Freedom 100
Encyclopedia
The Firestone Freedom 100 is a Firestone Indy Lights Series auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
. It is currently held the Friday before the Indianapolis 500
. It is the biggest race for the Indy Lights Series and has much higher participation than many of the series' other races.
The race also holds a similar time trial to that of the Indianapolis 500
in which qualifying times are determined by an average of two laps.
In 2008, in the wake of the merger between IRL and Champ Car
, the series was renamed from Indy Pro Series to the Firestone Indy Lights Series. The new sponsorship extended to this race, renaming it the Firestone Freedom 100.
In 9 runnings, the race has been won 6 times from the pole
and 3 times from second starting position. Therefore, the race has always been won from the front row.
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....
. It is currently held the Friday before 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...
. It is the biggest race for the Indy Lights Series and has much higher participation than many of the series' other races.
The race also holds a similar time trial to that of 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...
in which qualifying times are determined by an average of two laps.
Race History
For the first two years, the race was held during the second weekend of Indianapolis 500 Time Trials, scheduled for Saturday, which was, at the time, used only for Indy 500 practice. The date proved to be unpopular and saw small crowds. In 2005, Carb Day, the final day of practice for the Indy 500, was moved from Thursday before the Indy 500 to Friday. Series officials moved the Freedom 100 to Carb Day, immediately following the Indy 500 practice session. The move proved popular with fans and competitors.In 2008, in the wake of the merger between IRL and Champ Car
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...
, the series was renamed from Indy Pro Series to the Firestone Indy Lights Series. The new sponsorship extended to this race, renaming it the Firestone Freedom 100.
In 9 runnings, the race has been won 6 times from the pole
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
and 3 times from second starting position. Therefore, the race has always been won from the front row.
Race Results
| Year | Date | Day | Winning Driver | Race Distance | Time of Race | Winning Speed | Starting Cars |
Lead Changes |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles | Laps | ||||||||
| 2003 2003 in IPS The 2003 IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series Season was the series' second. It consisted of 12 races and the champion was Mark Taylor who won 7 of 12 races and only suffered 2 DNF's and 1 DNS. All teams used Dallara chassis and Infiniti engines... |
May 17–18a | Sat.-Sun. |  Ed Carpenter |
100 | 40 | 55:02.1661 | 109.019 mph | 19 | 2 |
| 2004 2004 in IPS The 2004 Menards IRL Infiniti Pro Series Season was the series' third. It consisted of 12 races and the champion was Thiago Medeiros. All teams used Dallara chassis and Infiniti engines.-Calendar:Note:... |
May 22 | Saturday |  Thiago Medeiros |
100 | 40 | 42:16.4388 | 141.931 mph | 17 | 2 |
| 2005 2005 in IPS The 2005 Menards IRL Infiniti Pro Series Season was the series' fourth. It consisted of 14 races and the champion was Wade Cunningham. It was the first IPS season to include road course races. All teams used Dallara chassis and Infiniti engines.... |
May 27 | Friday | Jaime Camara Jaime Camara Jaime Camara is a Brazilian race car driver, who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series for Conquest Racing.-Indy Racing League:... |
100 | 40 | 40:52.6390 | 146.780 mph | 18 | 7 |
| 2006 2006 in IPS The 2006 Indy Racing League Indy Pro Series started the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 26th and finished September 9th at Chicagoland Speedway.-Miami 100:* Date: March 26* Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway... |
May 26 | Friday |  Wade CunninghamWade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
100 | 40 | 32:29.3233 | 184.679 mph | 19 | 0 |
| 2007 2007 in IPS The 2007 Indy Racing League Indy Pro Series started on Saturday March 24 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The season's premiere race is the Freedom 100 on May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The season finale was held at Chicagoland Speedway on September 9... |
May 25 | Friday |  Alex LloydAlex Lloyd (racing driver) Alex Stewart Lloyd is a British motor racing driver. He currently takes part in the IndyCar Series... |
100 | 40 | 46:39.6029 | 128.590 mph | 24 | 0 |
| 2008 2008 Indy Lights season The 2008 Indy Racing League Firestone Indy Lights Series season, formerly the Indy Pro Series, began on March 29, 2008 and consisted of 16 races. Due to the discontinuation of the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the series lost its Liberty Challenge double header... |
May 24b | Saturday | Dillon Battistini Dillon Battistini Dillon Battistini is an English-born racecar driver from Ewell.Battistini competed in various classes of karting before moving to cars in the Caterham R400 challenge in 2003. In 2006 and 2007 he raced in the Asian Formula Three Championship, finishing 4th his first year and winning the 2007 series... |
100 | 40 | 39:46.9495 | 150.820 mph | 27 | 4 |
| 2009 2009 Indy Lights season The 2009 Indy Racing League Firestone Indy Lights season began April 4 in St. Petersburg, Florida, where it ran a double-header weekend in support to the season-opening IndyCar Series event. The schedule will take place over 14 race weekends in support of the IndyCars, with 15 total races. Unlike... |
May 22 | Friday | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
100 | 40 | 50:42.2548 | 118.333 mph | 22 | 9 |
| 2010 2010 Indy Lights season The 2010 Indy Racing League Firestone Indy Lights season was the 25th Indy Lights season. It was contested over thirteen races beginning on March 28 on the streets of St... |
May 28 | Friday | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
100 | 40 | 39:55.4552 | 150.285 mph | 16 | 4 |
| 2011 2011 Indy Lights season The 2011 Indy Lights season is a season of open wheel motor racing in which cars' drivers will compete against each other using cars which conform to the Indy Lights set of motor racing regulations. It is the 26th season of the Indy Lights series and the tenth sanctioned by IndyCar where the... |
May 27 | Friday | Josef Newgarden Josef Newgarden Josef Newgarden is an American racing driver who competes in single seater formulae.-Karting:Newgarden drove a kart for the first time at the age of thirteen... |
100 | 40 | 55:38.9881 | 107.817 mph | 18 | 6 |
- a In 2003 the race started on Saturday May 17, but was halted by rain. It was completed the following day.
- b The 2008 race was scheduled for Friday May 23 but postponed one day due to rain.
Qualification Results
| Year | Date | Day | Pole Sitter / Fast Qualifier |
Pole 2-Lap Qualifying Time |
Pole Speed | Number of Qualifiers |
Slow Qualifier Speed |
Mean Qualifying Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | May 16 | Friday | Ed Carpenter |
01:35.4958 | 188.490 mph | 18 | 179.550 mph | 184.460 mph |
| 2004 | May 21 | Friday | Thiago Medeiros |
01:35.1000 | 189.274 mph | 17 | 178.100 mph | 186.302 mph |
| 2005 | May 26 | Thursday | Jaime Camara Jaime Camara Jaime Camara is a Brazilian race car driver, who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series for Conquest Racing.-Indy Racing League:... |
01:34.8018 | 189.870 mph | 17 | 168.816 mph | 184.892 mph |
| 2006 | May 25 | Thursday | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
01:36.5546 | 186.423 mph | 18 | 171.844 mph | 181.753 mph |
| 2007 | May 24 | Thursday |  Ken Losch |
01:35.6271 | 188.231 mph | 24 | 183.436 mph | 186.052 mph |
| 2008 | May 22 | Thursday | Dillon Battistini Dillon Battistini Dillon Battistini is an English-born racecar driver from Ewell.Battistini competed in various classes of karting before moving to cars in the Caterham R400 challenge in 2003. In 2006 and 2007 he raced in the Asian Formula Three Championship, finishing 4th his first year and winning the 2007 series... |
01:35.5430 | 188.397 mph | 27 | 178.497 mph | 186.196 mph |
| 2009 | May 21 | Thursday | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
01:34.6485 | 190.177 mph | 22 | 185.269 mph | 187.749 mph |
| 2010 | May 27 | Thursday | Pippa Mann Pippa Mann Philippa "Pippa" Mann is a British racing car driver, who is currently competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series. She was born in London, United Kingdom.- Career :... |
01:35.7505 | 187.989 mph | 15 | 183.479 mph | 185.988 mph |
| 2011 | May 26 | Thursday | Bryan Clauson Bryan Clauson Bryan Clauson, is an American auto racing driver. He went to Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana.-Career:... |
Grid set by entrant points due to rain. | ||||
Event Records
| Year | Driver | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest Race | 2006 | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
Time: 32:29.3233 | Speed: 184.679 mph | 100 Miles | 40 Laps |
| Fastest Qualification Run | 2009 | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
Time: 01:34.6485 | Speed: 190.177 mph | 5 Miles | 2 Laps |
| Fastest Qualifying Lap | 2009 | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
Time: 00:47.2549 | Speed: 190.456 mph | 2.5 Miles | 1 Lap |
| Fastest Race Lap | 2011 | Brandon Wagner Brandon Wagner Brandon Wagner is an American racing driver from Lafayette, Indiana. He is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and is currently enrolled at Purdue University.... |
Time: 00:46.8017 | Speed: 192.301 mph | 2.5 Miles | 1 Lap |
| Most Wins by a Driver | 2006; 2009; 2010 | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
3 Wins | |||
| Most Starts by a Driver | 2005 - 2010 | Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham Wade Cunningham is a racing driver from Auckland, New Zealand who has most notably competed in the Firestone Indy Lights Series.Cunningham's professional career began when he won the Karting World Championship in 2003.... |
6 Starts | |||
| Most Participants | 2008 | 27 Starting Drivers | ||||
Drivers
In the first nine years that this race has been contested, 110 drivers have participated:| Driver: | Starts: | Best Finish: | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | First | Latest | Position | Year | |
| Mishael Abbott | 2 | 2005 | 2006 | 11 | 2005 |
| Cyndie Allemann | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 26 | 2008 |
| Marco Andretti | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 16 | 2005 |
| Richard Antinucci | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 2 | 2008 |
| Chase Austin | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 9 | 2011 |
| Rodrigo Barbosa | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 12 | 2010 |
| Dillon Battistini | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 1 | 2008 |
| Matt Beardsley | 2 | 2003 | 2004 | 8 | 2004 |
| Ana Beatriz | 2 | 2008 | 2009 | 5 | 2008 |
| Jon Brownson | 2 | 2007 | 2008 | 9 | 2007 |
| Nick Bussell | 2 | 2006 | 2006 | 10 | 2006 |
| Jaime Camara | 3 | 2005 | 2007 | 1 | 2005 |
| Adrian Campos Jr. | 1 | 2010 | 2010 | 10 | 2010 |
| Victor Carbone | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 18 | 2011 |
| Tyce Carlson | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 15 | 2006 |
| Ed Carpenter | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 2003 |
| Cole Carter | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 18 | 2005 |
| James Chesson | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 18 | 2006 |
| Marco Cioci | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 9 | 2003 |
| Dan Clarke | 1 | 2010 | 2010 | 4 | 2010 |
| Bryan Clauson | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 5 | 2011 |
| Wade Cunningham | 6 | 2005 | 2010 | 1 | 2006; 2009; 2010 |
| Paul Dana | 2 | 2003 | 2004 | 7 | 2003 |
| James Davison | 2 | 2008 | 2009 | 6 | 2009 |
| Peter Dempsey | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 6 | 2011 |
| Geoff Dodge | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 8 | 2006 |
| Craig Dollansky | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 17 | 2003 |
| Pablo Donoso | 2 | 2008 | 2009 | 9 | 2009 |
| Jay Drake | 2 | 2004 | 2005 | 3 | 2005 |
| Brandon Erwin | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 11 | 2003 |
| Duarte Ferreira | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 13 | 2011 |
| Chris Festa | 4 | 2005 | 2008 | 2 | 2007 |
| Aaron Fike | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 6 | 2003 |
| Taylor Fletcher | 2 | 2004 | 2005 | 9 | 2005 |
| Juan Pablo Garcia | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 16 | 2011 |
| Victor Garcia | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 3 | 2011 |
| Phil Giebler | 2 | 2004 | 2006 | 5 | 2004 |
| Micky Gilbert | 2 | 2007 | 2008 | 15 | 2007 |
| Logan Gomez | 2 | 2007 | 2008 | 7 | 2008 |
| Jorge Goncalvez | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 11 | 2011 |
| Travis Gregg | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 6 | 2005 |
| Mikael Grenier | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 10 | 2011 |
| Esteban Guerrieri | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 2 | 2011 |
| Sean Guthrie | 3 | 2006 | 2008 | 11 | 2006 |
| Matthew Hamilton | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 13 | 2006 |
| Scott Harrington | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 12 | 2003 |
| Jon Herb | 3 | 2004 | 2006 | 13 | 2005 |
| Daniel Herrington | 1 | 2009 | 2009 | 7 | 2009 |
| J.R. Hildebrand | 2 | 2008 | 2009 | 2 | 2009 |
| James Hinchcliffe | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 3 | 2010 |
| Jay Howard | 2 | 2006 | 2009 | 2 | 2006 |
| Imran Husain | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 14 | 2005 |
| Ali Jackson | 1 | 2009 | 2009 | 19 | 2009 |
| Brad Jaeger | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 21 | 2007 |
| Shane Jantzi | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 18 | 2007 |
| Matt Jaskol | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 7 | 2007 |
| Ronnie Johncox | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 8 | 2003 |
| Ryan Justice | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 13 | 2007 |
| Charlie Kimball | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 2 | 2010 |
| Jonathan Klein | 2 | 2006 | 2007 | 6 | 2006 |
| Anders Krohn | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 12 | 2011 |
| Alex Lloyd | 2 | 2006 | 2007 | 1 | 2007 |
| Ken Losch | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 24 | 2007 |
| Arie Luyendyk Jr. | 4 | 2003 | 2010 | 3 | 2004 |
| Leonardo Maia | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 6 | 2004 |
| Philip Major | 1 | 2010 | 2010 | 6 | 2010 |
| Pippa Mann | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 16 | 2010 |
| Jesse Mason | 2 | 2004 | 2009 | 8 | 2009 |
| Raphael Matos | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 10 | 2008 |
| Thiago Medeiros | 2 | 2003 | 2004 | 1 | 2004 |
| Rusty Mitchell | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 7 | 2011 |
| Rocky Moran Jr. | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 17 | 2005 |
| Hideki Mutoh | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 5 | 2007 |
| Josef Newgarden | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 1 | 2011 |
| Mark Olson | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 25 | 2008 |
| David Ostella | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 8 | 2011 |
| Robbie Pecorari | 2 | 2007 | 2008 | 4 | 2008 |
| Gary Peterson | 2 | 2003 | 2004 | 13 | 2004 |
| Martin Plowman | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 5 | 2010 |
| Brad Pollard | 1 | 2004 | 2004 | 11 | 2004 |
| Mike Potekhen | 3 | 2007 | 2009 | 6 | 2007 |
| Andrew Prendeville | 3 | 2007 | 2009 | 4 | 2007 |
| Rolando Quintanilla | 2 | 2003 | 2004 | 10 | 2003 |
| German Quiroga | 1 | 2005 | 2005 | 10 | 2005 |
| Jonny Reid | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 20 | 2008 |
| Billy Roe | 2 | 2003 | 2004 | 9 | 2004 |
| Mario Romancini | 1 | 2009 | 2009 | 3 | 2009 |
| Marty Roth | 2 | 2004 | 2005 | 5 | 2005 |
| Sebastian Saavedra | 2 | 2009 | 2010 | 5 | 2009 |
| Joey Scarallo | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 20 | 2007 |
| Brent Sherman | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 16 | 2008 |
| Jeff Simmons | 5 | 2003 | 2010 | 2 | 2004 |
| Stephen Simpson | 1 | 2007 | 2007 | 14 | 2007 |
| Jake Slotten | 1 | 2008 | 2008 | 23 | 2008 |
| Junior Strous | 1 | 2009 | 2009 | 10 | 2009 |
| Jonathan Summerton | 1 | 2009 | 2009 | 12 | 2009 |
| Mark Taylor | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 3 | 2003 |
| Al Unser III | 3 | 2005 | 2008 | 4 | 2005 |
| Jonathan Urlin | 1 | 2003 | 2003 | 5 | 2003 |
| Brett Van Blankers | 1 | 2006 | 2006 | 14 | 2006 |
| JK Vernay | 1 | 2010 | 2010 | 13 | 2010 |
| Brandon Wagner | 3 | 2009 | 2011 | 8 | 2010 |
| Tom Wieringa | 3 | 2006 | 2008 | 12 | 2006 |
| Marc Williams | 2 | 2007 | 2008 | 15 | 2008 |
| Bobby Wilson | 3 | 2006 | 2008 | 6 | 2008 |
| Stefan Wilson | 2 | 2010 | 2011 | 4 | 2011 |
| James Winslow | 1 | 2011 | 2011 | 17 | 2011 |
| Cory Witherill | 2 | 2003 | 2004 | 2 | 2003 |
| Tom Wood | 3 | 2003 | 2006 | 9 | 2006 |
| Gustavo Yacaman | 3 | 2009 | 2011 | 11 | 2010 |