Friday, June 10, 2011

95th Running of the Indianapolis 500

I know it's been a few weeks since the Indy 500 on May 29, but being a sports blog with Indy in the title, I kinda need to go back and cover it. It was quite a race, if you didn't see it. Dan Wheldon won his second 500 (his first was in 2005) after Rookie J. R. Hildebrand hit the wall in turn 4 on the last lap. 
There was a bit of controversy at first because it wasn't clear whether Wheldon passed Hildebrand under a Yellow Flag or not (which would make the pass illegal). Wheldon did get around Hidebrand before the Yellow came out and won the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. 
Here is the last lap, showing Hidebrand's crash and Wheldon winning: 




I was at the race and was able to get some good shots from my seat in the Paddock area across from Pit Road. My Grandfather has had these seats since the 1960's and for the past few years my Uncle, Dad, and I have been going. Always a good time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 
Here are the shots:







                      Beautiful Day for a race!


Honoring the US Military for Memorial Day.





BALLOONS!!!


Jim Nabors signs "Back Home again in Indiana."


Aux Bishop Christopher Coyne from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis gives a pre-race prayer.


Ray Harroun's car, "The Marmon Wasp." Harroun won the first Indy 500 in this car in 1911. This was only the 3rd time in 100 years that the car has been on the track. 


Coming around turn 4 to start.


Green Flag!


Our view of the pits. From Left to Right: the pit crews of Michael Andretti, Marco Andretti, Danica Patrick, and Hélio Castroneves. 


And in they come for the first pit stop. 





Lap 100. Half way through and Hidebrand (#4) is your leader. 






Only a few more laps to go. I think this was at lap 195. 


White Flag - one more lap!


Checkered Flag! Also a Yellow due to Hidebrand's crash.





Dan Wheldon in the winner circle. I tried to get a shot of him drinking the milk but he was too fast for me!


Dan Wheldon on his Victory Lap. And by the way, he got to keep that Camaro.


Preparing to kiss the bricks!






Final Standings.






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