Two departure times provide more flexibility for fans who want to commute to the track on their bike on Race Day. Read More>
This partnership represents the first time a major athlete's sponsorship has been decided by a vote using blockchain technology. Read More>
e.l.f. is believed to be the first beauty brand to serve as a primary sponsor for an entry in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” as Legge will drive the No. 51 e.l.f. Honda on Sunday, May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Read More>
View images from the shortened first day of the Indianapolis 500 Open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. View Photos>
View images from the once-in-a-lifetime Total Solar Eclipse event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. View Photos>
Josef Newgarden unveils the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Ticket View Photos>
Why does Scott McLaughlin move his hands around so much in the car? What "button" is he pushing? What's the pressure of the iconic Yellow Submarine like? We cover that and so much more with Scott McLaughlin on the latest Doug and Drivers. Watch Video>
On this episode of Behind the Bricks, IMS President Doug Boles truly goes behind the bricks of the IMS Museum and checks in on the renovation progress. He also gets an exclusive look at the vision of the refreshed Museum, which opens a year from this week. The Museum is a separate entity from IMS and is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Consider supporting the Museum by visiting imsmuseum.org Watch Video>
On this episode of Doug and Drivers, 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi talks his chances to win "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" again, adjusting to Arrow McLaren, getting married over the offseason and so much more. Watch Video>
May 15, 2018 | By Paul Kelly, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Simon Pagenaud has won championships in major open-wheel and sports car racing, including the Verizon IndyCar Series title in 2016. The Frenchman has won races around the world, including 11 in his IndyCar career. He has won twice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, capturing the INDYCAR Grand Prix in 2014 and 2016. But there’s one blank line in Pagenaud’s stellar racing resume, and he knows it. “It’s the biggest event in the world, what I wake up every day for,” Pagenaud said. “That’s where I draw my dedication from. That’s the race I want to win the most out of all the other races. That’s my passion.” That race would be the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. Pagenaud, 33, will attempt to make his seventh start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” this year and his fourth straight with Team Penske. The “500” has posed a big challenge for Pagenaud, as his only single-digit finish was eighth in 2013 with Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports. Otherwise, he has finished 16th, 12th, 10th, 19th and 14th. Pagenaud’s best chance for victory came in 2015, his first season with the powerful Penske team. He led six times for 35 laps and was a contender for victory, running fifth on Lap 175. But Pagenaud’s front wing made contact with the rear of Justin Wilson’s car on Lap 176 while they dueled for fourth place, and Pagenaud dropped to 21st. He still rallied to finish 10th, with bittersweet memories about the only year he has seen his name atop the Scoring Pylon at IMS during the Indianapolis 500. “My favorite moment in Indy was taking the lead for the first time ever in my career, 2015,” Pagenaud said. “It’s just happiness, joy, excitement, and you don’t get to feel your legs anymore when that happens. I’ve had my lowest moment after that when the (chance for) victory went away.” Speed and consistency never have been a problem for Pagenaud on the 2.5-mile IMS oval. He has qualified in the top eight three times, including a career-best third in 2015. He also has completed 1,199 of a possible 1,200 laps in his six career starts. Pagenaud is 12th in the Verizon IndyCar Series standings this season after a slow start that featured no top-five finishes in the first five races of the season. But he’s still willing to risk the loss of championship points for his ultimate goal of earning a spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy and delivering yet another victory to team owner Roger Penske. Much like Takuma Sato’s brave but ill-fated passing attempt in Turn 1 on the final lap against Dario Franchitti in 2012, Pagenaud is prepared to win it or wear it Sunday, May 27 on Race Day. “It’s speed, excitement,” Pagenaud said of the Indianapolis 500. “To me, it means being a leader, going for the win, no matter what. First or nothing. “(Winning the ‘500’) would be the accomplishment of my whole career. A life dream fulfilled. It would be incredible; it would be like winning the Lotto.”