IRL Indianapolis 500 Live

With only eleven days and a few odd hours until the May 24^th Indianapolis 500 the action on the track continues and drivers constantly practice and qualify for the biggest and most well-known race of the year. More practice happened on the track this week, with a qualifier on Sunday. On Saturday, Helio Castroneves from Brazil grabbed the pole position out of the hands of the eager drivers, giving him $100,000 just for being out front and a serious boost to winning the Indy 500. Not that it would be his first time, Castroneves won in both 2001 and 2002.

This week the drivers get two days of rest before returning to the circuit again, for more practice sessions on Wednesday. The practice will last for six hours, from noon to 6pm local time, and then the drivers will once again continue to get to know the track on Thursday and Friday, with even more practice sessions. The next qualifying session is on Saturday.

This is the biggest race of the year and last year Scott Dixon was the Pole Winner, which gave him the advantage he needed apparently, because he took first in the 2008 Indy 500. Number 4, Vitor Meira, was in second place with Marco Andretti in third. This year's pole winner, Helio Castroneves, took fourth in last year's Indiana 500. The big race starts on May 24^th.

06-05-2009

Just because the Indianapolis 500 doesn't actually take place until the 24^th doesn't mean that there won't be a lot to watch between now and then at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The biggest IRL race of the year has nearly four full weeks of excitement and racing action from the track as drivers practice, qualify and participate in various events throughout the month of May.

It's the 93^rd year for this prestigious race and for those who don't remember last year's race, or didn't get a chance to watch the track was burning up with some of the fastest drivers in the world of professional racing. The race took place on Sunday, May 25^th and the first practice session was on the 4^th. That session left Will Power with the fastest speed and E.J. Viso less a ¼ MPH. Another practice session the next day had Alex Lloyd with the fastest practice speed, nearly 3 MPH faster than Power and Viso the previous day. The practice sessions kept getting better as May 6^th had Marco Andretti gaining another 3 MPH.

The qualifying began on Saturday, May 10^th with sunny skies. The first qualifier ended with Scott Dixon clocking 226.366 and Dan Wheldon on his tail with a speed of 226.110 MPH. The next day of qualifying had Dixon and Wheldon again in first and second with the qualifying results making fans and racing staff wonder if they would be favorites to watch on Race Day. The final practice session two days before the race was canceled because of rain after only 11 minutes, and only 32 drivers were able to take practice laps. Out of those racers Dan Wheldon had the fastest practice time with a MPH speed of 223.934. 

Sunday, May 25^th the drivers lined up for the flag, with Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Ryan Briscoe occupying the front row. The command to 'Start Your Engines' was given at 1:03 PM local time and fans awaited breathlessly as the drivers gunned their engines and the race began. It ended with Dan Wheldon in the number 12^th spot. Number 6, Ryan Briscoe who started in the front row came in 23^rd, while third was scooped up by Marco Andretti, second place by Vitor Meira and winning the 2008 Indiapolis 500 was Scott Dixon of Team Target Chip Ganassi. 

With your membership you'll have complete access to the entire month of events taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as this year's drivers practice, qualify and on May 24^th race for the 2009 racing title. The first practice session begins on Wednesday, May 6^th so make sure you are there for it.