96th #INDY500 Tweet-By-Tweet - A Live Blog Effort
This edition of the "Greatest Spectacle In Racing" will be unique due to one major overriding issue, the new Dallara DW12 is racing in its first oval race and it happens to be the biggest, most historic venue one could choose for this maiden outing.
Fans and drivers are excited to see how this platform will perform in traffic because these cars are much kinder to the cars that trail behind them due to the aerodynamic effect known as Mushroom Busting incorporated into the design of the body work. What this means is that the disturbed airflow behind the car has been directed above the racing surface much more quickly than previous designs and this allows a car riding behind another car to be more stable and be able to get a "TOW" from the car in front.
Multiple car teams like Andretti Autosport with five cars entered may have an advantage if the team drivers work together as roller-derby teammates would work together to "sling-shot" each of their drivers forward.
The additional subtext to this 500 mile race would be the durability of the new racing engine formula. Three engine manufacturers have been authorized to produce these engines and it would seem that the weakest link resides with the DW12's powered by the Lotus/Judd turbo-charged engines. How many laps will they go before they are 1) Black-Flagged for being too slow or 2) if they will be able to complete the 500 miles still running without a failure.
Of course the final outcome will be watched by the Chevrolet and Honda engine team for their own ability to be able to complete the 500 miles still running without a failure as well.
Predictions are that either KVRT's Tony Kanaan or defending championship team of Bryan Herta Autosport's #98 Alex Tagliani would be the winner at the end of 500 miles. If the race is won by a multiple car team that would go to Andretti Autosport with Ryan Hunter-Raey. Fastest female now that Danica Patrick isn't sucking the PR air out of the room goes to Andretti Autosport's Ana Beatrix. Top former F1 driver goes to KVRT's Takuma Sato. Highest placing former INDY500 champion would be Helio Castroneves - Motorsports Unplugged Radio.
The following entries come from "Tweet Deck" tweet-by-tweet with added comments from the author:
Matt Archuleta @indy44
What a great intro on ABC. Spotlighted Dan Wheldon on Borg-Warner trophy. "That's what it takes to ride with Legends." #Lionheart #Indy500
Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck 39s
Cool pic. RT @penskeracing: Minutes before the walk out to #Indy500 @h3lio & @12WillPower collect their thoughts. twitpic.com/9pxgn8
Indy Motor Speedway @IMS
Cars are lining up on the front stretch! Head over to get a chance to see the new DW12 cars up close and personal. #Indy500
Chris Siegle @chrissiegle
You'd think with every Dan Wheldon tribute that is shown on TV, they'd get easier to watch. But they haven't for me. #Lionheart #Indy500
Sam Schmidt Mtsprts @SSMIndy
@simonpagenaud talks with Honda guests. Thanks to @HondaRacing_HPD for all they do. #Indy500 @IndyCar pic.twitter.com/IneJrVaz
Indy Motor Speedway @IMS
Driver introductions and pre-race ceremonies are about to begin! What's your favorite #Indy500 tradition?
Dave Walker @reklawed
Turned on the #Indy500 only to discover that #IndyCar hasn't honoured Greg Moore and kept his number retired. That is beyond disappointing
Craig Terrill @TerrillMusic
"When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash, then I long for my Indiana home" #indy500
The recorded version channeling Jim Nabors seems grand and appropriate for this first race of the DW12
on Frankl @ronfrankl
In-cars on ESPN3.com just went live. #IndyCar
Brad Plummer @PlummerBrad
why do i not have the video only sound? - #indycar live on livestream.com/indycar
Mike Saverko @Msave69
Like to thank all our veterans for giving us a chance to enjoy #Indy500 and #Coke600 today!! This wknd for you!! Thanks!! #NASCAR #IndyCar
GREEN, GREEN, GREEN!
IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
GREEN FLAG FOR THE 96TH RUNNING OF THE #INDY500! #indycar2012
All cars safely around for a full lap - James Hinchcliffe takes the first lap
Two laps two lead changes as Briscoe takes the position back
Steph@MoreFrontWing @99forever
Okay, guys. The only lap you need to lead is the 200th. Relax, please. #indy500
Graham Rahal's fuel light alarm is flashing on lap 8 of 200
Wayne Willis @WayneWillisJr
These cars are racing really nice. Looks good so far. #Indy500 @JamieLittleESPN
Jay Howard @JayHowardRacing
[PIC] Seeing #dannyboy car circle @IMS is not only emotional bt special 4 all his many fans, me included #indy500 @IMS lockerz.com/s/212340109
Peter Leung @BaronVonClutch
Race Control has black-flagged Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro. Both cars were lapping about 10mph slower than rest of field. #Indy500
Lap 15 of 200 - Lotus/Judd cars are out of the race as predicted yesterday on Motorsports Unplugged Radio - "Wouldn't last 25 Laps"
YELLOW Flag - Clauson spins and saves the car and doesn't hit the wall - Pits Open
EJ Viso punts Dario Franchitti in pit lane and turns the #50 car around - nose cone change ordered by Chip Ganassi
Patti Rodisch @nascar_lugnuts
that was a frantic set of pit stops...#indycar
LAP 17 of 200 - Restart - GREEN, GREEN, GREEN!
IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Incident between Viso and Franchitti on pit lane was investigated. No action taken. #Indy500 #indycar2012
Fuel consumption may be down from expected due to the temperatures on the track
9 lead changes between three drivers by Lap 24 of 200
ABC replays the "single-file" restart and there were as many as five-wide at one point
IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar
Pic: The start of the 96th Running of the #Indy500. #indycar2012 pic.twitter.com/8x0Wyi8C
Ryan Brothers @renegade_3
RT @INDYracereview: . @MarcoAndretti is back in the lead. #IndyCar #Indy500
Tom Meyer Klipsch @TOMMYKlipsch
Lets go @Andretti26 #TeamRCcola #Andretti Leading the #Indy500! instagr.am/p/LIyFPuTENu/
LAP 34 of 200 - Top five - Andretti, Hinchtown, Briscoe, Tagliani, and Kanaan
GREEN Flag ptistops begin
F1 Fanatic Live @f1fanaticlive
L43 Hinchcliffe pits. #IndyCar
Doug Demmons @dougdemmons
Jean Alesi says he'll be back next year and he won't be driving a Yugo ... I mean, Lotus #Indy500
Ron Frankl @ronfrankl
Hinchcliffe told by team they're beating everyone on fuel mileage. Not concerned to be first to come in. #IndyCar
James Jakes @JamesJakes
4 more #Firestone tires and fuel! Fast work by the crew today! Indy500 #IndyCar
LAP 49 - Newgarden car stalls in the pits - hand pushed and restarted
Dragon Racing's Katherine Legge two laps down in P28 - Teammate Sebastien Bourdais in P23 one lap down
LAP 50 of 200 Top 10 - Andretti, Dixon, Hinchcliffe, Briscoe, Sato, Power, Kanaan, Franchitti, Rahal, and Conway
Graham Rahal is just not up to speed - complains of too much downforce
Tagliani must have had a terrible pitstop - he's dropped to P24 on lap 64 of 200 after running in the top 5at lap 34
Marco Andretti is showing great strength on lap 68 with a lead, running alone at .6689 ahead of Scott Dixon - lapping at 217mph
Bruno Tarulli @BrunoTarulli34
Kanaan paro otra vez en boxes. Sato es tercero. Sigue adelante Marco Andretti, nieto de Mario. #IndyCar #Indy500
Jenna Fryer @JennaFryer
Marco Andretti has now led more laps than he'd led in all his previous combined #Indy500 (31 laps led) #IndyCar
Anthony Stuart @Anthony_Stuart
#INDY500 came back into my room… definitely awake now! Some absolutely amazing driving on display @imsupdates
Dario Franchitti has worked his way up to P5 since dropping to P28 with the first pitlane incident
LAP 74 - Andretti in the pits, Hinchcliffe in the pits, RHR in the pits, 29 laps on a tank of gas
LAP 75 - all three Penske Racing cars in for fuel and tires
Dixon and Franchitti P1 and P2 before their pitstops - two Honda-powered lead the race
14 different lead changes as Charlie Kimball takes the lead on transition
YELLOW Flag - Mike Conway and Will Power in a big crash after Mike Conway pulss out of the pits. Conway on the pitstop ran into three of his crew members and was assesed a drive through penalty which he was going to serve on the next lap.
Conway's ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing car just spun in front of Will Power as it looked like a front wing problem that caused instability
Four cars out of the race - the two Lotus cars and now Mike Conway and Will Power - Slow motion of the accident showed the safety of the systems built-in to the cars and the track
Andretti Autosport @FollowAndretti
After dropping back with push condition, @RyanHunterReay climbing back into fray. P7. #Indy500
Tony @PopOffValve
Looks like more folks are seeking out the misting stations @IMS - worst heat of the day right now.
Allen Wedge @AllenWedge
@tonydizinno everyone ok, Conway hit wall alone Power couldn't avoid and got under him
Bill Zahren @pressdog
As Conway gets airborne he's all like "fabulous. this again" heart rate climbs to 49 bpm
LAP 88 0f 200 - GREEN Flag Restart of second caution period of the race
Top ten - Andretti, Dixon, Sato, Kanaan, Franchitti, Hinchtown, RHR, Briscoe, Rahal, and Kimball
LAP 89 of 200 - YELLOW Flag - Ana Beatrix hits the wall alone - backend got loose and barely brushes the wall
Pits Open with many takers - RHR decides at last moment to not go in - Hinchcliffe has a pit problem - Dixon and Franchitti stay out as well
Jim @RacingBluejay
What the hell is it with rear tires today at #IMS? #Indy500 #IndyCar
Ryan Brothers @renegade_3
Sad to see my man @12WillPower have to end his day early #Indy500 . A little momentum lost from his amazing start to this #IndyCar season.
Stephanie Flint @stephmflint
Listening to the #500 on the radio as I drive home isn't quite the same after experiencing it as a @PrincessIndy500 last year... #indycar
Formula 1 @F1grid
PHOTO: A lot of empty seats at the Indianapolis 500 #Indy500 #IndyCar twitpic.com/9pzaod
On pit out, Ana Beatrix pulls out slowly and causes a traffic jam on the out lane
LAP 95 0f 200 - GREEN Flag Restart of third caution period of the race
All cars safely through in very tight racing quarters - this Mushroom Busting design delivers a quality racing product!
Conwezys @Conwezys
Lap 98 #lionheartforever #LIONHEART #indy500
White sunglasses placed on the faces of everyone in the stands
James Foreman @James__Foreman
#indy500 #indycar2012 #hondaindy @girlracercouk - Dan Wheldon's wife Susie watching the race from the pits, must be a very tough day for her
Halfway - LAP 100 of 200 - Top 10 drivers are TCGR's Dixon & Franchitti, Andretti Autosport's Ryan Hunter-Raey, CGR's Graham Rahal, Dale Coyne Racing's Justin Wilson, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing's Takuma Sato, CGR's Charlie Kimball, Panther Racing's JR Hildebrand, Dale Coyne Racing's James Jakes, and Sam Schmidt Motorsport'sTownsend Bell
The field has settled down nose to tail in order to save fuel
LAP 112 - Pitstop by RHR after not taking fuel after the last yellow flag
Top six positions are Honda-powered DW12s
Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
Will Power on crash: "(Conway) said the team sent him out w/a broken wing. I don't understand why they would do that." #IndyCar
Taylor J. Ness @tness88
Many drivers, including seasoned veterans, seem to be having trouble with getting going out of the pit box. #INDY500
Robby Howard @robbyhoward1
Charlie Kimball, the first driver credited with racing with diabetes, has moved into the fifth position. #indy500
Dario Franchitti in and out of the pits on Lap 118 - Dixon gets one more lap after leading 34 laps - in and out
LAP 121 - Takuma Sato leads all drivers with the 18th lead change in the race and the first time in IMS history that a Japanese-born driver has led an INDY500 race
Ryan Hunter-Raey's car is giving him troubles and comes into the pits - may be terminal - right rear upright giving way
Rubens Barrichello leads a lap at INDY500 after 33 laps between fuel stops
LAP 125 - top five are Sato, followed very closely by Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti, and Hildebrand ... oops, passed by Rahal
Four Chip Ganassi managed cars in the top 10 - P2 Franchitti, P4 Dixon, P5 Rahal, P7 Kimball
Indy Star Sports @IndyStarSports
RT @indystar_hutch: Top five at Indy thru 131 (13 on lead lap): Sato, Franchitti, Dixon, Andretti and Rahal. #Indy500
Filip Cleeren @FilipCleeren
Marco still looking good to win this. #indy500
Allen Wedge @AllenWedge
Just watched Marco pick off Dixon on ESPN3, I wish they offered this to everyone
Team Chevy @TeamChevy
Total of 20 lead changes today. Most ever at #Indy500 - 29. @IMS #ChevyIndy500
Crash Gladys @CrashGladys
Turn 2 is never the hardest turn, but drivers r reporting that due to the tailwind it is increasingly difficult 2 turn there #Indy500
Mandy Valentine @Indy_Mode
Come on @TonyKanaan & @Hinchtown - U guys can do it! (well, not both of U, obviously, but U can be 1st & 2nd!) Drive boys, drive #Indy500
Vibration troubles with Marco Andretti's car which may be the same problem with the CV Joint as Ryan Hunter-Raey's car Marco in pitlane ... and out
YELLOW Flag - LAP 145 of 200 fourth of the race - Andretti Autosport's Saavedra stalled on pit in lane
Almost everyone in the pits - very hectic - now 12 cars on the lead lap - should be cycled forward for the restart
After pitstops by the field the top ten positions are Sato, Franchitti, Dixon, Hinchcliffe, Wilson, Kimball, Briscoe, Kanaan, Castroneves, and Barrichello
LAP 152 of 200 - GREEN Flag Restart of fourth caution period of the race
IZOD IndyCar Series @IndyCar Green green green! Sato leads on Lap 152. #Indy500 #indycar2012
Single file restart with a log jam - Franchitti takes the position away from Sato - then Dixon TCGR in P1 and P2
Hinchtown now targeting TAKU! - Everyone needs to make one more pitstop so fuel strategy is out the window
Kanaan just eclipsed Hinchcliffe - after one lap, Hinchcliffe takes the position back
LAP 159 - Dixon passes Franchitti for the lead with TAKU right behind - oops, Franchitti passes Dixon right back
Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
It's official: The temperature has reached 93 degrees, making the hottest #Indy500 in the 96-year history of the event.
Hasby Díaz Colina @dernierslayer
#INDY500 VUELTA 145 1.Sato 2.Franchitti 3.Andretti 4.Dixon 5.Wilson 6.Hildebrand 7.Kimball 8.Hinchcliffe 9.Bell 10.Castroneves 24.VISO
YELLOW Flag - LAP 164 - Josef Newgarden's car lets loose and pulls to the infield of the track - Pits Closed
Pits now open with 35 laps to go - al little long to stretch to the end - WOW all leaders in - Hinchcliffe runs over a hose and delays at getting out of pits - lost positions way down the order
Ron Frankl @ronfrankl
Hinchcliffe being told repeatedly by cc to save fuel; James acknowledges but says he" doesn't want to lose the field." #IndyCar
Oakley @oakley
RT @OakleyRacing1 The #Indy500 - @scottdixon9 leading followed by fellow O driver @dariofranchitti - will they hold on? #indycar2012 Lap 168
Speculation is that with leaning down, all of the leaders my be able to make it to the end - possible penalties to Rahal and Hinchcliffe
LAP 171 of 200 - 30 LAPS To Go - GREEN Flag Restart of fifth caution period of the race
Three wide and Justin Wilson gets by Sato - Franchitti takes the lead - Wilson set sights on Dixon
Kanaan in the mix with Franchitti, Dixon, Wilson, Sato and Kaanaan
Wilson slips up near the wall and losses places back to P7 - now top five is Dixon, Franchitti, Sato, Carpenter, and Kanaan
YELLOW Flag LAP 181 - Ed Carpenter spins and is in OK shape - no crash or damage, may have kissed the wall - actually no touch - white line sends the car skidding
LaMarquis Martin @LaMarquisMartin
100% skill, 200% luck there by @edcarpenter20 #indy500 #indycar
Tony @PopOffValve
Holy cow. Screw green/white/checkers, this is going to be a GOBSMACKING finish to the #Indy500.
Kendra McKinley @dance_kenny
another new record! most lead changes in a single race. 31. #Indy500
Max Papis @maxpapis 41s
Hats off to the class act of @CLTMotorSpdwy to show #Indy500 on the giant screen #classact
LAP 176 - Franchitti back in the lead with radio commands to manage fuel at "4.3 on the dash"
Dixon sets a new lead change record ant the INDY500 with 30 lead changes for this Mushroom Buster DW12
LAP 184 of 200 - 16 LAPS To Go - GREEN Flag Restart of sixth caution period of the race
Kanaan streaks to the lead from P6 - Franchitti passes TK back - Franchitti tries to bunch the field - Kanaan takes the lead again
YELLOW Flag - up to P8 Marco Andretti hits the wall and the tires on the right side of the car are bent - inside wheels hit the white line and spins
Declan Brennan @TheRaceTool
Has anyone noticed how FECKING AWESOME the Indy 500 is? :) #IndyCar
Curt Cavin @curtcavin
Pretty sure @TonyKanaan wishes he hadn't taken the lead just before that crash. He's going to be second (or maybe fifth) by Turn 4. #indy500
T.Marc Jones @TMarcJones
Ok ladies and gentlemen; 7 lap shootout! Is this an exciting race or what! #INDY500 #indycar2012 Let's go @TonyKanaan
Angelique @Angeliquecr
This next restart is gonna test the sphincters of every soul at the @IMS #RaceDay #indy500 #Indy500SnakePit #indycar2012
Top five before restart are Kanaan, Franchitti, Dixon, Briscoe, and Wilson
LAP 194 of 200 - 6 LAPS To Go - GREEN Flag Restart of seventh caution period of the race
Franchitti passes on restart - Oriol Servia maks a charge to the front and is in P6
Two laps to go Sato holds on to Franchitti's tail and is in P2 - Sato tries to pass on the inside, touches the whiteline and spins - YELLOW Flag
CHECKERED Flag - Franchitti becomes a three-time winner under a YELLOW Flag. WOW!
Final top ten - Dario Franchitti (from P33 to P3 on one stint), Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Oriol Servia (former Lotus-driver), Ryan Briscoe, James Hinchcliffe, Justin Wilson, Charlie Kimball, Toensend Bell, and Helio Castroneves
This is the first race of the season not won by a Penske Racing driver, but it still is a race win by either a Penske Racing or a Chip Ganassi Racing driver!
Ashley Judd Franchitti is absolutely beside herself as well she should be - Dario Franchitti becomes a Three-Time INDY500 Winner - dedicates the race to Dan Wheldon in post race interview (paraphrased).
"To be placed on the trophy besides Dan means the world to me."
Dario gets an Igloo cooler full of icy water dumped on him ala winning Football Coach/Super Bowl style.
Post race interview has Takuma Sato complaining that he had taken the position but Dario pinched him down so hard that it caused him to have to be below the whiteline causing his DW12 to spin and hit the wall.
The 96th Indianapolis 500 is in the books and should be renamed the "Mushroom Buster 500" in honor of the technology that brought together a great, competitive, and record 35 lead change race.
... notes from The EDJE
TAGS: #indycar, 96th Indianapolis 500, DW12, INDY500, Swift Engineering, @TheEDJE, tow
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