1997 Indianapolis 500
Encyclopedia
The 81st Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
over three days, May 25–27, 1997. It was originally scheduled Sunday, May 25, however, rain washed out all activities for the day. The race was started on Monday May 26, but rain halted the race after only 15 laps. On Tuesday May 27, the race resumed, and was run to completion.
It was the second Indianapolis 500
held as part of the USAC
-sanctioned Indy Racing League, and was part of the 1996-97 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season
. It marked the introduction of a new production-based, normally aspirated engine formula as well as a new chassis design.
A controversy during qualifying saw two additional cars added to the field after the close of time trials. It was only the second time since 1933
that more than the traditional 33 cars
comprised the starting grid.
With two laps to go, polesitter Arie Luyendyk
led teammate Scott Goodyear
. A caution came out on the 199th lap, but the pace car did not come out to pick up the field. Without warning, the green and white flag were displayed at the starter's stand on the final lap, signifying the field was back to racing conditions. None of the cars in the field were prepared for the restart, and yellow lights remained illuminated for many seconds afterwards. Luyendyk held on to win, but controversy erupted regarding the officials' poor handling of the situation. Less than a month later, USAC
was permanently removed from sanctioning the IRL and Indy 500, in favor of in-house officiating.
for 1997. In 1996, it was announced that all races of the Indy Racing League would switch to a normally aspirated stock block formulae starting in January 1997. In addition, a new contingent of chassis rules accompanied the powerplants. All engines for 1997 would be 4.0 L, 32-valve production-based engines. There would be two manufacturers involved, Oldsmobile Aurora
and Nissan Infiniti
. The chassis were constructed by Dallara
and G-Force
.
The changes were in the interest of cutting costs, lowering speeds, and bringing the racing closer together.
split continued into its second year. No major teams from the CART
ranks entered at Indianapolis. The alternative U.S. 500
, however, was cancelled after only one running. Instead of running another race the same day at the Indy 500, CART teams participated in the Motorola 300
at the newly opened Gateway International Raceway
on Saturday May 24, the day before the Indy 500 was scheduled.
Robby Gordon
, CART
regular from 1992-1996, had switched his full-time focus to NASCAR
for 1997, driving for Felix Sabates
. Sabates arranged for Gordon to race the "Indy
/Charlotte
Double-Duty," planning to race at Indy and the Coca-Cola 600
in the same day.
, the IRL schedule was situated such that the Indianapolis 500
would be the final race of the season. That provided that the IRL championship would be crowned at the conclusion of the Indy 500. The arrangement proved unusual, and disruptive. The 1996-97 IRL season
was originally scheduled to begin at Loudon in August 1996, and conclude with the 1997 Indy 500.
In October, league officials announced that the league would revert back to the calendar-based season. To aid the transition, the 1996-97 season would include the two races run in late 1996, and all races run in 1997. The Indy 500 would no longer serve at the season finale.
IRL points standings. The arrangement was a controversial rule, known as the "25/8 Rule," introduced during the 1996 IRL season
, and had been a key issue that led the CART
teams to boycott the 1996 race
.
The format (similar in practice to NASCAR's Top 35 rule introduced years later) provided that the top 25 entries (not drivers) in owner points were guaranteed a "locked-in" starting position, and could not be bumped, provided they completed a four-lap qualifying run over a minimum prescribed speed. Officials set 203 mph as the minimum. The grid would still be arranged by speed rank. The remaining eight positions would be filled by non-top 25 entries, and bumping could only occur amongst those participants.
Going into the race, the 25 entries that were eligible for a "locked-in" starting position were
The following two entries were eligible, but did not accept the berth:
Since only 23 of the 25 eligible "locked-in" entries accepted berths, 10 at-large starting positions were up for grabs at the onset of qualifying. Among the many drivers not locked-in were Lyn St. James
, Steve Kinser
, and Robby Gordon
.
The first day of practice, set aside for Rookie Orientation, was rained out.
Sunday May 4 - Rookie Orientation
The first day of track activity saw six rookies take laps. Vincenzo Sospiri
led the speed chart at 211.964 mph. Sospiri and Kenny Bräck
both passed their rookie tests.
Monday May 5 - Rookie Orientation
A very light day of activity saw only four cars take a total of 80 laps. Kenny Bräck
turned the fastest lap (205.597 mph), and Sam Schmidt
passed his rookie test.
Tuesday May 6
The first full day of practice saw heavy activity. Tony Stewart
set the early pace with a lap of 214.337 mph. The only incident of the day occurred when Jeff Ward
blew an engine and spun into the wall in turn 3. Arie Luyendyk
set the fastest lap thus far of the month at 5:24 p.m., at 218.707 mph.
Wednesday May 7
Scott Sharp
crashed in turn 1 late in the afternoon, heavily damaging his primary car. He had just run a lap of 217.402 mph. Arie Luyendyk
became the first driver over 220 mph, with a lap of 220.297 mph. Rain closed the track about 10 minutes early.
Thursday May 8
Rain kept the track closed until 3 p.m. The final three hours saw average activity. Just minutes after the track opened, Arie Luyendyk
spun in the southchute, and tagged the wall, suffering minor nose cone damage. He was uninjured. later, Luyendyk returned to the track, and once again, led the speed chart at 217.318 mph.
Friday May 9
The final day of practice before pole qualifying saw heavy action, and cool temperatures (51°F). Three incidents, however, shuffled the field. John Paul, Jr.
crashed in turn four, and suffered a broken leg. Scott Sharp
also crashed exiting turn four, and suffered a concussion. Both Paul and Sharp would be forced to sit out the rest of the month. The third incident involved Stephan Gregoire
, who spun, but made no contact.
The speed chart was competitive, with Arie Luyendyk
, Tony Stewart
, and Robbie Buhl
trading fast lap for the afternoon. At the end of the day, Luyendyk was fastest, sweeping the chart all four days of veteran practice. His lap of 218.325 mph was a mile per hour faster than Stewart in second place.
World of Outlaws
star Steve Kinser
passed the final phase of his rookie test, and Jeff Ward
completed a refresher test.
led the charts at 218.644 mph.
The first car out on the track to qualify was Mike Groff
. His 208.537 mph 4-lap average was the first normally aspirated car to complete a run since 1987, and the first to qualify since 1984. His speed also tentatively broke existing normally aspirated, stock block, track records.
A total of nine cars went out for runs during the first segment, however, only five were run to completion. Jeff Ward
sat on the provisional pole at 214.517 mph. Lyn St. James
, one of the cars not "locked in" to the field, completed a run at 210.145 mph.
Shortly after 3 p.m., Arie Luyendyk
took to the track, and began the second wave of qualifiers. His run of 218.263 mph put him firmly on the pole position. Tony Stewart
was close behind at 218.021 mph, and rookie Vincenzo Sospiri
rounded out the front row at 216.822 mph.
At the close of pole day, 21 cars were in the field, with Roberto Guerrero
slowest thus far at just over 207 mph.
completed a run early in the day, while Robbie Groff
finished just before the close of the afternoon.
Another cool and windy day saw 18 cars practice. Arie Luyendyk
continued his dominance, and led the practice chart for already-qualified drivers. Off the track, A. J. Foyt
announced that he was working on a deal for John Andretti
to replace Scott Sharp
in the #1 entry. In addition, Billy Boat
started getting Foyt's #11 car up to speed.
Tuesday May 13
Arie Luyendyk
sat out practice for the day, allowing Buddy Lazier
to lead the speed chart. Of the non-qualified cars, Billy Boat
was over 214 mph, over 4 miles per hour faster than the others.
Off the track, A. J. Foyt Enterprises
announced that John Andretti
would not attempt to qualify, as his NASCAR
Winston Cup Series commitment with Cale Yarborough
Racing would not provide the necessary travel time. Johnny O'Connell
was named to replace Scott Sharp
in the #1 car.
Wednesday May 14
Buddy Lazier
and Billy Boat
repeated their efforts from the previous day, as the fastest already-qualified, and fastest non-qualified cars of the day.
Thursday May 15
Most of the cars that took to the track were among those not yet qualified. Several veterans sat out the afternoon. Sam Schmidt
found his way to the top of the speed chart, at over 211 mph.
Friday May 16
The final full day of practice saw heavy activity among qualified and non-qualified drivers. Tony Stewart
led the speed chart, while Arie Luyendyk
sat out for the fourth day in a row. During the first hour, Johnny O'Connell
, driving for Foyt Racing
, lost an engine and crashed hard in the southchute. He suffered a foot and ankle injury, and was sidelined for the rest of the month.
set the early pace with an average of 215.544 mph. Greg Ray
, however, lost an engine. Several "locked-in" drivers took runs, and within an hour, eight consecutive time trials were run to completion.
When the track closed for the day, only two positions were unfilled. 22 of the 23 original "locked-in" entries were already in the field. The only original "locked-in" entry yet unqualified was the #1 Foyt Racing
entry. After crashes by Scott Sharp
and Johnny O'Connell
, the car had no driver currently named.
In the first hour of qualifying, the non-exempt entries of Johnny Unser
and Greg Ray
filled the field to 33 cars. Since 22 of the cars were locked-in, the move put Alessandro Zampedri
(209.094 mph) on the bubble. Zampedri was the 28th-fastest car in the field at the time, but the five cars that were slower than he were "locked-in" with exemptions.
About an hour later, Paul Durant
took to the track in the #1 Foyt Racing entry. The car was the final entry eligible for a "locked-in" position. Durant had secured the ride that morning, and climbed into the car for the first time at 12:21 p.m., his first laps of the entire month. By 1 p.m., he was safely in the field at 209.149 mph. His run bumped Zampedri
(a non-exempt entry) from the field of 33.
Johnny Unser
now found himself on the bubble. His qualifying speed of 209.344 mph was the 26th-fastest car in the field, but as the slowest non-exempt entry, he was first in line to be ousted. Shortly after 2 p.m., Claude Bourbonnais
took to the track for a qualifying attempt. His speed of 210.523 mph easily bumped Unser
.
At 2:15 p.m., Lyn St. James
was now on the bubble. Her speed of 210.145 mph was the 25th-fastest car in the field, but as a non-exempt entry, the eight cars below her were all "locked-in." With rain approaching, Alessandro Zampedri
scrambled his back-up car for practice, and hoped to re-join the field. His run of 211.757 mph was enough to bump St. James
.
Rain started falling and closed the track for the next hour. Despite being bumped, Lyn St. James
made no effort to bring her car back onto the track. Rumors began circulating the garage area that USAC
officials were considering reinstating bumped cars to the field. Scott Harrington
was the lone car to make an attempt after the rain, but wrecked on his second lap.
officials expressed their concern that due to the 25/8 rule, the "fastest 33 cars" were not going to start the race. The three cars that were bumped earlier in the day had posted qualifying speeds faster than eight of the "locked-in" entries.
A decision was made to reinstate any non-exempt cars that were bumped, if they were among the "fastest 33." The ruling added Lyn St. James
and Johnny Unser
back to the field. They were placed in the 34th and 35th starting positions, respectively.
It was the first time since 1979
that more than the traditional 33 cars comprised the field. The debacle was a public relations black-eye, but the officials were applauded in the media for rightfully adding the cars back to the grid. The 25/8 rule was from that point abandoned, and would not be used in 1998.
blew an engine, while three other cars experiences mechanical trouble. Tony Stewart
turned the fastest lap of the day, at 215.502 mph.
Polesitter Arie Luyendyk
completed only two laps at speed, using the session mostly as a system check exercise.
and driver Kenny Bräck
defeated Team Cheever with driver/owner Eddie Cheever
in the finals.
At 1:30 p.m., track officials rescheduled the race for Monday.
Robby Gordon
, driving for Felix Sabates
' SABCO Racing, had planned on driving the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600
"double duty." At 1:45 p.m., Gordon left the grounds, and flew to Charlotte
.
, Monday May 26, the race was scheduled for 11 a.m. EST. Skies were partly cloudy in the morning, but there was no rain at the time. The pre-race ceremonies were held on-time, but some subtle changes were made. The Purdue Band
was unable to return for Monday, and therefore Florence Henderson
's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner
" was done a cappella
. In addition, "Taps
" was played by a local musician as a substitute. The most noteworthy change, however, was the absence of Jim Nabors
. He had left the grounds Sunday night, and was not present to sing the traditional "Back Home Again in Indiana
." At his request, a recording from a previous year was played for the fans. Mari Hulman George
followed, officially taking over the family tradition (from her mother Mary F. Hulman
) of delivering the starting command.
On the first parade lap, Dr. Jack Miller
got sideways with cold tires and nearly spun in turn 4. He continued, and rejoined the field. On the final pace lap, all three cars of the fifth row, Stéphan Grégoire
, Affonso Giaffone
, and Kenny Bräck
came together, and crashed in turn 4. Meanwhile, Sam Schmidt
and Alessandro Zampedri
ducked into the pits with mechanical trouble. Robbie Groff
stalled on the backstretch, and was restarted in the pits. In total, five cars were out of the race before the green flag. The crash delayed the start by five extra pace laps.
Tony Stewart
took the lead when the race finally got underway. On the 10th lap, the yellow came out due to a blown engine by Claude Bourbonnais
. Moments later, a light drizzle started falling around the track. On lap 15, the rain was falling harder, and the race was red flagged.
With rain continuing to fall, the cars returned to the garage area at 12:30 p.m., and fans began to leave the grounds. The race had to go at least 101 laps to be considered official. With only 15 laps completed, the race would have to be resumed when the officials deemed appropriate. After negotiations between Speedway officials, series officials, and television executives, the decision was made at 2:15 p.m. to resume the race at lap 16 the following day, Tuesday May 27 at 11 a.m. The arrangement differed from a similar situation during the 1986 race
. Many expected the conclusion of the race to be postponed until Saturday (May 31). However, officials agreed that due to the upcoming race at Texas, and the good forecast for Tuesday, it was in the best interest to finish the race as soon as possible.
delivered the "re-start" command at 11 a.m., and the race resumed at lap 16. Of the 35 qualifiers, 29 cars lined up single-file for the restart. The grandstands were only partially full, and it marked the first time since 1973 that the race was held mid-week. ABC-TV
made a special arrangement to cover the race live as planned.
resuming the lead.
On the first green lap of the day, Robby Gordon
was racing down the backstretch and suddenly veered to the warm-up lane in turn three. He stopped the car, which was on fire. Gordon jumped out of the car with his driver's suit burning, and began rolling vigorously
in the grass to put the fire out. The caution came out as crews put out the fire, and towed the car back to the pits. Gordon would drop out of the race.
As the field looked to go back to green on lap 23, four cars tangled in turn 4, causing mostly cosmetic damage, and prolonged the yellow until lap 28. Mark Dismore
was the only car of the four unable to continue. The first significant green flag racing of the week finally began at lap 28.
led Robbie Buhl
leading up to the 40-lap (100-mile) mark. Also in the top five were Arie Luyendyk
, Buddy Lazier
, and rookie Jeff Ward
. The first series of green flag pit stops began on lap 50. After the field shuffled through pitting, Stewart
was back in the lead with Luyendyk
second.
Jim Guthrie brought out the yellow on lap 59 due to an engine failure. On the restart, Arie Luyendyk
got the jump and passed Tony Stewart for the lead. Deeper in the field, Steve Kinser
hit Eliseo Salazar
in the rear, damaging Salazar's suspension.
Another sequence of green flag pit stops around laps 85-90 saw Luyendyk
and Stewart
again emerge as 1-2.
By the halfway point, several cars had dropped out. Greg Ray
and Eddie Cheever
were out with mechanical failures, and Roberto Guerrero
was sidelined with a damaged suspension.
and Paul Durant
crashed in turn 3. On lap 137, Dr. Jack Miller
wrecked in the south chute. The lead was trading among Arie Luyendyk
, Tony Stewart
, and Robbie Buhl
. Jeff Ward
and Buddy Lazier
were also in contention.
On a lap 142 restart, Jeff Ward
moved into the lead. He pulled out to a 4-second lead over Luyendyk
over the next 20 laps.
Tyce Carlson
brought out the yellow on lap 164 after a spin in turn 2. The yellow sent the leaders to the pits. Tony Stewart
stalled his engine, and fell down to in the standings. Ward
came back out in the lead, with Lazier
second. Scott Goodyear
had worked his way up to third, and Luyendyk
still held on to the top 5.
With 20 laps to go, Jeff Ward
continued to lead, and Tony Stewart
had climbed back up to second. With a 13-second lead, Ward was in need of one final splash-and-go fuel stop before the finish.
crashed, and collected Lyn St. James
. The ensuing caution flag saw leader Jeff Ward
, who knew he could not make it to the finish on fuel, head to the pits. The shuffle saw Arie Luyendyk
emerge into the lead, with his teammate Scott Goodyear
running second.
The green flag came back out on lap 194. Only one lap was completed under green before the yellow came out for debris. The caution period was quick, and lasted only two laps. Luyendyk still led as the green came back out at the conclusion of lap 197 (three laps to go).
As Luyendyk and Goodyear crossed the start/finish line to complete lap 198 (two laps to go), Tony Stewart
brushed the wall in turn 4. The car was not seriously damaged, and Stewart continued. However, USAC
still brought out the yellow. The pace car did not enter the track to pick up the leader, as was the normal procedure.
Arie Luyendyk
guided his teammate Goodyear
(second place), and the rest of the field around at a slow pace. As the cars came out of turn four, they anticipated seeing the white flag (indicating one lap to go), and it was clear to them the race would finish under caution. Without any warning, USAC
officials suddenly displayed the white and green flag at the starter's stand, and the race was back underway. A startled Luyendyk, running about 85 mph, hastily dropped a gear, and punched the throttle to accelerate. The entire field was caught off-guard, and to make matters worse, the yellow caution lights around the track remained illuminated. The confusion made some drivers unsure if the green flag was in error, and if the conditions were safe to race.
Most of the cars, including Goodyear hesitated, and the yellow lights around the track did not go off until the leaders were on the backstretch. The botched restart prevented any significant challenge by Goodyear, and Arie Luyendyk
cruised around the final lap to take the victory. It was Luyendyk's second Indy 500 win, and he became the 16th driver to win from the pole position.
dominated, taking the top 12 finishing positions. Infiniti
saw no cars in contention during most of the race.
The race also marked the end of the IRL's lucrative initial exclusive contract with ABC Sports
, which was not renewed in its entirely. While the Indy 500 itself would remain on ABC
, only a handful of other races would stay on the network for several years to come.
The first move to make amends was to drop the 25/8 rule permanently. Two weeks later at Texas Motor Speedway
, during the inaugural True Value 500, the increasing dissatisfaction with USAC's
officiating hit the boiling point. A malfunction in the electronic scoring system scored Billy Boat
as the winner of the race. Meanwhile, Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk
stormed victory lane, claiming he was robbed of the victory. The following day, the error was discovered, and was another black mark on USAC's record. Two weeks later, USAC was officially relieved of the duty of sanctioing the IRL
, and was replaced by an in-house effort.
(#36 G/O Johansson Motorsports) - wrecked during qualifying
"What a sucker this is" - Bob Jenkins
and Jerry Baker
calling the confusion of the final lap of the race for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
.
"Arie Luyendyk wins the 1997 Indianapolis 500, the 81st running of the edition by 7 tenths of a second" - Bob Jenkins
described the finish of the race for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.
"That's yellow out there, it's green again, what the fuck are they
doing?" - Race leader Arie Luyendyk
on his two-way radio, regarding the confusing, controversial final lap.
"I'm not too sure about that last start by USAC there." - Bobby Unser
calling the final lap of the race for ABC-TV
.
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....
over three days, May 25–27, 1997. It was originally scheduled Sunday, May 25, however, rain washed out all activities for the day. The race was started on Monday May 26, but rain halted the race after only 15 laps. On Tuesday May 27, the race resumed, and was run to completion.
It was the second Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
held as part of the USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
-sanctioned Indy Racing League, and was part of the 1996-97 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season
1996-1997 in IRL
The 1996-1997 Indy Racing League season was a result of the league abandoning the concept of ending each season with the Indianapolis 500. The 1996-97 season would ultimately comprise the events following the Indy 500 in 1996, and all events contested in the calendar year of 1997.The 1996-97 season...
. It marked the introduction of a new production-based, normally aspirated engine formula as well as a new chassis design.
A controversy during qualifying saw two additional cars added to the field after the close of time trials. It was only the second time since 1933
1933 Indianapolis 500
Results of the 1933 Indianapolis 500 held at Indianapolis on Tuesday, May 30, 1933. Louis Meyer defeated Wilbur Shaw by a time of 401.89 seconds . The average speed of the race was while Bill Cummings achieved the pole position with a speed of ....
that more than the traditional 33 cars
Indianapolis 500 traditions
Due to the longevity of the Indianapolis 500, numerous traditions have developed over the years. For many fans, these traditions are almost as important as the race itself, and they have often reacted quite negatively when the traditions are changed or broken....
comprised the starting grid.
With two laps to go, polesitter Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
led teammate 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...
. A caution came out on the 199th lap, but the pace car did not come out to pick up the field. Without warning, the green and white flag were displayed at the starter's stand on the final lap, signifying the field was back to racing conditions. None of the cars in the field were prepared for the restart, and yellow lights remained illuminated for many seconds afterwards. Luyendyk held on to win, but controversy erupted regarding the officials' poor handling of the situation. Less than a month later, USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
was permanently removed from sanctioning the IRL and Indy 500, in favor of in-house officiating.
New engine and chassis package
New engines and new cars arrived at the Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayIndianapolis 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....
for 1997. In 1996, it was announced that all races of the Indy Racing League would switch to a normally aspirated stock block formulae starting in January 1997. In addition, a new contingent of chassis rules accompanied the powerplants. All engines for 1997 would be 4.0 L, 32-valve production-based engines. There would be two manufacturers involved, Oldsmobile Aurora
Oldsmobile Aurora
The Oldsmobile Aurora was a full-size sports sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995. The Aurora rode on the same Cadillac-derived G platform as the 2-door Buick Riviera....
and Nissan Infiniti
Infiniti
is the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional...
. The chassis were constructed by 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...
and G-Force
G-Force Technologies
G-Force Technologies was a racing car manufacturer based in England and formed by Chip Ganassi and Ken Anderson in 1991. Ganassi would leave the company early on and the company was renamed G Force Precision Engineering. The company built successful cars in the Indy Racing League and 24 Hours of...
.
The changes were in the interest of cutting costs, lowering speeds, and bringing the racing closer together.
Track changes
The track was repaved in the fall of 1995. Following the 1996 Brickyard 400, the apexes of the four turns were breaking up. Over the offseason, track crews repaved the apexes of the turns with a different compound of asphalt. The result was a better surface, but a visibly darker area in the apexes of all four turns.Continuing split from CART
The ongoing IRL/CARTChamp Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
split continued into its second year. No major teams from the CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
ranks entered at Indianapolis. The alternative U.S. 500
U.S. 500
The U.S. 500 was an automobile race sanctioned by CART on May 26, 1996 at the Michigan International Speedway as an alternative to the 1996 Indianapolis 500....
, however, was cancelled after only one running. Instead of running another race the same day at the Indy 500, CART teams participated in the Motorola 300
Emerson Indy 250
The Emerson Indy 250 is a former American Open Wheel Racing event held at Gateway International Speedway from 1997 to 2003. It was a part of the CART series from 1997 to 2000, and part of the IRL from 2001-2003....
at the newly opened Gateway International Raceway
Gateway International Raceway
Gateway Motorsports Park is a race track in Madison, Illinois, USA, just east of St. Louis, Missouri. After being shuttered by former owner Dover Motorsports Inc., on Nov. 3, 2010, it was announced Sept. 8, 2011, that the facility would re-open and host an NHRA Full Throttle Series event Oct. 5-7,...
on Saturday May 24, the day before the Indy 500 was scheduled.
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...
, CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
regular from 1992-1996, had switched his full-time focus to 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...
for 1997, driving for Felix Sabates
Felix Sabates
Felix Sabates is an entrepreneur and philanthropist living in the United States. He is currently a minority shareholder in Chip Ganassi Racing, which fields teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series , GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series...
. Sabates arranged for Gordon to race the "Indy
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
/Charlotte
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
Double-Duty," planning to race at Indy and the Coca-Cola 600
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
in the same day.
1996-97 IRL season
For its first season1996 in IRL
The first season of Indy Racing League competition consisted of only three races. Walt Disney World Speedway was completed in time to host the first race of the season, and the first ever event of the IRL. Phoenix International Raceway switched alliances from CART to IRL and hosted the second event...
, the IRL schedule was situated such that the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
would be the final race of the season. That provided that the IRL championship would be crowned at the conclusion of the Indy 500. The arrangement proved unusual, and disruptive. The 1996-97 IRL season
1996-1997 in IRL
The 1996-1997 Indy Racing League season was a result of the league abandoning the concept of ending each season with the Indianapolis 500. The 1996-97 season would ultimately comprise the events following the Indy 500 in 1996, and all events contested in the calendar year of 1997.The 1996-97 season...
was originally scheduled to begin at Loudon in August 1996, and conclude with the 1997 Indy 500.
In October, league officials announced that the league would revert back to the calendar-based season. To aid the transition, the 1996-97 season would include the two races run in late 1996, and all races run in 1997. The Indy 500 would no longer serve at the season finale.
Locked-in entries
For the 1997 Indy 500, 25 (of 33) starting grid positions were set aside for the top 25 cars in 1996-97 season1996-1997 in IRL
The 1996-1997 Indy Racing League season was a result of the league abandoning the concept of ending each season with the Indianapolis 500. The 1996-97 season would ultimately comprise the events following the Indy 500 in 1996, and all events contested in the calendar year of 1997.The 1996-97 season...
IRL points standings. The arrangement was a controversial rule, known as the "25/8 Rule," introduced during the 1996 IRL season
1996 in IRL
The first season of Indy Racing League competition consisted of only three races. Walt Disney World Speedway was completed in time to host the first race of the season, and the first ever event of the IRL. Phoenix International Raceway switched alliances from CART to IRL and hosted the second event...
, and had been a key issue that led the CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
teams to boycott the 1996 race
1996 Indianapolis 500
The 80th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26, 1996. This was the first Indy 500 contested by the Indy Racing League, under the overall sanctioning umbrella of USAC. It was the third and final race of the 1996 IRL season. Buddy Lazier won the race, his...
.
The format (similar in practice to NASCAR's Top 35 rule introduced years later) provided that the top 25 entries (not drivers) in owner points were guaranteed a "locked-in" starting position, and could not be bumped, provided they completed a four-lap qualifying run over a minimum prescribed speed. Officials set 203 mph as the minimum. The grid would still be arranged by speed rank. The remaining eight positions would be filled by non-top 25 entries, and bumping could only occur amongst those participants.
Going into the race, the 25 entries that were eligible for a "locked-in" starting position were
- #1 A.J. Foyt Enterprises (Paul DurantPaul DurantPaul Durant , is a former driver American racecar driver from San Diego, California.He first excelled in modified stock car racing, winning a number of regional championships. He then competed in the USAC Silver Crown Series in 1994...
) - #2 Team MenardTeam MenardTeam Menard was an auto racing team in the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League owned by John Menard. From 1991 to 1996 they modified their own Buick V6 engines for racing. This combination won pole for the 500 with Scott Brayton in 1995 and 1996; Tony Stewart used this combination for the first...
(Tony StewartTony StewartAnthony 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...
) - #3 Team MenardTeam MenardTeam Menard was an auto racing team in the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League owned by John Menard. From 1991 to 1996 they modified their own Buick V6 engines for racing. This combination won pole for the 500 with Scott Brayton in 1995 and 1996; Tony Stewart used this combination for the first...
(Robbie BuhlRobbie BuhlRobbie Buhl is a former Indy Racing League competitor and current team-owner, with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team in the IRL's IndyCar Series...
) - #4 Galles RacingGalles RacingGalles Racing is a former auto racing team owned by Rick Galles that competed in the CART series, Can-Am and Indy Racing League, winning the 1990 CART Championship and 1992 Indianapolis 500 with driver Al Unser, Jr..-Early years:...
(Kenny BräckKenny BräckKenny 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. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest...
) - #5 Treadway RacingTreadway RacingTreadway Racing is a former auto racing team that competed in the early seasons of the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. The team was owned by Indianapolis business man Fred Treadway. Prior to the IRL's inaugural season in 1996, Treadway was able to sign former Indianapolis 500 Champion Arie...
(Arie LuyendykArie LuyendykArie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
) - #6 Treadway RacingTreadway RacingTreadway Racing is a former auto racing team that competed in the early seasons of the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. The team was owned by Indianapolis business man Fred Treadway. Prior to the IRL's inaugural season in 1996, Treadway was able to sign former Indianapolis 500 Champion Arie...
(Scott GoodyearScott GoodyearScott 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...
) - #7 Team ScandiaTeam ScandiaTeam Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"...
(Eliseo SalazarEliseo SalazarEliseo Salazar Valenzuela is a Chilean racing driver, and the only one of his countrymen to compete in Formula One. He participated in 37 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix scoring a total of three championship points...
) - #10 Johnathan Byrd/Cunningham Racing (Mike GroffMike GroffMike Groff is a former race car driver in CART and the Indy Racing League and the 1989 Indy Lights champion. He made 54 starts in CART beginning in 1990 with a best finish of 6th, occurring at Phoenix International Raceway in 1994...
) - #12 Bradley MotorsportsBradley MotorsportsBradley Motorsports was a racing team in the Indy Racing League owned by Colorado convenience store owner Brad Calkins. His son, Buzz Calkins, drove the bright red cars shod in the livery of Bradley Food Marts, Brad Calkins' company. Bradley won the first IRL race in 1996 at Walt Disney World...
(Buzz CalkinsBuzz CalkinsBradley "Buzz" Calkins is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley Motorsports team purchased a 1995 Reynard chassis to compete in the inaugural season of the IRL...
) - #14 A.J. Foyt Enterprises (Davey HamiltonDavey HamiltonDavey Jay Hamilton is a race car driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He has made 50 series starts and while never winning a race, finished second 3 times...
) - #17 Chitwood Motorsports (Affonso GiaffoneAffonso GiaffoneAffonso Giaffone , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. His family has closed relation with auto racing; he is a cousin of Felipe Giaffone, an ex-IRL driver, and a cousin-in-law of Rubens Barrichello...
) - #18 PDM RacingPDM RacingPDM 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...
(Tyce CarlsonTyce CarlsonBrendyn "Tyce" Carlson , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He raced in the 1996-2002 seasons with 30 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His 2 career IndyCar top ten finishes both came at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the 1999 and 2000 races...
) - #21 Pagan RacingPagan Racing-CART Indy 500 entries:The team was founded in 1993 when the team purchased the CART IndyCar equipment of Kenny Bernstein's King Racing. The team fielded a car for Jeff Andretti for the 1993 Indianapolis 500 who finished 29th after a crash. The following year they signed veteran Roberto Guerrero to...
(Roberto GuerreroRoberto GuerreroRoberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982...
) - #22 Team ScandiaTeam ScandiaTeam Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"...
(Marco GrecoMarco GrecoMarco Greco is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League from 1996 to 1999. His best finish in the season points was 4th in 1997. He made four starts in the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of 14th in 1998...
) - #27 Team Blueprint Racing (Jim Guthrie)
- #28 PDM RacingPDM RacingPDM 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...
(Mark DismoreMark DismoreMark Dismore is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney's All American Racers in a Toyota GTP car with co-drivers Rocky Moran and P. J. Jones...
) - #30 McCormack MotorsportsMcCormack MotorsportsMcCormack Motorsports is a former Indy Racing League team owned by Dennis McCormack that operated from 1996 to 2001. Based in Avon, Indiana, the team debuted at the 1996 Indianapolis 500 with a car for Randy Tolsma, however, it failed to make the field. For the 1996-1997 season, the team used 3...
(Robbie GroffRobbie GroffRobbie Groff , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and CART Championship Car series and is brother of Mike Groff. He raced in the 1994 CART season and 1997-1998 IRL seasons with 9 combined starts...
) - #33 Team ScandiaTeam ScandiaTeam Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"...
(Fermín VelezFermín VélezFermín Vélez was a Spanish sports car racing driver, two-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring and two-time World Sportscar Championship Group C2 champion....
) - #40 Arizona Motorsports (Dr. Jack MillerJack Miller (driver)Jack Miller , usually known as Dr. Jack Miller, raced in the Indy Racing League from 1997 to 2001 and the Indianapolis 500 from 1997 to 1999. Miller is a dentist and, thus, was known as "the racing dentist." His best IRL finish was a 9th in 1998 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His best finish in the Indy...
) - #51 Team Cheever (Eddie CheeverEddie CheeverEdward "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...
) - #54 Beck Motorsports (Dennis VitoloDennis VitoloDennis Vitolo , is a former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1988 and 1991-1999 seasons with 36 career starts, including the 1994 Indianapolis 500. He was involved in a notorious pit-lane crash in that race, taking out reigning CART champion Nigel Mansell...
) - #77 Chastain MotorsportsChastain MotorsportsChastain Motorsports is a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Indianapolis businessman Tom Chastain. The team was founded in 1997 and raced until 1998 with driver Stephan Gregoire. Gregoire finished 11th in driver points in '97 and 12th in '98 with a best race finish of 2nd at Pikes Peak...
(Stéphane Grégoire) - #91 Hemelgarn RacingHemelgarn RacingHemelgarn 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...
(Buddy LazierBuddy LazierRobert 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...
)
The following two entries were eligible, but did not accept the berth:
- #74 Della Penna Motorsports - participated in the first two races of the 1996-97 season with driver Richie HearnRichie HearnRichie 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...
, but left the IRL to join the CARTChamp CarChamp Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
series over the winter. - #15 Tempero-Guiffre Racing - car was eligible, and was entered, but no driver was named, and it not take any practice laps.
Since only 23 of the 25 eligible "locked-in" entries accepted berths, 10 at-large starting positions were up for grabs at the onset of qualifying. Among the many drivers not locked-in were Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award...
, Steve Kinser
Steve Kinser
Steve Kinser , is a professional sprint car racer. He has won 20 championships in the World of Outlaws series, and currently drives the #11 Bass Pro Shops car. Kinser left the World of Outlaws in 2006 to compete with the National Sprint Tour series, but returned to the World of Outlaws for the...
, and 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...
.
Practice - week 1
Saturday May 3 - Opening DayThe first day of practice, set aside for Rookie Orientation, was rained out.
Sunday May 4 - Rookie Orientation
The first day of track activity saw six rookies take laps. Vincenzo Sospiri
Vincenzo Sospiri
- Early career :Sospiri started racing in the Italian 100CC Karting Championships at the age of 15. He spent a long time working his way through the karting ladder, eventually becoming World Karting Champion in 1987. Sospiri then progressed to Formula Ford, before working through to Formula 3000 in...
led the speed chart at 211.964 mph. Sospiri and 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. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest...
both passed their rookie tests.
Monday May 5 - Rookie Orientation
A very light day of activity saw only four cars take a total of 80 laps. 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. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest...
turned the fastest lap (205.597 mph), and Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt is a former Indy Racing League driver and current IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner....
passed his rookie test.
Tuesday May 6
The first full day of practice saw heavy activity. 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...
set the early pace with a lap of 214.337 mph. The only incident of the day occurred when Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
blew an engine and spun into the wall in turn 3. Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
set the fastest lap thus far of the month at 5:24 p.m., at 218.707 mph.
Wednesday May 7
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 late in the afternoon, heavily damaging his primary car. He had just run a lap of 217.402 mph. Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
became the first driver over 220 mph, with a lap of 220.297 mph. Rain closed the track about 10 minutes early.
Thursday May 8
Rain kept the track closed until 3 p.m. The final three hours saw average activity. Just minutes after the track opened, Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
spun in the southchute, and tagged the wall, suffering minor nose cone damage. He was uninjured. later, Luyendyk returned to the track, and once again, led the speed chart at 217.318 mph.
Friday May 9
The final day of practice before pole qualifying saw heavy action, and cool temperatures (51°F). Three incidents, however, shuffled the field. John Paul, Jr.
John Paul, Jr.
John Lee Paul, Jr. is a former race car driver in CART and the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series and winner of the 1982 12 Hours of Sebring while co-driving with his father John Paul, Sr....
crashed in turn four, and suffered a broken leg. 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....
also crashed exiting turn four, and suffered a concussion. Both Paul and Sharp would be forced to sit out the rest of the month. The third incident involved Stephan Gregoire
Stephan Gregoire
Stéphan Grégoire is a French race car driver. Currently living in Carmel, Ind.Gregoire is a veteran of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex Sports Car Series, the Indianapolis 500, and the Indy Racing League. He made 44 IRL starts between 1996 and 2001 with a best finish of 2nd at Pikes Peak...
, who spun, but made no contact.
The speed chart was competitive, with Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
, 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...
, and Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl is a former Indy Racing League competitor and current team-owner, with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team in the IRL's IndyCar Series...
trading fast lap for the afternoon. At the end of the day, Luyendyk was fastest, sweeping the chart all four days of veteran practice. His lap of 218.325 mph was a mile per hour faster than Stewart in second place.
World of Outlaws
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
star Steve Kinser
Steve Kinser
Steve Kinser , is a professional sprint car racer. He has won 20 championships in the World of Outlaws series, and currently drives the #11 Bass Pro Shops car. Kinser left the World of Outlaws in 2006 to compete with the National Sprint Tour series, but returned to the World of Outlaws for the...
passed the final phase of his rookie test, and 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.
Saturday May 10
Pole day time trials took place under mostly sunny skies, but cool temperatures. At 8:30 a.m., the temperature was only 46°F. Morning practice took place with temperatures rising to the 50's (°F), and Tony StewartTony 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...
led the charts at 218.644 mph.
The first car out on the track to qualify was Mike Groff
Mike Groff
Mike Groff is a former race car driver in CART and the Indy Racing League and the 1989 Indy Lights champion. He made 54 starts in CART beginning in 1990 with a best finish of 6th, occurring at Phoenix International Raceway in 1994...
. His 208.537 mph 4-lap average was the first normally aspirated car to complete a run since 1987, and the first to qualify since 1984. His speed also tentatively broke existing normally aspirated, stock block, track records.
A total of nine cars went out for runs during the first segment, however, only five were run to completion. Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
sat on the provisional pole at 214.517 mph. Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award...
, one of the cars not "locked in" to the field, completed a run at 210.145 mph.
Shortly after 3 p.m., Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
took to the track, and began the second wave of qualifiers. His run of 218.263 mph put him firmly on the pole position. 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...
was close behind at 218.021 mph, and rookie Vincenzo Sospiri
Vincenzo Sospiri
- Early career :Sospiri started racing in the Italian 100CC Karting Championships at the age of 15. He spent a long time working his way through the karting ladder, eventually becoming World Karting Champion in 1987. Sospiri then progressed to Formula Ford, before working through to Formula 3000 in...
rounded out the front row at 216.822 mph.
At the close of pole day, 21 cars were in the field, with Roberto Guerrero
Roberto Guerrero
Roberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982...
slowest thus far at just over 207 mph.
Sunday May 11
Only four drivers started qualifying attempts, and only two cars were added to the field. Rookie Steve KinserSteve Kinser
Steve Kinser , is a professional sprint car racer. He has won 20 championships in the World of Outlaws series, and currently drives the #11 Bass Pro Shops car. Kinser left the World of Outlaws in 2006 to compete with the National Sprint Tour series, but returned to the World of Outlaws for the...
completed a run early in the day, while Robbie Groff
Robbie Groff
Robbie Groff , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and CART Championship Car series and is brother of Mike Groff. He raced in the 1994 CART season and 1997-1998 IRL seasons with 9 combined starts...
finished just before the close of the afternoon.
Practice - week 2
Monday May 12Another cool and windy day saw 18 cars practice. Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
continued his dominance, and led the practice chart for already-qualified drivers. Off the track, 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...
announced that he was working on a deal for John Andretti
John Andretti
John Andretti is an American race car driver. He has won in CART, IMSA GTP, Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR. He was the last NASCAR driver to win a Cup race for the famous Petty Enterprises team.-Andretti family:...
to replace 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....
in the #1 entry. In addition, Billy Boat
Billy Boat
William "Billy" Leonard Boat is a former American open wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League....
started getting Foyt's #11 car up to speed.
Tuesday May 13
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
sat out practice for the day, allowing 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...
to lead the speed chart. Of the non-qualified cars, Billy Boat
Billy Boat
William "Billy" Leonard Boat is a former American open wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League....
was over 214 mph, over 4 miles per hour faster than the others.
Off the track, A. J. Foyt Enterprises
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...
announced that John Andretti
John Andretti
John Andretti is an American race car driver. He has won in CART, IMSA GTP, Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR. He was the last NASCAR driver to win a Cup race for the famous Petty Enterprises team.-Andretti family:...
would not attempt to qualify, as his 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...
Winston Cup Series commitment with Cale Yarborough
Cale Yarborough
William Caleb "Cale" Yarborough , is a farmer, businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships...
Racing would not provide the necessary travel time. Johnny O'Connell
Johnny O'Connell
Johnny O'Connell , is a GM factory racecar driver from United States, currently residing in Flowery Branch, Georgia...
was named to replace 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....
in the #1 car.
Wednesday May 14
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...
and Billy Boat
Billy Boat
William "Billy" Leonard Boat is a former American open wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League....
repeated their efforts from the previous day, as the fastest already-qualified, and fastest non-qualified cars of the day.
Thursday May 15
Most of the cars that took to the track were among those not yet qualified. Several veterans sat out the afternoon. Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt is a former Indy Racing League driver and current IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner....
found his way to the top of the speed chart, at over 211 mph.
Friday May 16
The final full day of practice saw heavy activity among qualified and non-qualified drivers. 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...
led the speed chart, while Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
sat out for the fourth day in a row. During the first hour, Johnny O'Connell
Johnny O'Connell
Johnny O'Connell , is a GM factory racecar driver from United States, currently residing in Flowery Branch, Georgia...
, driving for Foyt Racing
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...
, lost an engine and crashed hard in the southchute. He suffered a foot and ankle injury, and was sidelined for the rest of the month.
Saturday May 17
The third day of qualifying saw sunny skies and warm temperatures. A busy day of time trials saw the field fill to 31 cars. Billy BoatBilly Boat
William "Billy" Leonard Boat is a former American open wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League....
set the early pace with an average of 215.544 mph. 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....
, however, lost an engine. Several "locked-in" drivers took runs, and within an hour, eight consecutive time trials were run to completion.
When the track closed for the day, only two positions were unfilled. 22 of the 23 original "locked-in" entries were already in the field. The only original "locked-in" entry yet unqualified was the #1 Foyt Racing
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...
entry. After crashes by 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....
and Johnny O'Connell
Johnny O'Connell
Johnny O'Connell , is a GM factory racecar driver from United States, currently residing in Flowery Branch, Georgia...
, the car had no driver currently named.
Sunday May 18
Going into the final day of qualifying, two positions were open. One final "locked-in" position was available (#1 Foyt Racing), as 22 of the 23 eligible cars had already completed their runs. Once the field was filled to 33 cars, the ten "non-exempt" positions were all up for grabs amongst the non-exempt entries. During the week, competitors and officials alike, we growing apprehensive of the 25/8 rule. It was becoming increasingly possible that by enforcing the rule, the "fastest 33 cars" (a cornerstone Indy tradition), would not necessarily make the field. On the morning of Bump Day qualifying, several non-exempt teams were uneasy about their chances of making the field, despite having speeds amongst the fastest 33.In the first hour of qualifying, the non-exempt entries of Johnny Unser
Johnny Unser
Johnny Unser is a former race car driver. He is the son of open wheel driver Jerry Unser, cousin of Al Unser, Jr. and Robby Unser, nephew of Al Unser and Bobby Unser, and first cousin once removed of Alfred Unser. He made 5 starts in CART in 1993 and 1994 with a best result of 15th...
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....
filled the field to 33 cars. Since 22 of the cars were locked-in, the move put Alessandro Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri is an Italian race car driver. He started three Indy 500s .Zampedri was seriously injured in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, suffering severe foot and leg injuries on the last lap of the race. While running fourth, Zampedri was collected in a crash with Roberto Guerrero and Eliseo...
(209.094 mph) on the bubble. Zampedri was the 28th-fastest car in the field at the time, but the five cars that were slower than he were "locked-in" with exemptions.
About an hour later, Paul Durant
Paul Durant
Paul Durant , is a former driver American racecar driver from San Diego, California.He first excelled in modified stock car racing, winning a number of regional championships. He then competed in the USAC Silver Crown Series in 1994...
took to the track in the #1 Foyt Racing entry. The car was the final entry eligible for a "locked-in" position. Durant had secured the ride that morning, and climbed into the car for the first time at 12:21 p.m., his first laps of the entire month. By 1 p.m., he was safely in the field at 209.149 mph. His run bumped Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri is an Italian race car driver. He started three Indy 500s .Zampedri was seriously injured in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, suffering severe foot and leg injuries on the last lap of the race. While running fourth, Zampedri was collected in a crash with Roberto Guerrero and Eliseo...
(a non-exempt entry) from the field of 33.
Johnny Unser
Johnny Unser
Johnny Unser is a former race car driver. He is the son of open wheel driver Jerry Unser, cousin of Al Unser, Jr. and Robby Unser, nephew of Al Unser and Bobby Unser, and first cousin once removed of Alfred Unser. He made 5 starts in CART in 1993 and 1994 with a best result of 15th...
now found himself on the bubble. His qualifying speed of 209.344 mph was the 26th-fastest car in the field, but as the slowest non-exempt entry, he was first in line to be ousted. Shortly after 2 p.m., Claude Bourbonnais
Claude Bourbonnais
Claude Bourbonnais , is a former driver in the Toyota Atlantic, Indy Lights, and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1994 CART series with 5 starts...
took to the track for a qualifying attempt. His speed of 210.523 mph easily bumped Unser
Johnny Unser
Johnny Unser is a former race car driver. He is the son of open wheel driver Jerry Unser, cousin of Al Unser, Jr. and Robby Unser, nephew of Al Unser and Bobby Unser, and first cousin once removed of Alfred Unser. He made 5 starts in CART in 1993 and 1994 with a best result of 15th...
.
At 2:15 p.m., Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award...
was now on the bubble. Her speed of 210.145 mph was the 25th-fastest car in the field, but as a non-exempt entry, the eight cars below her were all "locked-in." With rain approaching, Alessandro Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri is an Italian race car driver. He started three Indy 500s .Zampedri was seriously injured in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, suffering severe foot and leg injuries on the last lap of the race. While running fourth, Zampedri was collected in a crash with Roberto Guerrero and Eliseo...
scrambled his back-up car for practice, and hoped to re-join the field. His run of 211.757 mph was enough to bump St. James
Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award...
.
Rain started falling and closed the track for the next hour. Despite being bumped, Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award...
made no effort to bring her car back onto the track. Rumors began circulating the garage area that USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
officials were considering reinstating bumped cars to the field. Scott Harrington
Scott Harrington
Scott Harrington is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. Starting out on two wheels, Harrington won a number of championships and achieved much success in the world of AMA Motocross and Supercross. In 1986 Sports Car Magazine picked Harrington as one of the three most promising drivers in...
was the lone car to make an attempt after the rain, but wrecked on his second lap.
Post-qualifying controversy
USACUnited States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
officials expressed their concern that due to the 25/8 rule, the "fastest 33 cars" were not going to start the race. The three cars that were bumped earlier in the day had posted qualifying speeds faster than eight of the "locked-in" entries.
A decision was made to reinstate any non-exempt cars that were bumped, if they were among the "fastest 33." The ruling added Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award...
and Johnny Unser
Johnny Unser
Johnny Unser is a former race car driver. He is the son of open wheel driver Jerry Unser, cousin of Al Unser, Jr. and Robby Unser, nephew of Al Unser and Bobby Unser, and first cousin once removed of Alfred Unser. He made 5 starts in CART in 1993 and 1994 with a best result of 15th...
back to the field. They were placed in the 34th and 35th starting positions, respectively.
It was the first time since 1979
1979 Indianapolis 500
The 1979 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 27, 1979.The month was filled with controversy on and off the track. A court injunction was issued after USAC denied entries by the start-up CART series. During time trials, several cars were disqualified due to illegal wastegate...
that more than the traditional 33 cars comprised the field. The debacle was a public relations black-eye, but the officials were applauded in the media for rightfully adding the cars back to the grid. The 25/8 rule was from that point abandoned, and would not be used in 1998.
Final practice
The final scheduled practice session was scheduled for Thursday May 22. 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...
blew an engine, while three other cars experiences mechanical trouble. 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...
turned the fastest lap of the day, at 215.502 mph.
Polesitter Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
completed only two laps at speed, using the session mostly as a system check exercise.
Pit Stop Contest
The Coors Indy Pit Stop Challenge for 1997 featured eight teams competing for a $40,000 top prize. Galles RacingGalles Racing
Galles Racing is a former auto racing team owned by Rick Galles that competed in the CART series, Can-Am and Indy Racing League, winning the 1990 CART Championship and 1992 Indianapolis 500 with driver Al Unser, Jr..-Early years:...
and driver 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. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest...
defeated Team Cheever with driver/owner 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 the finals.
System check runs
On Saturday May 24, the day before the race, arrangements were made for a special practice session. Due to the new engine package, some teams had requested additional track time for system check runs. A very brief green light period, with a 190 mph speed limit, was conducted for five cars.Sunday May 25
The race was originally scheduled for 11 a.m. EST on Sunday May 25. Rain in the morning delayed the activities, but the skies appeared to lighten, and the cars were placed in the grid at 11:45 a.m. At 12 noon, the skies opened up, and heavy rain began to fall. The cars were wheeled back to the garage area.At 1:30 p.m., track officials rescheduled the race for Monday.
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...
, driving for Felix Sabates
Felix Sabates
Felix Sabates is an entrepreneur and philanthropist living in the United States. He is currently a minority shareholder in Chip Ganassi Racing, which fields teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series , GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the IZOD IndyCar Series...
' SABCO Racing, had planned on driving the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
"double duty." At 1:45 p.m., Gordon left the grounds, and flew to Charlotte
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
.
Monday May 26
On Memorial DayMemorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
, Monday May 26, the race was scheduled for 11 a.m. EST. Skies were partly cloudy in the morning, but there was no rain at the time. The pre-race ceremonies were held on-time, but some subtle changes were made. The Purdue Band
Purdue All-American Marching Band
The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is the marching band of Purdue University. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is the primary source of auxiliary entertainment for Purdue University football games...
was unable to return for Monday, and therefore Florence Henderson
Florence Henderson
Florence Agnes Henderson is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her role of Carol Brady on the ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974...
's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
" was done a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
. In addition, "Taps
Taps
"Taps" is a musical piece sounded by the U.S. military nightly to indicate that it is "lights out". The tune is also sometimes known as "Butterfields Lullaby", or by the lyrics of its second verse, "Day is Done". It is also played during flag ceremonies and funerals, generally on bugle or trumpet...
" was played by a local musician as a substitute. The most noteworthy change, however, was the absence of Jim Nabors
Jim Nabors
James Thurston "Jim" Nabors is an American actor and singer. Born and raised in Sylacauga, Alabama, Nabors moved to Southern California because of his asthma. While working at a Santa Monica nightclub, The Horn, he was discovered by Andy Griffith and later joined The Andy Griffith Show, playing...
. He had left the grounds Sunday night, and was not present to sing the traditional "Back Home Again in Indiana
Back Home Again in Indiana
" Indiana" is a song composed by Ballard MacDonald and James F. Hanley, first published in January of 1917. While it is not the official state song of the U.S...
." At his request, a recording from a previous year was played for the fans. 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...
followed, officially taking over the family tradition (from her mother Mary F. Hulman
Mary Fendrich Hulman
Mary Fendrich Hulman was the wife of the late Indiana industrialist Anton "Tony" Hulman, Jr. and matriarch of the Hulman-George family which today controls Hulman & Co., the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League.-Early life:Born in Evansville, Indiana, Mary was the daughter of...
) of delivering the starting command.
On the first parade lap, Dr. Jack Miller
Jack Miller (driver)
Jack Miller , usually known as Dr. Jack Miller, raced in the Indy Racing League from 1997 to 2001 and the Indianapolis 500 from 1997 to 1999. Miller is a dentist and, thus, was known as "the racing dentist." His best IRL finish was a 9th in 1998 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His best finish in the Indy...
got sideways with cold tires and nearly spun in turn 4. He continued, and rejoined the field. On the final pace lap, all three cars of the fifth row, Stéphan Grégoire
Stephan Gregoire
Stéphan Grégoire is a French race car driver. Currently living in Carmel, Ind.Gregoire is a veteran of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex Sports Car Series, the Indianapolis 500, and the Indy Racing League. He made 44 IRL starts between 1996 and 2001 with a best finish of 2nd at Pikes Peak...
, Affonso Giaffone
Affonso Giaffone
Affonso Giaffone , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. His family has closed relation with auto racing; he is a cousin of Felipe Giaffone, an ex-IRL driver, and a cousin-in-law of Rubens Barrichello...
, and 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. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest...
came together, and crashed in turn 4. Meanwhile, Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt
Sam Schmidt is a former Indy Racing League driver and current IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner....
and Alessandro Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri
Alessandro Zampedri is an Italian race car driver. He started three Indy 500s .Zampedri was seriously injured in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, suffering severe foot and leg injuries on the last lap of the race. While running fourth, Zampedri was collected in a crash with Roberto Guerrero and Eliseo...
ducked into the pits with mechanical trouble. Robbie Groff
Robbie Groff
Robbie Groff , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and CART Championship Car series and is brother of Mike Groff. He raced in the 1994 CART season and 1997-1998 IRL seasons with 9 combined starts...
stalled on the backstretch, and was restarted in the pits. In total, five cars were out of the race before the green flag. The crash delayed the start by five extra pace laps.
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...
took the lead when the race finally got underway. On the 10th lap, the yellow came out due to a blown engine by Claude Bourbonnais
Claude Bourbonnais
Claude Bourbonnais , is a former driver in the Toyota Atlantic, Indy Lights, and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1994 CART series with 5 starts...
. Moments later, a light drizzle started falling around the track. On lap 15, the rain was falling harder, and the race was red flagged.
With rain continuing to fall, the cars returned to the garage area at 12:30 p.m., and fans began to leave the grounds. The race had to go at least 101 laps to be considered official. With only 15 laps completed, the race would have to be resumed when the officials deemed appropriate. After negotiations between Speedway officials, series officials, and television executives, the decision was made at 2:15 p.m. to resume the race at lap 16 the following day, Tuesday May 27 at 11 a.m. The arrangement differed from a similar situation during the 1986 race
1986 Indianapolis 500
The 70th Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Saturday, May 31, 1986. After being rained out on May 25–26, the race was rescheduled for the following weekend...
. Many expected the conclusion of the race to be postponed until Saturday (May 31). However, officials agreed that due to the upcoming race at Texas, and the good forecast for Tuesday, it was in the best interest to finish the race as soon as possible.
Tuesday May 27
With skies finally clearing, the race finally was able to get underway. 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...
delivered the "re-start" command at 11 a.m., and the race resumed at lap 16. Of the 35 qualifiers, 29 cars lined up single-file for the restart. The grandstands were only partially full, and it marked the first time since 1973 that the race was held mid-week. ABC-TV
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 division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
made a special arrangement to cover the race live as planned.
Re-start
The race picked up single-file from the pits at lap 16. The first two laps were run under caution as warm-up laps, however, they counted towards the race total. On lap 18, the green flag came out with Tony StewartTony 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...
resuming the lead.
On the first green lap of 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...
was racing down the backstretch and suddenly veered to the warm-up lane in turn three. He stopped the car, which was on fire. Gordon jumped out of the car with his driver's suit burning, and began rolling vigorously
Stop, drop and roll
Stop, drop and roll is a simple fire safety technique taught to children, emergency services personnel and industrial workers as a component of health and safety training....
in the grass to put the fire out. The caution came out as crews put out the fire, and towed the car back to the pits. Gordon would drop out of the race.
As the field looked to go back to green on lap 23, four cars tangled in turn 4, causing mostly cosmetic damage, and prolonged the yellow until lap 28. Mark Dismore
Mark Dismore
Mark Dismore is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney's All American Racers in a Toyota GTP car with co-drivers Rocky Moran and P. J. Jones...
was the only car of the four unable to continue. The first significant green flag racing of the week finally began at lap 28.
First half
Tony StewartTony 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...
led Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl is a former Indy Racing League competitor and current team-owner, with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team in the IRL's IndyCar Series...
leading up to the 40-lap (100-mile) mark. Also in the top five were Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
, 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...
, and rookie Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
. The first series of green flag pit stops began on lap 50. After the field shuffled through pitting, 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...
was back in the lead with Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
second.
Jim Guthrie brought out the yellow on lap 59 due to an engine failure. On the restart, Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
got the jump and passed Tony Stewart for the lead. Deeper in the field, Steve Kinser
Steve Kinser
Steve Kinser , is a professional sprint car racer. He has won 20 championships in the World of Outlaws series, and currently drives the #11 Bass Pro Shops car. Kinser left the World of Outlaws in 2006 to compete with the National Sprint Tour series, but returned to the World of Outlaws for the...
hit Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar
Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela is a Chilean racing driver, and the only one of his countrymen to compete in Formula One. He participated in 37 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix scoring a total of three championship points...
in the rear, damaging Salazar's suspension.
Another sequence of green flag pit stops around laps 85-90 saw Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
and 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...
again emerge as 1-2.
By the halfway point, several cars had dropped out. 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....
and 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...
were out with mechanical failures, and Roberto Guerrero
Roberto Guerrero
Roberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982...
was sidelined with a damaged suspension.
Second half
On lap 114, Billy RoeBilly Roe
Billy Roe , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1997-1998 and 2000-2002 seasons with 16 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His best IRL finish was a 12th place at Nashville Speedway in 2001. In the 1997 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race, he fielded his own car...
and Paul Durant
Paul Durant
Paul Durant , is a former driver American racecar driver from San Diego, California.He first excelled in modified stock car racing, winning a number of regional championships. He then competed in the USAC Silver Crown Series in 1994...
crashed in turn 3. On lap 137, Dr. Jack Miller
Jack Miller (driver)
Jack Miller , usually known as Dr. Jack Miller, raced in the Indy Racing League from 1997 to 2001 and the Indianapolis 500 from 1997 to 1999. Miller is a dentist and, thus, was known as "the racing dentist." His best IRL finish was a 9th in 1998 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His best finish in the Indy...
wrecked in the south chute. The lead was trading among Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
, 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...
, and Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl
Robbie Buhl is a former Indy Racing League competitor and current team-owner, with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team in the IRL's IndyCar Series...
. Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
and 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...
were also in contention.
On a lap 142 restart, Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
moved into the lead. He pulled out to a 4-second lead over Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
over the next 20 laps.
Tyce Carlson
Tyce Carlson
Brendyn "Tyce" Carlson , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He raced in the 1996-2002 seasons with 30 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His 2 career IndyCar top ten finishes both came at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the 1999 and 2000 races...
brought out the yellow on lap 164 after a spin in turn 2. The yellow sent the leaders to the pits. 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...
stalled his engine, and fell down to in the standings. Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
came back out in the lead, with 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...
second. 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...
had worked his way up to third, and Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
still held on to the top 5.
With 20 laps to go, Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
continued to lead, and 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...
had climbed back up to second. With a 13-second lead, Ward was in need of one final splash-and-go fuel stop before the finish.
Controversial finish
With eleven laps to go, Steve KinserSteve Kinser
Steve Kinser , is a professional sprint car racer. He has won 20 championships in the World of Outlaws series, and currently drives the #11 Bass Pro Shops car. Kinser left the World of Outlaws in 2006 to compete with the National Sprint Tour series, but returned to the World of Outlaws for the...
crashed, and collected Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award...
. The ensuing caution flag saw leader Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
, who knew he could not make it to the finish on fuel, head to the pits. The shuffle saw Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
emerge into the lead, with his teammate 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...
running second.
The green flag came back out on lap 194. Only one lap was completed under green before the yellow came out for debris. The caution period was quick, and lasted only two laps. Luyendyk still led as the green came back out at the conclusion of lap 197 (three laps to go).
As Luyendyk and Goodyear crossed the start/finish line to complete lap 198 (two laps to go), 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...
brushed the wall in turn 4. The car was not seriously damaged, and Stewart continued. However, USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
still brought out the yellow. The pace car did not enter the track to pick up the leader, as was the normal procedure.
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
guided his teammate 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...
(second place), and the rest of the field around at a slow pace. As the cars came out of turn four, they anticipated seeing the white flag (indicating one lap to go), and it was clear to them the race would finish under caution. Without any warning, USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
officials suddenly displayed the white and green flag at the starter's stand, and the race was back underway. A startled Luyendyk, running about 85 mph, hastily dropped a gear, and punched the throttle to accelerate. The entire field was caught off-guard, and to make matters worse, the yellow caution lights around the track remained illuminated. The confusion made some drivers unsure if the green flag was in error, and if the conditions were safe to race.
Most of the cars, including Goodyear hesitated, and the yellow lights around the track did not go off until the leaders were on the backstretch. The botched restart prevented any significant challenge by Goodyear, and Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
cruised around the final lap to take the victory. It was Luyendyk's second Indy 500 win, and he became the 16th driver to win from the pole position.
Results
| Finish | Start | No | Name | Qual | Rank | C | E | T | Laps | Status | Entrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 5 |  Arie LuyendykArie Luyendyk Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500.... (W) |
218.263 | 1 | G | O | F | 200 | Running | Treadway Racing Treadway Racing Treadway Racing is a former auto racing team that competed in the early seasons of the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. The team was owned by Indianapolis business man Fred Treadway. Prior to the IRL's inaugural season in 1996, Treadway was able to sign former Indianapolis 500 Champion Arie... |
| 2 | 5 | 6 |  Scott GoodyearScott 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... |
215.811 | 5 | G | O | F | 200 | Running | Treadway Racing Treadway Racing Treadway Racing is a former auto racing team that competed in the early seasons of the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. The team was owned by Indianapolis business man Fred Treadway. Prior to the IRL's inaugural season in 1996, Treadway was able to sign former Indianapolis 500 Champion Arie... |
| 3 | 7 | 52 |  Jeff WardJeff Ward (motocross) Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship... (R) |
214.517 | 9 | G | O | G | 200 | Running | Team Cheever |
| 4 | 10 | 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) |
214.286 | 12 | D | O | F | 200 | Running | 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... |
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 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... |
218.021 | 2 | G | O | F | 200 | Running | Team Menard Team Menard Team Menard was an auto racing team in the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League owned by John Menard. From 1991 to 1996 they modified their own Buick V6 engines for racing. This combination won pole for the 500 with Scott Brayton in 1995 and 1996; Tony Stewart used this combination for the first... |
| 6 | 8 | 14 | Davey Hamilton Davey Hamilton Davey Jay Hamilton is a race car driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He has made 50 series starts and while never winning a race, finished second 3 times... |
214.483 | 10 | G | O | G | 199 | Running | A.J. Foyt Enterprises |
| 7 | 22 | 11 | Billy Boat Billy Boat William "Billy" Leonard Boat is a former American open wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.... (R) |
215.544 | 6 | D | O | G | 199 | Running | A.J. Foyt Enterprises |
| 8 | 4 | 3 | Robbie Buhl Robbie Buhl Robbie Buhl is a former Indy Racing League competitor and current team-owner, with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team in the IRL's IndyCar Series... |
216.102 | 4 | G | O | F | 199 | Running | Team Menard Team Menard Team Menard was an auto racing team in the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Racing League owned by John Menard. From 1991 to 1996 they modified their own Buick V6 engines for racing. This combination won pole for the 500 with Scott Brayton in 1995 and 1996; Tony Stewart used this combination for the first... |
| 9 | 21 | 30 | Robbie Groff Robbie Groff Robbie Groff , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and CART Championship Car series and is brother of Mike Groff. He raced in the 1994 CART season and 1997-1998 IRL seasons with 9 combined starts... (R) |
207.792 | 33 | G | O | G | 197 | Running | McCormack Motorsports McCormack Motorsports McCormack Motorsports is a former Indy Racing League team owned by Dennis McCormack that operated from 1996 to 2001. Based in Avon, Indiana, the team debuted at the 1996 Indianapolis 500 with a car for Randy Tolsma, however, it failed to make the field. For the 1996-1997 season, the team used 3... |
| 10 | 29 | 33 |  Fermín VelezFermín Vélez Fermín Vélez was a Spanish sports car racing driver, two-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring and two-time World Sportscar Championship Group C2 champion.... |
206.512 | 36 | D | O | G | 195 | Running | Team Scandia Team Scandia Team Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"... |
| 11 | 16 | 12 | Buzz Calkins Buzz Calkins Bradley "Buzz" Calkins is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley Motorsports team purchased a 1995 Reynard chassis to compete in the inaugural season of the IRL... |
209.564 | 22 | G | O | G | 188 | Half Shaft | Bradley Motorsports Bradley Motorsports Bradley Motorsports was a racing team in the Indy Racing League owned by Colorado convenience store owner Brad Calkins. His son, Buzz Calkins, drove the bright red cars shod in the livery of Bradley Food Marts, Brad Calkins' company. Bradley won the first IRL race in 1996 at Walt Disney World... |
| 12 | 18 | 10 | Mike Groff Mike Groff Mike Groff is a former race car driver in CART and the Indy Racing League and the 1989 Indy Lights champion. He made 54 starts in CART beginning in 1990 with a best finish of 6th, occurring at Phoenix International Raceway in 1994... |
208.537 | 32 | G | I | G | 188 | Running | Johnanthan Byrd/Cunningham Racing |
| 13 | 34 | 90 | Lyn St. James Lyn St. James Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award... |
210.146 | 27 | D | I | F | 186 | Accident T4 | 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... |
| 14 | 20 | 44 | Steve Kinser Steve Kinser Steve Kinser , is a professional sprint car racer. He has won 20 championships in the World of Outlaws series, and currently drives the #11 Bass Pro Shops car. Kinser left the World of Outlaws in 2006 to compete with the National Sprint Tour series, but returned to the World of Outlaws for the... (R) |
210.793 | 24 | D | O | F | 185 | Accident T4 | Sinden Racing Services |
| 15 | 28 | 54 | Dennis Vitolo Dennis Vitolo Dennis Vitolo , is a former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1988 and 1991-1999 seasons with 36 career starts, including the 1994 Indianapolis 500. He was involved in a notorious pit-lane crash in that race, taking out reigning CART champion Nigel Mansell... |
207.625 | 34 | D | I | F | 173 | Running | Beck Motorsports |
| 16 | 27 | 22 |  Marco GrecoMarco Greco Marco Greco is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League from 1996 to 1999. His best finish in the season points was 4th in 1997. He made four starts in the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of 14th in 1998... |
210.322 | 26 | D | O | G | 166 | Gear Box | Team Scandia Team Scandia Team Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"... |
| 17 | 3 | 8 |  Vincenzo SospiriVincenzo Sospiri - Early career :Sospiri started racing in the Italian 100CC Karting Championships at the age of 15. He spent a long time working his way through the karting ladder, eventually becoming World Karting Champion in 1987. Sospiri then progressed to Formula Ford, before working through to Formula 3000 in... (R) |
216.822 | 3 | D | O | G | 163 | Running | Team Scandia Team Scandia Team Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"... |
| 18 | 35 | 9 | Johnny Unser Johnny Unser Johnny Unser is a former race car driver. He is the son of open wheel driver Jerry Unser, cousin of Al Unser, Jr. and Robby Unser, nephew of Al Unser and Bobby Unser, and first cousin once removed of Alfred Unser. He made 5 starts in CART in 1993 and 1994 with a best result of 15th... |
209.344 | 28 | D | I | F | 158 | Oil Press | 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... |
| 19 | 26 | 18 | Tyce Carlson Tyce Carlson Brendyn "Tyce" Carlson , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He raced in the 1996-2002 seasons with 30 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His 2 career IndyCar top ten finishes both came at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the 1999 and 2000 races... (R) |
210.852 | 23 | D | O | G | 156 | Accident T2 | 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... |
| 20 | 17 | 40 | Dr. Jack Miller Jack Miller (driver) Jack Miller , usually known as Dr. Jack Miller, raced in the Indy Racing League from 1997 to 2001 and the Indianapolis 500 from 1997 to 1999. Miller is a dentist and, thus, was known as "the racing dentist." His best IRL finish was a 9th in 1998 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His best finish in the Indy... (R) |
209.250 | 29 | D | I | F | 131 | Accident T3 | Arizona Motorsports |
| 21 | 33 | 1 | Paul Durant Paul Durant Paul Durant , is a former driver American racecar driver from San Diego, California.He first excelled in modified stock car racing, winning a number of regional championships. He then competed in the USAC Silver Crown Series in 1994... |
209.149 | 30 | D | O | G | 111 | Accident T3 | A.J. Foyt Enterprises |
| 22 | 24 | 50 | Billy Roe Billy Roe Billy Roe , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1997-1998 and 2000-2002 seasons with 16 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His best IRL finish was a 12th place at Nashville Speedway in 2001. In the 1997 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race, he fielded his own car... (R) |
212.752 | 18 | D | O | F | 110 | Accident T3 | EuroInternational Euromotorsport EuroInternational is a racing team owned by Antonio Ferrari, formerly known as Euromotorsport.-History:It was formerly known as Euromotorsport when it competed in the CART Indy Car World Series, often fielding a number of European pay drivers, from 1989 to 1994. The team's best finish was 4th... |
| 23 | 11 | 51 | 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... |
214.073 | 13 | D | O | G | 84 | Timing Chain | Team Cheever |
| 24 | 9 | 7 |  Eliseo SalazarEliseo Salazar Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela is a Chilean racing driver, and the only one of his countrymen to compete in Formula One. He participated in 37 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix scoring a total of three championship points... |
214.320 | 11 | D | O | G | 70 | Accident T2 | Team Scandia Team Scandia Team Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"... |
| 25 | 30 | 97 | 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.... (R) |
213.760 | 14 | D | O | F | 48 | Water Pump | Knapp Motorsports |
| 26 | 6 | 27 | Jim Guthrie |
215.207 | 7 | D | O | F | 43 | Engine | Team Blueprint Racing |
| 27 | 19 | 21 |  Roberto GuerreroRoberto Guerrero Roberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982... |
207.371 | 35 | D | I | G | 25 | Steering | Pagan Racing Pagan Racing -CART Indy 500 entries:The team was founded in 1993 when the team purchased the CART IndyCar equipment of Kenny Bernstein's King Racing. The team fielded a car for Jeff Andretti for the 1993 Indianapolis 500 who finished 29th after a crash. The following year they signed veteran Roberto Guerrero to... |
| 28 | 25 | 28 | Mark Dismore Mark Dismore Mark Dismore is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney's All American Racers in a Toyota GTP car with co-drivers Rocky Moran and P. J. Jones... |
212.423 | 19 | D | O | G | 24 | Accident T4 | 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... |
| 29 | 12 | 42 | 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... |
213.211 | 15 | G | O | G | 19 | Fire | Team SABCO |
| 30 | 32 | 72 | Claude Bourbonnais Claude Bourbonnais Claude Bourbonnais , is a former driver in the Toyota Atlantic, Indy Lights, and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1994 CART series with 5 starts... (R) |
210.523 | 25 | D | O | F | 9 | Engine | Team Blueprint Racing |
| 31 | 13 | 77 |  Stéphane Grégoire |
213.126 | 16 | G | O | G | 0 | Accident T4 | Chastain Motorsports Chastain Motorsports Chastain Motorsports is a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Indianapolis businessman Tom Chastain. The team was founded in 1997 and raced until 1998 with driver Stephan Gregoire. Gregoire finished 11th in driver points in '97 and 12th in '98 with a best race finish of 2nd at Pikes Peak... |
| 32 | 14 | 17 | Affonso Giaffone Affonso Giaffone Affonso Giaffone , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. His family has closed relation with auto racing; he is a cousin of Felipe Giaffone, an ex-IRL driver, and a cousin-in-law of Rubens Barrichello... (R) |
212.974 | 17 | D | O | G | 0 | Accident T4 | Chitwood Motorsports |
| 33 | 15 | 4 |  Kenny BräckKenny 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. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest... (R) |
211.221 | 20 | G | O | G | 0 | Accident T4 | Galles Racing Galles Racing Galles Racing is a former auto racing team owned by Rick Galles that competed in the CART series, Can-Am and Indy Racing League, winning the 1990 CART Championship and 1992 Indianapolis 500 with driver Al Unser, Jr..-Early years:... |
| 34 | 23 | 16 | Sam Schmidt Sam Schmidt Sam Schmidt is a former Indy Racing League driver and current IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner.... (R) |
215.141 | 8 | D | O | F | 0 | Engine | Team Blueprint Racing |
| 35 | 31 | 34 | Alessandro Zampedri Alessandro Zampedri Alessandro Zampedri is an Italian race car driver. He started three Indy 500s .Zampedri was seriously injured in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, suffering severe foot and leg injuries on the last lap of the race. While running fourth, Zampedri was collected in a crash with Roberto Guerrero and Eliseo... |
211.757 | 21 | D | O | G | 0 | Oil Leak | Team Scandia Team Scandia Team Scandia was a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Andrew L. Evans that fielded a record 7 cars in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. Evans bought the team from Dick Simon during the 1996 season and Simon was listed as the owners of some of Scandia's cars in the 1996 "500"... |
- (W) - Former Indianapolis 500 winner
- (R) - Indianapolis 500 rookie
- C ChassisChassisA 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=DallaraDallaraDallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993...
, G=G-ForceG-Force TechnologiesG-Force Technologies was a racing car manufacturer based in England and formed by Chip Ganassi and Ken Anderson in 1991. Ganassi would leave the company early on and the company was renamed G Force Precision Engineering. The company built successful cars in the Indy Racing League and 24 Hours of... - E EngineEngineAn 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...
: I=InfinitiInfinitiis the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional...
, O=OldsmobileOldsmobileOldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory... - T TireTireA tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
: F=Firestone, G=Goodyear
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aftermath
After the 25/8 qualifying controversy, rain delays, and bungling of the final lap by the officials, as well as the scrapping of the split-calendar IRL schedule, the 1997 Indy 500 represented a relative low-point for the then-fledgling IRL. The high attrition exposed growing pains for the new chassis and engine formula. The battle of the engine suppliers was completely one-sided, as OldsmobileOldsmobile Aurora
The Oldsmobile Aurora was a full-size sports sedan made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and launched in 1995. The Aurora rode on the same Cadillac-derived G platform as the 2-door Buick Riviera....
dominated, taking the top 12 finishing positions. Infiniti
Infiniti
is the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional...
saw no cars in contention during most of the race.
The race also marked the end of the IRL's lucrative initial exclusive contract with 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 division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
, which was not renewed in its entirely. While the Indy 500 itself would remain on ABC
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 division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
, only a handful of other races would stay on the network for several years to come.
The first move to make amends was to drop the 25/8 rule permanently. Two weeks later at Texas Motor Speedway
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....
, during the inaugural True Value 500, the increasing dissatisfaction with USAC's
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
officiating hit the boiling point. A malfunction in the electronic scoring system scored Billy Boat
Billy Boat
William "Billy" Leonard Boat is a former American open wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League....
as the winner of the race. Meanwhile, Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
stormed victory lane, claiming he was robbed of the victory. The following day, the error was discovered, and was another black mark on USAC's record. Two weeks later, USAC was officially relieved of the duty of sanctioing the IRL
IndyCar Series
The IZOD 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...
, and was replaced by an in-house effort.
Starting grid
| Row | Inside | Middle | Outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 - Arie Luyendyk Arie Luyendyk Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500.... (W) |
2 - 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... |
8 - Vincenzo Sospiri Vincenzo Sospiri - Early career :Sospiri started racing in the Italian 100CC Karting Championships at the age of 15. He spent a long time working his way through the karting ladder, eventually becoming World Karting Champion in 1987. Sospiri then progressed to Formula Ford, before working through to Formula 3000 in... (R) |
| 2 | 3 - Robbie Buhl Robbie Buhl Robbie Buhl is a former Indy Racing League competitor and current team-owner, with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team in the IRL's IndyCar Series... |
6 - 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... |
27 - Jim Guthrie |
| 3 | 52 - Jeff Ward Jeff Ward (motocross) Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship... (R) |
14 - Davey Hamilton Davey Hamilton Davey Jay Hamilton is a race car driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He has made 50 series starts and while never winning a race, finished second 3 times... |
7 - Eliseo Salazar Eliseo Salazar Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela is a Chilean racing driver, and the only one of his countrymen to compete in Formula One. He participated in 37 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix scoring a total of three championship points... |
| 4 | 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) |
51 - 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... |
42 - 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... |
| 5 | 77 - Stéphane Grégoire |
17 - Affonso Giaffone Affonso Giaffone Affonso Giaffone , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. His family has closed relation with auto racing; he is a cousin of Felipe Giaffone, an ex-IRL driver, and a cousin-in-law of Rubens Barrichello... (R) |
4 - 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. He survived one of the racing sport's biggest... (R) |
| 6 | 12 - Buzz Calkins Buzz Calkins Bradley "Buzz" Calkins is a former Indy Racing League driver. After a successful run in Indy Lights from 1993 to 1995 where he finished 11th, 10th, and 6th in his three seasons, he and his Bradley Motorsports team purchased a 1995 Reynard chassis to compete in the inaugural season of the IRL... |
40 - Dr. Jack Miller Jack Miller (driver) Jack Miller , usually known as Dr. Jack Miller, raced in the Indy Racing League from 1997 to 2001 and the Indianapolis 500 from 1997 to 1999. Miller is a dentist and, thus, was known as "the racing dentist." His best IRL finish was a 9th in 1998 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. His best finish in the Indy... (R) |
10 - Mike Groff Mike Groff Mike Groff is a former race car driver in CART and the Indy Racing League and the 1989 Indy Lights champion. He made 54 starts in CART beginning in 1990 with a best finish of 6th, occurring at Phoenix International Raceway in 1994... |
| 7 | 21 - Roberto Guerrero Roberto Guerrero Roberto José Guerrero Isaza is a former racing driver from Colombia. He participated in 29 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 23 January 1982... |
44 - Steve Kinser Steve Kinser Steve Kinser , is a professional sprint car racer. He has won 20 championships in the World of Outlaws series, and currently drives the #11 Bass Pro Shops car. Kinser left the World of Outlaws in 2006 to compete with the National Sprint Tour series, but returned to the World of Outlaws for the... (R) |
30 - Robbie Groff Robbie Groff Robbie Groff , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and CART Championship Car series and is brother of Mike Groff. He raced in the 1994 CART season and 1997-1998 IRL seasons with 9 combined starts... (R) |
| 8 | 11 - Billy Boat Billy Boat William "Billy" Leonard Boat is a former American open wheel driver who raced in the Indy Racing League.... (R) |
16 - Sam Schmidt Sam Schmidt Sam Schmidt is a former Indy Racing League driver and current IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series team owner.... (R) |
50 - Billy Roe Billy Roe Billy Roe , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. He raced in the 1997-1998 and 2000-2002 seasons with 16 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His best IRL finish was a 12th place at Nashville Speedway in 2001. In the 1997 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race, he fielded his own car... (R) |
| 9 | 28 - Mark Dismore Mark Dismore Mark Dismore is a former driver in the Indy Racing League and the 1990 Toyota Pacific champion as well as the winner of the 1993 24 Hours of Daytona with Dan Gurney's All American Racers in a Toyota GTP car with co-drivers Rocky Moran and P. J. Jones... |
18 - Tyce Carlson Tyce Carlson Brendyn "Tyce" Carlson , is a former driver in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. He raced in the 1996-2002 seasons with 30 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500. His 2 career IndyCar top ten finishes both came at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the 1999 and 2000 races... (R) |
22 - Marco Greco Marco Greco Marco Greco is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and race car driver who competed in the Indy Racing League from 1996 to 1999. His best finish in the season points was 4th in 1997. He made four starts in the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of 14th in 1998... |
| 10 | 54 - Dennis Vitolo Dennis Vitolo Dennis Vitolo , is a former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1988 and 1991-1999 seasons with 36 career starts, including the 1994 Indianapolis 500. He was involved in a notorious pit-lane crash in that race, taking out reigning CART champion Nigel Mansell... |
33 - Fermín Velez Fermín Vélez Fermín Vélez was a Spanish sports car racing driver, two-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring and two-time World Sportscar Championship Group C2 champion.... |
97 - 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.... (R) |
| 11 | 34 - Alessandro Zampedri Alessandro Zampedri Alessandro Zampedri is an Italian race car driver. He started three Indy 500s .Zampedri was seriously injured in the 1996 Indianapolis 500, suffering severe foot and leg injuries on the last lap of the race. While running fourth, Zampedri was collected in a crash with Roberto Guerrero and Eliseo... |
72 - Claude Bourbonnais Claude Bourbonnais Claude Bourbonnais , is a former driver in the Toyota Atlantic, Indy Lights, and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1994 CART series with 5 starts... (R) |
1 - Paul Durant Paul Durant Paul Durant , is a former driver American racecar driver from San Diego, California.He first excelled in modified stock car racing, winning a number of regional championships. He then competed in the USAC Silver Crown Series in 1994... |
| 12 | 90 - Lyn St. James Lyn St. James Lyn St. James is a retired professional IndyCar driver with 8 CART and 5 Indy Racing League starts to her name. She is just one of seven women who successfully qualified for the Indianapolis 500, and became the first woman to win the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award... |
9 - Johnny Unser Johnny Unser Johnny Unser is a former race car driver. He is the son of open wheel driver Jerry Unser, cousin of Al Unser, Jr. and Robby Unser, nephew of Al Unser and Bobby Unser, and first cousin once removed of Alfred Unser. He made 5 starts in CART in 1993 and 1994 with a best result of 15th... |
- Green indicates the two cars reinstated to the field by the officials after the close of time trials
- Yellow indicates the driver dropped out during the pace laps, and did not start the race
Failed to qualify
Scott HarringtonScott Harrington
Scott Harrington is a former driver in the Indy Racing League. Starting out on two wheels, Harrington won a number of championships and achieved much success in the world of AMA Motocross and Supercross. In 1986 Sports Car Magazine picked Harrington as one of the three most promising drivers in...
(#36 G/O Johansson Motorsports) - wrecked during qualifying
Quotes
"And the green flag is being waved, the white and green flag are showing the race is on, the race is on Jerry Baker""What a sucker this is" - Bob Jenkins
Bob Jenkins
Bob Jenkins is an American television and radio sports announcer with NBC Sports Network, also known for his work at ABC and ESPN calling IndyCar and NASCAR telecasts. He is currently the lead commentator for the IndyCar Series on NBC Sports Network.-ESPN and ABC:Bob Jenkins was born in Richmond,...
and Jerry Baker
Jerry Baker
Jerry Baker is an American author, entrepreneur, public speaker, and product spokesperson who has written numerous books on gardening, home hints, and health topics...
calling the confusion of the final lap of the race for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network , is an in-house radio syndication arrangement which broadcasts the Indianapolis 500, IndyCar, and the Brickyard 400 to radio stations covering most of North America....
.
"Arie Luyendyk wins the 1997 Indianapolis 500, the 81st running of the edition by 7 tenths of a second" - Bob Jenkins
Bob Jenkins
Bob Jenkins is an American television and radio sports announcer with NBC Sports Network, also known for his work at ABC and ESPN calling IndyCar and NASCAR telecasts. He is currently the lead commentator for the IndyCar Series on NBC Sports Network.-ESPN and ABC:Bob Jenkins was born in Richmond,...
described the finish of the race for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.
"That's yellow out there, it's green again, what the fuck are they
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
doing?" - Race leader Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk
Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500....
on his two-way radio, regarding the confusing, controversial final lap.
"I'm not too sure about that last start by USAC there." - Bobby Unser
Bobby Unser
Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired U.S. automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser, Jerry Unser and Louie Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser...
calling the final lap of the race for ABC-TV
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 division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
.