2013 INDY 500 PREVIEW:
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
5:33am - Gates Open
7:00am -Snake Pit Opens (Turn 3 Infield)
8:30am - Parade of Bands
9:30am - 500 Festival Princesses Lap
9:55am - All Cars To Pit Lane
10:15am - Cars Begin To Take The Grid On Track
10:40am - All Cars In Place On Grid
10:50am - Engine Warm-up
11:00am - Vintage Car Lap
11:00am - Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race Begins
11:10am - Military Tribute Lap
11:30am - Driver Introductions
Noon - 97th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
2012 INDY 500 RESULTS:
Dario Franchitti is the winner of the 96th annual Indianapolis 500 becoming a 3-time Indy 500 champion with victories in 2007, 2010 and 2012. Scott Dixon finished in 2nd and Tony Kanaan took the 3rd spot.
INDY 500 EXPERIENCE:
Name: Indianapolis 500
Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana
Race Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis 500, held each year over Memorial Day Weekend, has become an American tradition. The 500-mile race, called the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indy 500 is one of the oldest races in the world and has some of the richest history and traditions. It is considered part of the Triple Crown of motorsports, along with the Monaco Grand Prix, and the 24 hours of Le Mans. The event has been dubbed "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing". It is an event that will inspire awe in any sports fan and is a must-see for any fan motorsports.
The Indy 500 was initially dominated by American drivers. The first 500-mile race that was held at the Motor Speedway took place on May 30, 1911 - back when the rear view mirror was a new invention. About 80,000 spectators showed up to watch Ralph Mulford take the checkered flag in his Marmon Wasp. Between 1912 and 1919, European motorists claimed the top prize in the event, before American drivers returned to dominance after World War I.
The Indy 500 race has had many different names including the International 500-Mile Sweepstakes race, the Liberty Sweepstakes, or simply "the 500". The Indy 500 name, however, has stuck for the length of it history. The event has even lent its name to the class of cars that compete there - the IndyCar class of "open wheel" or formula racecars. Some of the famous drivers to compete at the Indy 500 include Ray Harroun, Al Unser, Emerson Fittipaldi, A.J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti.
Traditions at the Indy 500 abound, from the call "Gentleman, start your engines..." to the release of balloons during the singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana" and the drinking of a bottle of milk by the race winner. In 1933, driver Louis Meyer asked for a glass of buttermilk after winning his second Indy 500 race, setting off a tradition that persists to this day. Last year, Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves could be seen proudly gulping down a bottle of milk after his Indy 500 victory.
Each year racing fans travel to Speedway, Indiana, to check out one of the oldest and most significant events in the world of motorsports. The Motor Speedway contains enough seats and infield space to accommodate approximately 400,000 fans, all eager to take part in one of the largest single-day sporting events in the world. This race is truly an American tradition that has become an International celebration. Buy Indy 500 tickets today and don't miss the roar of the engines at the Indianapolis 500!
See Also:
Indy 500 Preview History
NASCAR tickets