Photos by Brian Groce.
Grand Prix of Indianapolis
Mayor Ballard declares Checkered Flag Friday, May 8, 2015
In celebration of this weekend’s Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis, Mayor Ballard is declaring Friday, May 8, 2015, Checkered Flag Friday. Residents are encouraged to wear black and white, fly checkered flags and highlight our city’s support for the sport of auto racing.
IMS Schedule for Friday, May 8, 2015
Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis Qualifying / USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights Races Schedule.
| 9 a.m. | Public Gates Open |
| 9:30-10 a.m. | USF2000 Practice Midway Opens |
| 10:15-10:45 a.m. | Pro Mazda Qualifying |
| 11 a.m. | Verizon IndyCar Series Practice Begins Ivy Tech Garage Tours Begin – Garage 35 |
| 11:45 a.m. | Verizon IndyCar Series Practice Concludes |
| Noon | Indy Lights Qualifying Begins Townsend Bell Car Unveil – Plaza |
| 12:45 p.m. | Indy Lights Qualifying Concludes IndyCar Driver Autograph Session Begins – Fan Village |
| 1 p.m. | USF 2000 Race #1 Begins (30 Minute Timed Race) |
| 1:45 p.m. | IndyCar Driver Autograph Session Concludes |
| 2:15 p.m. | Pro Mazda Race #2 Begins (30 Minute Timed Race) |
| 3 p.m. | Verizon IndyCar Series Qualifying & Firestone Fast Six |
| 4:15 p.m. | Pole Award Ceremony – Pit Lane in front of Verizon Pit View Cart |
| 4:45 p.m. | Indy Lights Race #1 Begins (30 Laps or 45 Minutes) |
| 6 p.m. | Public Gates Close |
TICKETS: $20, children 12 and under free
PROMOTIONS:
Free Garage Friday: Fans may tour the Verizon IndyCar Series garages. Must be over the age of 9 and sign the waiver located in Gasoline Alley Garage #35.
Verizon IndyCar Series Driver Autograph Session from 12:45-1:45 p.m. in the infield INDYCAR Fan Village.
PUBLIC GATES OPEN: 9 a.m. (local time). Pedestrian gates open are Gates 1B, 2, 4, 6, Media Gate, 7 Vehicle, 7 South Pedestrian, 9, 9A, 10, 10A, 12.
STANDS OPEN: A Penthouse, B Penthouse, E Stand, E Penthouse, H Stand (AS NEEDED GA – Sec. 13-24, J Stand, North Vista Wheelchair (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 21), Northwest Vista (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 1-10), Northwest Vista Deck, Paddock Wheelchair (AS NEEDED GA – Box 19-22), Paddock Penthouse (AS NEEDED GA – Box 10-20), South Terrace, South Terrace Wheelchair, South Vista (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 1-5), South Vista Deck (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 1-4), Southwest Vista Deck, Tower Terrace (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 37 & 79), Tower Terrace Wheelchair, Pit Road Terrace, Wheelchair Accessible, Corner 5, Corner 5 Wheelchair, Corner 7, Corner 7 Wheelchair, Backstretch Family Mounds, Turn 2 (Oval) Mounds, Turn 4 (Oval) Mound, Corner 6 Mounds, Corner 7 Mounds.
MUSEUM HOURS: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for fans 6-15 years old, with children under 5 free. Gate admission to the Indianapolis 500 is not included in Museum admission and must be purchased separately.
2015 Grand Prix of Indianapolis Opening Day Photos
IMS Schedule for Thursday, May 7, 2015
Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis Practice and Pro Mazda Race #1 Schedule.
| 8 a.m. | Public Gates Open |
| 8:30-9 a.m. | USF2000 Practice Midway Opens |
| 9:15-9:45 a.m. | Pro Mazda Practice |
| 10-10:45 a.m. | Indy Lights Practice |
| 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Verizon IndyCar Series Practice |
| 1:15-1:45 p.m. | USF2000 Practice |
| 2:15-2:45 p.m. | Pro Mazda Practice |
| 3-4:40 p.m. | Verizon IndyCar Series Practice |
| 4:55-5:40 p.m. | Indy Lights Practice |
| 5:55 p.m. | Pro Mazda Race #1 Begins |
| 6:30 p.m. | Pro Mazda Race #1 Concludes Public Gates Close Midway Closes |
TICKETS: Free admission
PUBLIC GATES OPEN: 8 a.m. (local time). Pedestrian gates open are Gates 1B, 2, 4, 6, Media Gate, 7 Vehicle, 7 South Pedestrian, 9, 9A, 10, 10A, 12.
STANDS OPEN: A Penthouse, B Penthouse, E Stand, E Penthouse, H Stand (AS NEEDED GA – Sec. 13-24, J Stand, North Vista Wheelchair (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 21), Northwest Vista (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 1-10), Northwest Vista Deck, Paddock Wheelchair (AS NEEDED GA – Box 19-22), Paddock Penthouse (AS NEEDED GA – Box 10-20), South Terrace, South Terrace Wheelchair, South Vista (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 1-5), South Vista Deck (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 1-4), Southwest Vista Deck, Tower Terrace (AS NEEDED GA – Sec 37 & 79), Tower Terrace Wheelchair, Pit Road Terrace, Wheelchair Accessible, Corner 5, Corner 5 Wheelchair, Corner 7, Corner 7 Wheelchair, Backstretch Family Mounds, Turn 2 (Oval) Mounds, Turn 4 (Oval) Mound, Corner 6 Mounds, Corner 7 Mounds.
MUSEUM HOURS: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for fans 6-15 years old, with children under 5 free. Gate admission to the Indianapolis 500 is not included in Museum admission and must be purchased separately.
INDYCAR: Grand Prix of Indianapolis Post-Event Infractions
INDYCAR announced today post-event infractions from the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, which was held May 10 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
INDYCAR officials have fined engine manufacturer Chevrolet $20,000 and penalized it 10 engine manufacturer’s points for violations of the engine regulations. Chevrolet was found to have violated Rule 11.2 (Torque Control) and 12.1 (Traction Control) of the Verizon IndyCar Series Engine Regulations.
INDYCAR officials have fined Schmidt Peterson Motorsports $1,000 for a technical violation on its No. 77 Verizon IndyCar Series entry driven by Simon Pagenaud. The entrant was found to have violated Rule 14.6.7.7 (Underwing splitter) of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.
INDYCAR officials have fined Penske Racing $1,000 for a technical violation on its No. 3 Verizon IndyCar Series entry driven by Helio Castroneves. The entrant was found to have violated Rule 14.15.7 (Differential assembly) of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.
The member may contest the imposition of the penalty pursuant to the procedures and timelines detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook.
SOURCE: INDYCAR
Second Day 98th Indianapolis 500 Practice Schedule
Information about 2014 Indianapolis 500 activity on Monday, May 12, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
DAY: Indianapolis 500 Practice
SCHEDULE (all times local):
- 8:00 a.m. Purdue EV Grand Prix Set-Up Begins
- 9:30 a.m. IndyCar Experience Begins
- 10:00 a.m. Public Gates Open
- 11:00 a.m. IndyCar Experience Concludes / Event Car Rides Begin
- Noon Verizon IndyCar Series Practice Begins
- 6:00 p.m. Verizon IndyCar Series Practice Concludes / Purdue EV Grand Prix Set-Up Concludes / Public Gates Close
TICKETS: $15, children 12 and under free.
HONORARY STARTER: Fan of IMS (TBD)
PUBLIC GATES OPEN: 10:00 a.m. (local time). Pedestrian gates open are Gates 1B, 2, 4, 6, 6A, 7 South, 9A, 10, 10A, 12.
STANDS OPEN: B Stand (As needed GA – Sec. 22-25), E Stand (Open-GA), North Vista Wheelchair (As needed GA, Sec. 21), Northwest Vista (As needed GA, Sec. 1-4), Northwest Vista Deck (Open-GA), Paddock (As needed GA, Sec. 9-18), Paddock Pressbox (Open-GA), Paddock Penthouse (As needed GA, Sec. 9-30), Pit Road Terrace (Open-GA), South Terrace (Open-GA), Tower Terrace (As needed GA, Sec. 37-42), Tower Terrace Wheelchair (Open-GA), Wheelchair Accessible (Inside-Open GA), Backstretch Mounds (Open-GA), Backstretch Family Mounds (Open-GA), Turn 2 Mounds (Open-GA), Turn 3 Mounds (Open-GA), Gasoline Alley Roof (Open-GA)
MUSEUM HOURS: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for fans 6-15 years old, with children under 6 free. Gate admission to the Indianapolis 500 is not included in Museum admission and must be purchased separately.
Inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis a Success
A beautiful, sun-drenched afternoon provided the perfect backdrop Saturday for the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the reconfigured road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Fans enjoyed a day of great racing featuring the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Mazda Road to Indy developmental racing series, placing a singular spotlight on all levels of North American open-wheel racing at the Racing Capital of the World.
Designed to elevate the Month of May leading into the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on Sunday, May 25, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis brought exciting Verizon IndyCar Series road course action to the Racing Capital of the World in a package that is fun, affordable and family-friendly.
The Grand Prix of Indianapolis, seen live nationwide on ABC, marked the first time that the Verizon IndyCar Series has competed on the IMS road course, which underwent a $5 million reconfiguration that created more passing zones, an improved surface and better racing.
During the race, fans took full advantage of reconfigured seating for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis which provided spectacular sightlines with new spectator mounds and grandstands available in the infield section of the course. With general admission tickets at $25 and children 12 and under admitted free, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis provided a tremendous live entertainment value for the entire family.
“After over eight months of hard work and dedication of the entire Indianapolis Motor Speedway staff, we are thrilled with the reception of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis by the fans and drivers alike,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Our goal was to create a new buzz and excitement at the beginning of May as we build anticipation for the 98th Running of the Indianapolis 500, and we believe that today’s race accomplished that goal.”
A popular feature for fans at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis was the fourth annual Celebration of Automobiles on Pagoda Plaza showcasing an amazing collection of 130 classic and vintage cars from 1910-1970. Vintage car owners and automotive enthusiasts from around North America have flocked to IMS since 2011 for the Celebration of Automobiles, which pays homage to the rich heritage of automotive development at the track.
Additional fan attractions at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis included an infield Midway featuring the INDYCAR Fan Village and the IMS Kid’s Zone.
SOURCE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Opening Day 98th Indianapolis 500 Practice Schedule
Information about 2014 Indianapolis 500 activity Sunday, May 11, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
DAY: Indianapolis 500 Practice
SCHEDULE (all times local):
- 10 a.m. Public Gates Open – IMS Midway Open
- 10:30 a.m. Event Car Rides Begin
- 11 a.m. Event Car Rides Conclude
- 11:50 p.m. Oval Course Track Ceremony – Pit Lane Yard of Bricks – Doug Boles, Derrick Walker, Meagan Quinn, Dario Franchitti – Pace Car
- Noon Verizon IndyCar Series Practice Begins
- 6 p.m. Verizon IndyCar Series Practice Concludes
- IMS Midway Closes
- Public Gates Close
TICKETS: $15, children 12 and under free.
HONORARY STARTER: Sarah Fisher of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing
PUBLIC GATES OPEN: 10 a.m. (local time). Pedestrian gates open are Gates 1B, 2, 4, 6, 6A, 7 South, 9A, 10, 10A, 12.
STANDS OPEN: B Stand (As needed GA – Sec. 22-25), E Stand (Open-GA), North Vista Wheelchair (As needed GA, Sec. 21), Northwest Vista (As needed GA, Sec. 1-4), Northwest Vista Deck (Open-GA), Paddock (As needed GA, Sec. 9-18), Paddock Pressbox (Open-GA), Paddock Penthouse (As needed GA, Sec. 9-30), Pit Road Terrace (Open-GA), South Terrace (Open-GA), Tower Terrace (As needed GA, Sec. 37-42), Tower Terrace Wheelchair (Open-GA), Wheelchair Accessible (Inside-Open GA), Backstretch Mounds (Open-GA), Backstretch Family Mounds (Open-GA), Turn 2 Mounds (Open-GA), Turn 3 Mounds (Open-GA), Gasoline Alley Roof (Open-GA)
MUSEUM HOURS : 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for fans 6-15 years old, with children under 6 free. Gate admission to the Indianapolis 500 is not included in Museum admission and must be purchased separately.
Simon Pagenaud wins inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis
Simon Pagenaud had just enough fuel left to make history, winning the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis.
Pagenaud, who started fourth in the No. 77 Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports car, held off Ryan Hunter-Reay by .8906 of a second for his third career Verizon IndyCar Series victory and a charging Helio Castroneves, who was celebrating his 39th birthday, by 1.8244 seconds.
Like Pagenaud, Hunter-Reay’s No. 28 DHL car was starved for fuel after completing 28 laps. Castroneves, who started 10th in the No. 3 Verizon Team Penske car, had plenty of fuel and was closing in the final laps, but couldn’t get around Hunter-Reay.
Hunter-Reay finished second, followed by Castroneves, Sebastien Bourdais and Charlie Kimball.
Oriol Servia was leading with five laps to go but had to pit before he ran out of fuel. That handed the lead to Pagenaud, who also was at risk of running short.
The start was marred by a massive crash when polesitter Sebastian Saavedra stalled and was hit hard in the rear by the cars of Carlos Munoz and Mikhail Aleshin.
There were 12 lead changes, and Pagenaud inherited the point for the duration on Lap 78 when Oriol Servia had to make a fuel stop. He led Hunter-Reay across the line by 2.8 seconds on Lap 80 and coaxed the Honda-powered car to navigate the final laps without incident or stalling.
Both Hunter-Reay and Pagenaud gained on championship points leader Will Power, who started fifth in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske car and placed a season-low eighth. Power (149) leads Hunter-Reay by one point and Pagenaud by six heading into the points-laden Indianapolis 500 on May 25.
Race Results
Results Saturday of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis Verizon IndyCar Series event on the 2.439-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, laps completed and reason out (if any):
1. (4) Simon Pagenaud, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
2. (3) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
3. (10) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Chevy, 82, Running
4. (7) Sebastien Bourdais, Dallara-Chevy, 82, Running
5. (23) Charlie Kimball, Dallara-Chevy, 82, Running
6. (14) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Chevy, 82, Running
7. (2) Jack Hawksworth, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
8. (5) Will Power, Dallara-Chevy, 82, Running
9. (16) Takuma Sato, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
10. (9) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Chevy, 82, Running
11. (18) Justin Wilson, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
12. (22) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
13. (17) Carlos Huertas, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
14. (13) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 82, Running
15. (6) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Chevy, 82, Running
16. (8) Juan Pablo Montoya, Dallara-Chevy, 81, Running
17. (15) Josef Newgarden, Dallara-Honda, 80, Running
18. (20) Martin Plowman, Dallara-Honda, 80, Running
19. (24) Mike Conway, Dallara-Chevy, 58, Mechanical
20. (11) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Honda, 56, Contact
21. (12) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 50, Contact
22. (21) Franck Montagny, Dallara-Honda, 47, Contact
23. (19) Carlos Munoz, Dallara-Honda, 0, Contact
24. (1) Sebastian Saavedra, Dallara-Chevy, 0, Contact
25. (25) Mikhail Aleshin, Dallara-Honda, 0, Contact
Race Statistics
Winners average speed: 96.462
Time of Race: 02:04:24.0261
Margin of victory: 0.8906 of a second
Cautions: 4 for 19 laps
Lead changes: 12 among 8 drivers
Lap Leaders:
- Hunter-Reay 1-9
- Hawksworth 10 – 27
- Hunter-Reay 28
- Wilson 29 – 30
- Hawksworth 31 – 43
- Pagenaud 44
- Hunter-Reay 45 -51
- Wilson 52 – 53
- Hunter-Reay 54
- Castroneves 55 – 69
- Bourdais 70
- Servia 71 – 77
- Pagenaud 78 – 82
Point Standings:
Power 149, Hunter-Reay 148, Pagenaud 143, Castroneves 102, Dixon 102, Conway 93, Andretti 89, Wison 87, Kanaan 82, Bourdais 80.
SOURCE: INDYCAR ♦ Photo: Brian Groce