Final practice, air demonstrations and music acts round out schedule Friday, May 24 at IMS. Read More>
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>
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>
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway prides itself on its fire rescue and medical response teams that arrive to the scene of an accident within seconds. But how do they get that good? On Behind the Bricks, IMS President Doug Boles takes you through the annual Motorsports Safety Training at IMS, which features specific training scenarios for INDYCAR, NASCAR, IMSA and more to make sure every driver at IMS is safe. Watch Video>
On this episode of Doug and Drivers, 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson sits down with Doug Boles to talk about the pain of coming so close to scoring back-to-back wins, how he wanted to compete on ovals after his Formula 1 career and the transition to Andretti Global. Watch Video>
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>
January 10, 2019 | By Mark Robinson, INDYCAR
Nearly a half-century later, Mario Andretti still gets tingly when he thinks about winning the 1969 Indianapolis 500. “Crossing that finish line was just the greatest moment of my life,” the racing legend said Wednesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway media center. “It was just amazing, just like the 900-pound gorilla was lifted off my shoulders.” Andretti was at the site of that most famous win, joined by IMS President Doug Boles, who announced that the golden anniversary of Andretti’s triumph in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” will be celebrated in a variety of ways this May.
A commemorative logo including the depiction of Andretti giving his famous wave next to the Borg-Warner Trophy was unveiled during the news conference. A specially curated exhibit honoring Andretti’s legendary career will open at the IMS Museum on May 1. The popular silver and bronze badges that allow access to the Gasoline Alley garage area will be adorned with Andretti’s face. Special 50th-anniversary Andretti merchandise will be available at IMS gift shops. “Mario Andretti’s victory in the 1969 Indianapolis 500 was one of the iconic moments in the history of the world’s greatest auto race,” Boles said. “Mario’s position as one of the most popular drivers in the race’s history only has grown over time, and his accomplishments in every discipline of racing in which he has competed remain landmarks of our sport. We’re honored to join with Mario’s legions of fans around the world to celebrate his magical month of May in 1969 and his remarkable career.”
For Andretti, the man who claimed four Indy car season championships, one Formula One title, a Daytona 500 victory as well as sports car victories in the 24-hour race at Daytona and 12-hour race at Sebring, Wednesday’s honor once again resonated just where his 1969 Indy 500 triumph stands. “When you win it, it does change your life in so many ways, and all for the better, quite honestly,” Andretti said. “Career-wise, it opens doors that you could have only hoped for before, and your personal life changes dramatically.” After sustaining facial burns in a practice crash in the new Lotus-Ford, Andretti qualified second in his backup No. 2 STP Oil Treatment Brawner Hawk-Ford for the ’69 race. He led 116 of the 200 laps and finished ahead of fellow legends Dan Gurney and Bobby Unser for what would be his only Indy 500 win. Andretti’s only regret on Wednesday was that his flamboyant car owner at the time, Andy Granatelli, couldn’t be there to share in the celebration. The photo of Granatelli planting a kiss on Andretti’s cheek in victory lane that year remains one of the most famous shots in race history. “I was able to win it for, not just for myself but for Andy Granatelli,” Andretti said. “And I'll tell you, in my opinion nobody deserved that victory more than he did because of what he meant to the speedway.” Month of May activities at IMS include the INDYCAR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 11 and the 103rd Indianapolis 500 in Sunday, May 26. Ticket information is available at IMS.com.