Posted on 05/29/2011 9:25:20 AM PDT by archivist007
The Indianapolis 500 celebrates 100 years of competition Sunday. From the first winner, American Ray Harroun in something called a Marmon "Wasp," to the latest, Englishman Dario Franchitti, the Indy 500 has become the most famous race in the world.
This year, observers say it boasts the strongest 33-car field it has seen since the CART-Indy split in 1996. It’s a regular stop for the Izod IndyCar Series drivers, but the race also includes former champions and non-IndyCar regulars who are in a ride for one shot at glory at The Brickyard.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bostonherald.com ...
Hildebrand celebrated too early. Ahhhhhh. Noooooo
That was the worst. JR had it in the bag.
Wheldon is tired of being a ‘bridesmaid’ having finished 2nd a couple times. Kudos..
last lap rookie mistake. JR had it, just needed to ease up a bit.
rookie mistake passing that car like he did.. and bad spotting..
Someone in Wheldon’s crew just call him “the greatest driver in the history of this race.”
That guy badly needs a history lesson.
It’s the exuberance of the moment.
Just surviving 500 is a damn good act to pull off.
Winning it? even better. Kissing bricks and making history.
Heck of a tradition.
This will go on the highlight reel.
All that money lost and drinking the milk, etc.
bad spotting???? come off the throttle!!!! he had to know down the backstraight he had a three second lead....
and now , the milk..
Bottoms up!
What an ending.
Hildebrand will never live it down, ever.
I know.. he had it won,, and like more than a few racing here today, they’ll be back and not making that mistake again. Wheldon was patient and reaped the reward.
Wheldon interview - he’s taking his kids to Disney,, broke up a bit as he talked about his Mom and Alzheimers..
What a day!
and 600 more to go in Charlotte! :-]
JR said he went to the high side and hit the marbles, he knew the racers were pushing hard behind him.. he wasn’t letting off ..
He went and talked to his team before he went to medical after the crash. he looks OK.
if an American could not win this race i’m glad Wheldon did...he really appreciates this day and race and the fans....he also ran the National Guard car for a number of years and was always very supportive and appreciative of the American military...
glad franchitti did not win- his wife is a sickening elitist...
He ran a smart race.. glad to see him get it done.
as for elitist wife, for whatever reasons, Nascar wasn’t quite her cup of TEA. IRL can have her.
finish is being reviewed...after hildebrand crashed the yellow light came out- Whledon passed under the yellow light...you are not allowed to pass under the yellow light...Hildrebrand’s car crossed the line...should be interesting...
You are allowed to pass a wrecked car, lest you get wrecked by the car behind you.
someone should tell Mike King of IMS radio- thee best race commentator in America and voice of the IRL.... hejust said the protest of Panther racing/Hildebrand has validity...this may not be a done deal...
King gets a little excited and forgets to think.
not at all...they are still debating it on IMS and Gerry Baker (turn one analyst) says there are no clear cut rules about passing a leading car that’s been in an accident but not at a standstill as you inferred....its very subjective from here on out...
It would have been great, for the Memorial Day Race to be won by a military sponsored team, and by a rookie no less. Still, the rules are clear: you can’t pass on a yellow. How that applies to the one that caused the yellow I don’t know.
It’s not the spin and win of days passed. But in true military fashion, he kept his damaged machine in the battle.
Tough call.
All in all, a very fitting 100th anniversary race.
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