The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series was dominated by two teams, Andretti Green Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing. While there was great parity in 2003 between Honda and Toyota powered teams, in 2004 Honda began to outshine Toyota bringing their teams Penske Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing down with it, leaving Scott Dixon winless and in 10th place in his attempt to defend his 2003 championship.
Tony Kanaan (left) won his first Drivers' Championship while Dan Wheldon (right) finished second in the championship.
Season champion Tony Kanaan set a record by completing all 3,305 possible laps, the first IndyCar driver in modern history to do so.
This season was the last to feature an all oval tracks schedule, which was part of the concept that led to the creation of the Indy Racing League. By 2005, road and street courses started to appear in the schedule by a mainstream scheduling method, and by 2015, there are more races run in road/street courses than in oval tracks.
The engine displacement for all IndyCar Series cars were reduced from 3.5 litres (214 cubic inches) to 3.0 litres (183 cubic inches) starting from the 2004 Indianapolis 500 in an effort to reduce speeds and ensure safer and exciting racing. The 3.5 litres (214 cubic inches) engine displacement were used at the first three races of the season but a 3-inch by 12-inch slot was cut into the airbox and engine cover, behind the driver's head. The slot decreased positive airflow to the engine, reducing horsepower as well as reducing overall speeds.[1]
This race was held at Twin Ring Motegi on April 17. This was Honda's first win in the annual oval race held at their own track. Dan Wheldon won the pole.
The 88th Indianapolis 500-mile (800 km) race was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30. Buddy Rice sat on pole. The race was shortened to 180 laps (450 miles) due to rain.
This race was held at Nazareth Speedway on August 29. Hélio Castroneves won the pole. The race was heralded as the series' 100th event. This was also the final IndyCar race at the track which closed down following this race.
This race was held at Chicagoland Speedway on September 12. Hélio Castroneves won the pole. This race was memorable due to a scary crash involving Buddy Rice with 15 laps remaining as he slid down the backstretch upside down. Adrián Fernández won the race, despite having a broken on-board pneumatic air jack. His pit crew had to use a manual jack to service his car during pit stops, losing several seconds each time.
Any driver who qualifies but does not start (DNS), earns all the points had they taken part.
RY Rookie of the Year
R Rookie
Ties in points broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., and then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.
2004, indycar, series, 2004, indycar, series, dominated, teams, andretti, green, racing, rahal, letterman, racing, while, there, great, parity, 2003, between, honda, toyota, powered, teams, 2004, honda, began, outshine, toyota, bringing, their, teams, penske, . The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series was dominated by two teams Andretti Green Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing While there was great parity in 2003 between Honda and Toyota powered teams in 2004 Honda began to outshine Toyota bringing their teams Penske Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing down with it leaving Scott Dixon winless and in 10th place in his attempt to defend his 2003 championship 2004 IndyCar seasonIndyCar SeriesSeasonRaces16Start dateFebruary 29End dateOctober 17AwardsDrivers championTony KanaanManufacturers CupHondaRookie of the YearKosuke MatsuuraIndianapolis 500 winnerBuddy Rice 20032005 Tony Kanaan left won his first Drivers Championship while Dan Wheldon right finished second in the championship Season champion Tony Kanaan set a record by completing all 3 305 possible laps the first IndyCar driver in modern history to do so This season was the last to feature an all oval tracks schedule which was part of the concept that led to the creation of the Indy Racing League By 2005 road and street courses started to appear in the schedule by a mainstream scheduling method and by 2015 there are more races run in road street courses than in oval tracks Contents 1 Changes for 2004 2 Confirmed entries 3 Season Summary 3 1 Schedule 3 2 Race results 3 3 Race summaries 3 3 1 Toyota Indy 300 3 3 2 Copper World Indy 200 3 3 3 Indy Japan 300 3 3 4 88th Indianapolis 500 3 3 5 Bombardier 500 3 3 6 SunTrust Indy Challenge 3 3 7 Argent Mortgage 300 3 3 8 Firestone Indy 200 3 3 9 Menards A J Foyt 225 3 3 10 Michigan Indy 400 3 3 11 Belterra Casino Indy 300 3 3 12 Honda Indy 225 3 3 13 Firestone Indy 225 3 3 14 Delphi Indy 300 3 3 15 Toyota Indy 400 3 3 16 Chevy 500 3 4 Final driver standings 4 References 5 External links 6 See also 7 FootnotesChanges for 2004 editThe engine displacement for all IndyCar Series cars were reduced from 3 5 litres 214 cubic inches to 3 0 litres 183 cubic inches starting from the 2004 Indianapolis 500 in an effort to reduce speeds and ensure safer and exciting racing The 3 5 litres 214 cubic inches engine displacement were used at the first three races of the season but a 3 inch by 12 inch slot was cut into the airbox and engine cover behind the driver s head The slot decreased positive airflow to the engine reducing horsepower as well as reducing overall speeds 1 Confirmed entries editTeam Chassis Engine No Drivers RoundsA J Foyt Enterprises Dallara Toyota 14 nbsp A J Foyt IV AllG Force 41 nbsp Larry Foyt 4Access Motorsports G Force Honda 13 nbsp Greg Ray 1 7 nbsp Mark Taylor 8 16Aguri Fernandez Racing G Force Honda 5 nbsp Adrian Fernandez 2 1655 nbsp Kosuke Matsuura AllAndretti Green Racing Dallara Honda 7 nbsp Bryan Herta All11 nbsp Tony Kanaan All26 nbsp Dan Wheldon All27 nbsp Dario Franchitti AllCURB Agajanian Beck Motorsports Dallara Chevrolet 98 nbsp P J Jones 4Dreyer amp Reinbold Racing Dallara Chevrolet 24 nbsp Robbie Buhl 1 3 nbsp Felipe Giaffone 4 16Hemelgarn Racing Dallara Chevrolet 91 nbsp Buddy Lazier 4Kelley Racing Dallara Toyota 8 nbsp Scott Sharp All39 nbsp Sarah Fisher 4Marlboro Team Penske Dallara Toyota 3 nbsp Helio Castroneves All6 nbsp Sam Hornish Jr AllNewman Haas Racing G Force Honda 36 nbsp Bruno Junqueira 4Panther Racing Dallara Chevrolet 2 nbsp Mark Taylor 1 6 nbsp Townsend Bell 7 164 nbsp Tomas Scheckter AllPatrick Racing Dallara Chevrolet 20 nbsp Al Unser Jr 4 6 nbsp Jeff Simmons 7 nbsp Jaques Lazier 8 14 nbsp Tomas Enge 15 16PDM Racing Dallara Chevrolet 18 nbsp Robby McGehee 4Pioneer Mo Nunn Racing Dallara Toyota 12 nbsp Tora Takagi All21 nbsp Jeff Simmons 4Rahal Letterman Racing G Force Honda 15 nbsp Buddy Rice All16 nbsp Roger Yasukawa 3 417 nbsp Vitor Meira 3 16Red Bull Cheever Racing Dallara Chevrolet 51 nbsp Alex Barron All52 nbsp Ed Carpenter AllRobby Gordon Motorsports Dallara Chevrolet 70 nbsp Robby Gordon 4 nbsp Jaques Lazier N 1 Roth Racing Dallara Toyota 25 nbsp Marty Roth 4Sam Schmidt Motorsports G Force Toyota 33 nbsp Richie Hearn 4Target Chip Ganassi Racing G Force Toyota 1 nbsp Scott Dixon All10 nbsp Darren Manning 1 15Season Summary editSchedule edit Rnd Date Race Name Track City1 February 29 Toyota Indy 300 Homestead Miami Speedway Homestead Florida2 March 21 Copper World Indy 200 Phoenix International Raceway Phoenix Arizona3 April 17 Indy Japan 300 Twin Ring Motegi Motegi Japan4 May 30 88th Indianapolis 500 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speedway Indiana5 June 12 Bombardier 500 Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth Texas6 June 26 SunTrust Indy Challenge Richmond International Raceway Richmond Virginia7 July 4 Argent Mortgage 300 Kansas Speedway Kansas City Kansas8 July 17 Firestone Indy 200 Nashville Superspeedway Lebanon Tennessee9 July 25 Menards A J Foyt 225 The Milwaukee Mile West Allis Wisconsin10 August 1 Michigan Indy 400 Michigan International Speedway Brooklyn Michigan11 August 15 Belterra Casino Indy 300 Kentucky Speedway Sparta Kentucky12 August 22 Honda Indy 225 Pikes Peak International Raceway Fountain Colorado13 August 29 Firestone Indy 225 Nazareth Speedway Nazareth Pennsylvania14 September 12 Delphi Indy 300 Chicagoland Speedway Joliet Illinois15 October 3 Toyota Indy 400 California Speedway Fontana California16 October 17 Chevy 500 Texas Motor Speedway Fort Worth TexasSource 2 Race results edit Rnd Race Pole position Fastest lap Most Laps Led Winner1 Homestead Miami nbsp Buddy Rice nbsp Sam Hornish Jr nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Sam Hornish Jr 2 Phoenix nbsp Dan Wheldon nbsp Darren Manning nbsp Tony Kanaan nbsp Tony Kanaan3 Twin Ring Motegi nbsp Dan Wheldon nbsp Dan Wheldon nbsp Dan Wheldon nbsp Dan Wheldon4 Indianapolis nbsp Buddy Rice nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Buddy Rice nbsp Buddy Rice5 Texas 1 nbsp Dario Franchitti nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Tony Kanaan nbsp Tony Kanaan6 Richmond nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Sam Hornish Jr nbsp Dario Franchitti nbsp Dan Wheldon7 Kansas nbsp Buddy Rice nbsp Tomas Scheckter nbsp Buddy Rice nbsp Buddy Rice8 Nashville nbsp Buddy Rice nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Tony Kanaan9 Milwaukee nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Dario Franchitti nbsp Dario Franchitti nbsp Dario Franchitti10 Michigan nbsp Tony Kanaan nbsp Darren Manning nbsp Tony Kanaan nbsp Buddy Rice11 Kentucky nbsp Buddy Rice nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Tony Kanaan nbsp Adrian Fernandez12 Pikes Peak nbsp Tony Kanaan nbsp Dan Wheldon nbsp Dario Franchitti nbsp Dario Franchitti13 Nazareth nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Sam Hornish Jr nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Dan Wheldon14 Chicagoland nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Adrian Fernandez nbsp Adrian Fernandez15 Fontana nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Vitor Meira nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Adrian Fernandez16 Texas 2 nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Bryan Herta nbsp Helio Castroneves nbsp Helio CastronevesBOLD indicates Superspeedways Note All races ran on Ovals Speedways Race summaries edit Toyota Indy 300 edit This race was held at Homestead Miami Speedway on February 29 Buddy Rice won the pole Top ten results 6 Sam Hornish Jr 3 Helio Castroneves 26 Dan Wheldon 12 Tora Takagi 4 Tomas Scheckter 10 Darren Manning 15 Buddy Rice 11 Tony Kanaan 8 Scott Sharp 24 Robbie BuhlCopper World Indy 200 edit This race was held at Phoenix International Raceway on March 21 Dan Wheldon won the pole Top ten results 11 Tony Kanaan 1 Scott Dixon 26 Dan Wheldon 51 Alex Barron 10 Darren Manning 3 Helio Castroneves 7 Bryan Herta 12 Tora Takagi 15 Buddy Rice 13 Greg RayIndy Japan 300 edit This race was held at Twin Ring Motegi on April 17 This was Honda s first win in the annual oval race held at their own track Dan Wheldon won the pole Top ten results 26 Dan Wheldon 11 Tony Kanaan 3 Helio Castroneves 10 Darren Manning 1 Scott Dixon 15 Buddy Rice 27 Dario Franchitti 55 Kosuke Matsuura 8 Scott Sharp 12 Tora Takagi88th Indianapolis 500 edit The 88th Indianapolis 500 mile 800 km race was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30 Buddy Rice sat on pole The race was shortened to 180 laps 450 miles due to rain Top ten results 15 Buddy Rice 11 Tony Kanaan 26 Dan Wheldon 7 Bryan Herta 36 Bruno Junqueira 17 Vitor Meira 5 Adrian Fernandez 1 Scott Dixon 3 Helio Castroneves 16 Roger YasukawaBombardier 500 edit This race was held at Texas Motor Speedway on June 12 Dario Franchitti won the pole Top ten results 11 Tony Kanaan 27 Dario Franchitti 51 Alex Barron 6 Sam Hornish Jr 5 Adrian Fernandez 17 Vitor Meira 13 Greg Ray 10 Darren Manning 24 Felipe Giaffone 12 Tora TakagiSunTrust Indy Challenge edit This race was held at Richmond International Raceway on June 26 Helio Castroneves won the pole Top ten results 26 Dan Wheldon 17 Vitor Meira 3 Helio Castroneves 7 Bryan Herta 11 Tony Kanaan 15 Buddy Rice 5 Adrian Fernandez 1 Scott Dixon 8 Scott Sharp 24 Felipe GiaffoneArgent Mortgage 300 edit This race was held at Kansas Speedway on July 4 Buddy Rice won the pole Top ten results 15 Buddy Rice 17 Vitor Meira 11 Tony Kanaan 27 Dario Franchitti 7 Bryan Herta 5 Adrian Fernandez 3 Helio Castroneves 6 Sam Hornish Jr 26 Dan Wheldon 51 Alex BarronFirestone Indy 200 edit This race was held at Nashville Superspeedway on July 17 Buddy Rice won the pole Top ten results 11 Tony Kanaan 6 Sam Hornish Jr 3 Helio Castroneves 10 Darren Manning 2 Townsend Bell 15 Buddy Rice 13 Mark Taylor 1 Scott Dixon 55 Kosuke Matsuura 5 Adrian FernandezMenards A J Foyt 225 edit This race was held at the Milwaukee Mile on July 25 Vitor Meira won the pole Top ten results 27 Dario Franchitti 15 Buddy Rice 6 Sam Hornish Jr 11 Tony Kanaan 17 Vitor Meira 2 Townsend Bell 51 Alex Barron 5 Adrian Fernandez 7 Bryan Herta 55 Kosuke MatsuuraMichigan Indy 400 edit This race was held at Michigan International Speedway on August 1 Tony Kanaan won the pole Top ten results 15 Buddy Rice 11 Tony Kanaan 26 Dan Wheldon 6 Sam Hornish Jr 17 Vitor Meira 7 Bryan Herta 1 Scott Dixon 2 Townsend Bell 8 Scott Sharp 3 Helio CastronevesBelterra Casino Indy 300 edit This race was held at Kentucky Speedway on August 15 Buddy Rice won the pole Top ten results 5 Adrian Fernandez 15 Buddy Rice 26 Dan Wheldon 55 Kosuke Matsuura 11 Tony Kanaan 27 Dario Franchitti 17 Vitor Meira 52 Ed Carpenter 7 Bryan Herta 10 Darren ManningHonda Indy 225 edit This race was held at Pikes Peak International Raceway on August 22 Tony Kanaan won the pole Top ten results 27 Dario Franchitti 5 Adrian Fernandez 6 Dan Wheldon 10 Darren Manning 11 Tony Kanaan 3 Helio Castroneves 17 Vitor Meira 20 Jaques Lazier 7 Bryan Herta 51 Alex BarronFirestone Indy 225 edit This race was held at Nazareth Speedway on August 29 Helio Castroneves won the pole The race was heralded as the series 100th event This was also the final IndyCar race at the track which closed down following this race Top ten results 26 Dan Wheldon 11 Tony Kanaan 27 Dario Franchitti 15 Buddy Rice 3 Helio Castroneves 10 Darren Manning 5 Adrian Fernandez 7 Bryan Herta 1 Scott Dixon 17 Vitor MeiraDelphi Indy 300 edit This race was held at Chicagoland Speedway on September 12 Helio Castroneves won the pole This race was memorable due to a scary crash involving Buddy Rice with 15 laps remaining as he slid down the backstretch upside down Adrian Fernandez won the race despite having a broken on board pneumatic air jack His pit crew had to use a manual jack to service his car during pit stops losing several seconds each time Top ten results 5 Adrian Fernandez 200 laps in 2 09 31 3301 7 Bryan Herta 0 0716 11 Tony Kanaan 0 1239 26 Dan Wheldon 0 2464 17 Vitor Meira 0 4873 6 Sam Hornish Jr 0 5402 1 Scott Dixon 0 6109 24 Felipe Giaffone 1 1137 8 Scott Sharp 1 1878 3 Helio Castroneves 1 2595Toyota Indy 400 edit This race was held at California Speedway on October 3 Helio Castroneves won the pole Top ten results 5 Adrian Fernandez 11 Tony Kanaan 26 Dan Wheldon 6 Sam Hornish Jr 15 Buddy Rice 27 Dario Franchitti 3 Helio Castroneves 1 Scott Dixon 2 Townsend Bell 13 Mark TaylorThis was Adrian Fernandez s final IndyCar victory By finishing in 2nd Tony Kannan clinched the championship with 1 race remaining Chevy 500 edit This race was held at Texas Motor Speedway on October 17 Helio Castroneves won the pole Top ten results 3 Helio Castroneves 11 Tony Kanaan 26 Dan Wheldon 17 Vitor Meira 5 Adrian Fernandez 1 Scott Dixon 13 Mark Taylor 8 Scott Sharp 2 Townsend Bell 14 A J Foyt IVFinal driver standings edit Further information List of American Championship car racing point scoring systems Pos Driver HMS PHX MOT INDY TXS RIR KAN NSH MIL MIS KTY PIK NAZ CHI FON TXS Pts1 nbsp Tony Kanaan 8 1 2 2 1 5 3 1 4 2 5 5 2 3 2 2 6182 nbsp Dan Wheldon 3 3 1 3 13 1 9 13 18 3 3 3 1 4 3 3 5333 nbsp Buddy Rice 7 9 6 1 15 6 1 6 2 1 2 22 4 14 5 20 4854 nbsp Helio Castroneves 2 6 3 9 12 3 7 3 12 10 12 6 5 10 7 1 1 4465 nbsp Adrian Fernandez 20 18 7 5 7 6 10 8 12 1 2 7 1 1 5 4456 nbsp Dario Franchitti 17 17 7 14 2 12 4 20 1 22 6 1 3 20 6 15 4097 nbsp Sam Hornish Jr 1 15 19 26 4 13 8 2 3 4 14 18 11 6 4 17 3878 nbsp Vitor Meira 17 6 6 2 2 12 5 5 7 7 10 5 21 4 3769 nbsp Bryan Herta 13 7 14 4 19 4 5 18 9 6 9 9 8 2 17 16 36210 nbsp Scott Dixon 18 2 5 8 14 8 12 8 DNS 7 13 20 9 7 8 6 35511 nbsp Darren Manning 6 5 4 25 8 20 11 4 19 13 10 4 6 15 DNS 32312 nbsp Alex Barron 16 4 12 12 3 22 10 17 7 11 11 10 12 12 18 14 31013 nbsp Scott Sharp 9 13 9 13 18 9 20 14 15 9 17 15 19 9 11 8 28214 nbsp Kosuke Matsuura RY 11 11 8 11 16 14 18 9 10 17 4 13 21 21 13 19 28015 nbsp Tora Takagi 4 8 10 19 10 19 21 11 20 20 20 19 17 13 14 12 26316 nbsp Ed Carpenter R 12 19 22 31 21 16 14 22 11 14 8 11 20 11 12 21 24517 nbsp Mark Taylor R 19 12 16 30 17 18 7 14 21 19 14 22 17 10 7 23218 nbsp A J Foyt IV 15 14 15 33 22 11 13 16 16 15 18 21 15 16 19 10 23219 nbsp Tomas Scheckter 5 16 13 18 20 17 15 19 21 19 22 17 13 19 15 18 23020 nbsp Felipe Giaffone 15 9 10 16 15 13 16 16 16 16 8 20 11 21421 nbsp Townsend Bell 17 5 6 8 21 12 18 22 9 9 19322 nbsp Jaques Lazier RL2 21 17 18 15 8 14 18 10423 nbsp Greg Ray 14 10 20 27 7 15 9924 nbsp Robbie Buhl 10 18 21 4425 nbsp Al Unser Jr 17 11 21 4426 nbsp Roger Yasukawa 11 10 3927 nbsp Tomas Enge R 16 13 3128 nbsp Bruno Junqueira 5 3029 nbsp Jeff Simmons R 16 19 2630 nbsp Richie Hearn 20 1231 nbsp Sarah Fisher 21 1232 nbsp Robby McGehee 22 1233 nbsp Buddy Lazier 23 1234 nbsp Marty Roth R 24 1235 nbsp P J Jones 28 1036 nbsp Robby Gordon 292 1037 nbsp Larry Foyt R 32 10Pos Driver HMS PHX MOT INDY TXS RIR KAN NSH MIL MIS KTY PIK NAZ CHI FON TXS Pts Color ResultGold WinnerSilver 2nd placeBronze 3rd placeGreen 4th amp 5th placeLight Blue 6th 10th placeDark Blue Finished Outside Top 10 Purple Did not finish Ret Red Did not qualify DNQ Brown Withdrawn Wth Black Disqualified DSQ White Did not start DNS Blank Did notparticipate DNP Not competingIn line notationBold Pole positionItalics Ran fastest race lap Led most race laps 3 points DNS Any driver who qualifiesbut does not start DNS earns all the pointshad they taken part RY Rookie of the Year R RookieTies in points broken by number of wins followed by number of 2nds 3rds etc and then by number of pole positions followed by number of times qualified 2nd etc Notes 1 Helio Castroneves had 15 points deduction at Texas Motor Speedway due to a premature start after the final caution 2 After a red flag for rain at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Jaques Lazier replaced Robby Gordon but all points were awarded to Robby Gordon References edit IRL IndyCar engines reduced to 3 0 Liters for 2004 Motorsport com December 17 2003 Archived from the original on September 21 2014 Retrieved December 17 2003 Tour dates IndyCar Series 2004 Season Preview 7 January 2004 Retrieved 30 July 2021 via Internet Archive External links editIndyCar com official site Indianapolis 500 official siteSee also edit2004 Indianapolis 500 2004 Infiniti Pro Series season 2004 Champ Car season 2004 Toyota Atlantic Championship seasonFootnotes edit Relief driver Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2004 IndyCar Series amp oldid 1174958113, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
