One of the things that turns human beings into sports fanatics are great sports story lines.
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James Hichcliffe claimed the pole for the 100th Indianapolis 500 in an emotional Sunday at the Speedway.
James Hinchcliffe will start the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 from pole position in an extraordinary comeback performance a year on from his near fatal accident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
James Hinchcliffe wanted a new story to tell, and now he will tell it.
Hinchcliffe’s pole run capped an incredible year for the driver, who was severely injured in a crash at IMS in 2015.
Hinchcliffe will be joined on the front row for next Sunday’s centennial showcase by two Americans, Josef Newgarden and 2014 Indy 500 victor Ryan Hunter-Reay. Their family reunion was considerably happier than last year’s. “It’s incredible what a difference a year makes”. It also came on the fifth anniversary of team owner Sam Schmidt’s team winning the pole in 2011. “Luckily that wasn’t the case”.
“It’s insane”, Hinchcliffe said. “Pole of the 500”.
“It doesn’t mean much today”, he said. “Now it is hot and greasy on the race track”.
Using the numerous timing and scoring data loops throughout the IMS oval to generate average speed information, the biggest number produced on Saturday belonged to Andretti Autosport’s Townsend Bell (above). Munoz average in his No. 26 Honda was 230.287.
“Winning the pole would’ve been badass”, Newgarden said.
When Hinchcliffe’s speed was announced, the large crowd in the front straightaway roared and it wasn’t just fans who appreciated the accomplishment of one of the series’ most popular drivers.
He did, but it wasn’t until the final lap that Hinchcliffe was able to confirm the pole position.
“The Arrow Electronics vehicle was an absolute smoke show out there, it was right on the edge”, Hinchcliffe told trackside reporters.
The margin of. 060 miles per hour between Hinchcliffe and Newgarden was the narrowest in the history of the event.
Will Power was sixth and the highest-qualifying Penske driver.
Quickest in “pre-qualifying” to determine positions 10-33, veteran Oriol Servia gets underway from 10th position, with Alex Rossi securing top rookie honours in 11th.
Defending champion Juan Pablo Montoya will start 17th after getting a controversial second chance in qualifying. INDYCAR officials then ruled that he would be granted another full run. “I didn’t think anything would get better than five years ago”.
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“It was so close and we had a really good run”.
