“Get them to re-up on their tickets for next year”. Shortly after Christmas, IMS president Doug Boles said he first allowed himself to consider the possibility of a sellout.
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But from the days when it was all-Danica, all-the-time on the telecast … including commercials, Mann, after the pre-race introductions, wasn’t mentioned once during the race. The figure: About 235,000.
Rossi said it was “no secret” that his “goal was to get to Formula One” but that he was “ecstatic” to be in the IndyCar series instead, especially now that he has won the Indy 500.
Rossi concedes that luck was a significant factor in helping secure Andretti his fourth Indianapolis 500 win as an owner.
Normally, a sporting event’s hype fails to deliver, but this one didn’t fall into that category. Al Unser and Rick Mears.
” Colombia’s Carlos Munoz finished second as he did in his 2013 Indy debut with American Josef Newgarden third and Brazil’s Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 victor, in fourth”.
Hinchcliffe, the polesitter who missed this race previous year after a near-fatal accident in a practice session, faded to seventh despite being one of the best cars in the field. The Canadian required almost two dozen pints of blood and for a period went without a pulse. “Four months later, here we are”.
Three-time victor Helio Castroneves drew large cheers when he took the lead as it appeared he had a great shot at joining A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears in the four-time winners club. Ryan [Hunter-Reay] was incredibly helpful, he gave me a tow at the end to produce an wonderful 1-2 result. The race was on. Finally at 7 p.m. Ross will attend the Indianapolis 500 Celebration event to finish off the day. Before the 200 laps were complete, only one Indy in history had as many lead changes: the 2013 race won by Tony Kanaan, and it had 68.
On a day dominated by big names – Helio Castroneves, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay – it was a rookie from California driving for Andretti Herta Autosport who ended up sipping the milk in victory lane. IndyCar reacted by mandating dome-shaped modifications to the bottom of the cars to counter the uplifting airflow. I tried to turn off the air-conditioning in the race auto, but I couldn’t find the switch.
Then there’s the way he actually won the race.
That didn’t mean Honda dominated the month; it surely didn’t. Kanaan had a strong vehicle as did Helio Castroneves (seeking his record-tying fourth win).
The Andretti Autosport pit crew struggled on Lap 99 to insert the fuel hose.
“How impossible is 36 laps?” someone asked.
Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 2) was gunning for his third Indy win, but a crash put an end to his day.
While the leaders dived into the pits with just under 10 laps left, Rossi and team owner Michael Andretti gambled he had enough fuel to make it to the end and moved into the lead.
Rossi’s winnings included a $50,000 bonus from Sunoco for being the top rookie in the race.
Rossi turned his attention to IndyCar only in February after being left without an F-1 ride for this season.
Tradition time: The victor drinks the milk alongside team co-owner Michael Andretti.
They both made late visits to the pits, handing Rossi the lead, and the American was able to hold on to claim victory, one he could only celebrate after his Honda was towed back in.
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What happens from there remains to be seen, but Rossi admitted he stumbled through the victory lane festivities, including how to slip on the winner’s wreath.
