Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tag

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Rick Mears is arguably one of the greatest drivers at the Indianapolis 500 and for team owner Roger Penske. The four-time Indianapolis 500 champion has enjoyed several special moments at the 2.5-mile oval, but aside from his victories, one of Mears’ favorite memories was his first pole. The legendary driver jetted to the top of the pylon in 1979, the same year he won his first Indy 500, in a Penske PC-6. Recalling the joyous memory, Mears shared it with the media on FastRead More

By Josh Farmer, IndyCar Reporter. INDIANAPOLIS – NAPA Auto Parts will serve as the primary sponsor for of the #98 Andretti Autosport Honda driven by rookie Alexander Rossi for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. This will mark the first foray into Indy Car racing for the auto parts giant. “Andretti Autosport symbolizes the excellence NAPA AUTO PARTS has maintained for nearly 100 years,” said Tip Tollison, president of NAPA Balkamp in Indianapolis. With this being the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, IRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – With his IndyCar future hanging in the balance, Gabby Chaves has silenced any doubters thus far during the Month of May. The 22-year-old found himself out of a ride when his team, Bryan Herta Autosport, merged with Andretti Autosport and decided to plug in Alexander Rossi, last year’s lone American Formula 1 standout. Available rides came and went for the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, and as the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 drew closer options looked bleak for Chaves.Read More

By Josh Farmer, IndyCar Reporter Dale Coyne Racing and Andretti Autosport led a clear and sunny Thursday practice for the 100th Running for the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Gabby Chaves used a tow to set a flying lap of 227.961 mph on his third lap of the session to set the quickest lap of the day. “It’s only practice, but it feels pretty good,” said Chaves. “It’s my first time at the top of the charts here at IMS in IndyCar. Just pleased with the work theRead More

By Josh Farmer, IndyCar Reporter Ryan Hunter-Reay’s Honda came to a halt in turn four for an apparent engine issue just around 4:09 p.m. Hunter-Reay had set the 10th quickest speed of the day (226.495) up until that point and was the quickest car on track yesterday. This is Honda’s second engine issue of the week with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ Mikhail Aleshin losing an engine yesterday. Honda Performance Development delivered a fresh Honda powerplant shortly after the car was towed back to the team’s garage and the team is swapping outRead More

Anyone who followed the Mazda Road to Indy career of Gabby Chaves knew that the young Colombian-American would make a name for himself in open-wheel racing, given his propensity for exciting finishes. Second in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires in 2012 to eventual Verizon IndyCar Series star Jack Hawksworth, Chaves then finished second to teammate Sage Karam in the 2013 Indy Lights Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. But the story of Chaves’ 2013 season was the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: part of a spectacularRead More

By Josh Farmer, IndyCar Reporter INDIANAPOLIS – Acclaimed actor Chris Pine will wave the green flag for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. “In addition to all our stars on the track, the 100th Running will feature a major lineup of stars off the track,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles. “We’re thrilled to welcome Chris Pine to our flag stand, where he will officially get our epic race under way by waving the green flag.” Pine is noted for his performancesRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief INDIANAPOLIS – Verizon IndyCar Series rookie Spencer Pigot took a hard hit heading into Turn 1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Wednesday afternoon’s Indy 500 practice. The reigning Indy Lights Series champion’s Honda spun completely around on corner entry, hitting the wall with the left side of the car, receiving heavy damage but not catching air while becoming the first driver to crash during preparations for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Most notably, this was the first accident with the domed skids on theRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Graham Rahal came from the back of the field to score an incredible fourth-place result in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on Saturday. The 27-year-old qualified third, but his time was disallowed after failing post-qualifying technical inspection for not meeting the minimum car weight requirements. Following a frantic start, Rahal began his march forward. The Ohio native leaped into the top 10 by lap 21 after flying by rookie teammate Spencer Pigot  and during an exchange of pit stops Rahal managed to lead twoRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief James Hinchcliffe returned to the scene of the crime to score a third-place finish in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on Saturday. Almost one year ago the Canadian encountered a suspension failure while practicing in preparation for the Indianapolis 500. The mechanical issue was nearly fatal for Hinchcliffe, but after a long season spent on the sidelines he returned to the cockpit of the No. 5 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda for the start of the 2016 season. Hinchcliffe started the day from third andRead More