Dario Franchitti Wins 96th Running of the Indianapolis 500
May 27, 2012 | By IMS Public Relations
Dario Franchitti slipped the wreath over his head and took a healthy sip of cool milk in the 91-degree mid-afternoon heat in Victory Circle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. First, however, he donned a pair of white cardboard sunglasses -- a tribute to longtime friend, teammate, competitor and fellow Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon.
"Now my face on the Borg-Warner Trophy will be on either side of Dan's," Franchitti said of the 2011 race winner who died in October from injuries suffered in a racing accident.
Franchitti became the 10th driver with three or more 500 wins, holding off charges from Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon, Takuma Sato and Tony Kanaan over the final five laps following a restart.
Franchitti, the reigning IZOD IndyCar Series champion, won under caution as Sato's No. 15 Rahal Letterman Racing car made slight contact with the left side Franchitti's No. 50 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car while running side-by-side for the lead on the white flag lap. The contact shot Sato's car up the track and into the Turn 1 SAFER Barrier, bringing out the yellow flag.
Franchitti led teammate Scott Dixon and Kanaan under the twin checkered flags to cap a wild race featuring the new car-engine package. There were a record 34 lead changes among 10 drivers.
A few minutes later, in Victory Circle, Franchitti looked to the sky as a salute to Wheldon.
A few minutes afterward, he and wife Ashley Judd were joined on the victory lap by Susie Wheldon, who earlier in the weekend accepted the Champion of Champions ring and "Baby Borg" trophy on behalf of her husband.
Kanaan, seeking his first victory in his 11th 500 Mile Race and driving the No. 11 car ("my favorite number") for KV Racing Technology, had taken the lead on a Lap 184 restart.
Oriol Servia jumped from the 27th starting spot to finish fourth and pole sitter Ryan Briscoe was fifth. James Hinchcliffe, who started from the middle of the front row, finished sixth and Justin Wilson also had an Indy-best seventh-place finish. Charlie Kimball overcame a practice crash a week earlier to finish eighth, and Townsend Bell was ninth. Three-time winner Helio Castroneves was 10th and Rubens Barrichello was the highest finishing rookie in 11th.
RACE DAY NOTEBOOK
Jerry Coons Jr. won the Hoosier Hundred USAC Silver Crown Series race Friday night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Coons led the last 86 laps of the 100-lap event.
Indianapolis 500 rookie qualifier Brian Clauson finished seventh.
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American Connor De Phillippi won the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear "Night Before the 500" race Saturday night at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. It was De Phillippi's second consecutive victory in this event.
Americans completed the podium, as Andretti Autosport teammates Sage Karam and Zach Veach finished second and third, respectively.
The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is one of the rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy development system for INDYCAR.
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American Spencer Pigot won the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda "Night Before the 500" race Saturday night at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.
Pigot prevailed in a duel over Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing teammate and pole sitter Matthew Brabham, son of Indianapolis 500 veteran Geoff Brabham and grandson of Indianapolis 500 veteran and Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham.
The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda is one of the rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy development system for INDYCAR.
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Brian Tyler won the Pay Less Little 500 on Saturday night at Anderson Speedway. Tyler led the final 158 laps to earn his second career victory in the 500-lap race.
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The hottest Race Day temperatures in Indianapolis 500 history, based on high temperature in Fahrenheit for Race Day as supplied by the National Weather Service:
Temperature Year(s)
92o 1937
91o 1919, 1953
90o 1977, 1978
89o 1929, 2006, 2010
88o 1934, 2011
87o 1913, 1921, 1972, 1988
86o 1941, 2009
85o 1939, 1956, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1995
84o 1999
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Many significant events in Indianapolis 500 history have occurred in years ending with the number 2.
•1912: Ralph De Palma led 196 of the first 198 laps, building a lead of 5 ½ laps, before his car broke down just 1 ¼ laps from the checkered flag. De Palma and his riding mechanic pushed their car to the finish, placing 11th. Joe Dawson won the race. De Palma's 196 laps led were the most by a driver who didn't win the race in Indianapolis 500 history.
•1952: Troy Ruttman won at age 22 years, 80 days, the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner in history.
•1962: Parnelli Jones won the pole at 150.370 mph, the first four-lap qualifying average faster than 150 mph in Indianapolis 500 history.
•1972: Mark Donohue earned the first of a record 15 Indianapolis 500 victories for team owner Roger Penske. Bobby Unser also won the pole with a track-record average of 195.940, a jump of 17.244 mph. It's the largest one-year speed increase for the pole winner in Indianapolis 500 history.
•1982: Gordon Johncock edged Rick Mears for victory by just .16 of a second in a classic duel, then the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history.
•1992: Al Unser Jr. edged Scott Goodyear by .043 of a second in the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history. It also was the coldest "500," with a Race Day high temperature of 58 degrees.
•2002: Helio Castroneves earned his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 victory, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Al Unser in 1970-71. The race ended in controversial fashion, with Castroneves judged to be just ahead of Paul Tracy when a race-ending caution period started on Lap 199 due to an accident. Castroneves also became the first driver to win his first two Indianapolis 500 starts.
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A distinctive piece of jewelry fusing 100 years of Indianapolis 500 history is up for bid.
Mary Kaczor of Racer X Designs is the creator and designer of Winning Ways II, an exclusive pendant attached to a white gold cable-mesh chain.
Items appearing on the pendant include a Timken NTA-108 bearing from Dario Franchitti's Target Chip Ganassi car that won the 2010 Indianapolis 500 and the IZOD IndyCar Series championship. Also appearing on this jewelry is a frame nut from the legendary Marmon "Wasp" driven by Ray Harroun to victory in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Recently added to the piece is a portion of the third gear of the Bryan Herta Autosport car that Dan Wheldon drove to victory last year in the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500.
A10.05-carat round diamond appears at the heart of the composition, with the 10 carats signifying the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. The pendant also features a collection of black-and-white princess cut diamonds in a checkered flag pattern set in white gold.
Bidding on this piece of jewelry begins at $1 million. To bid, contact Kaczor by phone at (302) 353-1955or via email at: mary@racerxdesigns.com. A portion from the sale of Winning Ways II will be donated to the Wheldon Family Trust.
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Paul Page, who has broadcast the Indianapolis 500 and just about every form of auto racing and currently anchors the NHRA drag racing series on ESPN2, was honored Saturday with the Bob Russo Founders Award for dedication to auto racing.
The award was presented to Page by Russo Award Chairman Bill Marvel during the annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association breakfast meeting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Russo, the late racing journalist/publicist/historian, founded AARWBA in 1955. He died in 1999 at age 71. The Russo Award is presented for "profound interest, tireless efforts and undying dedication to auto racing as exemplified by Russo throughout his lifelong career."
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ESPN International's coverage of the 96th Indianapolis 500 through its network and joint ventures will reach more than 212 million homes in 136 countries and territories outside of the United States. Add to that syndication (46 countries and 53.3 million homes) and ABC's U.S. reach of 114,700,000, and television distribution exceeds 380.5 million homes in 182 countries worldwide.
U.S. troops serving overseas and on Navy vessels around the world will watch live via a broadcast agreement between ESPN and the American Forces Network, bringing the total to 213 countries and territories around the world.
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INDYCAR and Apex-Brasil announced today an extension of their partnership through 2014. Apex-Brasil is the Official Energy and Trade Partner of INDYCAR.
RANDY BERNARD (CEO, INDYCAR): "When you find great partners, it's more important to keep those and create better and better relationships. INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway are very proud to announce today that we've extended our relationship with Apex-Brasil through 2014. Last year, we saw over one billion dollars' worth of export revenue brought in through their INDYCAR project. Some of the similarities and elements that are so important to Apex-Brasil and INDYCAR is the fact we do use ethanol and we're using E-85, a pump-relevant product. Also the fact that we have so many great drivers in our series from Brazil, and we have a very successful event in Brazil. Brazil is a very important piece of business for INDYCAR. We look at them as a very important partner, but more importantly as a family member. Corporate involvement is essential in today's world. If you're going to make it as a sports property, you have to have great corporate involvement. This relationship is just one of those blessings we have."
MAURICIO BORGES (President, Apex-Brasil): "It is a pleasure to be here and announce this extension of our agreement for two more years. As Randy said, it is a pleasure for us to have a good partnership with INDYCAR. We are really pleased to have the extension. Thank you for all of your support for Brazilian companies and American companies to do business. Since we've fostered the relationship, we've improved our knowledge of American culture. So we've learned quite a lot when you consider that since 2008 there's more than two billion dollars of new business between Brazil and American companies. We really proud to do that."
GREG GRUNING (Executive Vice President, Corporate Business Development): "What's very interesting about this partnership, and there really is nothing like this in all of sports, is you think about what a typical trade show would be. When we were talking to Apex back in 2008, it was around fuel. You think about the heritage of the drivers, as Randy talked about. But what became really interesting as we were talking with Mauricio and his team is how do you showcase Brazilian products; the 80-plus sectors, the internationalization of their products? And how do you attract foreign investment back into Brazil? Leveraging the platform of INDYCAR, which is the middle to upscale, and really doing an end-to-end experience, from inviting the key folks to come in and experience the energy of Brazil and foster a relationship from a hospitality perspective, where you can foster B-to-B relationships at a high level in and around our sport is fantastic."
JEFF BELSKUS (President and CEO, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation): "We're pleased to be a part of this program today, and we've developed good friendships with Apex-Brasil ourselves. We're very pleased to be extending the arrangement. We're in a very historic time for the Indianapolis 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway with our 100th anniversary last year and looking forward to our 100th running in 2016, and Randy and Greg are both right. We're proud of the partnership and proud of the friendship, as well."
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96th INDIANAPOLIS 500 CELEBRITY RED CARPET QUOTES:
DRAKE HOGESTYN (Actor, "Days of Our Lives"): "As a child, I used to come here during the time trials. I was a big Vukovich fan. I loved A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones in '69 when he came out with the turbine, and I was a big Jimmy Clark fan as a kid because I loved that slick car."
CAPT. KEITH COLBURN ("Deadliest Catch"): "It's my first time at Indianapolis, my first time at the Speedway, but I have been following the race since I was a little kid. And you know what? This is like a dream come true for me. You know it is like Disneyland when you go when you are older and it looks smaller -- this place in gigantic, it is amazing how big it is, it is a spectacle. I'll tell you, it is a lot better than being in the ice in the Bering Sea. I'll take a hot day in Indianapolis any day of the week."
DAVE HESTER ("Storage Wars"): "I participated in the parade yesterday. When I was done, I wanted to go through again because the excitement of the people is just awesome. (Today) I've never been around this many people with all this fun and energy. I wish I had one of these trailers out here. It's like reality TV out here. It's a little warm out here. It's not like California. But I'm not complaining. It's awesome."
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (Singer, actress): "Oh, we are having a good time. We went to the Snake Pit Ball last night, went to the parade yesterday and had a book signing for my cookbook at Barnes and Noble, so it has been full-on, but it has been fun." (About nephew Emerson Newton-John being eliminated in accident in Firestone Freedom 100 on Friday): "Well, those things happen in racing, so it was just a tough break. I have been to the race before, a long time ago. In fact, I brought Emerson when he was a teenager to watch it, and Emerson Fittipaldi won. So isn't that funny? So I know what to expect, and I am excited. I am rooting for the Penske team because Will Power is an Aussie and the Penskes are friend of mine, so I am for all the Penske drivers, particularly the Aussie boy."
SCOTT BORCHETTA (Founder, Big Machine Records): "We were one of Dan (Wheldon's) sponsors last year for the '500.' It was such an extraordinary day. We were sitting in Turn 2, so when JR Hildebrand came by for the last lap. So, we were thinking for a one-race deal, second place is not that bad. JR goes by then two seconds later Dan goes by, and then we're watching the big screen. Then, we were like: 'Oh my God. We just won the Indy 500!' After we were high-fiving and screaming and hugging, we had to go to victory lane. Anyone that has been to IMS knows, from Turn 2 to Victory Lane is like a mile away. I have my Dan Wheldon champion ring from last year on (today), and Martina McBride is going to wear the ring when she sings the anthem today. We're also going to honor Dan on Lap 26 and 98 with these great white sunglasses today. It's a huge day to be here at the Indy 500."
TOMMY LASORDA (Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager): "I have been to Indianapolis a lot of times but never to this event, and I am so impressed. I just cannot believe that there are going to be 400,000 people here watching this race. (As a Dodger) I hate to walk on the red carpet, to be honest with you. I rode in an Indy car around Dodger Stadium in Andretti's car, and it was amazing. I would never do that (drive an Indy car). When I drive down the freeway, I'm scared -- let alone go 220 mph. That's unbelievable; I just can't see that."
EVE (Singer, producer, actress): "This is my first one (Indy 500). I'm excited to be here. I've seen it on TV, and it always looks exciting, and it is exciting. There are so many people here. It is really hot, but it's great. It's good energy, amazing energy. I'm in the Gumball 3000 rally, so I think that makes it even more exciting because we're driving our cars. Then to come see some professionals on the track makes it that much more exciting."
BUN B (Rapper): "I keep hearing about the intensity, the adrenaline, about the energy from the crowd. I just really, really can't wait to experience seeing these cars start off this grid. I just want to see who catches that checkered flag today." (Are you rooting for anybody in particular?): "Oh yeah, definitely. I'm going for the team that won last year (Bryan Herta Autosport). We want to win one for Dan (Wheldon) again." (On his participation in the Gumball 3000 rally): "We're driving from New York to L.A. in seven days. I'm in car 56, 'White Phantom,' and we leave here tomorrow morning. We drive on to Kansas City, then Santa Fe New Mexico, Las Vegas, and we end on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles."
HOWIE MANDEL (TV personality, comedian, 96th Indianapolis 500 honorary announcer): "It's good to be here. I've never been to an event this size. It's probably the biggest event in the nation - 300,000 people and the heat and the excitement, I'm just thrilled to be a part of it." (Do you have a favorite?): "I do have a favorite for the race. Are you talking about a driver? I was talking about French fries. My favorite is French fries and a beer for the race." (Being honorary announcer): "I don't know how tough it's going to be; now I'm starting to get nervous. I know my role is very important. I feel like I'm at the center of this whole thing - I am the pulse of the Indianapolis 500."
PETE ROSE (Baseball legend): "This is my first time here. This is exciting. This is fun. The World Series and All-Star Games don't even compare to the Indy 500. They're fun to play in, but this is the greatest sports spectacle in the world. I think I like Marco Andretti today. His name's Andretti. How can you not like him? It's in his blood. Today is going to be good."
GLADYS KNIGHT (Singer): "This is just the most amazing thing. The energy of the people is great. I can't wait to see the cars go around the track. It's my first time here. I'm looking forward to the speed. I can't wait to hear the sound of the cars. This is amazing."
GUY FIERI (TV personality, chef, 96th Indianapolis 500 Pace Car driver): "This just continues to get more out of control. I mean, I thought Friday was crazy. Look at this - nuts." (Are you nervous?): "I don't know if nervous is the word. I just want to do good and do it right. I've got a lot of people counting on me. I've got 33 of the best drivers in the world behind me. I'm kicking off the party. I want to make sure I do it right." (You got lessons from Johnny Rutherford. You want to make him proud, right?): "Lessons, I'm telling you: That was the Obi-Wan Kenobi of pace car driving. I mean, he gave me as much as I think I could understand. He gave me everything. We got it; we did it. He said: 'I sign you off. You're ready to go.' The real key is to, as Johnny says, keep your eye on the six. So I'm going to watch that rear-view mirror and that side mirror and just really know where my guys are. Plus I've got the tower in my head, with the headphones on, telling me what speeds they want me to keep this at. There's a lot going on. I don't think people quite understand the responsibility. I didn't understand the responsibility of the Pace Car. It's a real responsibility of prepping this thing, getting those drivers ready and lettin' 'em loose."
MARTINA McBRIDE (Singer, 96th Indianapolis 500 national anthem singer): "This is my first time to be here. I'm so excited. I got in at 4 o'clock and did my sound check. You can see that everyone is so excited to be here. To be here for the Memorial Day weekend and to sing the national anthem is just, I'm proud to be here. I'll warm up on the bus; I just try not to think about that (singing) and just think about our country. I got here at 7 o'clock this morning to do a mike (microphone) check, and there were people arriving already. The race will be loud and fast, and I'm glad I won't be in one of the cars."
MAXIMILLION COOPER (Founder, Gumball 3000 coast-to-coast rally): "This is the 14th anniversary of our trip. We do a different 3,000-mile route each year, and this year it is from New York to Los Angeles. We're here on day three of the Gumball, and we've got a pit stop at the Indy 500. It's parties every night, an eclectic mix of cars and people; 110 cars, everything from '50s Chevies on up. The cars are on display in the infield. The ride finishes on Thursday." (Your impressions of the Speedway): "This is our first time to be at the Indy 500. I'm so impressed with the Speedway. I've been involved in motorsports all my live, and it's amazing that I've never been here to this race. This is one of the places in life that you have to come to."
96th INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRE-RACE:
At noon, the ambient temperature was 91 degrees with a relative humidity of 64 percent and southwest winds at 7 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 121 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
At 12:09 p.m., Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George gave the command, "Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines," while wearing white sunglasses in honor of Dan Wheldon. All cars except #14 Conway and #78 De Silvestro started and rolling. Both started, join field on pace lap.
Guy Fieri is driving the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Pace Car during the pace laps. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford will drive the Pace Car during caution periods.
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96th INDIANAPOLIS 500 RACE RUNNING:
Lap 1: GREEN. #6 Briscoe leads into Turn 1. #26 Andretti climbs to third. #27 Hinchcliffe passes #6 Briscoe for lead at start-finish line, leads by .0351 of a second.
Lap 2: #6 Briscoe takes lead from #27 Hinchcliffe at start-finish line, leads by .0359 of a second.
Lap 3: #6 Briscoe leads #27 Hinchcliffe by .0800 of a second.
Lap 4: #27 Hinchcliffe, #6 Briscoe side by side in Turn 1, #6 Briscoe keeps lead. #6 Briscoe leads #27 Hinchcliffe by .1850 of a second.
Lap 5: #27 Hinchcliffe passes #6 Briscoe for lead at start-finish line, leads by .0034 of a second.
Lap 6: #28 Hunter-Reay passes #26 Andretti for third on backstretch. #27 Hinchcliffe leads by .0254 of a second.
Lap 7: #6 Briscoe passes #27 Hinchcliffe for lead in Turn 1. #6 Briscoe leads #27 Hinchcliffe by .2533 of a second. #11 Kanaan up to fifth after starting eighth.
Lap 8: #6 Briscoe leads #27 Hinchcliffe by .1499 of a second.
Lap 9: #64 Alesi, #78 De Silvestro called to pits by Race Control for being outside of 105 percent of the leader's speed.
Lap 10: Top 10 -- #2 Briscoe, #27 Hinchcliffe, #26 Andretti, #28 Hunter-Reay, #11 Kanaan, #3 Castroneves, #98 Tagliani, #67 Newgarden, #12 Power, #38 Rahal.
#78 De Silvestro pits.
Lap 11: #64 Alesi pits. #67 De Silvestro out of race, handling problems.
Lap 14: #26 Andretti passes #27 Hinchcliffe for second. YELLOW. #39 Clauson does 1 ¼ spins exiting Turn 1, no contact.
Lap 15: All thirty cars on lead lap in pits. #50 Franchitti spins entering pit box after being hit from behind by #5 Viso. #27 Hinchcliffe first out of pits. #17 Saavedra pit road speed violation, must perform drive-through penalty.
Lap 15 pit stop report: Four tires, fuel: #7 Bourdais, 10 seconds; #9 Dixon, 10 seconds; #83 Kimball, 17 seconds; #25 Beatriz, 11 seconds; #38 Rahal, 10 seconds; #28 Hunter-Reay, 13 seconds; #27 Hinchcliffe, 13 seconds; #12 Power, 13 seconds; #3 Castroneves, 13 seconds; #98 Tagliani, 11 seconds; #5 Viso, 11 seconds; #26 Andretti, 10 seconds; #11 Kanaan, 10 seconds; #6 Legge, 16 seconds; #39 Clauson, 13 seconds; #20 Carpenter, 10 seconds, #30 Jourdain, 12 seconds; #15 Sato, 10 seconds; #99 Bell, 14 seconds; #77 Pagenaud, 12 seconds; #41 Cunningham, 12 seconds; #14 Conway, 13 seconds; #4 Hildebrand, 11 seconds; #17 Saavedra, 18 seconds; #19 Jakes, 25 seconds. Four tires, fuel, front wing adjustment: #2 Briscoe, 14 seconds; #67 Newgarden, 11 seconds, then stalled exiting pits. Four tires, fuel, air pressure adjustment: #8 Barrichello, 10 seconds; Four tires, fuel, front nose/wing change: #50 Franchitti, 34 seconds.
Lap 18: GREEN. Restart order: #27 Hinchcliffe, #2 Briscoe, #26 Andretti, #28 Hunter-Reay, #3 Castroneves.
Lap 19: #2 Briscoe, #26 Andretti pass #27 Hinchcliffe entering Turn 1 on restart.
Lap 20: #26 Andretti leads #2 Briscoe by .1047 of a second.
Lap 21: #26 Andretti leads #2 Briscoe by .1151 of a second.
Lap 22: #2 Briscoe leads #26 Andretti by .6541 of a second.
Lap 23: #26 Andretti passes #2 Briscoe at start-finish line, leads by .0075 of a second. #64 Alesi penalized two laps for failure to follow instructions from Race Control.
Lap 24: #22 Servia to pits due to tire going flat. #26 Andretti leads #2 Briscoe by .4864 of a second.
Lap 25: Crew for #39 Clauson puts four tires on car, ready to return to race.
Lap 28: #26 Andretti leads #27 Hinchcliffe by .8061 of a second.
Lap 33: #39 Clauson rejoins race, 19 laps down.
Lap 35: #26 Andretti leads #27 Hinchcliffe by .4948 of a second.
Lap 37: #26 Andretti leads #27 Hinchcliffe by .3500 of a second. #98 Tagliani up to fourth.
Lap 40: Top 10 - #26 Andretti, #27 Hinchcliffe, #2 Briscoe, #98 Tagliani, #11 Kanaan, #9 Dixon, #15 Sato, #12 Power, #38 Rahal, #3 Castroneves.
Lap 41: #41 Cunningham to pits, 3 minutes, 42 seconds. Observers reported sour engine sound. Team replaces coil, ignition system parts. #26 Andretti leads #27 Hinchcliffe by 4.3035 seconds.
Lap 43: #2 Briscoe up to second.
Lap 44: #27 Hinchcliffe to pits, four tires and fuel, air pressure adjustment, 14 seconds. #26 Andretti leads #2 Briscoe by 4.6604 seconds.
Lap 45: #26 Andretti to pits from lead. #2 Briscoe also to pits. #98 Tagliani takes lead. Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #5 Viso, 13 seconds; #8 Barrichello, 14 seconds; #26 Andretti, 14 seconds; #11 Kanaan, 13 seconds; #12 Power, 15 seconds; #2 Briscoe, 15 seconds; #25 Hunter-Reay, 15 seconds.
Lap 46: Pit stop report: Four tires, fuel: #20 Carpenter, 12 seconds; #19 Jakes, 12 seconds; #14 Conway, 12 seconds; #15 Sato, 12 seconds; #99 Bell, 12 seconds; #25 Beatriz, 12 seconds; #3 Castroneves, 15 seconds, slow right rear tire change.
Lap 47: #98 Tagliani to pits from lead, four tires, fuel, front wing adjustment, 11 seconds. #9 Dixon takes lead. Drive-through penalty for #98 Tagliani after pit road speed violation. Pit stop report: Four tires, fuel: #18 Wilson, 13 seconds; #50 Franchitti, 12 seconds; #6 Legge, 12 seconds.
Lap 48: #9 Dixon to pits from lead. #83 Kimball takes lead.
Lap 50: #83 Kimball to pits from lead. #26 Andretti takes lead.
Lap 51: #26 Andretti leads #9 Dixon by 3.7405 seconds.
Lap 53: #26 Andretti leads #9 Dixon by 2.8379 seconds.
Lap 56: #26 Andretti leads #9 Dixon by 1.5168 seconds.
Lap 64: #26 Andretti leads #9 Dixon by .6877 of a second.
Lap 65: #11 Kanaan to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds.
Lap 67: #26 Andretti leads #9 Dixon by. 6025 of a second. #39 Clauson to garage, out of race.
Lap 69: #5 Viso to pits, four tires and fuel, 10 seconds.
Lap 70: #67 Newgarden to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds.
Lap 71: #26 Andretti leads #9 Dixon by 1.3471 seconds.
1 p.m. temperature update: Ambient 91 degrees, track 124 degrees, according to Firestone.
Lap 72: Twenty-two cars on lead lap.
Lap 73: #26 Andretti to pits from lead. #9 Dixon takes lead. Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #26 Andretti, 9 seconds; #27 Hinchcliffe, 11 seconds; #28 Hunter-Reay, 9 seconds; #3 Castroneves, 13 seconds.
Lap 74: #2 Briscoe, #12 Power, #99 Bell, #3 Castroneves to pits. Four tires, fuel, front wing adjustment: #Power, 13 seconds #2 Briscoe, 12 seconds. Four tires, fuel: #99 Bell, 14 seconds.
Lap 76: Pit stop report: Four tires, fuel: #18 Wilson, 18 seconds; #19 Jakes, 14 seconds.
Lap 77: #7 Bourdais penalized drive-through for pit lane speeding violation after 11-second stop for four tires, fuel. Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #4 Hildebrand, 11 seconds; #30 Jourdain, 13 seconds; #14 Conway, 30 seconds, hit crew members on left side of car; #77 Pagenaud, 12 seconds; #17 Saavedra, 12 seconds; Four tires, fuel, front wing adjustment: #15 Sato, 14 seconds.
Lap 78: #9 Dixon, #50 Franchitti to pits. #83 Kimball takes lead. Pit stop report: four tires and fuel: #9 Dixon, 9 seconds; #38 Rahal, 11 seconds.
Lap 79: #83 Kimball to pits from lead, four tires, fuel, right rear wheel adjustment, 11 seconds.
Lap 80: YELLOW. Accident involving #14 Conway, #12 Power. #14 Conway did half-spin in Turn 1, hit wall in short chute between Turns 1 and 2 with left side of car. #12 Power collides with Conway's car, which slid sideways along top of wall before landing on ground. Power stops against SAFER Barrier inside Turn 2. Heavy damage to both cars. Both drivers climb from cars with assistance from Holmatro Safety Team.
Lap 82: Pit stop report: Four tires, fuel: #25 Beatriz, 12 seconds. #67 Newgarden, 16 seconds; #22 Servia, 11 seconds; #99 Bell, 10 seconds. Fuel only: #17 Saavedra, 8 seconds; #18 Wilson, 7 seconds.
Lap 83: #5 Viso to pits to replace lost shim, 1 minute.
Lap 84: #7 Bourdais to pits, fuel only, 6 seconds. #5 Viso to pits for further repairs, 30 seconds.
Lap 87: GREEN. Restart order: #26 Andretti, #9 Dixon, #50 Franchitti, #15 Sato, #2 Briscoe.
Lap 88: #77 Pagenaud passes #26 Andretti entering Turn 1 on restart to regain lap.
Lap 90: YELLOW. #25 Beatriz does three-quarter spin exiting Turn 1, hits wall in short chute between Turns 1 and 2
Lap 91: #26 Andretti to pits from lead. #9 Dixon takes lead. Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #5 Viso, 11 seconds; #8 Barrichello, 10 seconds; #26 Andretti, 10 seconds; #11 Kanaan, 9 seconds; #27 Hinchcliffe, 16 seconds; #2 Briscoe, 9 seconds; #15 Sato, 8 seconds; #22 Servia, 5 seconds; #77 Pagenaud, 10 seconds; #6 Legge, 14 seconds; #20 Carpenter, 20 seconds, inspection of right side of car.
Lap 92: #27 Hinchcliffe returns to pits for adjustment, 4 seconds.
Lap 93: Pit stop report: Fuel only: #20 Carpenter, 9 seconds. Adjustment: #5 Viso, 10 seconds. #25 Beatriz to pits for replacement of rear wing with rear wing of teammate #26 Andretti, 4 minutes, 35 seconds.
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Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR medical director: Mike Conway and Will Power were evaluated and released without injury from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at IMS. They are cleared to drive.
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Lap 95: GREEN. #9 Dixon, #50 Franchitti, #28 Hunter-Reay, #38 Rahal, #83 Kimball.
Lap 96: #9 Dixon leads #28 Hunter-Reay by .7311 of a second.
Lap 97: #9 Dixon leads #28 Hunter-Reay by .8054 of a second.
Lap 100 (halfway): Top 10 -- #9 Dixon, #50 Franchitti, #28 Hunter-Reay, #38 Rahal, #15 Sato, #18 Wilson, #83 Kimball, #4 Hildebrand, #19 Jakes, #99 Bell.
Lap 102: #9 Dixon leads #50 Franchitti by .2576 of a second.
Lap 106: #9 Dixon leads #50 Franchitti by .3927 of a second. Both cars last pitted on Lap 78.
Lap 112: #28 Hunter-Reay to pits from third place, four tires and fuel, 12 seconds.
Lap 113: #30 Jourdain to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds.
Lap 114: #4 Hildebrand to pits, four tires and fuel, 12 seconds.
Lap 115: Pit stop report: Four tires, fuel: #38 Rahal, 10 seconds; #3 Castroneves, 11 seconds.
Lap 116: #99 Bell to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds.
Lap 118: #50 Franchitti to pits, four tires and fuel, 10 seconds. #15 Sato climbs to second.
Lap 119: #9 Dixon to pits. #15 Sato takes lead. Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #9 Dixon, 10 seconds; #83 Kimball, 8 seconds; #19 Jakes, 7 seconds. Four tires, fuel, air pressure adjustment: #18 Wilson, 15 seconds. Wilson ran over air gun and hose entering his pit box, no penalty.
Lap 120: #67 Newgarden to pits, four tires and fuel, 10 seconds.
Lap 122: #15 Sato leads #26 Andretti by 4.9691 seconds.
Lap 124: #26 Andretti to pits, four tires and fuel, 9 seconds. #2 Briscoe to pits, four tires and fuel, 7 seconds. #28 Hunter-Reay slow in Turns 1 and 2, drops below white line on backstretch. Last pitted on Lap 112.
Lap 124: #15 Sato to pits. #8 Barrichello takes lead. #11 Kanaan to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds; #27 Hinchcliffe to pits, four tires and fuel, 8 seconds.
•#8 Rubens Barrichello is the 58th driver to lead the Indianapolis 500 in his first start.
•This is the first time in five career Indianapolis 500 starts that #12 Will Power will not be running at the finish.
Lap 125: #8 Barrichello to pits, four tires and fuel, 12 seconds. #15 Sato regains lead.
Lap 127: #15 Sato leads #50 Franchitti by .2082 of a second. #28 Hunter-Reay out of race, mechanical problem. #25 Beatriz to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds.
Lap 136: #15 Sato leads #50 Franchitti by .5298 of a second.
Lap 140: #7 Bourdais to pits, four tires and fuel, 10 seconds.
Lap 141: #15 Sato leads #50 Franchitti by 1.0622 seconds.
2:15 p.m. temperature update: Ambient 93 degrees, track 133 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.
Lap 144: #9 Dixon passes #26 Andretti for third. #26 Andretti to pits, four tires and fuel, 9 seconds. #4 Hildebrand to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds. #38 Rahal to pits, four tires and fuel, 10 seconds. #17 Saavedra slows on track, pulls into acceleration lane.
Lap 145: #67 Newgarden to pits, four tires and fuel, 11 seconds.
Lap 146: YELLOW. Tow-in for #17 Saavedra, who has stopped on acceleration lane in Turn 2. Crew reports electrical problem.
Lap 147: All 12 cars on lead lap to pits: #15 Sato, #50 Franchitti, #9 Dixon, #18 Wilson, #83 Kimball, #27 Hinchcliffe, #3 Castroneves, #11 Kanaan, #2 Briscoe, #19 Jakes, #20 Carpenter, #8 Barrichello. #15 Sato first car off pit road. Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #50 Franchitti, 12 seconds; #18 Wilson, 13 seconds; #19 Jakes, 10 seconds; #6 Legge, 11 seconds; #20 Carpenter, 10 seconds; #22 Servia, 8 seconds; #9 Dixon, 9 seconds; #83 Kimball, 9 seconds; #25 Beatriz, 14 seconds; #8 Barrichello, 9 seconds; #11 Kanaan, 11 seconds; #2 Briscoe, 12 seconds; #3 Castroneves, 12 seconds; #27 Hinchcliffe, 13 seconds.
Lap 148: #98 Tagliani, #26 Andretti, #99 Bell, #38 Rahal, #4 Hildebrand waved around Pace Car, return to lead lap.
Lap 149: #26 Andretti to pits, fuel only and front wing adjustment, 7 seconds. #7 Bourdais to pits, four tires and fuel, 8 seconds.
Lap 152: GREEN. Restart order: #15 Sato, #50 Franchitti, #9 Dixon, #27 Hinchcliffe, #18 Wilson.
Lap 153: #50 Franchitti passes #15 Sato for lead on first lap after restart. Leads by .2602 of a second at start-finish.
Lap 154: #9 Dixon passes #15 Sato for second, trails leader #50 Franchitti by .1345 of a second.
Lap 156: #50 Franchitti leads #9 Dixon by .3318 of a second.
Lap 157: #50 Franchitti leads #9 Dixon by .2158 of a second. #18 Wilson climbs to fourth.
Lap 158: #50 Franchitti leads #9 Dixon by .1934 of a second.
Lap 160: #9 Dixon passes #50 Franchitti for lead in Turn 1. Leads by .0721 of a second at start-finish line.
Lap 161: #50 Franchitti passes #9 Dixon for lead in Turn 1. Leads by .1706 of a second at start-finish line.
Lap 163: #9 Dixon passes #50 Franchitti for lead in Turn 1. #67 Newgarden slows in acceleration lane in Turn 2, no power.
Lap 164: YELLOW. Tow-in for #67 Newgarden, who is stopped on grass inside backstretch.
Lap 165: #30 Jourdain enters closed pits, four tires and fuel, 8 seconds.
Lap 166: All lead lap cars to pits. #9 Dixon first car out of pits. Pit stop report: Four tires and fuel: #9 Dixon, 9 seconds; #83 Kimball, 10 seconds; #38 Rahal, 9 seconds; #27 Hinchcliffe, 10 seconds; #3 Castroneves, 9 seconds; #2 Briscoe, 10 seconds; #26 Andretti, 10 seconds; #8 Barrichello, 11 seconds; #99 Bell, 13 seconds; #18 Wilson, 8 seconds; #4 Hildebrand, 10 seconds; #50 Franchitti, 8 seconds. Four tires, fuel, front and rear wing adjustment: #15 Sato, 12 seconds. Four tires, fuel, front wing adjustment: #11 Kanaan, 10 seconds; #98 Tagliani, 11 seconds.
Lap 168: #22 Servia, #77 Pagenaud waved around Pace Car, back on lead lap.
Lap 171: GREEN. Restart order: #9 Dixon, #50 Franchitti, #15 Sato, #18 Wilson, #83 Kimball.
Lap 172: #18 Wilson passes #15 Sato for third in Turn 1 after restart. #50 Franchitti takes lead over #9 Dixon, leads by .3636 of a second at start-finish line.
Lap 174: #15 Sato passes #18 Wilson for third in Turn 1. #9 Dixon passes #50 Franchitti for lead in Turn 3. #20 Carpenter passes #11 Kanaan for fourth.
Lap 175: #9 Dixon leads #50 Franchitti by .1567 of a second.
Lap 177: #50 Franchitti passes #9 Dixon for lead in Turn 1.
Lap 178: #20 Carpenter passes #15 Sato for third between Turns 1 and 2. #9 Dixon leads #50 Franchitti by .0040 of a second.
Lap 179: #18 Wilson passes #20 Carpenter for third in Turn 1. #17 Saavedra retires with electrical problem.
Lap 180: #50 Franchitti passes #9 Dixon for lead in Turn 1. #50 Franchitti leads #9 Dixon by .2364 of a second.
Lap 181: YELLOW. #20 Carpenter does full spin to the left between Turns 1 and 2. No contact. Car stops on track and is restarted.
Lap 184: GREEN. Restart order: #50 Franchitti, #9 Dixon, #18 Wilson, #15 Sato, #11 Kanaan.
Lap 185: Four-wide on frontstretch on restart. #11 Kanaan drives from fifth to lead in Turn 1. #50 Franchitti regains lead at line by .0643 of a second.
Lap 186: #50 Franchitti leads #11 Kanaan by .1972 of a second.
Lap 187: #11 Kanaan dives under #50 Franchitti at start-finish line for lead by .0291 of a second.
Lap 188: YELLOW. #26 Andretti dips under white line in Turn 1, crashes into SAFER Barrier in Turn 1. Heavy damage to right side of car. Andretti climbs from car with assistance from Holmatro Safety Team.
Lap 194: GREEN. Restart order: #11 Kanaan, #50 Franchitti, #9 Dixon, #2 Briscoe, #18 Wilson, #27 Hinchcliffe, #15 Sato, #22 Servia, #8 Barrichello, #99 Bell.
Lap 195: #50 Franchitti passes #11 Kanaan entering Turn 1 for lead on restart. #11 Kanaan falters on first lap after restart, drops to fourth. #9 Dixon drives under #50 Franchitti for lead at the line, leads by .0104 of a second.
Lap 196: #9 Dixon leads #50 Franchitti at line.
Lap 197: #50 Franchitti passes #9 Dixon entering Turn 1. #9 Dixon leads #50 Franchitti by .0638 of a second at the line.
Lap 198: #9 Dixon leads #50 Franchitti by. 0502 of a second.
Lap 199: #50 Franchitti passes #9 Dixon for lead. #15 Sato passes #9 Dixon for second, trails Franchitti by .1205 of a second at white flag.
Lap 200: YELLOW. #50 Franchitti, #15 Sato appear to touch in Turn 1 in battle for lead on final lap. #15 Sato tried to dive under #50 Franchitti in Turn 1, makes contact with Franchitti, spins and hits SAFER Barrier in Turn 1. Franchitti continues. Sato climbs from car with assistance from Holmatro Safety Team.
CHECKERED. #50 Dario Franchitti wins 96th Indianapolis 500. It's his third career Indianapolis 500 victory. He also won in 2007 with Andretti Green Racing and 2010 with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Franchitti becomes just the
#9 Scott Dixon finishes second, #11 Tony Kanaan third.
Dario Franchitti put on white sunglasses in Victory Lane, in tribute to late friend Dan Wheldon. Franchitti points to sky, in tribute to Wheldon, after drinking from traditional winner's bottle of milk.
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INDIANAPOLIS 500 WINNER'S POST-RACE QUICK QUOTE:
DARIO FRANCHITTI: "I just want to dedicate this to two of Indianapolis' finest, Dan Wheldon and Michael Wanser. Thanks to all of the Indianapolis fans for their tribute to Dan today. What a race. What a race. I think D-dub (Wheldon) would be proud of that one." (About final battle with Takuma Sato): "I moved over, and I saw he was coming. I came back over, and I moved up the track. He got loose underneath me. Kind of reminds me of Emerson (Fittipaldi) and Little Al (Unser) at the end there. This means the world. This is Indianapolis. To be on this trophy on either side of Dan, that means more than anything. The last week I've been studying my buddy JR's book, Johnny Rutherford gave me his book with a wonderful inscription, and he said he hoped to welcome me to the three-time club. To be in the company of guys like that means so much. What a great race today, to be able to come from the back of the grid after being in the pit lane and being spun."
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Michael Wanser died last Oct. 23, 2011, exactly one week after Dan Wheldon passed away. Wanser was the 6-year-old son of Target Chip Ganassi Racing team manager (racing operations) Barry Wanser. Michael Wanser was suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. Team members nicknamed him "Iron Man Mike" for the courage and strength he showed during his fight with the disease.
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Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR medical director: Marco Andretti and Takuma Sato were evaluated and released without injury from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at IMS. They are cleared to drive.
96th INDIANAPOLIS 500 HISTORICAL NOTES:
•Dario Franchitti is the 10th driver to have three or more wins in Indianapolis 500 history.
•Dario Franchitti joins Helio Castroneves as three-time Indianapolis 500 winner in the fewest number of starts, nine. Louis Meyer won for the third time in his ninth start, but it was his 10th Indianapolis 500 because he drove as a relief driver only in his rookie year.
•Dario Franchitti and Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon finished first and second, respectively. The last time teammates finished 1-2 before today was in 2003 when Gil de Ferran beat Penske teammate Helio Castroneves to the checkered flag.
•This is the fifth Indianapolis 500 victory for Chip Ganassi, tying Lou Moore for second on the list of career wins by car owners. Roger Penske leads all car owners with 15 victories.
•There were a record 34 lead changes during the 2012 Indianapolis 500. The previous record for most lead changes was 29 in 1960.
•The 2012 Indianapolis 500 race had 10 different lap leaders, tying the 1980, 1995, 1998 and 2011 races for second-highest number of lap leaders. The record for different lap leaders is 12 in the 1993 race.
•Dario Franchitti's 2012 Indianapolis 500 winning average speed of 167.734 mph was the fifth fastest in Indianapolis 500 history.
•The 2012 race is the third Indianapolis 500 win for Dario Franchitti. His other victories came in 2010, and 2007 in a rain shortened (166 laps) race. In all three victories, he crossed the finish line under caution.
•Dario Franchitti is the second driver to win the Indianapolis 500 starting from the 16th position. Dan Wheldon won from the same position in 2005.
•This is the first time car No. 50 has won the Indianapolis 500.
•Jean Alesi is the third driver in Indianapolis 500 history to start and finish 33rd in the race. Both Dempsey Wilson (1960) and Ronnie Duman (1966) started and finished 33rd.
•The 2012 race represents the eighth time that Helio Castroneves has completed the full 500-mile distance. Castroneves joins Ted Horn and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to have completed the full 500 miles eight times without the aid of a relief driver. The use of relief drivers was a common practice at the Indianapolis 500 before World War II.
•Honda has been the winning engine for the past nine years and moves up to fourth all time for victories by all engine manufacturers.
•Scott Dixon has completed the last 1,366 consecutive laps of Indianapolis 500 competition, which represents the most consecutive laps completed by a driver in Indianapolis 500 history. The previous record stood for 71 years and belonged to Wilbur Shaw, who completed 1,351 consecutive laps from 1935-41.
•The 2012 Indianapolis 500 marks the eighth time in nine Indianapolis 500 starts, including two rain-shortened races, that Dario Franchitti has finished on the lead lap. The only time he failed to do so was his rookie year, when he finished three laps off the pace in the 2002 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti has completed 1,743 laps out of a possible 1,746 laps during his Indianapolis 500 career for a completion rate of 99.8 percent.
•Dario Franchitti (Scotland) is the second foreign driver to win the Indianapolis 500 three times. The other foreign three-time winner is Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009).
•This is the seventh time that a member of the Andretti family has led the most laps of the Indianapolis 500. Mario led the most laps in 1969, 1985, 1987 and 1993. Michael led the most laps in 1991 and 1992. Marco led a race high 59 laps in today's race. Among these seven occasions, only the 1969 effort by Mario Andretti resulted in a victory.
•Target Ganassi Racing had a driver lead the most laps for the past four consecutive Indianapolis 500 races until Marco Andretti of Andretti Autosport led the most laps in today's race.
•Rubens Barrichello's 11th-place finish was the highest finishing position among the eight Indianapolis 500 rookies in today's race. Barrichello, who led two laps, was the only rookie lap leader.
•Four drivers led the Indianapolis 500 for the first time: Takuma Sato (31 laps), James Hinchcliffe (five laps), Charlie Kimball (three laps) and Rubens Barrichello (two laps).
•Tony Kanaan led his eighth Indianapolis 500 today. That is the second-most races led by a driver still seeking his first win. Michael Andretti and Rex Mays each led nine races without winning in their respective Indianapolis 500 careers.
•Sixteen cars completed the full 500-mile distance, which ties the 1959 field for second all time. A record 19 cars completed the full distance in 2009.
•The National Weather Service recorded a high temperature of 91 degrees at 4:12 p.m. today, so this year's race ties for the second-hottest Indianapolis 500. The hottest race came in 1937, when the high temperature was 92. The high temperature also was 91 in 1919 and 1953.
•Dario Franchitti won the 2012 Indianapolis 500 powered by a Honda six-cylinder engine. This is the third time a six-cylinder engine has won the Indianapolis 500. The other two occasions are 1911, when Ray Harroun drove a Marmon-powered car to victory, and in 1946, when George Robson won with a Sparks-powered six-cylinder engine.
•Runner-up Scott Dixon led 53 laps today. He moved from 19th to 12th on the all-time Indianapolis 500 lap leader list with 346 laps led. This is the most laps led by an active driver.
•2012 race winner Dario Franchitti led 23 laps, raising his Indianapolis 500 career total to 329 laps led. This total is second-highest among all active Indianapolis 500 drivers.
•Marco Andretti recorded the fastest lap of the 2012 Indianapolis 500 on Lap 59, 220.172 mph. He also recorded the fastest lap of the race in 2008. Michael Andretti recorded the fastest lap of the race in 1992, and Mario Andretti recorded the fastest lap of the race in 1978.
•Marco Andretti has led five times in seven Indianapolis 500 career starts. His father, Michael Andretti, did not lead his fifth Indianapolis 500 until his 11th start. His grandfather Mario Andretti didn't lead his fifth Indianpolis 500 until his 19th start.
•Today marked the second time Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon finished 1-2, respectively, in the Indianapolis 500. The other year was 2007, when Franchitti won for Andretti Green Racing and Dixon was second for Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
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TOP 10 IN IZOD INDYCAR POINT STANDINGS (after Indianapolis 500):
1. Will Power 200
2. Helio Castroneves 164
3. James Hinchcliffe 164
4. Scott Dixon 153
5. Ryan Hunter-Reay 143
6. Dario Franchitti 136
7. Simon Pagenaud 136
8. Ryan Briscoe 128
9. Tony Kanaan 113
10. JR Hildebrand 103
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Former IMS Radio Network reporter Ron Carrell died today. He called the action from the backstretch, first turn, third turn and pits from 1965-92. He was most well-known for his vivid description of Danny Sullivan's famous spin in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2 before driving to victory in the 1985 Indianapolis 500.