 mph. The fastest non-qualified car was Kenny Bräck

Kenny Bräck

, already up to 225.774 mph.

Friday May 20

Another busy day of practice saw 2,228 laps completed incident-free. Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

remained on top of the speech chart at 226.399 mph, until Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

(226.490 mph) bumped him off in the final hour.

Arie Luyendyk, Jr.

Arie Luyendyk, Jr.

Arie Luyendyk, Jr. is an auto racing driver and son of Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk. Despite his European birth, all of his adult racing has taken place in North America where his father lives and made his career. He placed second in points in the 2002 inaugural season of the Infiniti Pro...

, attempting to complete his rookie test, suffered gearbox trouble, then later blew an engine.

Saturday May 21

The third day of time trials saw the field fill to 32 cars. In the first hour, Ryan Briscoe

Ryan Briscoe

Ryan Briscoe is an Australian auto racing driver who has raced open wheel and sports cars in Europe and America.- Early career :...

, 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 Kenny Bräck

Kenny Bräck

completed runs. Bräck

Kenny Bräck

qualified at 227.598 mph, the fastest qualifier in the field. Though he qualified faster than polesitter Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

, as a third day qualifier, Bräck would be required to start 22nd.

After blowing an engine earlier, A. J. Foyt IV

A. J. Foyt IV

Anthony Joseph Foyt IV is an American race car driver. He has competed in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series and briefly in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, then called the Busch Series. He is the grandson of A. J. Foyt.He began his career racing karts. He moved up through the open wheel racing...

put a car in the field, and the field finished the day with one grid position open.

Sunday May 22 (Bump day)

With one position open, very few teams in the garage area were prepared to make a qualifying attempt. Most teams used the morning and afternoon sessions for practice. Arie Luyendyk, Jr.

Arie Luyendyk, Jr.

was the only entry going into the day confirming an intent to qualify.

At 3:10 p.m., Luyendyk, Jr.

Arie Luyendyk, Jr.

completed a run at 215.039 mph, and filled the field to 33 cars. Luyendyk, Jr. was the slowest car in the field, and on the bubble. However, it appeared that Luyendyk would be safe, with no other teams preparing to qualify.

Shortly after the run, A. J. Foyt Racing

A. J. Foyt Enterprises

A.J. Foyt Enterprises is a racing team in the Indy Racing League 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. In 2006 the team hoped to resurrect itself with...

announced that they had signed veteran Felipe Giaffone

Felipe Giaffone

Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006...

, and he would attempt to qualify. Giaffone had been shopping with his wife at Babies "Я" Us when he got a telephone call to run over to the Speedway. Within two hours of being at the store, Giaffone was suited up and ready to drive. In less than 45 minutes, he was up to speed and ready to qualify.

At 5:36 p.m., with less than 25 minutes left in the day, Giaffone

Felipe Giaffone

Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006...

took to the track and easily bumped Luyendyk, Jr.

Arie Luyendyk, Jr.

from the field. Luyendyk's team quickly scrambled his car to go out one final time. With one minute remaining before the 6 o'clock gun

Starting pistol

A starting pistol or starter pistol is a handgun that is fired to start track and field races, as well as competitive swimming races at some meets. The loud report of the gun going off is a signal to the athletes to begin the event. Blank shells or caps are used to prevent injury...

, Luyendyk entered the track. His speed was pitifully slow, and he fell more than 7 mph shy of bumping his way into the field.

Starting Grid

Row	Inside	Middle	Outside
1	BRA 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...	USA 6 - Sam Hornish, Jr. Sam Hornish, Jr. Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...	USA 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....
2	USA 16 - Danica Patrick Danica Patrick Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, currently competing in the IndyCar Series, as well as a model and advertising spokeswoman. She was raised in Roscoe, Illinois. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season... (R)	BRA 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)	GBR 27 - Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver of Italian descent. 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...
3	BRA 17 - Vitor Meira Vitor Meira Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He is best known for twice finishing second in the Indianapolis 500....	JPN 55 - Kosuke Matsuura 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:...	USA 95 - Buddy Lazier Buddy Lazier Robert Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times... (W)
4	CZE 2 - Tomáš Enge Tomáš Enge Tomáš Enge is a motor racing driver from the Czech Republic, who has competed in many classes of motorsport, including three races in Formula One.-Career:... (R)	RSA 4 - Tomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter and the nephew of racer Ian Scheckter.-Early years:...	BRA 36 - Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian racecar driver, currently competing 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:...
5	NZL 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 20 wins...	MEX 5 - Adrian Fernández Adrian Fernández José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican race car driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Racing Career:...	FRA 37 - Sébastien Bourdais Sébastien Bourdais Sébastien Olivier Bourdais is a French race car driver. He is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Champ Car World Series, having won four successive championships from 2004 to 2007.... (R)
6	GBR 26 - Dan Wheldon Dan Wheldon Daniel Clive Wheldon is a English auto racing driver. The 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 winner, Wheldon is nicknamed "Difficult Dan" in the IRL pit lane for his choleric temperament. He currently resides in St...	USA 24 - Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa is an 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...	USA 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 Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...
7	GBR 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:...	USA 70 - Richie Hearn Richie Hearn Richie Hearn is an American auto racing driver born January 4, 1971 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...	USA 44 - Jeff Bucknum Jeff Bucknum Jeff Bucknum is an American race car driver. Jeff is the son of Formula One and Championship Car racer Ronnie Bucknum.... (R)
8	USA 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....	SWE 15 - Kenny Bräck Kenny Bräck Kenny Bräck is a race car driver from Sweden. Until his retirement from racing, he competed in the CART, Indy Racing League and the IROC series. He is the winner of the 1999 Indianapolis 500 and the 1998 driving champion of the Indy Racing League... (W)	AUS 33 - Ryan Briscoe Ryan Briscoe Ryan Briscoe is an Australian auto racing driver who has raced open wheel and sports cars in Europe and America.- Early career :... (R)
9	CAN 83 - Patrick Carpentier Patrick Carpentier Patrick Carpentier is a Canadian race car driver. He is best known for his career in the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series... (R)	USA 20 - Ed Carpenter	USA 21 - 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....
10	USA 14 - A. J. Foyt IV A. J. Foyt IV Anthony Joseph Foyt IV is an American race car driver. He has competed in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series and briefly in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, then called the Busch Series. He is the grandson of A. J. Foyt.He began his career racing karts. He moved up through the open wheel racing...	CAN 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....	USA 41 - Larry Foyt Larry Foyt Larry Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR driver and IRL driver. He is the grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a 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 when he was an infant. He also drove in...
11	USA 22 - Jeff Ward Jeff Ward (motocross) Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...	USA 91 - Jimmy Kite Jimmy Kite Jimmy Kite is an American race car driver. He debuted in the Indy Racing League in 1997 and has competed in over 30 IRL races, including 4 Indianapolis 500s...	BRA 48 - Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006...
Official report

(W) = former Indianapolis 500 winner; (R) = Indianapolis 500 rookie

Failed to qualify:

98 NED Arie Luyendyk, Jr.
Arie Luyendyk, Jr.
Arie Luyendyk, Jr. is an auto racing driver and son of Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk. Despite his European birth, all of his adult racing has taken place in North America where his father lives and made his career. He placed second in points in the 2002 inaugural season of the Infiniti Pro...

(bumped)
91 USA Paul Dana
Paul Dana
Paul Dana was an American race car driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series.-Early life:A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dana graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University...

(injured during a practice crash; replaced by Jimmy Kite
Jimmy Kite
Jimmy Kite is an American race car driver. He debuted in the Indy Racing League in 1997 and has competed in over 30 IRL races, including 4 Indianapolis 500s...

)
15 USA Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice
Buddy Rice is an auto racing driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. 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:Buddy's racing career started in 1996, when he dove in one...

(injured during a practice crash; replaced by Kenny Bräck
Kenny Bräck
Kenny Bräck is a race car driver from Sweden. Until his retirement from racing, he competed in the CART, Indy Racing League and the IROC series. He is the winner of the 1999 Indianapolis 500 and the 1998 driving champion of the Indy Racing League...

)
41 USA Scott Mayer
Scott Mayer (driver)
Scott Mayer is a former driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He raced in the 2003 season with 3 career starts for PDM Racing, crashing out of all 3. He finished the season in a tie for 30th position in the season standings. He failed to complete rookie orientation for the 2003...

(failed to complete rookie orientation; replaced by Larry Foyt
Larry Foyt
Larry Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR driver and IRL driver. He is the grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a 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 when he was an infant. He also drove in...

)

Carb day

For the first time modern scheduling, Carb Day was moved to the Friday before the race (May 27). Previously it was held on a Thursday. The final practice session was also trimmed back to one hour.

All 33 qualified cars took to the track. Nine minutes into the session, Buddy Lazier

Buddy Lazier

Robert Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times...

wrecked coming out of turn four, sliding along the outside wall down the frontstretch. Lazier was not seriously injured, but the car would have to be repaired before Sunday.

Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

led the speed chart at 225.597 mph, and no other serious issues were reported.

Later in the afternoon, Penske Racing

Penske Racing

Penske Championship Racing is a racing team that competes in the Indy Racing League, ALMS, and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, Formula One and CART. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...

with driver Sam Hornish, Jr.

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

won the Checker's/Rally's Pit Stop Challenge. They defeated Andretti Green Racing

Andretti Green Racing

(Bryan Herta

Bryan Herta

Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...

) in the final round.

Start

Race dawn emerged warm and sunny, with temperatures in the mid 70s (°F

Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit is the temperature scale proposed in 1724 by, and named after, the physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit . Today, the scale has been replaced by the Celsius scale in most countries; it is still in use for non-scientific purposes in the United States and a few other nations, such as...

), and no chance of rain. Speedway chairperson Mari Hulman George

Mari 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 command to start engines at 11:58 a.m. (EST). The field assembled for two parade laps and one pace lap behind the Chevrolet Corvette C6

Chevrolet Corvette C6

The Chevrolet Corvette C6 is the sixth generation of Chevrolet Corvette sports cars. Introduced in 2005, it is the first Corvette to contain exposed headlamps since the C1 generation, which was produced until 1962....

pace car, driven by Colin Powell

Colin Powell

Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State , serving under President George W. Bush. He was the first African American appointed to that position...

.

At the start, a very well-aligned field saw polesitter Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

take the lead into turn 1. The field circulated safely through the first lap. In the third turn, Sam Hornish, Jr.

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

passed Kanaan for the lead, and led the first lap. Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

re-took the lead on lap 3. The duo traded the lead once more before Larry Foyt

Larry Foyt

Larry Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR driver and IRL driver. He is the grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a 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 when he was an infant. He also drove in...

crashed on lap 18, bringing out the first caution.

Most of the leaders pit under the yellow, and Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

won the race off of pit road.

First half

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

took the lead on lap 38, and the race began to settle into a pace. On lap 55, a series of green flag pit stops shuffled the field momentary. Hornish ducked into the pits first, followed by Kanaan. The shuffle brought Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

to the lead on lap 56. It marked the first time in Indy 500 history that a female driver led a lap in competition. She pitted the next time around, and Hornish

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

emerged once again as the leader.

On lap 78, Bruno Junqueira

Bruno Junqueira

went to pass the lap car of A. J. Foyt IV

A. J. Foyt IV

in turn 2. The two cars touched, and Junqueira crashed hard into the outside wall. He suffered a concussion and fractured vertebras

Compression fracture

A compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebra. It may be due to trauma or due to a weakened vertebra in a patient with osteoporosis or Osteogenesis Imperfecta.-Surgical:...

.

Kenny Bräck

Kenny Bräck

headed for the pits on lap 82 with mechanical trouble. The car eventually dropped out due to a broken wishbone suspension.

As they approached the halfway point, Hornish

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

and Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

again battled back and forth for the lead.

Second half

On lap 114, Richie Hearn

Richie Hearn

Richie Hearn is an American auto racing driver born January 4, 1971 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...

and 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 20 wins...

tangled and crashed in turn one. On the restart, Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

and Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti

passed Hornish

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

on the frontstrech, and pulled away from the field.

On lap 147, Sam Hornish, Jr.

Sam Hornish, Jr.

Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...

went to pass Sébastien Bourdais

Sébastien Bourdais

on the outside of turn one. He slid high, and smacked the outside wall. The leaders pit on lap 149, which meant that only one more fuel stop would be required for each car. Exiting the pits, Bryan Herta

Bryan Herta

Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...

was penalized for speeding on pit road, and was moved to the rear of the field for the upcoming restart.

On 155, the field prepared to go back to green. Accelerating in the north short chute, Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

, running 8th, did a half-spin, and tagged Tomáš Enge

Tomáš Enge

Tomáš Enge is a motor racing driver from the Czech Republic, who has competed in many classes of motorsport, including three races in Formula One.-Career:...

. Tomas Scheckter

Tomas Scheckter

Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter and the nephew of racer Ian Scheckter.-Early years:...

spun to avoid the crash, and wrecked into the inside wall. Jeff Bucknum

Jeff Bucknum

Jeff Bucknum is an American race car driver. Jeff is the son of Formula One and Championship Car racer Ronnie Bucknum....

, Patrick Carpentier

Patrick Carpentier

Patrick Carpentier is a Canadian race car driver. He is best known for his career in the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series...

, and Jaques Lazier

Jaques Lazier

also got caught up in the melee. Patrick damamged her nosecone, and ducked immediately into the pits. The team replaced the nose of the car, then a second pit stop (lap 159) saw her change tires and top off the fuel. Patrick dropped to 11th, the last car on the lead lap. Just before the restart on lap 161, Bryan Herta

Bryan Herta

Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...

ducked into the pits, and topped off the fuel. The team intended to go the distance without another pit stop.

Finish

With 30 laps to go, Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

led Vitor Meira

Vitor Meira

Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He is best known for twice finishing second in the Indianapolis 500....

. Roger Yasukawa

Roger Yasukawa

Roger Yasukawa is an 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...

brought out the yellow when his car blew an engine down the fronstrech. All of the leaders except Patrick

Danica Patrick

and Herta

Bryan Herta

Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...

went to the pits. Staying out, Patrick and Herta shuffled up to the front of the field. Patrick took the lead for the second time of the day on lap 172, and led Herta on the lap 173 restart. To the delight of the crowd, Patrick pulled out to a 1 second lead. Her crew instructed her to dial down the fuel mixture (in an effort to make it to the finish), and her lead began to dwindle. Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

caught her on lap 186, and took the lead. At the same time, Kosuke Matsuura

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:...

hit the wall in the exit of turn four.

With ten laps to go, the green flag came back out. Patrick

Danica Patrick

darted around Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

, and took the lead into turn 1. She held the lead for three laps. With seven laps to go, Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

passed her once again, and pulled out to a lead. With less than three laps to go, Vitor Meira

Vitor Meira

Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He is best known for twice finishing second in the Indianapolis 500....

and Bryan Herta

Bryan Herta

Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...

managed to get by Patrick, while Wheldon continued to pull away. Down the backstrech with less than 1½ laps to go, Buddy Lazier

Buddy Lazier

Robert Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times...

passed Sébastien Bourdais

Sébastien Bourdais

on the outside for 5th place. Bourdais got loose in turn 3, and crashed into the outside wall. The yellow and white flag were displayed, and one lap later, Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

won the race under 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 Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...

's fuel strategy worked out, and he came home third. Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

held on to 4th place, beating Janet Guthrie

Janet Guthrie

Janet Guthrie is a race car driver and the first woman to qualify and compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500....

's Indy 500 record (9th place in 1978

1978 Indianapolis 500

The 1978 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 28, 1978.Al Unser had a large lead but bent his Lola's front wing in the pitlane on lap 180. Tom Sneva charged to catch the crippled Lola but came up 8 seconds short at the finish. Unser led 121 laps and holds on for a third win on a...

) for best finish by a female driver. Buddy Lazier

Buddy Lazier

Robert Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times...

finished a strong 5th, despite nursing a broken front wing after contact by Scott Sharp

Scott Sharp

Box score

Finish	Start	Car No.	Driver	C^*	E^*	Qual	Rank	Laps	Status	Team
1	16	26	GBR Dan Wheldon Dan Wheldon Daniel Clive Wheldon is a English auto racing driver. The 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 winner, Wheldon is nicknamed "Difficult Dan" in the IRL pit lane for his choleric temperament. He currently resides in St...	D	H	224.308	17	200	Running	Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, American LeMans Series, and A1 Grand Prix.-CART:Founded in 1993 by Barry Green and Gerry Forsythe as Forsythe Green Racing, they fielded two Atlantic cars for Claude Bourbonnais and Jacques Villeneuve...
2	7	17	BRA Vitor Meira Vitor Meira Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He is best known for twice finishing second in the Indianapolis 500....	P	H	226.848	8	200	Running	Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing is an auto racing team that currently races part-time in the IndyCar Series. It is co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and television talk show host and comedian David Letterman and is based in Hilliard, Ohio....
3	18	7	USA Bryan Herta Bryan Herta Bryan John Herta is an American race car driver. He currently runs his own team, Bryan Herta Autosport in the Indy Lights Series.-CART/ChampCars/IndyCars:...	D	H	223.972	20	200	Running	Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, American LeMans Series, and A1 Grand Prix.-CART:Founded in 1993 by Barry Green and Gerry Forsythe as Forsythe Green Racing, they fielded two Atlantic cars for Claude Bourbonnais and Jacques Villeneuve...
4	4	16	USA Danica Patrick Danica Patrick Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, currently competing in the IndyCar Series, as well as a model and advertising spokeswoman. She was raised in Roscoe, Illinois. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season... (R)	P	H	227.004	5	200	Running	Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing is an auto racing team that currently races part-time in the IndyCar Series. It is co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and television talk show host and comedian David Letterman and is based in Hilliard, Ohio....
5	9	95	USA Buddy Lazier Buddy Lazier Robert Buddy Lazier is an American open-wheel racecar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times... (W)	D	C	226.353	10	200	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 the Indy Racing League ....
6	6	27	GBR Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver of Italian descent. 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...	D	H	226.873	7	200	Running	Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, American LeMans Series, and A1 Grand Prix.-CART:Founded in 1993 by Barry Green and Gerry Forsythe as Forsythe Green Racing, they fielded two Atlantic cars for Claude Bourbonnais and Jacques Villeneuve...
7	3	8	USA 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....	P	H	227.126	4	200	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	1	11	BRA 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...	D	H	227.566	2	200	Running	Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing Andretti Green Racing is an auto racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series, American LeMans Series, and A1 Grand Prix.-CART:Founded in 1993 by Barry Green and Gerry Forsythe as Forsythe Green Racing, they fielded two Atlantic cars for Claude Bourbonnais and Jacques Villeneuve...
9	5	3	BRA 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)	D	T	226.927	6	200	Running	Team Penske
10	24	33	AUS Ryan Briscoe Ryan Briscoe Ryan Briscoe is an Australian auto racing driver who has raced open wheel and sports cars in Europe and America.- Early career :... (R)	P	T	224.080	19	199	Running	Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IndyCar Series and Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates...
11	26	20	USA Ed Carpenter	D	T	221.439	25	199	Running	Vision Racing Vision Racing Vision Racing is a racing team in the Indy Racing League founded in 2005 when Tony George purchased the assets of the defunct Kelley Racing and hired his stepson Ed Carpenter to be the driver. The team currently races in the IndyCar Series and the Grand-Am Sports Car Series.- 2005 :In its first...
12	15	37	FRA Sébastien Bourdais Sébastien Bourdais Sébastien Olivier Bourdais is a French race car driver. He is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Champ Car World Series, having won four successive championships from 2004 to 2007.... (R)	P	H	224.955	16	198	Crash T3	Newman/Haas Racing
13	22	51	USA 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....	D	T	221.053	27	197	Running	Team Cheever
14	14	5	MEX Adrian Fernández Adrian Fernández José Adrián Fernández Mier is a Mexican race car driver and co-owner of the Fernandez Racing team.-Racing Career:...	P	H	225.120	15	197	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:...
15	33	48	BRA Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone Felipe Giaffone is a race car driver from Brazil. He competed in the Indy Racing League between 2001 and 2006...	P	T	217.645	36	194	Running	A.J. Foyt Enterprises
16	27	21	USA 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....	P	T	221.228	26	189	Running	Playa Del Racing Playa Del Racing American Dream Motorsports is a racing team that competed in the Indy Racing League's Indy Lights series and the Indianapolis 500 owned by Eric Zimmerman and William T. Kelsey...
17	8	55	JPN Kosuke Matsuura 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:...	P	H	226.397	9	186	Crash T4	Super Aguri Fernandez Racing
18	17	24	USA Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa is an 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...	D	H	224.131	18	167	Mechanical	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....
19	10	2	CZE Tomáš Enge Tomáš Enge Tomáš Enge is a motor racing driver from the Czech Republic, who has competed in many classes of motorsport, including three races in Formula One.-Career:... (R)	D	C	226.107	11	155	Crash T4	Panther Racing Panther Racing Panther Racing is an American open wheel auto racing team. It is one of the oldest continually operating teams in the Indy Racing League ....
20	11	4	RSA Tomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter and the nephew of racer Ian Scheckter.-Early years:...	D	C	226.031	12	154	Crash T4	Panther Racing Panther Racing Panther Racing is an American open wheel auto racing team. It is one of the oldest continually operating teams in the Indy Racing League ....
21	25	83	CAN Patrick Carpentier Patrick Carpentier Patrick Carpentier is a Canadian race car driver. He is best known for his career in the Champ Car World Series and the IndyCar Series... (R)	D	T	222.803	22	153	Mechanical	Team Cheever
22	21	44	USA Jeff Bucknum Jeff Bucknum Jeff Bucknum is an American race car driver. Jeff is the son of Formula One and Championship Car racer Ronnie Bucknum.... (R)	D	H	221.521	24	150	Crash T4	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....
23	2	6	USA Sam Hornish, Jr. Sam Hornish, Jr. Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...	D	T	227.273	3	146	Crash T1	Team Penske
24	13	9	NZL 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 20 wins...	P	T	225.215	14	113	Crash T1	Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IndyCar Series and Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates...
25	20	70	USA Richie Hearn Richie Hearn Richie Hearn is an American auto racing driver born January 4, 1971 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...	P	C	222.707	23	112	Crash T1	Sam Schmidt Motorsports Sam Schmidt Motorsports Sam Schmidt Motorsports is an auto racing team in the Indy Racing League owned by quadriplegic former driver Sam Schmidt that currently fields several full-time cars in the Firestone Indy Lights Series and a part-time effort in the IndyCar Series...
26	23	15	SWE Kenny Bräck Kenny Bräck Kenny Bräck is a race car driver from Sweden. Until his retirement from racing, he competed in the CART, Indy Racing League and the IROC series. He is the winner of the 1999 Indianapolis 500 and the 1998 driving champion of the Indy Racing League... (W)	P	H	227.598	1	92	Mechanical	Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing Rahal Letterman Racing is an auto racing team that currently races part-time in the IndyCar Series. It is co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and television talk show host and comedian David Letterman and is based in Hilliard, Ohio....
27	31	22	USA Jeff Ward Jeff Ward (motocross) Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...	D	T	218.714	34	92	Handling	Vision Racing Vision Racing Vision Racing is a racing team in the Indy Racing League founded in 2005 when Tony George purchased the assets of the defunct Kelley Racing and hired his stepson Ed Carpenter to be the driver. The team currently races in the IndyCar Series and the Grand-Am Sports Car Series.- 2005 :In its first...
28	28	14	USA A.J. Foyt IV	D	T	220.442	28	84	Handling	A.J. Foyt Enterprises
29	19	10	GBR 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:...	P	T	223.943	21	82	Mechanical	Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is an automotive racing organization with teams competing in the IndyCar Series and Rolex Sports Car Series. It is owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates...
30	12	36	BRA Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian racecar driver, currently competing 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:...	P	H	225.704	13	76	Crash T2	Newman/Haas Racing
31	29	25	CAN 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....	D	C	219.497	32	47	Handling	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 :...
32	32	91	USA Jimmy Kite Jimmy Kite Jimmy Kite is an American race car driver. He debuted in the Indy Racing League in 1997 and has competed in over 30 IRL races, including 4 Indianapolis 500s...	D	T	218.565	35	47	Handling	Hemelgarn Racing Hemelgarn Racing Hemelgarn Racing is 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. Hemelgarn and A.J...
33	30	41	USA Larry Foyt Larry Foyt Larry Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR driver and IRL driver. He is the grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a 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 when he was an infant. He also drove in...	D	T	219.396	33	14	Crash T2	A.J. Foyt Enterprises

(W) = former Indianapolis 500 winner; (R) = Indianapolis 500 rookie

^*C Chassis

Chassis

A chassis consists of a framework that supports an inanimate object, analogous to an animal's skeleton, for example in a motor vehicle or a firearm.- Examples of use :...

: 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 Hoschton, GA. Panoz products have included the Panoz Roadster and AIV Roadster, and the Panoz Esperante...

.

^*E Engine

Internal combustion engine

The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine the expansion of the high temperature and pressure gases, which are produced by the combustion, directly applies force to a movable...

: C=Chevrolet

Chevrolet

Chevrolet is a brand of automobile produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant in 1911, Chevrolet was acquired by General Motors in 1917...

; H=Honda

Honda

is a Japanese multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles. Honda is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume. Honda surpassed Nissan in 2001 to become...

; T=Toyota.

All cars in the 2005 Indianapolis 500 used Firestone

Firestone Tire and Rubber Company

tires.

Race leaders

Seven drivers led the race, with a total of twenty-seven lead changes.

Lap Leaders
Laps	Leader
1-2	Sam Hornish, Jr.
3	Tony Kanaan
4-7	Sam Hornish, Jr.
8-25	Tony Kanaan
26	Dario Franchitti
27-37	Tony Kanaan
38-54	Sam Hornish, Jr.
55	Dario Franchitti
56	Danica Patrick
57-58	Bruno Junqueira
59-97	Sam Hornish, Jr.
98-100	Tony Kanaan
101-111	Sam Hornish, Jr.
112-115	Tony Kanaan
116-119	Sam Hornish, Jr.
120-122	Tony Kanaan
123	Dario Franchitti
124-135	Tony Kanaan
136-143	Dario Franchitti
144-145	Tony Kanaan
146-149	Dario Franchitti
150-161	Dan Wheldon
162-164	Vitor Meira
165-171	Dan Wheldon
172-185	Danica Patrick
186-189	Dan Wheldon
190-193	Danica Patrick
194-200	Dan Wheldon

Total laps led
Laps	Leader
Sam Hornish, Jr. Sam Hornish, Jr. Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships...	77
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...	54
Dan Wheldon Dan Wheldon Daniel Clive Wheldon is a English auto racing driver. The 2005 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion and Indy 500 winner, Wheldon is nicknamed "Difficult Dan" in the IRL pit lane for his choleric temperament. He currently resides in St...	30
Danica Patrick Danica Patrick Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, currently competing in the IndyCar Series, as well as a model and advertising spokeswoman. She was raised in Roscoe, Illinois. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season...	19
Dario Franchitti Dario Franchitti George Dario Marino Franchitti is a Scottish racing driver of Italian descent. 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...	15
Vitor Meira Vitor Meira Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He is best known for twice finishing second in the Indianapolis 500....	3
Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian racecar driver, currently competing 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:...	2

Cautions: 8 for 46 laps
Laps	Reason
18-24	Larry Foyt Larry Foyt Larry Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR driver and IRL driver. He is the grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a 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 when he was an infant. He also drove in... crash
77-86	Junqueira Bruno Junqueira Bruno Junqueira is a Brazilian racecar driver, currently competing 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:... , Foyt IV contact
114-119	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 20 wins... /Hearn Richie Hearn Richie Hearn is an American auto racing driver born January 4, 1971 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... crash
147-154	Hornish Sam Hornish, Jr. Samuel Jon Hornish, Jr. is an American race car driver. He is best known for his open wheel accomplishments, which include an Indianapolis 500 victory and three Indy Racing League championships... crash
155-161	Enge Tomáš Enge Tomáš Enge is a motor racing driver from the Czech Republic, who has competed in many classes of motorsport, including three races in Formula One.-Career:... , Scheckter Tomas Scheckter Tomas Scheckter is a South African racing driver, born in Monte Carlo. He is the son of Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter and the nephew of racer Ian Scheckter.-Early years:... , Patrick Danica Patrick Danica Sue Patrick is an American auto racing driver, currently competing in the IndyCar Series, as well as a model and advertising spokeswoman. She was raised in Roscoe, Illinois. Patrick was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season... , Bucknum Jeff Bucknum Jeff Bucknum is an American race car driver. Jeff is the son of Formula One and Championship Car racer Ronnie Bucknum.... crash
171-173	Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa Roger Yasukawa is an 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... car smoking
187-189	Matsuura 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:... crash
199-200	Bourdais Sébastien Bourdais Sébastien Olivier Bourdais is a French race car driver. He is one of the most successful drivers in the history of the Champ Car World Series, having won four successive championships from 2004 to 2007.... crash

Aftermath

The massive media attention going into the race delivered a high television rating, and brought the IndyCar Series

IndyCar Series

The IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and overseas...

back into the limelight after several slumping years. Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

rode the wave of success to six total victories in 2005, and clinched the 2005 IndyCar Series championship.

Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

, however, emerged from the race as the biggest star. She was interviewed on Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American news Morning show and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network, debuting on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour, available exclusively on ABC News Now, was introduced in 2007...

the morning after the race, and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports magazine owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. It has over 3 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men, 19% of the adult males in the United States. It was the first magazine with circulation over one...

. Patrick became a household name nearly overnight, and became a "watercooler" topic

Watercooler show

A watercooler show is a TV show that people talk to each other about in social situations.The term first appeared in the mid-1990s, describing the phenomenon of people gathering around watercoolers at work to talk about the previous night's episode of Seinfeld...

.

Two weeks after the race, other drivers in the series started to embrace and make light of the attention. Race winner Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

wore a t shirt stating "Actually won the Indy 500." Buddy Rice

Buddy Rice

, the 2004 Indy 500

2004 Indianapolis 500

The 2004 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 30, 2004. It was flagged at only 450 miles due to severe thunderstorms and a tornado in the area.-Recap:...

winner sported a shirt saying "Danica's teammate," while Vitor Meira

Vitor Meira

Vitor Meira is an auto racing driver currently competing in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He is best known for twice finishing second in the Indianapolis 500....

, who finished second wore a shirt with "Danica's other teammate."

ABC's television coverage controversy

For 2005, ABC Sports

ESPN on ABC

ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports coverage has been delegated to ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...

replaced veteran announcer Paul Page

Paul Page

Paul Page is an American motorsports broadcaster who was the lead announcer for ABC Sports' coverage of CART and the IRL from 1988 to 2004. He currently is the lead announcer for NHRA and, formerly, for NASCAR.-Early life and career:...

with Todd Harris

Todd Harris

Todd Harris is a play-by-play announcer for ESPNU college football coverage and World Extreme Cagefighting airing on Versus.Prior to those duties, he was the lead play-by-play announcer for ABC and ESPN's coverage of the Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series...

. Harris had previously covered the World's Strongest Man
World's Strongest Man
The World's Strongest Man is a well recognised event in strength athletics and has been described by a number of highly respected authorities in the sport as the premier event in strongman. Organized by TWI, an IMG Media company, it is broadcast around the end of December each year...

competitions, and worked as a sideline–pit reporter. However, he was inexperienced in anchoring live sports, and did not personally pursue the role. Harris was joined by analyst Scott Goodyear

Scott Goodyear

Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994...

in the booth.

Going into the race broadcast, one of the most significant stories of the month was Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick

qualifying 4th, and having a legitimate chance to win the race. ABC Sports planned to focus considerably on Patrick during the pre-race and race running. Many felt that ABC was ignoring the other drivers, including polesitter Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan

and eventual winner Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

. In the days after the race, ABC

ESPN on ABC

, and Harris in particular, were largely criticised by columnists and bloggers for poor coverage, and for biased and subjective coverage of Patrick.

It was pointed out that despite the close attention, neither Harris nor Goodyear

Scott Goodyear

Scott Goodyear is a former race car driver from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Goodyear ran the IRL and Champ Car series during his career from 1987, winning the Michigan 500 in 1992 and 1994...

noticed that Patrick had taken the lead during a sequence of pit stops on lap 56. Nine laps later, as ABC returned from commercial, Harris mentioned Patrick having taken the lead for the first time. His comments were criticised as he said she "...turned the trick..." (usually a sexual reference), and that "Fifty years from now you will remember where you were when Danica Patrick made not only motorsports history, but she joined the likes of Amelia Earhardt and Sally Ride

Sally Ride

Sally Kristen Ride is an American physicist and a former NASA astronaut who, in 1983, became the first American woman and then-youngest American to enter space.-Early life:...

in a barrier-breaking performance..." Of which Jerry Greene of the Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Sentinel
The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876 and is currently in its 133rd year of publication. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. As of 2005, the Sentinel’s president and publisher was Kathleen...

wrote "I seriously doubt it, Todd." Greene also wrote that Harris "said many stupid things Sunday because of Ms. Patrick's efforts."

Richard Sandomir wrote that Harris and Goodyear faltered in three distinct instances late in the race. With 13 laps to go, they closely examined Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

taking the lead by the nose of the car at the line repeatedly when a caution came out. It was portrayed as if they were racing back to the caution

Racing back to the caution

In automobile racing, specifically NASCAR stock car racing, "racing back to the caution" is a term used to describe a procedure about what drivers did after a caution flag was displayed.-NASCAR usage:...

. However, such was not allowed under Indy Racing League

Indy Racing League

rules. It was later observed that the caution light did not turn on until the cars were in turn 1 (well after Wheldon had completed the pass), and the attention focused at the start–finish line was misguided, misleading, and irrelevant.

Three laps later, Harris awkwardly waited ten seconds before noting that Patrick had re-taken the lead on the restart. When Wheldon

Dan Wheldon

took the lead for good on lap 193, Harris again hesitated, and waited 20 seconds to report the move, and another 30 seconds to report that Patrick had dropped to 4th place. Sandomir also criticized a perceived "softball" post-race interview of Patrick by Jerry Punch

Jerry Punch

Dr. Jerry Punch is an American auto racing and college football commentator on ESPN. Punch also does local radio spots in Knoxville...

.

Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA. As of March 2008, it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...

writer David Barron said during the pre-race show and the race's first 90 minutes, he "counted an average of one Patrick reference every five minutes, and each reference went on for some time." Others blogged that ABC

ESPN on ABC

was intentionally bringing attention to Patrick's looks, at the same time trying to downplay them.

At the end of the 2005 season, Todd Harris was removed from the booth, and replaced with veteran Marty Reid

Marty Reid

Marty Reid is an American television sportscaster who currently works for ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN on ABC. Reid is currently the lead TV announcer for ESPN on ABC's coverage of the IndyCar Series, the Indianapolis 500 and for select NASCAR Nationwide Series events. Until the end of 2006, he was the...