California racer Justin Grant earned $20,039 for the victory Saturday night at The Dirt Track at IMS after winning his preliminary feature Friday night. Read More>
Justin Grant won the 30-lap feature, while Zach Daum captured the 25-lap Stoops Pursuit on Friday during the second night of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 at The Dirt Track at IMS. Read More>
California racer Thomas Meseraull fulfilled a lifelong dream by winning Thursday night at IMS. Read More>
Photos from the 2nd night of the Driven2SaveLives BC39 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. View Photos>
Pictures from Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. View Photos>
Images from Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. View Photos>
How do we go from a 2.5-mile oval to a 2.439-mile road course and back again? We're here to show you on this episode of Behind the Bricks! It includes 48 barriers, 576,000 pounds of concrete and about 15 hours of work for a full conversion. Watch Video>
Is it a tradition, or is it a fact of life at the Indianapolis 500? Every year when you show up for Race Day, pit lane is lined with stencils signifying each driver's pit box. On this episode of Behind the Bricks, Doug Boles investigates the origins of the stencil work and shows you how we bring this to life each and every May. Watch Video>
In this continued episode of Behind the Bricks, IMS President Doug Boles continues to give you a behind the scenes look at pre-race ceremonies for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. You'll see how Jewel prepared for the National Anthem, how we time the flyover just perfectly, and which pre-race song made Boles get emotional minutes before the largest single-day sporting event on the planet. Watch Video>
December 09, 2021 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Today’s question: Seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are tied in points at 369.5 entering the final race of a thrilling 2021 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Which driver will emerge as World Champion this Sunday?
Curt Cavin: I would like Verstappen to win it, but my money would be on Hamilton. Yes, Verstappen won there last year, but Hamilton won the two previous races there and has won the past three races this year, the past two from the pole. And he’s won five times at Abu Dhabi in his career. He will make it six.
Zach Horrall: I think it’s Max Verstappen. He has more wins this season (nine to Hamilton’s eight), and he tied the record for the most podium finishes in a season at 17 with one race remaining. Add in the sheer fact that he’s done all this while going head-to-head with one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all-time, and he’s more than deserving of the title.
Paul Kelly: Lewis Hamilton, for reasons past and present. First, the past. Hamilton has won three of the last five races at the wretched Yas Marina circuit (Suzuka, Melbourne or Sao Paulo are far better sites for finales). Yes, Max Verstappen won last year, but that was after Hamilton locked up title No. 7. Now, the present. Hamilton is rolling. He has won the last three races of this spellbinding season entering the season finale. It’s hard for Red Bull or any team to blunt that kind of momentum, especially when Hamilton’s Mercedes team is arguably the most ruthless winning machine in F1 history. I think Verstappen is starting to crack mentally, as shown by his less-than-savory driving tactics in recent races. My only hope is that he doesn’t pull a Senna or a Schumacher and try to win the world title through an intentional collision, but sadly I wouldn’t put it past Max. Finally, there’s the experience factor. Hamilton has endured title-deciding crucibles like this in 2007 (lost), 2008 (won) and 2016 (lost), while this is the first time in Verstappen’s career he has entered the final race with a chance for the championship. I’ll take Lewis’ ice over Max’s fire. One tip: Keep a close eye on qualifying. The pole sitter has won every race at Yas Marina – did I mention it’s a dreadful circuit with few overtaking opportunities? – since 2015.