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Old 02-28-2022 | 06:19 PM
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Default Danny Ongais 2022

Danny Ongais 2022

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emailBy Mark Glendenning | February 28, 2022 6:13 PM ET

Danny Ongais, the fast and versatile Hawaiian whose long career included time in Indy cars, Formula 1, sports cars and drag racing, died on Saturday of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

Nicknamed ‘The Flying’ Hawaiian’, Ongais made 11 starts at the Indianapolis 500 between 1977 and 1996, driving the distinctive No.25 Interscope entry to a career-best finish of fourth in 1979, a year after putting the car on the front row alongside Tom Sneva.

Born in Kahului, Ongais got his start racing motorcycles, and returned from a stint as a U.S. Army paratrooper to win the Hawaiian state motorcycle championship in 1960. More success on two wheels followed, but he wasted little time in branching out and added AHRA Gas Dragster titles to his resume in 1963 and 1964, followed by the NHRA AA Dragster championship the following year. A switch to Funny Cars later in the decade yielded two wins in a Ford Mustang for team owner Mickey Thompson in 1969. The Ongais/Thompson combination would prove to be even more potent on the speed record circuit, where they used a Mach 1 Mustang to set nearly 300 national and international records on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

By that point Ongais had already taken a swing at the Indy 500, but was turned away from the 1968 race on the basis of his almost complete lack of experience in open-wheelers. But his time in Europe with the Army had opened his eyes to road racing, and in the mid-1970s he began working up through the ranks of the American scene. His dominance of the 1974 SCCA season put him on the radar of entertainment mogul Ted Field.

After further success in F5000, the pair went into USAC and Indy car racing in 1976 under the Interscope Racing banner. Ongais made his debut at Ontario that year, and claimed his first win the following season at Michigan. He added an additional five victories in 1978 – more than anyone else in the field – but mechanical problems and inconsistency left him eighth in the points. He also made a mark at the Brickyard that year, planting the Interscope car between Sneva and Rick Mears on the front row.
Ongais in the Interscope Racing Parnelli VPJ6C Cosworth at the 1980 Indy 500. He finished seventh after starting from 16th on the grid. Motorsport Images

Ongais and Field also took Interscope into Formula 1 for the two North American races in 1977, yielding a seventh at the Canadian GP. Ongais returned to F1 the following year for two races with Team Tissot Ensign, but with less success.

Towards the end of the decade, Ongais and Field expanded the Interscope horizon to include sports cars – with Field now driving as well *– and they teamed with Hurley Haywood to win the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 1979 in the Interscope Porsche 935 prototype.

It was also during 1979 that Ongais made his first foray into CART. His debut at Phoenix, where he qualified fourth and led the race before being derailed by an engine failure somewhat set the tone for the next couple of years: a story of blazing speed, but bad luck or other circumstances conspiring against him fully capitalizing on it. But all that took a back seat when he suffered a massive accident in the 1981 Indy 500. He’d pitted as the leader on lap 63, only to lose more than 40s to a catastrophically slow pitstop. Upon rejoining, he made a late pass on a slower car at Turn 3, lost the rear, overcorrected and pounded the barriers nearly head on. He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, and spent the rest of the season on the sidelines recovering from factures to both legs, a broken arm, and a six-inch tear to his diaphragm.

Indeed, while he continued to produce decent results upon his return in 1983, his later years were defined almost as much by a handful of significant accidents – not all of which he was directly involved with.

He was very much at the center of the big one in 1985, when he was launched into a massive barrel roll down the backstretch at Michigan after running into the rear of Phil Krueger. Two years later, he crashed during practice for the Indianapolis 500 and sustained a concussion that forced him to miss the race. His misfortune set the stage for Al Unser to make some history of his own when Penske called him up as an 11th-hour replacement and he won his fourth Indy 500 in a backup car that had been serving as a show car on display in a hotel lobby in Pennsylvania just weeks earlier.

Ongais’ final appearance at the 500 had its roots in far more tragic circumstances in 1996 when polesitter Scott Brayton was killed in a practice crash and team owner John Menard tapped Ongais as his replacement. Ongais, then 54 and making his first start at the Speedway in a decade, lined up at the rear of the field and finished a remarkable seventh. He made one final attempt to qualify with Team Pelfrey two years later, but was bumped.

Notoriously private and publicity-shy, Ongais spent his later years surrounded by his family in southern California. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2000.
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Old 03-04-2022 | 05:27 PM
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Default Sullivan, Dallenbach to be inducted into IMS Hall of Fame

Sullivan, Dallenbach to be inducted into IMS Hall of Fame

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emailBy Vintage Motorsport | March 4, 2022 8:58 AM ET Follow @http://twitter.com/VMMagazine

IndyCar stars Wally Dallenbach and Danny Sullivan (pictured above at Indy in 1988 are the 2022 inductees into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, and will be feted at the 2022 Induction Ceremony and Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Dinner hosted by the IMA Museum and Indy 500 Oldtimers on Thursday, May 26, in downtown Indianapolis.

Dallenbach, Sullivan Added to Star-Studded IMS Hall of Fame Roster

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emailBy VM Staff | 3.1.22 2:40 PM

IndyCar stars Wally Dallenbach and Danny Sullivan are the 2022 inductees into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, and will be feted at the 2022 Induction Ceremony and Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Dinner hosted by the IMA Museum and Indy 500 Oldtimers on Thursday, May 26, in Downtown Indianapolis.

The two were chosen from a ballot of 14 nominees by a distinguished panel of more than 140 auto racing journalists, participants, and historians.

“The IMS Hall of Fame voting panel has selected two outstanding honorees for this year,” said Joe Hale, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, which houses the Hall of Fame. “Wally Dallenbach’s success on the track as a driver led him to be a champion for driver safety as an official. Danny Sullivan had an impressive career as a driver and what sticks with many of us is his memorable win at the 1985 Indianapolis 500.”
Photo: John Mahoney

Dallenbach, the 1973 Ontario 500 winner, came close to winning the 1975 Indianapolis 500, where he led 96 of the first 161 laps, at which point he was forced out with a burned piston. Less than 15 minutes later, the race was halted permanently by a heavy rainstorm. He drove in 180 Championship events between 1965 and 1979, winning five races and finishing within the first five 58 times. Dallenbach was runner-up in the 1973 USAC National Championship standings and was 3rd in 1976. Additionally, he had 13 starts in the Indianapolis 500.

Dallenbach went on to serve as the highly respected Chief Steward for every CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) sanctioned event held between 1981 and 2004.
Photo: Dan R. Boyd

Sullivan is remembered for his “spin-and-win” victory in the 1985 Indianapolis 500, when he spun directly in front of Mario Andretti at lap 120, regrouped, and then passed Andretti again at lap 140 for the win. Sullivan also dominated the entire first half of the 1988 Indianapolis 500, seemingly headed for a second victory until a handling problem caused him to hit the wall after he had led for 91 of the first 101 laps.

Sullivan won 17 CART-sanctioned events between 1984 and 1993, including three at Cleveland and two at the Pocono 500 and the Laguna Seca road course. He won the season title in 1988 and was third in 1986, his storied career also including success in the Can-Am, sports car racing and Formula 1.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame honors and celebrates the contributions and achievements of an exclusive group of individuals. Founded in 1952 as the Auto Racing Hall of Fame under the auspices of the Contest Board of the American Automobile Association (AAA), it was moved to the IMS Museum under the direction of then-Speedway president Anton “Tony” Hulman Jr. in 1962.
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Last edited by senor honda; 05-10-2022 at 11:29 PM.
Old 03-04-2022 | 06:59 PM
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Default BorgWarner unveils Castroneves' 2021 Indy 500 portrait

BorgWarner unveils Castroneves' 2021 Indy 500 portrait


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emailBy Marshall Pruett | March 3, 2022 12:00 PM ET

Helio Castroneves has made his fourth appearance on BorgWarner’s iconic Indianapolis 500 winner’s trophy. Unveiled Thursday, the Brazilian’s likeness created by William Behrends adds to his prior installations in 2001, 2002, and 2009.

“I am thrilled to have my fourth silver likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy,” the Meyer Shank Racing driver said. “It’s such a special moment in my career to see my face alongside other Indy 500 winners and the three other four-time winners – A.J. (Foyt), Al (Unser) and Rick (Mears).

“To visit sculptor Will Behrends in person for the first time was an extremely special experience for me. To see the level of detail and professionalism he puts into his craft makes it that much more gratifying to see the final product of his amazing work. Today unveiling my image was a special day for myself and Meyer Shank Racing.”

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The 110-pound trophy, which stands more than five feet tall, is valued at over $1 million.

“The Borg-Warner Trophy represents one of the greatest traditions and honors in the world of motorsports,” said Michelle Collins, BorgWarner’s global director of marketing and PR. “It’s a triumph all drivers hope to experience, and I am truly pleased and honored to carry on the legacy of unveiling the trophy. To have your face etched on the Borg-Warner Trophy once is an accomplishment of a lifetime, but four times speaks to Hélio’s dedication, persistence and passion to his sport. On behalf of all of BorgWarner, we extend our sincerest congratulations on this outstanding achievement.”

Later in the year, Castroneves, Jim Meyer, and Mike Shank will receive the traditional ‘Baby Borg’ trophies which serve as a prized and exclusive keepsake made for Indy 500 winners and team owners.
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Old 03-26-2022 | 07:18 PM
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Default Tying some racing history together See last post in thread: See it before it goes awa

Tying some racing history together
See last post in thread:
See it before it goes away.


See last post of thread
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Port Richey Rod Run at Coast Buick GMC
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50's Diner US19.... A Florida Attraction.
1730 US-19, Holiday Fl 34691 click: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/t...-racing.html CHRA sanctioned cruise-in.
Cruise-In; Free; Every Saturday 5-8PM plus 10% off the whole menu to cruisers
50's Diner pictures are here:
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All Cars Every 2nd Saturday Free Breakfast: Since 2015 and more. click: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/e...ast-tampa.html

Tampa Racing.com covers the Tampa car scene and supports many fund raisers, worthy causes and events that enrich our community. We hope you enjoy them all.
What do I do? ---- on-site *Aftermarket* spring/suspension installations --- on-site impact wrenching---street lowering with your own stock springs...........True Bi-xenon HID projector headlight conversions........ Much more at Bob's Garage!
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Last edited by senor honda; 12-24-2022 at 10:43 PM.
Old 04-01-2022 | 08:01 PM
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Default MSR reveals ‘Drive for Five’ theme for Castroneves at Indy

MSR reveals ‘Drive for Five’ theme for Castroneves at Indy


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emailBy Marshall Pruett | April 1, 2022 12:01 PM ET

Helio Castroneves and Meyer Shank Racing have unveiled a new “Drive for Five” logo to complement the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner’s aim to become the event’s first driver to earn five victories.

The Brazilian and the Ohio-based team won on their first try together last May, propelling Castroneves to join an illustrious club alongside A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and the late Al Unser as the only drivers to capture four Indy 500 wins. As the sole remaining active driver in the group, Castroneves’ attention immediately turned to forming an exclusive club of his own with the pursuit of a fifth.
💥OFFICIAL💥
We're so excited to unveil a special #DriveFor5 logo as @h3lio goes for a record setting 5th Indianapolis 500 victory. Who's with us?@AutoNation // @SIRIUSXM // @AWNetworks // @IndyCar // @IMS pic.twitter.com/ImyuB6xsDN

— Meyer Shank Racing (@MeyerShankRac)


“Honestly it’s still pretty surreal for me that I will be going for a fifth Indianapolis 500 win,” Castroneves said. “I am so lucky and honored, really, to be a part of a group of drivers that have been so successful in their time. This year Meyer Shank Racing and I are going into the month just like we did last year. Last year, it was my very first race with the team, and now this year we have eight races under our belts as a team, so we’re really ready to kick things off and start the ‘Drive for Five.’”
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Port Richey Rod Run at Coast Buick GMC
https://carstoshow.com/registerevent.aspx?eventid=99114

50's Diner US19.... A Florida Attraction.
1730 US-19, Holiday Fl 34691 click: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/t...-racing.html CHRA sanctioned cruise-in.
Cruise-In; Free; Every Saturday 5-8PM plus 10% off the whole menu to cruisers
50's Diner pictures are here:
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All Cars Every 2nd Saturday Free Breakfast: Since 2015 and more. click: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/e...ast-tampa.html

Tampa Racing.com covers the Tampa car scene and supports many fund raisers, worthy causes and events that enrich our community. We hope you enjoy them all.
What do I do? ---- on-site *Aftermarket* spring/suspension installations --- on-site impact wrenching---street lowering with your own stock springs...........True Bi-xenon HID projector headlight conversions........ Much more at Bob's Garage!
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Old 04-24-2022 | 06:58 PM
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Default Ted Prappas, 2022

Ted Prappas, 2022

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emailBy Marshall Pruett | April 23, 2022 7:08 PM ET

Among his contemporaries, few open-wheel drivers were as well-liked as Ted Prappas. Lost this week after a fast fight with colon cancer, the Southern Californian was an elder statesman among the sizable group of skilled drivers who rose up the training categories in the 1980s.

Prappas, along with Paul Tracy, Mike and Robbie Groff, Steve and Cary Bren, Dave Kudrave, Mark Smith, Dean Hall, and others—mostly from the west coast—were staples in the SCCA Super Vee series, Formula Atlantics, and Indy Lights as they chased their dreams of reaching IndyCar.

The purity of Prappas’ motivation is what made an impact; although he never attained fame as a race car driver, he was not the type of person who sought adoration. Prappas simply loved to drive.

“He didn’t care if you didn’t know who he was,” Tracy told RACER. “He was a guy who was happy just who he was; he wasn’t about being a household name or making a pile of money. I remember for the longest time he was living on a boat — a little boat in Marina Del Rey; it wasn’t a yacht. It was a really little boat. This was when he was driving Indy cars, living on this tiny boat, and just he wasn’t concerned with anything more than driving.

“He wasn’t chasing a bigger house or status symbols. He was just happy to be driving racecars and he didn’t come from money; didn’t have sponsors. He got to IndyCar on his talent as a driver and being a good guy.”

It was in the unstructured junior open-wheel ladder series where talent was sometimes hard to spot due to the fractured nature of the sanctioning bodies and the occasional lack of depth on the entry lists, but Prappas had no problem establishing himself as one of the fastest and smartest of his era.

At a time when the Atlantic series was split into separate championships, Prappas won the 1986 western title while Scott Goodyear took the eastern championship. With the launch of Indy Lights, Prappas would deliver for smaller teams and go on to run second behind his friend Tracy in the 1990 standings with the group of Long Beach police officers who formed the Personal Investment Group (P.I.G.) Racing team.

Along the way, Prappas would serve as a big brother and mentor to many of the drivers who would go onto greater opportunities in the sport.

“My dad did a deal for me to go race the winter Atlantic series in New Zealand, and I just turned 17,” Tracy recalls. “I’d been to England to go racing. I’d go to stay with my grandparents and my aunts and uncles. They’d take me to my races and look after me the whole time. Then I’m going off to New Zealand solo, and then I get picked up at the airport by Ted and Dean Hall.

“And that’s how that’s how I got to know those guys. We basically traveled around and a little station wagon, went from hotel to hotel, had fun racing for a month, and Ted took care of me as a kid out on his own like that for the first time.”

A rookie in the CART IndyCar Series at the age of 36, Prappas debuted with P.I.G. in 1991 where he earned a career best of sixth, coming at his home race in Long Beach. The small team with a Judd turbo V8 motor was constantly fighting an uphill battle with the least favored engine in the series powering their Lola T91/00.

“Ted drove for me in Atlantics, Indy Lights, and IndyCar,” Turley said. “He played a big part in our racing program with his brother, mom, and dad and had a lot of support from family and friends. Ted was smooth and easy going; loved driving a super soft car. He could communicate so well with the crew chiefs about what the car was doing, and it was almost like everything happened in slow motion for him. I remember him pointing different people out in the turns when he was driving for me in IndyCar, and I go, ‘Shouldn’t you be concentrating on driving?’ And he goes, ‘Norm, the car is beautiful. Right now, I’m going about as fast as it can go.’”

Despite failing to qualify for their first Indianapolis 500, Prappas and P.I.G. returned in 1992 with a new Lola chassis and a Chevy turbo V8—not the latest specification, but an upgrade nonetheless—and showed the modest one-car team with a quality driver could overtake some of the established organizations.

Opening the season with a 10th at Surfers Paradise, Prappas used his savvy to come home 16th at Indy on a day where many of the bigger stars crashed in cold weather. As the season drew to a close, the black and dayglow orange No. 31 entry made waves with a string of four road and street races where Prappas finished 13th, 10th, ninth, and 11th. At 37, and having shown his capabilities in an underfunded program, Prappas saw his tenure in IndyCar come to an end as no quality drives were offered to continue in 1993.

As hard as it might be to imagine for a driver who only made 26 IndyCar starts over two seasons and often ran well removed from the spotlight, Prappas made a big impact on people within the sport, and it stated from his earliest days in those training series. He was incredibly kind, and from his natural warmth and positive ways, Prappas was held close by an ever-growing group of friends who made sure he was taken care of after the door closed in IndyCar.

“Everybody liked Ted and he got to deal with Honda and Acura doing their ride-and-drive programs showcasing their new cars,” Tracy said. “He must have done that for 20 years — still involved, still making a living at it, but just behind the scenes, happy, paying his bills, being out there and teaching people how to drive.”

Prappas was close with his brother Will, who worked with their mother managing the late Hollywood star Jimmy Stewart. Will Prappas also managed a number of IndyCar drivers, including 1996 CART champion Jimmy Vasser, Oriol Servia, Alex Tagliani, and others, as the brothers made valuable contributions in different ways over the years.

For Turley, Prappas set the standard for professionalism from the cockpit.

“He was never argumentative,” he said. “He had his opinion and he gave it and would never blame the car. I’ve done a lot of racing with different drivers who would blame the car for everything. And he would just come in and say, ‘Hey, we need to do this, the car’s pushing or the car’s super loose,’ and he was so calm and collected and quiet about helping to make it better. I think that really worked to his benefit. Ted was never arrogant; didn’t have a big head. He was all class when back in those days when everybody had their egos.”

More than anything else, Tracy remembers his ongoing generosity and underappreciated talent.

“Ted was living in Arizona for a long time and I saw him probably nine months ago and he came out to our track and helped as a race official,” he said. “He just would come out and help for free just to be around it. He wasn’t doing anything to make a buck; he just loved being there at the track and helping out however he could. A lot of the older guys — you can’t get them to come out unless there’s money involved.

“He had a really good career driving and never had the best equipment. He didn’t need to be the star; he just wanted to race. Ted was a gritty journeyman driver; reliable; didn’t make mistakes; didn’t crash stuff. The guy got to IndyCar without bringing money and got there based on being a good driver that you could rely on. He was special.”
__________________
Keystone Motor Club (Founded 2012)... Free car show Every 3rd Saturday, newsletter is
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/e...-car-club.html

Keystone picture gallery is here:
https://carstoshow.com/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=93202

Veterans and Friends
on First Saturday...Some pictures....
https://carstoshow.com/registerevent...eventid=102331

Port Richey Rod Run at Coast Buick GMC
https://carstoshow.com/registerevent.aspx?eventid=99114

50's Diner US19.... A Florida Attraction.
1730 US-19, Holiday Fl 34691 click: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/t...-racing.html CHRA sanctioned cruise-in.
Cruise-In; Free; Every Saturday 5-8PM plus 10% off the whole menu to cruisers
50's Diner pictures are here:
https://carstoshow.com/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=93194

All Cars Every 2nd Saturday Free Breakfast: Since 2015 and more. click: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/e...ast-tampa.html

Tampa Racing.com covers the Tampa car scene and supports many fund raisers, worthy causes and events that enrich our community. We hope you enjoy them all.
What do I do? ---- on-site *Aftermarket* spring/suspension installations --- on-site impact wrenching---street lowering with your own stock springs...........True Bi-xenon HID projector headlight conversions........ Much more at Bob's Garage!
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/b...ontact-us.html
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/b...e-senor-honda/




















Old 05-10-2022 | 11:27 PM
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Default Sarah Fisher to drive pace car at Indy 500

Sarah Fisher to drive pace car at Indy 500


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emailBy Marshall Pruett | May 10, 2022 1:36 PM ET

Former IndyCar driver and team owner Sarah Fisher has been selected to drive the pace car for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The Ohio native made nine Indy 500 starts, with the first coming in 2000 and the last in 2010. The short track specialist earned a best qualifying spot of ninth in 2004 and top finish of 17th in 2008 while driving for her own Sarah Fisher Racing team.

“Every time I’ve had the opportunity to drive at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it’s been special – from IndyCar Series cars to two-seaters to vintage cars,” Fisher said. “Driving the pace car is just as special of an honor. And to have served in that role for the NTT IndyCar Series since Johnny Rutherford retired, I’ve had many great memories to add to my career.”

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Fisher will pilot a Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition Pace Car to lead the field of 33.

“I am humbled and proud to become the official pace car driver for the 106th Indianapolis 500,” said Fisher whose 2002 qualifying average of 229.439mph remains a record among women racers. “And to represent the hard work and development that Chevrolet puts into these fantastic pieces of automobile advancement and technology.”

So who's the pussy now, you jerks!

The fan favorite is a perfect choice for the role, according to IMS president Doug Boles.

“Sarah Fisher is an Indianapolis 500 icon who always takes the time to appreciate her fans and represent the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ with class and humility,” he said. “She is such a fitting person for this honor, and it will be such a thrill and privilege to see her lead the field of 33 cars to the green flag before a huge crowd at the track and a global television audience.”
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Last edited by senor honda; 05-10-2022 at 11:34 PM.
Old 05-22-2022 | 07:13 PM
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Dixon storms to fastest Indy 500 pole average in history - 234.046mph

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emailBy Marshall Pruett | May 22, 2022 7:43 PM ET

Scott Dixon has never heard an explosion of cheers like he did after posting a 234.437mph opening lap on the way to setting the fastest pole speed average in the 106 editions of the Indianapolis 500. The four-time Indy pole winner backed it up with a 234.162mph blast on his second lap, a 233.859mph tour on his third and a closer of 233.726mph to produce a four-lap average of 234.046mph and earn his fifth pole at the Speedway.

Dixon went last in the new Fast Six qualifying session and topped Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Alex Palou whose 233.499mph gave CGR and Honda the top two starting spots ahead of Rinus VeeKay’s Chevy-powered Ed Carpenter Racing entry at a 233.385mph average.

Together, the three also produced the fastest average front row speed of all time at the Indy 500.

“That was a huge feat,” Dixon said of the Ganassi team placing four drivers in the Fast Six. The next test is to turn the team’s pole-day dominance into a race-day result.

“It’s all about the win,” he continued. “It’s a privilege to be on the pole. It’s damn hard to do. Everybody feels good about the situation, but not as good as I did when I won in 2008.”

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VIDEO: Dixon on his 234mph pole run

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Outside the Fast Six, Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward was next on the list with a 232.705mph in his Chevy followed by teammate Felix Rosenqvist at 232.182mph, and Andretti Autosport rookie Romain Grosjean was impressive in ninth at 231.999mph after holding onto a Honda-powered car that came close to the walls on more than one occasion.

“We qualified seventh for the big show,” O’Ward said. “Honestly, I expected a bit more. We had very solid qualifying runs up until this point, so we are analyzing what happened on this qualifying run. It’s unfortunate but some things are out of your control. The team did a great job to put that car in a good place, and we had great balance — probably the best we’ve had all week. We’re in a good position to fight for the win on Sunday.”

In 10th, Takuma Sato generated a 231.670mph in the Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Honda. Team Penske’s Will Power was 11th at 231.534mph in his Chevy and CGR’s Jimmie Johnson, who nearly hit the wall to start his run, closed the Fast 12 with a 231.264mph in his Honda.

UP NEXT: Practice, Monday, 1-3 p.m. ET
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Old 05-22-2022 | 11:31 PM
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Default With second gear inserted where third was expected, Wilson accelerated hard from firs

Wilson thinking positive after qualifying scratched

With second gear inserted where third was expected, Wilson accelerated hard from first to what he thought was second gear until reaching the 12,000 rpm shift point, and then selected third gear, only to find a lower gear awaiting use.

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emailBy Marshall Pruett | May 22, 2022 9:26 AM ET

Stefan Wilson put the finishing touches on a punishing day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with some well-deserved pizza and beer. The comfort food was a reward for enduring the disappointment of being unable to post a qualifying run for the Indy 500 in his A.J. Foyt Racing-supplied and supported No. 25 Cusick Motorsports/DragonSpeed Chevy.

Being sidelined was the result of an error made while assembling the transmission’s gear stack where third gear was errantly placed in the position where second was meant to be installed.
With second gear inserted where third was expected, Wilson accelerated hard from first to what he thought was second gear until reaching the 12,000 rpm shift point, and then selected third gear, only to find a lower gear awaiting use. With it engaged at a higher rate of speed than was envisioned, the shift sent his 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 Chevy motor spinning well beyond its accepted threshold.

More IndyCar!

VIDEO: Dixon on his 234mph pole run

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Dixon storms to fastest Indy 500 pole average in history - 234.046mph

From there, Wilson’s Ilmor Engineering/Chevy Racing engine technician saw worrying evidence that his motor was not long for this world and an engine change was set in motion at a most inopportune time. As the field of drivers prepared to start qualifying, the No. 25 Chevy was split into a dozen different pieces, and with the DragonSpeed crew performing its first IndyCar motor change, added time was required to complete the process.

By the time the car was ready to roll and head to technical inspection, rainfall blanketed the Speedway, cutting almost half of the nearly six hours of qualifying out of the schedule. Wilson’s Cusick/DragonSpeed/Foyt crew would spend the remainder of the afternoon stuck in the garage and unable to venture out for a qualifying run.

For the last-minute entry that came together to help IndyCar reach 33 entries for the Indy 500, starting 33rd is a significant disappointment.

“A mistake was made with a gear stack, and obviously that buzzed the engine which meant that we had to pull it out,” Wilson told RACER. “These things happen, so you can’t blame anyone because every team has had something like this, or something similar, happen before. There was really no way of knowing that was going to happen until I went to third gear. That’s disappointing, no doubt, but we wanted to go back out and we just essentially skipped shifting to third, which was a better way of going up the gears on that next run in the practice, and we ran a 229.9 [mph] lap, which I was stoked about.
Wilson felt confident of qualifying the DragonSpeed / Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet in the 229mph range…if he’d gotten the chance.Motorsport Images

“We thought we could qualify in that 229, maybe low 230 range, which would have been awesome and would have gotten us off the last row. But Chevy saw something in that first run they didn’t like and we had to abort the run. At that point, we’re really racing against the weather and we didn’t get to run, unfortunately. So we’re all disappointed. At the same time, we’ve got to keep our chin up and look towards the next time on track on Monday. We have to make the best of the situation.”

If there’s one ignominious aspect to how Saturday played out for Wilson, it’s in where he’ll start his fourth Indy 500.

“My biggest goal was to not have to go to the Last Row Party,” he said with a laugh. “That’s the one thing I really didn’t want to have to do, but here we are. That’s just the way it goes. It wasn’t my best day at Speedway…”
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Old 05-23-2022 | 08:45 PM
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Default It’s May, and that means Indy. 53,394 views May 4, 2022

It’s May, and that means Indy.

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Tony Stewart
38.7K subscribersIt’s May, and that means Indy. Just before the racing season kicked off, I visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Had some great tour guides who knew a thing or two about the track and its history.
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