2015 Indianapolis 500 Explained
The 2015 Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday May 24, 2015. It was the premier event of the 2015 season of the Verizon IndyCar Series. Juan Pablo Montoya won his second Indianapolis 500, followed in the finish by Will Power, Charlie Kimball, polesitter Scott Dixon, and Graham Rahal.[5]
For the second year in a row, the month of May activities opened with the Grand Prix of Indianapolis over May 7–9. Practice opened on May 11, and time trials were held on May 16–17. Rain interrupted and eventually washed out time trials on May 16, and all qualifications were held on Sunday May 17.
The victory capped off a successful return to Indy car racing for Montoya. The 1999 CART champion and 2000 Indy 500 winner had left American open-wheel racing for Formula One for 2001–2005. He then switched to the NASCAR Cup Series, and also competed in Grand Am. Out of Indy car racing for thirteen seasons, Montoya surprisingly signed with Team Penske for 2014,[6] and finished 5th in the 2014 race, only his second Indy 500 start. Later that year he won the Pocono 500, and by winning the 2015 Indy 500, set a record for most years between two victories - fifteen years (2000 and 2015).
The 2015 race saw the debut of unique aero kits from Chevrolet and Honda, respectively, outfitted for the Dallara DW12 chassis.[7] As part of the ICONIC project, aero kits were originally planned for 2012, but a series of delays due to cost issues put off their homologation and implementation until 2015. During practice, three Chevrolet entries suffered major crashes that resulted in flip-overs. The crashes raised safety concerns around the paddock, and series officials delayed time trials for several hours in order to address the situation with rule and procedural changes, removing qualifying from its status as a points-paying event.
During a practice session on May 18, IndyCar's Holmatro Safety Team was lauded for a life-saving effort in their rescue of driver James Hinchcliffe. During the run, Hinchcliffe was involved in a major crash, and was impaled by a suspension member. The rapid response by the medical crews was credited with likely saving his life, and nine days later he was released from Methodist Hospital, expected to make a full recovery. Hinchcliffe was able to drive the IndyCar two-seater at a promotional event in August at the Golden Gate Bridge, then made his first competitive laps in a Dan Wheldon Memorial karting event in September.[8]
Race background
Entry list
- 1996 winner Buddy Lazier stated his intention to return in 2015 with his family-owned Lazier Partners Racing, but did not qualify.[9]
- Jonathan Byrd II fielded a new team, Jonathan Byrd's Racing, paying homage to his late father Jonathan Byrd, an Indy 500 enthusiast who owned a local cafeteria and sponsored cars driven by such drivers as Stan Fox, Arie Luyendyk, and Rich Vogler. Their driver was Bryan Clauson.[10]
- On November 3, 2014, a third standalone entry was announced, with Jay Howard running #97 for Bryan Herta Autosport. However, funding for this car fell through, and BHA only ran their full season #98 for Gabby Chaves.[11]
- On April 2, 2015, it was announced Simona de Silvestro would be making an attempt at the race driving the #29 Honda for Andretti Autosport.[12]
Rules and rule changes
- Each entry were allowed 36 sets of tires (Firestone) total, for practice, time trials, and for the race. This is up from 33 sets previously. The special compound "red" tires are not used for oval events.
- Entries participating in the promoter's open test on May 3 received four additional sets for use on that day only.
- Entries taking part in a rookie test or a refresher test received an additional set(s) specifically to use for the respective test.
- Engines were permitted 130 kPa of turbocharger "boost" during the promoter's open test on May 3, and during practice from May 11-14. Cars were allowed 140 kPa of "boost" on Fast Friday practice, and during time trials. The "boost" level reverted to 130 kPa for Carb day and race day.
- Note: Increased "boost" for time trials was rescinded by officials after crashes during practice (see below).
Pre-race ceremonies
Schedule
Track activities began on Sunday May 3, with Opening Day, featuring the debut of oval aero kits. A full-field open test and rookie orientation took place on the oval from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the week, the track was reconfigured to the road course configuration. After the Grand Prix was concluded, the track was closed on Mother's Day, unlike 2014.[16] On Sunday May 10, the track was converted back to the oval configuration, meanwhile, teams had the day to convert the cars from road course to oval set-up.[16]
The track re-opened in oval configuration starting Monday May 11. A second session of rookie orientation was reserved for the track on Monday (if needed), with veterans taking to the track in the afternoon. Practice on Tuesday through Friday was held from 12 noon to 6 p.m. For the second year in a row, a post-qualifying practice session was held on the Monday after pole day.[16] For the second year in a row, time trials were conducted with a combined two-day format. The 33 cars that comprised the field was determined on Saturday, while the starting lineup was set on Sunday.
Notes and References
- News: Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Jordin Sparks to Sing National Anthem at 99th Indy 500. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. May 19, 2015. May 19, 2015.
- Web site: Jensen. Tom. Jeff Gordon named pace car driver for 99th Indianapolis 500. Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC.. April 29, 2015. FoxSports.com. April 29, 2015.
- Web site: Schuster. Blake. Juan Pablo Montoya: 'There's only one way to win' Indy 500. Indianapolis Star. May 24, 2015. indystar.com. June 1, 2015.
- Web site: Indy 500 draws 6.4 million viewers up 5% from 2014 (Updated). Sports TV Ratings. May 25, 2015. SportsTVRatings.com. May 27, 2015.
- News: Juan Pablo Montoya wins Indy after late Duel. ABC News 7. May 24, 2015. abc7news.com. May 24, 2015.
- Web site: Juan Pablo Montoya to drive for Team Penske. Fryer. Jenna. September 16, 2013. U.S. News & World Report. September 16, 2013.
- News: Aero kit 2015 Q&A: 'Not going to be a spec car'. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.. IndyCar.com. Dave. Lewandowski. January 4, 2015. February 13, 2015.
- News: Deliverance – the amazing rescue of James Hinchcliffe. Racer.com. Robin. Miller. Robin Miller (journalist). June 1, 2015. June 4, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150602230244/http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/117465-miller-deliverance-the-amazing-rescue-of-james-hinchcliffe. June 2, 2015. dead. mdy-all.
- Web site: DiZinno. Tony. 1996 Indy 500 champ Buddy Lazier motivated as ever despite generational shift. NBC Sports. May 13, 2014. motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com. May 17, 2014.
- Web site: Clauson Lands 2015 Indy 500 Ride. Turn 3 Media LLC.. May 16, 2014. NationalSpeedSportNews.com. May 17, 2014.
- Web site: IndyCar: No second Herta car for Indy 500. Miller. Robin. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. April 16, 2015. racer.com. April 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150419003929/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/115633-indycar-no-second-herta-car-for-indy-500. 2015-04-19. dead.
- News: Technology company connects with the '500'. Dave. Lewandowski. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.. April 2, 2015. IndyCar.com. April 9, 2015.
- Cavin. Curt. Back Home Again. Autoweek. June 8, 2015. 65. 11. 49.
- News: Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Jordin Sparks to Sing National Anthem at 99th Indy 500. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. May 19, 2015. May 19, 2015.
- News: Four-Time "500" Winner Al Unser to be Honored at Legends Day on May 23. IMS LLC. January 27, 2015. IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com. February 4, 2015.
- News: Indy 500 practice begins earlier, runs later. Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc.. Curt. Cavin. February 3, 2015. indystar.com. February 4, 2015.
- News: Test on Speedway oval: Unwrapping new package . Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.. Dave. Lewandowski. April 30, 2015. IndyCar.com. April 30, 2015.
- News: Quick safety team response key in critical Hinchcliffe crash. Racer.com. May 19, 2015. May 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150520235728/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/116939-indy-500-hinchcliffe-saved-from-serious-injuries. 2015-05-20. dead.
- News: Tristan Vautier to race against car he qualified into Indy 500. FoxSports. Bruce. Martin. May 22, 2015. September 18, 2015.
- 2015 Carb Day telecast (NBCSN)
- Web site: Coyne Team Ready to Turn the Page After Tough Indy 500 . May 24, 2015 . . 28 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150527203241/http://www.dalecoyneracing.com/news-releases/coyne-racing-news-05-24-15.html . 2015-05-27 . dead .
- News: Indy 500 Overnight Up Slightly, Ties Best Mark Since 2008 . Sports Media Watch. May 25, 2015. May 27, 2015.
- News: Indy 500 Hits Three-Year Highs in Ratings, Viewership. Sports Media Watch. May 26, 2015. May 27, 2015.
- News: PRN radio reporter Doug Rice to pull Memorial Day broadcast double with Shell support. NBC Sports. Motor Sports Talk. Tony. DiZinno. May 15, 2015. May 18, 2015.
- Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee – 1070 The Fan, April 28, 2015
Juan Pablo Montoya
Scott Dixon