2024 Indianapolis 500
The 2024 Indianapolis 500, branded as the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge for sponsorship reasons, is a 500-mile (804.7 km, 200 lap) race in the 2024 IndyCar Series, scheduled for Sunday, May 26, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, United States. The month of May activities will formally begin on Saturday, May 11 with the Sonsio Grand Prix on the combined road course. Practice on the oval is slated to begin on May 14. Time trials will take place on May 18–19, while Carb Day, the traditional final day of practice, along with the Pit Stop Challenge, will be May 24.
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | IndyCar | ||||
| Season | 2024 IndyCar season | ||||
| Date | May 26, 2024 | ||||
| Pre-race ceremonies | |||||
| "Back Home Again in Indiana" | Jim Cornelison | ||||
| Starting command | Roger Penske | ||||
| Starter | Aaron Likens | ||||
| TV in the United States | |||||
| Network | NBC | ||||
| Announcers | Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell, James Hinchcliffe | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
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Josef Newgarden of Penske Racing enters the race as the defending winner.[1] Four-time winner Hélio Castroneves is attempting to become the first five-time race winner, and five-time polesitter Scott Dixon has the chance to tie Rick Mears for most career Indy poles (six). For the first time since 2014, a driver will attempt "Double Duty". Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, will attempt to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Race background edit
The Indianapolis 500, commonly called the Indy 500, is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a 2.5-mile (4.02 km) paved oval superspeedway. The track, built in 1909, is a rounded rectangle, with four distinct turns of identical dimensions, connected by four straightaways (two long straightaways and two "short chutes"). The turns are banked at 9°12', considered modest for oval track standards in the U.S. Traditionally, the field consists of 33 starters, aligned in a starting grid of eleven rows of three cars apiece. Drivers race 200 laps, counter-clockwise around the circuit, for a distance of 500 miles (804.7 km). The first "500" was held in 1911, and the race has been held continuously except during World War I (1917–1918) and during World War II (1942–1945). The track is nicknamed the "Brickyard", as the racing surface was paved in brick during the fall of 1909. The track surface has long since been paved over in asphalt, with most of the original bricks remaining deep underneath.[3] A single yard of bricks remains exposed at the start/finish line.
The event is contested by "Indy cars", a formula of professional-level, single-seat, open cockpit, open-wheel, purpose-built race cars. The race is the most prestigious event of the IndyCar calendar, and one of the oldest and most important automobile races in the world.[4]
The race is sanctioned by INDYCAR, and is part of the NTT IndyCar Series championship. The drivers come from a broad range of racing experience, with many having climbed the ladder of the "Road to Indy". Some drivers arrive at Indy with previous experience in Sports car racing (IMSA, SCCA), NASCAR, and Formula One.
In the event of a rain delay, the race will be halted and postponed until precipitation ceases, and the track is dried. The race is considered official once more than 50% of the laps have been completed (i.e. 101 laps). In case of rain or darkness, officials can end the race early if more than 101 laps have been completed; if fewer than 101 laps have been recorded, the resumption will be scheduled for the next possible day. The track does not have permanent lighting, making it unsuitable for night racing. If there is a late-race caution period, the race does not employ a green-white-checker rule to extend the race beyond its advertised distance. However, at the officials' discretion, a late-race red flag may be used to help provide for a finish under green flag conditions.[5]
Sponsorship edit
On May 25, 2022, it was announced that online financial services company Gainbridge reached a multiyear agreement to extend their presenting sponsorship of the Indianapolis 500.[6] The extension was for an undisclosed length. This will be the second year under the current deal.[7] Gainbridge originally signed a four-year deal which was in place from 2019 to 2022.[8]
Rule changes edit
- Plans to debut a brand new 2.4-L displacement hybrid engine formula for 2024 were scrapped in late 2022.[9] An amended plan was proposed to modify the existing 2.2L twin-turbocharged V6 engines with an energy recovery system. This innovative hybrid assist system was scheduled to debut at St. Petersburg on March 10. However, on December 7, 2023, IndyCar announced that its introduction would be delayed until after the Indianapolis 500.[10]
- Car weight will be reduced by approximately 30 pounds (14 kg) due to the integration of new lightweight parts and components.[11]
- All cars will be required to use new, stronger rear suspension uprights for all oval events. The new parts were introduced in response to an incident during the 2023 race in which a wheel assembly broke free from Kyle Kirkwood's car and was launched over the catch fencing.[12]
- Drivers will be prohibited from going below the white line in "breaking the draft" moves that extends from the exit of turn four to the pit attenuator on the mainstretch.[13] The move, commonly seen at NASCAR, and in the past, INDYCAR races most notably at Pocono Raceway, occurs at Indianapolis in both series where drivers deliberately veer on straights in order to defend from other cars drafting and making slingshot passes. In the 2022 and 2023 races, drivers have increasingly been overtly aggressive in breaking the draft, using the apron at the exit of Turn 2 and Turn 4 (which also serves as Turn 1 of the car road course and Turn 16 of the motorcycle configuration), perilously close to the pit attenuator in blocking. This practice is now prohibited.[14]
- For race restarts, a restart line will be introduced that drivers must pass before making overtaking attempts. The restart line will be introduced for all IndyCar events in an attempt to reduce chaotic restarts as seen during the 2023 season.[15]
Track improvements edit
- 1,700 feet of catchfence has been installed along the inside of turn three.[16]
- 800 feet of new SAFER barrier has been installed along the inside of turn four
- 85 feet of new SAFER barrier has been installed along the inside of the north short chute, replacing old Armco-style guardrail.[16]
- All existing SAFER barriers have been upgraded with new foam.[16]
- The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum closed in November 2023 for substantial renovations. It is scheduled to reopen in 2025 after an $89 million renovation and modernization project.[17]
2024 IndyCar Series edit
The 2024 Indianapolis 500 will be the fifth points-paying race (and sixth overall) of the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series season.[18] Josef Newgarden won the season opener at St. Petersburg, and Álex Palou won the non-points event at the Thermal Club. The season continues at Long Beach, followed by Barber, and the Sonsio Grand Prix on the IMS road course.
Race schedules edit
The 2024 IndyCar Series schedule was announced on September 25, 2023, with the Indianapolis 500 scheduled for Sunday, May 26.[18] Practice, time trials, and other ancillary events are scheduled for the two weeks leading up to the race. The Speedway hosted an eclipse-viewing event on April 8 in conjunction with Purdue University,[19] followed by the annual Open Test held on April 10-11. The test days will include additional rookie orientation sessions and refresher tests as needed. The Sonsio Grand Prix, including the Indy NXT and other Road to Indy races, will serve as the opening weekend of track activity on May 10–11.
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Source: 2024 Indianapolis 500 Event Schedule
Entry list edit
All entries will utilize a spec Dallara IR18 chassis with universal aero kit and 2020-adopted aeroscreen. Honda (HRC) and Chevrolet (Ilmor) are the current engine providers.[20][21] Firestone is the exclusive tire supplier. There are currently 35 confirmed entries for the race, including eight former winners and seven race rookies.
Four-time race winner Hélio Castroneves will attempt to make his 24th "500" (all consecutive), leading all active drivers. Former winner Tony Kanaan retired after the 2023 race, and 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud will not participate, as he is still recovering from injures suffered in a crash at Mid-Ohio in July 2023.[22] 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will attempt to make the race and become the fifth driver to complete "Double Duty", racing the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day.
Callum Ilott substituted for the injured David Malukas in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren entry during the April Open test.[23]
- W Former Indianapolis 500 winner
- R Indianapolis 500 rookie
Testing and Rookie Orientation edit
Rookie rules for the Indianapolis 500 include the mandate that a driver pass a supervised high-speed oval test before he/she is allowed to participate in the official Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.[56] Approved venues for the initial high-speed oval track test include Texas Motor Speedway, Homestead–Miami Speedway, and a few other select venues.[57]
The Rookie Orientation Program at Indianapolis consists of three phases. For phase 1, each driver was required to complete ten laps between 205–210 mph (330–338 km/h), while demonstrating satisfactory car control, proper racing line, and safe interaction with other cars on the circuit. The laps do not have to be consecutive. Phase 2 was fifteen laps between 210–215 mph (338–346 km/h), and phase 3 was fifteen laps over 215 mph (346 km/h). Veteran drivers that have not competed in an IndyCar oval race since the previous year's Indy 500 are required to take a refresher test. The refresher test consists of phase 2 and phase 3 of the aforementioned rookie test.[58]
Rookie Orientation - October 2023 edit
The Rookie Orientation Program was held October 11–12, 2023. Four drivers were scheduled to participate: Marcus Armstrong, Linus Lundqvist, Tom Blomqvist and 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson. Armstrong, Lundqvist, and Blomqvist had each participated the previous month in high-speed oval rookie test at Texas, which gave them eligibility to participate. Rookie Kyffin Simpson was ineligible to participate, having yet to complete the Texas test.[59] The officials ruled that Larson exempt from the Texas test due to his extensive experience on high-speed ovals in NASCAR competition.
Armstrong, Lundqvist, and Blomqvist each passed all three phases of the rookie test on Wednesday.[60] The three drivers completed a total of 285 laps without major incident. Lundqvist reportedly suffered some mechanical problems, but was able to return to the track and finish his test. Larson, who is preparing to do "Double Duty", arrived and completed his test on Thursday. Larson took his first ever laps in an Indy car, logging a total of 72 laps without incident.[61]
| Pos | No. | Driver | Team | Engine | Speed (mph) | Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60 | Tom Blomqvist R | Meyer Shank Racing | Honda | 220.176 | 354.339 |
| 2 | 20 | Linus Lundqvist R | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 219.504 | 353.257 |
| 3 | 11 | Marcus Armstrong R | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 219.252 | 352.852 |
| 4 | 6 | Kyle Larson R | Arrow McLaren | Chevrolet | 217.898 | 350.673 |
| Official Report | ||||||
Hybrid testing - October 2023 edit
A private offseason test was held October 12–13, 2023 for hybrid energy recovery system testing. Two Honda teams, Andretti Global (Colton Herta & Marcus Ericsson) and Chip Ganassi Racing (Álex Palou) and two Chevrolet teams, Arrow McLaren (Alexander Rossi & David Malukas) and Team Penske (Will Power) participated.[62] The six drivers completed a total of 1,325 laps with no incidents reported.[63]
Oval evaluation testing (Phoenix) - February 2023 edit
Race rookie Kyle Larson conducted an oval evaluation test with Arrow McLaren at Phoenix Raceway on February 5. It was Larson's first time driving an Indy car since he participated in rookie orientation the previous October. Larson completed 172 laps without major incident. During his final stint, Larson reported that he nearly spun out in turn one, but was able to regain control of the car.[64][65]
Rookie oval test (Texas) - March 2024 edit
The series hosted a high-speed oval rookie evaluation test at Texas Motor Speedway on March 27. Three drivers participated: Kyffin Simpson,[66] Christian Rasmussen, and Nolan Siegel. Veteran drivers Ed Carpenter and Álex Palou were also there in compliance with Series rules to shake down their team cars and establish a base setup. Rasmussen completed 134 laps, Kyiffin completed 202 laps, and Siegel completed 146 laps. All three drivers completed their evaluations and were approved to take the Rookie Orientation Program at the April Open Test at Indianapolis.[67]
Open test — April 2024 edit
The annual full-field open test is scheduled for April 10–11, 2024.
Broadcasting edit
The race will be carried live on television in the United States on NBC Sports.[68][69]
References edit
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"We just did Scotty and we're on a long-term contract with Josef right now," Penske told RACER.
- ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (September 7, 2022). "McLaughlin, Penske sign multi-year contract extension". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
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- ^ a b Pruett, Marshall (August 11, 2023). "Blomqvist gets full-time MSR IndyCar drive for 2024 as Castroneves goes Indy 500-only". RACER.
- ^ "Rossi confirmed for Arrow McLaren SP move in 2023". racer.com. June 2, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (August 31, 2023). "Ganassi confirms Lundqvist for 2024 IndyCar season". RACER. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
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- ^ Pruett, Marshall (December 15, 2023). "Robb moves to Foyt team for 2024". RACER. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (August 17, 2022). "Lundgaard signs multi-year deal with Rahal Letterman Lanigan". Motorsport.com. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
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- ^ Pruett, Marshall (October 5, 2023). "Larson, Armstrong, Lundqvist, Blomqvist confirmed for IMS rookie test". Racer. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (October 11, 2023). "Armstrong, Lundqvist, Blomqvist pass Indy 500 Rookie Orientation". Racer. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
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- ^ Pruett, Marshall (October 12, 2023). "IndyCar's hybrid prepares for first superspeedway test at IMS". Racer. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- ^ Cavin, Curt (October 13, 2023). "Drivers going back to school to learn new hybrid system". IndyCar.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
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External links edit
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Official site
- NTT IndyCar Series – Official site