2010 Indianapolis 500 Explained

Race Name:	94th Indianapolis 500
Race Logo:	Indy 500 2010.png
Sanction:	Indy Racing League
Season:	2010 IndyCar season
Team:	Target Chip Ganassi Racing
Date:	May 30, 2010
Winner:	Dario Franchitti
Pole:	Hélio Castroneves
Fast Time:	Hélio Castroneves
Rookie:	Simona de Silvestro^[1]
Leader:	Dario Franchitti (155)
Anthem:	Jewel^[2]
Back Home:	Jim Nabors
Start Engines:	Mari Hulman George
Pace Car:	Chevrolet Camaro SS^[3]
Pace Driver:	Robin Roberts^[4]
Starter:	Paul Blevin
Honorary Start:	Jack Nicholson^[5]
Attendance:	300,000 + (est.)
Network:	ABC
Announcers:	Marty Reid Scott Goodyear Eddie Cheever, Jr.^[6]
Rating:	3.6,^[7] 4.0 overnight^[8]
Share:	10
Previous:	2009
Next:	2011

The 94th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 30, 2010. It was the 15th Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and was the premier event of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season. The race was won by Dario Franchitti, ahead of Dan Wheldon and Marco Andretti. Tony Kanaan, who had started in the final position, ran as high as second during the race before finishing eleventh.

The race was the second of the three-year-long Centennial era, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 100th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500. It was the 53rd time the race had been held on a May 30. This year marked the first race with four female drivers (repeated in 2011), and Simona de Silvestro was awarded Rookie of the Year.

Event news

• Qualifying for the event reverted to a schedule used between 1998 and 2000, in which the grid was set across a single weekend rather than two.^[9]
• The pole position was decided under a new "shootout" format, loosely based on the qualifying format used during IndyCar Series road course events. Initial qualifying for the positions 1–24 took place from to During the final 90 minutes, the top nine cars (rows 1–3) advanced to a special session. The "Fast Nine" cars erased their earlier times, and make up to two attempts apiece during the special session to determine who will win the pole position. Cash prizes for the front row have been increased from previous years: pole position ($175,000), second place ($75,000), and third place ($50,000). Participants were also awarded IndyCar Series points towards the championship based on their qualifying position. Points were awarded based on a special descending scale for all starting positions, with the pole winner receiving 15 points, second place 13, and third place 12.^{[10] [11]}
• Prior to the start of the race, Michael Andretti drove Mark Wahlberg in a custom-built, two-seat Indy car billed as the "Izod Fastest Seat in Sports". The 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti coached the two by radio from the IZOD Performance Pit. Andretti and Wahlberg followed four parade cars and led the official pace car and the 33-car starting field on three parade laps. Once the parade cars exited the circuit, the two-seat race car sped around the track at nearly 200mph to catch the field from behind as the field took the green flag. This marked the first time in modern history that a driver and passenger joined the field of the Indianapolis 500.^[12] It was the first two-man race car on the track since the days of the riding mechanic ended after 1937.
• Five women attempted the Indy 500; four qualified for the event.^[13]

Rule changes

• For the first time, the Honda overtake assist system ("Push-to-pass") was utilized. Each car was permitted 15 presses (18 seconds in duration) with a 10-second recharge time.^[14]

Schedule

The 2010 schedule was a two-week condensed schedule, but featured only one fewer day of on-track activity compared to 2009.^[15]

Notes and References

1. News: Franchitti Earns $2.75 Million For Indy 500; De Silvestro Chase Rookie Of The Year. Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Eric. Powell. 2010-05-31. 2010-06-01. Simona de Silvestro earned the prestigious Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Award, which includes a $25,000 bonus plus the Chase Rookie of the Year Trophy. De Silvestro finished 14th in the No. 78 Team Stargate Worlds HVM Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone..
2. News: Bull-riding links bring Jewel for anthem. The Indianapolis Star. Michael G. Kane; Gannett Company. Curt. Cavin. 2010-05-02. 2010-05-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20100504204825/http://www.indystar.com/article/20100502/SPORTS0107/5020353/1052/SPORTS01/Bull-riding-links-bring-Jewel-for-anthem. 4 May 2010 . live.
3. News: Chevrolet Camaro SS To Pace 2010 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race . Indy500.com . . Eric . Powell . 2009-12-18 . 2009-12-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120227004234/http://www.indy500.com/news/15582/Chevrolet_Camaro_SS_To_Pace_2010_Indianapolis_500_Mile_Race . 2012-02-27 .
4. News: 'Good Morning America' Anchor Robin Roberts To Drive Pace Car At 2010 Indianapolis 500. Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Paul. Kelly. 2010-03-25. 2010-03-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307190752/http://indy500.com/news/15855/_Good_Morning_America__Anchor_Robin_Roberts_To_Drive_Pace_Car_At_2010_Indianapolis_500. 2012-03-07. dead.
5. News: Jack Nicholson will flag start of Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis Star. Michael G. Kane; Gannett Company. Curt. Cavin. 2010-05-26. 2010-05-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20100601063334/http://www.indystar.com/article/20100526/SPORTS0107/100526012/1004/sports/Jack-Nicholson-will-flag-start-of-Indianapolis-500. 1 June 2010 . live.
6. News: VERSUS' passion at forefront of telecasts. IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League. Dave. Lewandowski. 2010-03-06. 2010-05-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20100526203612/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/34613-versusand-39-passion-at-forefront-of-telecasts/. 2010-05-26. dead.
7. News: Indianapolis 500 On ABC Earns Lowest Rating, Viewership Ever. SportsBusiness Daily. Street & Smith's Sports Group. 2010-06-02. 2010-09-28.
8. News: Indy 500 Overnights Drop on ABC. Sports Media Watch. Blogspot. 2010-06-01. 2010-09-28.
9. News: Indy cuts qualifying to two days. 2009-12-15. autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Matt. Beer. 2009-12-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20091217002424/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80590. 17 December 2009 . live.
10. News: Winning pole just got more intense . . . Curt . Cavin . 2010-04-10 . 2010-04-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140311165453/http://www.indystar.com/article/20100410/SPORTS0107/4100343/1217/SPORTS0107/Winning-pole-just-got-more-intense . March 11, 2014 .
11. News: 'Fast Nine' To Make Thrilling Late-Day Run For Pole Saturday, May 22 . Indy500.com . . Paul . Kelly . 2010-04-14 . 2010-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120307190743/http://indy500.com/news/15897/Pole_Shootout__Busy_Bump_Day_Headline_New__500__Qualifying_Format . 2012-03-07 . dead .
12. News: Wahlberg, Andrettis Team Up For IZOD Fastest Seat In Sports At Indy. Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2010-05-26. 2010-05-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528005735/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/news/show/37654-wahlberg-andrettis-team-up-for-izod-fastest-seat-in-sports-at-indy/. 28 May 2010 . live.
13. News: Clarke. Liz. Four women, including Danica Patrick, set to contend in 2010 Indianapolis 500. 2010-06-06. The Washington Post. 2010-05-24.
14. News: 2010 Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Reports. IZOD IndyCar Series. Pages 172. June 1, 2020.
15. News: 2010 Indianapolis 500 Schedule To Provide Intense Action. Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Paul. Kelly. 2009-12-15. 2009-12-21. 2012-02-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20120227004249/http://www.indy500.com/news/15560/2010_Indianapolis_500_Schedule_To_Provide_Intense_Action. dead.
16. News: Daily Trackside Report – Saturday, May 15 . Indy500.com . . 2010-05-15 . 2010-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20100519130324/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/news/show/37393-daily-trackside-report-saturday-may-15/. 19 May 2010 . live.
17. News: Daily Trackside Report – Sunday, May 16 . Indy500.com . . 2010-05-16 . 2010-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20100527142640/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/news/show/37411-daily-trackside-report-sunday-may-16/. 27 May 2010 . live.
18. News: Daily Trackside Report – Monday, May 17. Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2010-05-17. 2010-05-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20100527143426/http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/news/show/37444-daily-trackside-report-monday-may-17/. 27 May 2010 . live.
19. News: Daily Trackside Report – Wednesday, May 19 . Indy500.com . . 2010-05-19 . 2010-05-20.
20. News: Daily Trackside Report – Thursday, May 20 . Indy500.com . . 2010-05-20 . 2010-05-22.
21. News: Daily Trackside Report – Friday, May 21 . Indy500.com . . 2010-05-21 . 2010-05-22.
22. Indianapolis 500. Presenters: Marty Reid, Eddie Cheever, and Scott Goodyear. ABC. 2010-05-30. TV production.
23. News: Dorsey. Patrick. Race Breakdown. The Indianapolis Star. R4. 2010-05-31.
24. Web site: Martin. Bruce. Franchitti joins legends with his second Indianapolis 500 victory. SI Mobile. 2010-05-31. 2010-05-31. https://archive.today/20120714191015/http://m.si.com/news/sp/wr_nascar_sports/detail/2648415/full. 2012-07-14. dead.
25. News: Rabjohns. Jeff. Kanaan's dramatic charge keys Andretti's big day. The Indianapolis Star. R9. 2010-05-31.
26. News: Ballard. Steve. Team Penske makes too many mistakes to prevail. The Indianapolis Star. R2. 2010-05-31.
27. News: Cavin. Curt. Race Results. The Indianapolis Star. R12. 2010-05-31.
28. News: Conway's car goes airborne in crash. 31 May 2010. ESPN.com. ESPN. 28 September 2010.
29. News: Wilson. Phillip B.. Conway breaks leg but OK after horrific crash. The Indianapolis Star. R13. 2010-05-31.
30. News: Cavin. Curt. Franchitti takes his 2nd Indy win to join legendary drivers with multiple victories in the 500. The Indianapolis Star. R6-7. 2010-05-31.
31. News: Franchitti wins second Indianapolis 500 title. 30 May 2010. AFP. 30 May 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100602234342/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZkk5Rnhiin66M7Zcy37KBf6Z_Vg. 2 June 2010 . dead.
32. News: Franchitti conserves enough fuel to win his second Indy 500. 30 May 2010. The Miami Herald. 30 May 2010.
33. News: Wilson. Phillip B.. Wheldon delivers another 2nd for Panther. The Indianapolis Star. R13. 2010-05-31.
34. News: Ballard. Steve. Lloyd's 4th-place finish makes for 'perfect day'. The Indianapolis Star. R10. 2010-05-31.
35. News: Alesia. Mark. Patrick bounces back to finish 6th. The Indianapolis Star. R2. 2010-05-31.
36. News: Franchitti flawless and lucky, wins Indy. Pells. Eddie. 30 May 2010. Associated Press. 30 May 2010.
37. Web site: Franchitti wint door hitte geteisterde Indy 500 MotorRacingblog.nl. www.motorracingblog.nl. June 2010. en-US. 2017-08-18.
38. Web site: All 17 races broadcast on TSN, TSN2. IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League. 2010-01-29. 2010-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20100521061906/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/34071-all-17-races-broadcast-on-tsn-tsn2/. 2010-05-21. dead.