James Hitchcliffe takes Indy 500 pole after nearly fatal crash in 2015 Indy practice

22 May, 2016 | self (vanity)

[MtnClimber]

James Hitchcliffe recorded a four-lap average of almost 231 mph to take the pole position for the 100th running of the Indy 500. James suffered a terrible accident into the outside wall coming out of a corner hitting with the right-front tire. A suspension piece pierced the chassis and into James' right upper thigh.

[Big Red Badger]

Museum has a Basement,
that’s were the Good stuff is!

[hoosiermama]

They may have been some of who was with him on the trip Dad just comment how kind they were to mom who was the only woman at their table. Lots of laughs were apparently the rule of the table.

[freemama]

Josef Newgarden has P2 for the 500. My husband was there watching. Newgarden is a genuinely nice guy.

[Big Red Badger]

My old Pal is Team Manager there,quite a Rollercoaster life for sure.

[Charles Martel]

Yes, I’ve seen the basement. An old friend had family working at the raceway for years, I benefitted from the “insider” connections.

[freeandfreezing]

I got to watch Mario run in a USAC dirt track race in Nazareth PA - with everybody but one guy driving the traditional front engine roadsters, most if not all powered by the old Offenhauser engines. AJ Foyt also ran in the race if I recall correctly.

It was a great time!

[gymbeau]

Attending g my first and probably only Indy 500 next week and as a Canuck will be rooting for Hinch (his team co-owner is from Calgary, too, my home).

But I have another question of my fellow FReepers: who, if anyone, has won from the pole?

Thanks, and cheers,
JIm

[Big Red Badger]

Win from the Pole ???
Good question.
Got me thinking,,

[gymbeau]

I broke down and went to the sometimes reliable Wikipedia and it turns out it’s been done 20 times in all!

Rick Mears did it three times and the last two were Dixie and Helio in ‘08 and ‘09 respectively.

So there’s a good chance for the Mayor of Hinchtown!

What a rush it’s going to be for me, visiting my only 500 and getting to root for a home country guy whose team is co-owned by a home town guy! Bring it on!

I can’t wait to fly out. Heading to Toronto on Friday, near Hinch’s home town of Oakville, picking up a car there and driving down to Indy the next day.

Can you tell I’m pumped? :-)

cheers,
Jim

[IamConservative]

It is at present being announced that the 100th running of the Indy 500 is sold out for the first time ever. They never give exact numbers but they said the crowd size will be “approximately the size of South Bend and Fort Wayne combined.” So, ~391,000. Largest single day sporting event ever.

[Big Red Badger]

Lucky!!

I lived in Indy 13 years and was at the race at least ten times,In the Race,
Get autographs at Gasoline alley from You’re Driver And Crew .
So Much to enjoy!

Spend a time at the museum inside the track,buy souvenirs,,
Go to
UNION JACK’S bar about 5 miles west of the track.

[Big Red Badger]

Oh MAN !

[gymbeau]

Thanks! That’s the plan!
Cheers,
Jim