CNN
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One of the most popular and The most anticipated events The motorsports calendar is almost upon us, but the build-up to the Indy 500 has been disrupted by race organizers pausing pre-race festivities, evicting fans from the grandstands and postponing the start of the race.
Organizers said in a statement on social media that their decision was “considered the proximity of the Lightning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”
He added that further improvements will be made over time.
“The Greatest Show in Racing” is scheduled to return in 2024 with the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
Part of the IndyCar Series, a talented field of 33 drivers will travel 200 laps and 500 miles around the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in an extreme test of speed and endurance.
It’s the biggest one for the drivers. The opportunity to write your name in the history books, the opportunity to participate in symbolic traditions – kissing the bricks at the start / finish line and celebrating with a bottle of milk after winning the race.
“It’s the biggest sporting event in the world, isn’t it?” British driver Catherine Legge told CNN sports reporter Don Riddell before last year’s race. “The whole place has this vibe about it, this personality and when it’s filled with fans, it’s an amazing feeling, like it has a heartbeat.”
Speedway – Known as the “brickyard”, the track has a unique aura as it was originally paved with bricks rather than asphalt.
“Indianapolis is about energy.” There is a 2023 winner Joseph Newgarden He told NBC. “You talk to anybody who’s been to the Indy 500 or knows what it’s like — that’s a force that can’t be replicated anywhere else in the world.”
Mark J. Rebillas/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
In the year After winning the 2023 Indy 500, Newgarden anointed himself with milk.
The 108th running of the Indy 500 will take place on Sunday, May 26. It will be broadcast live on NBC and streaming service Peacock, with pre-race coverage beginning at 11 a.m.
The race was originally scheduled to start at 12:45 PM, but the organizers of the race have already announced that the start will be delayed due to bad weather.
International viewers can follow the action and a full list of broadcast channels is available over here. Those wishing to watch the race in countries without INDICAR broadcast contracts have the option to watch the race via INDICAR LIVE – the series’ subscription streaming service.
The race is not normally televised in Central Indiana due to television blackouts to encourage residents to purchase tickets and head to the track. The forfeit will be lifted when the 240,000 reserved grandstand seats are sold.
The Indy 500 regularly shares a date with the famous Monaco Grand Prix, known as the “crown jewel” of the Formula One calendar. Fans will be treated to a full day of motorsport drama as the race around the streets of Monte Carlo starts at 9pm.
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For only the second time in the tournament’s history, one team locked down the entire front row.
Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin took the pole position for the race, setting the fastest four-lap average pole speed in Indy 500 history at 234.220 mph.
Australian driver and 2018 500 winner Will Power averaged 233.917 mph, while two-time IndyCar champion Newgarden finished third as the Team Penske drivers completed a front-row sweep.
Team Penske was also the first team to achieve this feat, it did so in 1988, and holds the record for most Indy 500 poles 19. The team is owned and chaired by Robert Penske, who also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar Series. himself.
It was McLaughlin’s first ‘500 pole after a 14th-best qualifying finish last year.
Darron Cummings/AP
McLaughlin celebrates after taking the pole.
“Welcome to the party.” said New ZealandAccording to the tournament’s official site. “The Pennzoil Chevy was unreal. There is a lot of pride in being able to do it. I’m working hard. Indy was not kind to me, and most of it was my doing. I have to work on things. This is the first step. Thirsty 3s, baby, here we come.”
Chevrolet-powered drivers qualified in the top eight of the 33-car field.
Newgarden is looking to be the only one. The sixth driver to win back-to-back races in Indianapolis and the first since Helio Castroneves (who finished 20th for this year’s race) in 2002.
Kyle Larson tries to drive the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
The Americans compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series and will make their IndyCar debut this weekend. Entered as an Arrow McLaren driver, he finished an impressive fifth and has a shot at winning the ‘500 as a rookie.
After finishing the race at Indy, Larson will head to Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina to try to “make the win” and start the 600. The green flag at Charlotte is scheduled for 6 p.m., so Larson won’t be sticking around for the post-race party in Indianapolis.
Christopher Leduc / Icon Sportswire / AP
Larson is an experienced NASCAR driver but is new to IndyCar.
Larson is trying to become the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion. The fifth driver to start both races. John Andretti was the first to do so in 1994, followed by Robbie Gordon and Tony Stewart, who took the win on five and two occasions respectively. It was most recently attempted by Kurt Busch in 2014.
The double is considered one of the toughest challenges in motorsport due to the mental and physical toll of driving 1,100 miles in one day, navigating the gap between open-wheel and stock cars and a grueling itinerary.
“I don’t want to be called the greatest NASCAR driver of all time or the greatest sprint car driver of all time, I want to be called someone who can get into all kinds of cars and be good at what they do. Do it,” said Larson in 2021, at NASCAR.
Castroneves, one of only four drivers to win the Indy 500 four times, will seek history when he lines up at the Brickyard for the 24th time on Sunday.
The Brazilian’s winner on Sunday will stand alone as the only man to win the race on five occasions – albeit a long career from the seventh row.
At 49, Castroneves plans to become the oldest 500 winner ever and doesn’t plan on hitting the brakes anytime soon.
Michael Conroy/AP
Castroneves is a popular figure in Indianapolis.
“(Racing at 50) has always been a goal of mine, but I just don’t want to ‘do it.’ he told the Indy Star.. I still feel like we’re very competitive, and it’s not just about winning, it’s about making people crazy here, and that’s what I want to do.
“At the moment, I want to continue because it’s something I know very well. I’m sure this will change but I don’t think it will anytime soon.