2017 Indianapolis 500 Explained

Race Name:	101st Indianapolis 500
Race Logo:	2017 Indianapolis 500.png
Sanction:	IndyCar
Season:	2017 IndyCar season
Team:	Andretti Autosport
Date:	May 28, 2017
Winner:	Takuma Sato
Mph:	155.395 mph (250.084 km/h)
Pole:	Scott Dixon
Fast Time:	Scott Dixon
Rookie:	Fernando Alonso
Leader:	Max Chilton (50)
Anthem:	Bebe Rexha^[1]
Back Home:	Jim Cornelison^[2]
Start Engines:	Tony George
Pace Car:	Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
Pace Driver:	Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Honorary Start:	Jake Gyllenhaal & Jeff Bauman^[3]
Starter:	Paul Blevin
Network:	ABC (blacked out locally)
Announcers:	Allen Bestwick, Scott Goodyear, Eddie Cheever
Rating:	3.6
Previous:	2016
Next:	2018

The 2017 Indianapolis 500 (branded as the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil for sponsorship reasons) was a Verizon IndyCar Series race held on Sunday May 28, 2017, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, United States. The race was the premier event and the sixth race of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season.

Despite a threatening weather forecast in the days leading up to the event, the race ran its scheduled distance of 200 laps (500 miles) and was won by Japanese driver Takuma Sato of Andretti Autosport. Sato, who also finished on the podium at the 2004 U.S. Grand Prix on the road course at Indianapolis, became the first Asian driver to win the Indianapolis 500. Sato assumed the lead with six laps to go and held off Hélio Castroneves over the final fifteen miles.

Two violent crashes occurred during the month, involving Sébastien Bourdais (during time trials) and Scott Dixon (during the race), respectively. Bourdais suffered a broken pelvis and other injuries, forcing him to sit out the event, while Dixon suffered a minor ankle injury.

Alexander Rossi entered the race as the defending champion. The event also featured Fernando Alonso, the first active Formula One World Championship driver to contest the race since Teo Fabi in 1984.^[4] Alonso was voted Rookie of the Year, having led 27 laps before retiring in the closing stages of the race.^[5]

The month of May activities formally began on May 13 with the fourth running of the IndyCar Grand Prix on the combined road course. Practice for the Indianapolis 500 began on May 15, and time trials were held on May 20–21. Scott Dixon, the 2008 winner, won the pole position, his third career Indy pole. Dixon's qualifying speed of 232.164mph was the fastest pole speed since 1996. Carb Day—the traditional final day of practice, as well as the annual Pit Stop Challenge and Indy Lights Freedom 100, were held on May 26. Support races featuring the Road to Indy were also held during the month.

Race background

The 2017 race was the third and final year contested with the Chevrolet and Honda aero kits outfitted to the Dallara DW12 chassis. Beginning in 2018, all DW12 chassis were outfitted with a universal bodywork kit.^[6] Furthermore, a development freeze was implemented for 2017, and all aero kits had to adhere to the established specifications carried over from 2016.

Among the major offseason moves, Chip Ganassi Racing switched engine manufactures from Chevrolet to Honda. Conversely, A. J. Foyt Enterprises switched from Honda to Chevrolet. KV Racing Technology, who won the 2013 race with driver Tony Kanaan, was sold to Juncos Racing, an established team in the ladder system, scheduled to make its debut at the Indianapolis 500. After losing his seat at KV Racing, Sébastien Bourdais subsequently signed with Dale Coyne Racing. Among the other high-profile moves, Josef Newgarden departed Ed Carpenter Racing and joined Team Penske.

Regulations and rule changes

A series of procedural rule changes were implemented by the series for the 2017 season, however, none of the rule changes significantly affected the Indianapolis 500.^[7] The IndyCar Grand Prix, which opens the on-track activities for the month, a three-day event, had only two days for the Verizon IndyCar Series. That mirrors similar changes made to other races event weekends on the schedule.

• Each entry was allowed 36 sets of tires (Firestone) total, for practice, time trials, and for the race. This remained the same from 2015-2016. The special compound "red" tires are not used for oval events. Entries taking part in the Rookie Orientation Program received an additional three sets for that session, and entries taking part in a refresher test received two additional sets.^[8]
• All entries are subject to engine change-out rules. The standard minimum change-out mileage milestone per engine is set at 2,500 miles. Full-time entries are allotted up to two fresh engines for the month of May on-track activities, plus a third engine that is left over from the previous IndyCar Series races. Teams must first mileage-out their engine from the previous races during practice before they can install a fresh engine for Fast Friday practice and/or qualifying. The second fresh engine is intended to be installed for Carb Day and race day, however each team has a certain amount of latitude as to their installation decisions. Both the engine used for Fast Friday/qualifying and the engine used for Carb Day/race day must be re-utilized and properly mileaged out later in the IndyCar season. Unapproved engine changes are subject to penalty.^[9] Teams participating in the Pit Stop Challenge are permitted to utilize a back-up car for that event, with one of the older engines installed.
• Engines are permitted 130 kPa of turbocharger "boost" during practice from May 15–18. Cars are allowed 140 kPa of "boost" on Fast Friday practice, and during time trials. The "boost" level reverts to 130 kPa for Carb day and race day.

2017 IndyCar season

See main article: 2017 IndyCar Series. The 101st Indianapolis 500 was the sixth round of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season, and the 22nd sanctioned as part of the Indy Racing League/IndyCar Series. There were five different winners in the first five races leading up to the Indianapolis 500. The season began March 12 at St. Petersburg, with Sébastien Bourdais a surprise winner. Bourdais won from last place on the starting grid.^[10] James Hinchcliffe won at Long Beach,^[11] his first victory since suffering a near-fatal accident during practice for 2015 Indianapolis 500. Josef Newgarden won at Barber,^[12] and defending series champion Simon Pagenaud won at Phoenix.^[13] The IndyCar Grand Prix was won by Will Power, his second victory in the event.

Entering the month of May at Indy, Honda-powered teams were the prohibitive favorites over the Chevys. As the week began, Honda teams were even being accused of "sandbagging."^[14] However, each day saw a different driver lead the speed charts, split almost evenly between both manufacturers. Honda began experiencing multiple engine failures,^[15] raising significant concerns around the garage area of their reliability.^[15]

Entry list

See 2017 IndyCar Series § Teams and drivers for further information.

Former Indianapolis 500 winners that were entered include Hélio Castroneves, Juan Pablo Montoya, Buddy Lazier, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Alexander Rossi. Former IndyCar Series champions that entered include Lazier, Dixon, Kanaan, Hunter-Reay, Will Power and Simon Pagenaud.^[16] In addition, Juan Pablo Montoya is a former CART series champion, and Sébastien Bourdais is a four-time champion of the Champ Car World Series. Montoya, after three years in a full-time role at Team Penske, went down to a part-time role for 2017, driving in the IndyCar Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 only.^[17]

On April 12, it was announced that two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso planned to drive a Honda with the support of McLaren for Andretti Autosport.^{[18] [19]} Alonso skipped the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix in order to compete at Indianapolis.

Rookies that entered^[16] included Alonso, Jack Harvey,^[20] Ed Jones, and Zach Veach. The official entry list was released on May 14.

align=center	!	Driver	Team	Engine
1	Simon Pagenaud	Team Penske	Chevrolet
2	Josef Newgarden	Team Penske	Chevrolet
3		Team Penske	Chevrolet
4	Conor Daly	A. J. Foyt Enterprises	Chevrolet
5	James Hinchcliffe	Schmidt Peterson Motorsports	Honda
7	Mikhail Aleshin	Schmidt Peterson Motorsports	Honda
8	Max Chilton	Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda
9		Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda
10		Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda
11	Spencer Pigot	Juncos Racing	Chevrolet
12	Will Power	Team Penske	Chevrolet
14	Carlos Muñoz	A. J. Foyt Enterprises	Chevrolet
15	Graham Rahal	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing	Honda
16	Oriol Servià	Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing	Honda
17	Sebastián Saavedra	Juncos Racing	Chevrolet
18	Sébastien Bourdais (replaced by James Davison)	Dale Coyne Racing	Honda
19		Dale Coyne Racing	Honda
20	Ed Carpenter	Ed Carpenter Racing	Chevrolet
21	J. R. Hildebrand	Ed Carpenter Racing	Chevrolet
22		Team Penske	Chevrolet
24	Sage Karam	Dreyer & Reinbold Racing	Chevrolet
26		Andretti Autosport	Honda
27	Marco Andretti	Andretti Autosport with Yorrow	Honda
28		Andretti Autosport	Honda
29		McLaren-Honda-Andretti	Honda
40		A. J. Foyt Enterprises	Chevrolet
44		Lazier Racing Partners	Chevrolet
50		Michael Shank Racing with Andretti Autosport	Honda
63	Pippa Mann	Dale Coyne Racing	Honda
77	Jay Howard	Schmidt Peterson Motorsports	Honda
83	Charlie Kimball	Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda
88	Gabby Chaves	Harding Racing	Chevrolet
98		Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian	Honda
OFFICIAL REPORT

• Former winner
• Indy 500 Rookie

Notes and References

1. News: Singer Bebe Rexha to perform national anthem at Indianapolis 500. Fox 59. May 16, 2017. May 16, 2017.
2. News: IU grad Jim Cornelison to sing 'Back Home Again in Indiana' at 101st Indianapolis 500. Fox 59. April 18, 2017. April 18, 2017.
3. News: Honorary starters for Indy 500 named. WTHR. May 15, 2017. May 15, 2017. December 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214124415/https://www.wthr.com/article/honorary-starters-for-indy-500-named. dead.
4. 28 May 2017 . TSN . SportsCentre .
5. Web site: Alonso beats Jones to Indy 500 Rookie of the Year award. crash.net. 30 May 2017. 30 May 2017.
6. News: Champ Car-style bodywork set for 2018. Racer.com. Marshal. Pruett. October 25, 2016. March 24, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170325025224/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/135798-indycar-champ-car-style-bodywork-set-for-2018. 2017-03-25. dead.
7. News: INDYCAR fine-tunes weekend schedules, tweaks rules for 2017 season. IndyCar.com. February 6, 2017. March 24, 2017.
8. News: 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Rulebook - Chapter 15 Tires. IndyCar.com. May 17, 2017.
9. News: 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Rulebook - Chapter 16 Engine Sporting Regulations. IndyCar.com. May 17, 2017.
10. Web site: Sebastien Bourdais wins IndyCar season opener from last on the grid. Foxsports.com. Fox Sports Digital Media. Reiman. Samuel. March 12, 2017. March 12, 2017.
11. Web site: Hinchcliffe says 2017 results underline IndyCar competitiveness. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Malsher. David. April 10, 2017. April 10, 2017.
12. News: Jim. Ayello. Insider: Suddenly it's Josef Newgarden at the top for Team Penske. The Indianapolis Star. Gannett Company. April 23, 2017. April 23, 2017. Birmingham, Alabama.
13. Web site: Pagenaud declares Phoenix victory his "best win". Motorsport.com. Malsher. David. April 30, 2017. April 30, 2017.
14. Web site: Indy 500 speeds stir Honda sandbagging claims. Marshall. Preutt. May 16, 2017. May 29, 2017. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521082857/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140516-indy-500-speeds-stir-honda-sandbagging-claims. May 21, 2017. dead.
15. News: Honda engine failures raise concerns. Racer.com. Marshall. Pruett. May 18, 2017. May 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521094850/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140577-honda-engine-failures-raise-concerns. May 21, 2017. dead.
16. Trackside with Kurt Cavin and Kevin Lee. WFNI. March 30, 2017. 2017. 2017.
17. Web site: Malsher. David. Montoya to stay with Team Penske in 2017. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. October 31, 2016. October 31, 2016.
18. News: F1: Fernando Alonso to race at Indy 500, misses Monaco GP. CNN.com. Matthew. Knight. April 12, 2017. April 12, 2017.
19. News: Fernando Alonso: McLaren driver to miss Monaco Grand Prix for Indianapolis 500. BBC.com. Andrew. Benson. April 12, 2017. April 12, 2017.
20. News: Jack Harvey to drive Indy 500 as fifth Andretti Autosport car. ESPN.com. April 9, 2017. April 12, 2017.
21. News: Chance to test on Indy's oval gets drivers' engines revving. IndyCar.com. Jeff. Olson. March 23, 2017. March 27, 2017.
22. News: Despite winds, Indy test brings smile to drivers' faces. IndyCar.com. Mark. Robinson. March 24, 2017. March 27, 2017.
23. News: Ganassi gets reacquainted with Honda on famous Indy oval. IndyCar.com. Phillip B.. Wilson. March 26, 2017. March 27, 2017.
24. News: ECR's 'ride-share' program in No. 20 Chevy requires attention to detail. IndyCar.com. Jeff. Olson. March 20, 2017. March 29, 2017.
25. News: Postponed test at IMS still a good day for Foyt. IndyCar.com. Phillip B.. Wilson. April 1, 2017. April 1, 2017.
26. News: Watch Chevy Stars Test for Indy 500 Saturday at IMS. IndyCar.com. March 28, 2017. March 29, 2017.
27. News: IMS Chevy test with Robin Miller. Racer.com. April 2, 2017. April 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170403215903/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/139274-indycar-video-ims-chevy-test-with-robin-miller. April 3, 2017. dead.
28. News: Fernando Alonso sets date for private Indianapolis test. ESPN.com. Nate. Saunders. April 21, 2017. April 21, 2017.
29. News: Alonso passes 'perfect' rookie orientation. Racer.com. Michael. Levitt. May 3, 2017. May 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170503225304/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140158-alonso-passes-rookie-orientation-program. May 3, 2017. dead.
30. News: Alonso's test day at Indy. Racer.com. Michael. Levitt. May 3, 2017. May 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170503185907/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140157-alonso-s-test-day-at-indy. May 3, 2017. dead.
31. News: More than 2 million fans watch Alonso's IMS test. Indycar.com. May 5, 2017. May 9, 2017.
32. News: Schedule Rookie orientation and practice for the Indianapolis 500. Fox 59. May 15, 2017. May 15, 2017.
33. News: Indy 500 Live: Track update at 1:30 p.m. ET. IndyCar.com. May 15, 2017. May 15, 2017.
34. Web site: Rough Indy 500 opening day for Harvey. Marshall. Pruett. May 15, 2017. May 15, 2017. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517103059/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140472-rough-indy-500-opening-day-for-harvey-140472. May 17, 2017. dead.
35. News: Andretti Fastest Again on First Day of Indianapolis 500 Practice. Mark. Robinson. IndyCar.com. May 15, 2017. May 15, 2017.
36. News: Marco Andretti tops opening day of Indy 500 practice. Tony. DiZinno. May 15, 2017. May 15, 2017.
37. News: Team Penske Duo Sets Pace on Busy Day of Indy 500 Practice. Mark. Robinson. IndyCar.com. May 16, 2017. May 16, 2017.
38. News: Power outages reported as winds gust up to 45 mph. WISHTV.com. May 17, 2017. May 18, 2017. May 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517204922/http://wishtv.com/2017/05/17/power-outage-reported-in-speedway/. dead.
39. News: Carpenter Defied Wind to Lead Indianapolis 500 Third Practice Day. Mark. Robinson. IndyCar.com. May 17, 2017. May 17, 2017.
40. Web site: Howard fastest, but Andretti Autosport sends a message. Robin. Miller. May 18, 2017. May 18, 2017. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521110747/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140580-howard-ends-fourth-indy-practice-day-on-top. 2017-05-21. dead.
41. News: Bourdais Fastest in Indy 500 'Fast Friday' Practice. Mark. Robinson. IndyCar.com. May 19, 2017. May 19, 2017.
42. http://www.imscdn.com/indycar_media/documents/2017-05-19/05-19-17%20Indy%20500%20qualifying%20draw.pdf The 101st Indianapolis 500 Mile Race - Qualification Draw
43. Web site: Indy 500 live: First-day qualifications complete. May 20, 2017. May 20, 2017. IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc..
44. Web site: Bourdais to undergo surgery on multiple fractures. Edd. Straw. May 20, 2017. May 20, 2017. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. September 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170905001958/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/bourdais-to-undergo-surgery-on-multiple-fractures-908501/. dead.
45. Web site: Tough day for Team Penske in Indy qualifying. Marshall. Pruett. May 20, 2017. May 21, 2017. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521061550/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140688-tough-day-for-penske-in-indy-qualifying. May 21, 2017. dead.
46. Web site: Carpenter find familiar spot atop Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Mark. Robinson. May 20, 2017. May 21, 2017. IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc..
47. Web site: Indy 500: Carpenter leads qualifying, Alonso reaches Fast Nine. David. Malsher. May 20, 2017. May 21, 2017. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network.
48. Web site: Davison to sub for Bourdais in Indy 500. Marshall. Pruett. May 21, 2017. May 21, 2017. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521205452/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140710-davison-to-sub-for-bourdais-in-indy-500. 2017-05-21. dead.
49. Web site: Dixon wins 101st Indy 500 pole with electrifying run. Mitch. Robinson. May 21, 2017. May 22, 2017. IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc..
50. News: Indy 500 pole sitter Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti robbed at Taco Bell drive-thru. ESPN.com. May 22, 2017. May 23, 2017.
51. News: New TAG Heuer Pit Stop Competition format features best-of-three final. indyCar.com. Arni. Sribhen. May 25, 2017. May 26, 2017.
52. Web site: Indy 500: Power's Penske crew win pit stop competition. David. Malsher. May 26, 2017. May 26, 2017. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network.
53. Web site: Bearden. Aaron. Dixon, Howard unhurt after vicious Indy 500 shunt. KickinTheTires.net. Kickin' The Tires. May 29, 2017. Indianapolis. May 28, 2017. August 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829025808/http://kickinthetires.net/index.php/2017/05/28/dixon-howard-unhurt-after-vicious-indy-500-shunt/. dead.
54. News: Miller. Brody. Scott Dixon walks away from violent, frightening crash in Indianapolis 500. May 29, 2017. The Indianapolis Star. Gannett Company. May 28, 2017.
55. News: Tucker. Heather. Pole-sitter Scott Dixon takes brunt of vicious crash at Indianapolis 500. May 29, 2017. USA Today. Gannett Company. May 28, 2017. Indianapolis.
56. Web site: Bianchi. Jordan. Scott Dixon gets airborne in terrifying Indy 500 crash. SBNation.com. SB Nation. May 29, 2017. Indianapolis. May 28, 2017.
57. News: Sipple. George. Conor Daly takes blame for crash at Indy 500. May 29, 2017. Detroit Free Press. Gannett Company. May 28, 2017. Indianapolis.
58. News: Skretta. Dave. Honda validates engine trouble by winning Indianapolis 500. May 29, 2017. Associated Press. Associated Press. AP Sports. May 28, 2017. Indianapolis. https://web.archive.org/web/20170612171446/http://www.racing.ap.org/article/honda-validates-engine-trouble-winning-indianapolis-500. June 12, 2017. dead.
59. News: Weaver. Matt. Honda IndyCar boss: 'You have to push these engines' to an Indy 500 win. May 29, 2017. Autoweek. Crain Communications. May 28, 2017. Indianapolis.
60. Web site: Olson. Jeff. Alonso's bid for second leg of triple crown falls 20 laps short. IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.. May 29, 2017. Indianapolis. May 28, 2017.
61. Web site: Glendenning. Mark. Late crash spoils Hinchcliffe comeback charge. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. May 29, 2017. Indianapolis. May 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170602002056/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/140969-late-crash-spoils-hinchcliffe-comeback-charge. June 2, 2017. dead.
62. News: Fryer. Jenna. Sato holds off Helio to give Andretti another Indy 500 win. May 29, 2017. Associated Press. Associated Press. AP Sports. May 28, 2017. Indianapolis. https://web.archive.org/web/20170531024233/http://racing.ap.org/article/sato-holds-helio-give-andretti-another-indy-500-win. May 31, 2017. dead.
63. News: Live ABC Telecast to Open Verizon IndyCar Series Season at St. Petersburg. ESPN Media Zone. Andy. Hall. March 7, 2017. March 29, 2017.
64. Web site: ESPN confirms coverage lineup for 2018 IndyCar races . Herbst . Alex . 9 February 2018 . Beyond the Flag . Fansided . 10 February 2018 .
65. Web site: ESPN Roars Back Into Action at Indy with Debut of Visor Cam, Race Strategist Predictive Analytics. Sports Video Group. 26 May 2017 . 2 June 2017.
66. Web site: Indy 500's national TV numbers worst in 31 years of live coverage. Indianapolis Star. 2 June 2017.
67. Web site: Indianapolis 500 Sees Record-Low Rating; Will Race Stay With ABC In Next Media Deal?. Sports Business Journal. 2 June 2017.
68. http://www.formulatv.com/audiencias/2017-05-28/tematicas-pago/ How the Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix performed around the world
69. http://pitlanef1.es/2017/05/30/el-efecto-fernando-alonso-revienta-las-audiencias-y-marca-un-nuevo-hito/ El efecto Fernando Alonso revienta las audiencias y marca un nuevo hito
70. News: Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network Ratings Soar for 101st Indianapolis 500. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. July 12, 2017. July 14, 2017.