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| MONTH OF MAY - INDIANAPOLIS 500 2011 LIVE UPDATES |
SATURDAY, MAY 21 UPDATES
TOM CARNEGIE DAY / POLE DAY
Saturday Photos
Saturday/Tom Carnegie Day/Pole Day Schedule Highlights
$15
Kids 12 and under free.
6 a.m. - 6 p.m. -- Public Gates Open
8 a.m. -- Indianapolis 500 Practice
10 a.m. -- Past Pole Winners Q&A (Plaza)
10:30 a.m. -- Past Pole Winners Autograph Session (Plaza)
11 a.m. -- Qualifications Begin
1 p.m. -- 16 Candles (Live Music/Coca-Cola Stage)
2:30 p.m. -- Hot Wheels Pin Distribution (Plaza)
3:30 p.m. -- All Time Low (Live Music/Coca-Cola Stage)
4:30 p.m. -- Qualifying Positions 1-9
5 p.m. -- All Time Low (Live Music/Coca-Cola Stage)
250 vintage pace cars of the Indy 500 will be featured.
6:45 pm
A fantastic Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with drama and
excitement all day long. Love this format. The rain, which interrupted
qualifying for a bit, played a role, but did not ruin the day.
A HUGE congratulations to the Sam Schmidt Motorsports Team for their
Indy 500 Pole Position-winning effort during the 10th anniversary of their
team with driver Alex Tagliani (rode the elevator in the Media Center with
him and wife Bronte just now, and I'm not sure you could have wiped the
smile off of his face if you tried). Way, way deserved for this special group
of people. Spoke with Sam's mom and dad tonight, and she gave me one
of the best quotes I've ever heard: "I don't believe in miracles, I rely on
them." True, indeed.
Indianapolis 500 Pole Day Qualifying:
1. Alex Tagliani Sam Schmidt Motorsports Honda
Dallara 227.472 mph - Fast Nine Pole
2. Scott Dixon-W Target Chip Ganassi Honda Dallara
227.340 - Fast Nine Shootout
8. Oriol Servia Newman Haas Racing Honda Dallara
227.168 - Fast Nine Shootout
5. Townsend Bell Sam Schmidt Motorsports Honda
Dallara 226.887 - Fast Nine Shootout
7. Will Power Team Penske Honda Dallara
226.773 - Fast Nine Shootout
4. Dan Wheldon-W Bryan Herta Autosport Honda
Dallara 226.490 - Fast Nine Shootout
9. Buddy Rice-W Panther Racing Honda Dallara
225.786 - Fast Nine Shootout
6. Ed Carpenter Sarah Fisher Racing Honda Dallara
225.121 - Fast Nine Shootout
9. Dario Franchitti-W Target Chip Ganassi Honda Dallara
DNF [fuel] - Fast Nine Shootout
10. Takuma Sato KV Racing Technology Honda
Dallara 225.736
11. Vitor Meira A.J. Foyt Racing Honda Dallara
225.590
12. JR Hildebrand-R Panther Racing Honda Dallara
225.579
13. James Hinchcliffe-R Newman Haas Racing Honda
Dallara 225.572
14. Bertrand Baguette Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
Dallara 225.285
15. Davey Hamilton Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Honda
Dallara 225.250
16. Helio Castroneves-W Team Penske Honda
Dallara 225.216
17. John Andretti Andretti Autosport Honda Dallara
224.981 - second qualifying run
18. E.J. Viso KV Racing Technology Honda Dallara
224.732
19. Bruno Junqueira A.J. Foyt Racing Honda Dallara
224.691 - second qualifying run
20. Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Honda
Dallara 224.511
21. Jay Howard-R Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
Dallara 224.483
22. Tomas Scheckter KV Racing Technology Honda
Dallara 224.433 - second qualifying run
23. Tony Kanaan KV Racing Technology Honda
Dallara 224.417
24. Simona de Silvestro HVM Racing Honda Dallara
224.392 - third qualifying run
Weather looks "iffy" for Sunday's Bump Day (one of my most favorite
days of the year), but should be able to get some qualifying in. Can't wait!
4:20 pm
The first segment of qualifications is complete, locking in the top-24
drivers, with Simona De Silvestro capturing the final spot. John Andretti
was the only Andretti Autosport driver to have made the top-24.
Here's who's in:
1) Alex Tagliani
2) Scott Dixon
3) Dario Franchitti
4) Dan Wheldon
5) Townsend Bell
6) Ed Carpenter
7) Will Power
8) Oriol Servia
9) Buddy Rice
10) Takuma Sato
11) Vitor Miera
12) JR Hildebrand
13) James Hinchcliffe
14) Bertrand Baguette
15) Davey Hamilton
16) Helio Castroneves
17) John Andretti
18) EJ Viso
19) Bruno Junqueira
20) Justin Wilson
21) Jay Howard
22) Tomas Scheckter
23) Tony Kanaan
24) Simona De Silvestro
Here's who must try to enter the field through Bump Day qualifications:
Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Danica Patrick, Pippa Mann, Graham
Rahal, Charlie Kimball, Mike Conway, Sebastian Saavedra, Ana Beatriz,
Paul Tracy, Raphael Matos, Alex Lloyd, James Jakes, Scott Speed, Ho-Pin
Tung, Ryan Briscoe
Track is drying, and skies are clearing. If the track is dry before 6:00 pm,
each of the top-9 qualifiers will get one guaranteed chance to qualify for
the Pole, regardless of the time. Yes, that means we could be qualifying
after 6:00 pm.
3:00 pm
What a day of qualifying so far! It has sprinkled slightly, but they are
continuing to qualify cars.
Great to see the Sam Schmidt team doing so well here, with Alex Tagliani's
quick week being no fluke...he's got the top spot for now.
The Andretti Autosport 5-car stable is in deep trouble at this point today.
None of the cars (Patrick, J. Andretti, Hunter-Reay, M. Andretti, M. Conway)
are in the top 24, and they are all running out of time and attempts.
Equally surprising is that the Penske team is not dominating Pole Day as
usual. Will Power got his #12 in the show pretty easily (although not on
the front row), and Helio had to use two of his attempts to qualify 16th (so
far).
Ho-Pin Tung took a wild ride into the wall during his qualifying run. He got
out of the car, but was transported to Methodist Hospital for a checkover.
Word is that he's fine.
Ryan Briscoe is still struggling with the speed in his T car after this
morning's HARD hit. He's been plenty fast all month, though.
Loving this format - it very quickly gets into the drama of qualifying, even
on the first day. In other years, you'd have a flurry of attempts, then the
afternoon would lag until about the last hour when action picked up.
Today, it's been non-stop drama all day!
One of the biggest ovations from the crowd so far have been for Iron
Woman Simona De Silvestro, who just got back into a car this AM for the
first time after her horrific Thursday crash. It's the backup car, a 2003 that
is about 15 pounds heavier than her purpose-built primary car that was
destroyed. After two attempts, she's still not in the top 24 (although was
briefly), but close. With a little more track time, she should be fine.
The other crowd favorite was Ed Carpenter, driving for pregnant Indy 500
veteran Sarah Fisher. He solidly stuck his Dollar General car in 6th to a
rousing cheer, and tears from his car owner. Well deserved after a fast
month!
The track will shut down for a 30-minute break at 4:00 pm, then - weather
permitting - the top nine will have at it for the run for the Pole. It would be a
shame to not see Tagliani rewarded with that top spot, as he's been so
good and so fast all month.
Weather looks even more "iffy" for tomorrow, so let's get everyone safely
in the show.
9:45 am
Briscoe already out in his backup machine! Talk about nerves of steel!
Sunny and warm this morning here at IMS, but rain is coming, possibly
starting around 2:00 pm. With three attempts for each car available to
teams, I expect most teams to take the first shot they can and get at least
one run in before the rain comes this afternoon.
Qualifying for all teams runs from 11 am - 4 pm, then there will be a break.
At 4:30 pm, the top nine cars from the earlier session will have their times
erased and they'll be the only ones allowed to re-qualify for the top nine
spots, and ultimately the Pole Position. I wasn't sure about this format last
year, but it turned out to be really fun and exciting for the fans. Let's hope
the weather won't play too big of a part in the afternoon's activities and we
actually get to see some of that excitement!
There's a large contingent of former Indy 500 pace cars (collectors) in the
infield today for a reunion - very cool machines.
9:15 am
Ryan Briscoe checked and released from infield care center - cleared to
drive. Reports are that he broke the steering wheel of his car with his
knee - ouch!
The highly popular nationally syndicated morning radio show, The Bob
and Tom Show, is being hosted at the Firestone garage this AM. Fun to
listen to it on the way into the track.
9:00 am
Practice underway before Pole Day qualifications begin at 11 AM. Once
again, Alex Tagliani setting the bar for speed today, up over 228 mph
again.
Simona De Silvestro was cleared to practice this morning, and will be
medically re-evaluated before qualifications - great news!
Ryan Briscoe, one of the favorites for the Pole and a race win, hits hard
into turn two (rear-end hit). He carefully gets out of the car and rests in the
grass while medical personnel attend to him. Hard, hard hit.
TOM CARNEGIE DAY / POLE DAY
Saturday Photos
Saturday/Tom Carnegie Day/Pole Day Schedule Highlights
$15
Kids 12 and under free.
6 a.m. - 6 p.m. -- Public Gates Open
8 a.m. -- Indianapolis 500 Practice
10 a.m. -- Past Pole Winners Q&A (Plaza)
10:30 a.m. -- Past Pole Winners Autograph Session (Plaza)
11 a.m. -- Qualifications Begin
1 p.m. -- 16 Candles (Live Music/Coca-Cola Stage)
2:30 p.m. -- Hot Wheels Pin Distribution (Plaza)
3:30 p.m. -- All Time Low (Live Music/Coca-Cola Stage)
4:30 p.m. -- Qualifying Positions 1-9
5 p.m. -- All Time Low (Live Music/Coca-Cola Stage)
250 vintage pace cars of the Indy 500 will be featured.
6:45 pm
A fantastic Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with drama and
excitement all day long. Love this format. The rain, which interrupted
qualifying for a bit, played a role, but did not ruin the day.
A HUGE congratulations to the Sam Schmidt Motorsports Team for their
Indy 500 Pole Position-winning effort during the 10th anniversary of their
team with driver Alex Tagliani (rode the elevator in the Media Center with
him and wife Bronte just now, and I'm not sure you could have wiped the
smile off of his face if you tried). Way, way deserved for this special group
of people. Spoke with Sam's mom and dad tonight, and she gave me one
of the best quotes I've ever heard: "I don't believe in miracles, I rely on
them." True, indeed.
Indianapolis 500 Pole Day Qualifying:
1. Alex Tagliani Sam Schmidt Motorsports Honda
Dallara 227.472 mph - Fast Nine Pole
2. Scott Dixon-W Target Chip Ganassi Honda Dallara
227.340 - Fast Nine Shootout
8. Oriol Servia Newman Haas Racing Honda Dallara
227.168 - Fast Nine Shootout
5. Townsend Bell Sam Schmidt Motorsports Honda
Dallara 226.887 - Fast Nine Shootout
7. Will Power Team Penske Honda Dallara
226.773 - Fast Nine Shootout
4. Dan Wheldon-W Bryan Herta Autosport Honda
Dallara 226.490 - Fast Nine Shootout
9. Buddy Rice-W Panther Racing Honda Dallara
225.786 - Fast Nine Shootout
6. Ed Carpenter Sarah Fisher Racing Honda Dallara
225.121 - Fast Nine Shootout
9. Dario Franchitti-W Target Chip Ganassi Honda Dallara
DNF [fuel] - Fast Nine Shootout
10. Takuma Sato KV Racing Technology Honda
Dallara 225.736
11. Vitor Meira A.J. Foyt Racing Honda Dallara
225.590
12. JR Hildebrand-R Panther Racing Honda Dallara
225.579
13. James Hinchcliffe-R Newman Haas Racing Honda
Dallara 225.572
14. Bertrand Baguette Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
Dallara 225.285
15. Davey Hamilton Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Honda
Dallara 225.250
16. Helio Castroneves-W Team Penske Honda
Dallara 225.216
17. John Andretti Andretti Autosport Honda Dallara
224.981 - second qualifying run
18. E.J. Viso KV Racing Technology Honda Dallara
224.732
19. Bruno Junqueira A.J. Foyt Racing Honda Dallara
224.691 - second qualifying run
20. Justin Wilson Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Honda
Dallara 224.511
21. Jay Howard-R Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
Dallara 224.483
22. Tomas Scheckter KV Racing Technology Honda
Dallara 224.433 - second qualifying run
23. Tony Kanaan KV Racing Technology Honda
Dallara 224.417
24. Simona de Silvestro HVM Racing Honda Dallara
224.392 - third qualifying run
Weather looks "iffy" for Sunday's Bump Day (one of my most favorite
days of the year), but should be able to get some qualifying in. Can't wait!
4:20 pm
The first segment of qualifications is complete, locking in the top-24
drivers, with Simona De Silvestro capturing the final spot. John Andretti
was the only Andretti Autosport driver to have made the top-24.
Here's who's in:
1) Alex Tagliani
2) Scott Dixon
3) Dario Franchitti
4) Dan Wheldon
5) Townsend Bell
6) Ed Carpenter
7) Will Power
8) Oriol Servia
9) Buddy Rice
10) Takuma Sato
11) Vitor Miera
12) JR Hildebrand
13) James Hinchcliffe
14) Bertrand Baguette
15) Davey Hamilton
16) Helio Castroneves
17) John Andretti
18) EJ Viso
19) Bruno Junqueira
20) Justin Wilson
21) Jay Howard
22) Tomas Scheckter
23) Tony Kanaan
24) Simona De Silvestro
Here's who must try to enter the field through Bump Day qualifications:
Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Danica Patrick, Pippa Mann, Graham
Rahal, Charlie Kimball, Mike Conway, Sebastian Saavedra, Ana Beatriz,
Paul Tracy, Raphael Matos, Alex Lloyd, James Jakes, Scott Speed, Ho-Pin
Tung, Ryan Briscoe
Track is drying, and skies are clearing. If the track is dry before 6:00 pm,
each of the top-9 qualifiers will get one guaranteed chance to qualify for
the Pole, regardless of the time. Yes, that means we could be qualifying
after 6:00 pm.
3:00 pm
What a day of qualifying so far! It has sprinkled slightly, but they are
continuing to qualify cars.
Great to see the Sam Schmidt team doing so well here, with Alex Tagliani's
quick week being no fluke...he's got the top spot for now.
The Andretti Autosport 5-car stable is in deep trouble at this point today.
None of the cars (Patrick, J. Andretti, Hunter-Reay, M. Andretti, M. Conway)
are in the top 24, and they are all running out of time and attempts.
Equally surprising is that the Penske team is not dominating Pole Day as
usual. Will Power got his #12 in the show pretty easily (although not on
the front row), and Helio had to use two of his attempts to qualify 16th (so
far).
Ho-Pin Tung took a wild ride into the wall during his qualifying run. He got
out of the car, but was transported to Methodist Hospital for a checkover.
Word is that he's fine.
Ryan Briscoe is still struggling with the speed in his T car after this
morning's HARD hit. He's been plenty fast all month, though.
Loving this format - it very quickly gets into the drama of qualifying, even
on the first day. In other years, you'd have a flurry of attempts, then the
afternoon would lag until about the last hour when action picked up.
Today, it's been non-stop drama all day!
One of the biggest ovations from the crowd so far have been for Iron
Woman Simona De Silvestro, who just got back into a car this AM for the
first time after her horrific Thursday crash. It's the backup car, a 2003 that
is about 15 pounds heavier than her purpose-built primary car that was
destroyed. After two attempts, she's still not in the top 24 (although was
briefly), but close. With a little more track time, she should be fine.
The other crowd favorite was Ed Carpenter, driving for pregnant Indy 500
veteran Sarah Fisher. He solidly stuck his Dollar General car in 6th to a
rousing cheer, and tears from his car owner. Well deserved after a fast
month!
The track will shut down for a 30-minute break at 4:00 pm, then - weather
permitting - the top nine will have at it for the run for the Pole. It would be a
shame to not see Tagliani rewarded with that top spot, as he's been so
good and so fast all month.
Weather looks even more "iffy" for tomorrow, so let's get everyone safely
in the show.
9:45 am
Briscoe already out in his backup machine! Talk about nerves of steel!
Sunny and warm this morning here at IMS, but rain is coming, possibly
starting around 2:00 pm. With three attempts for each car available to
teams, I expect most teams to take the first shot they can and get at least
one run in before the rain comes this afternoon.
Qualifying for all teams runs from 11 am - 4 pm, then there will be a break.
At 4:30 pm, the top nine cars from the earlier session will have their times
erased and they'll be the only ones allowed to re-qualify for the top nine
spots, and ultimately the Pole Position. I wasn't sure about this format last
year, but it turned out to be really fun and exciting for the fans. Let's hope
the weather won't play too big of a part in the afternoon's activities and we
actually get to see some of that excitement!
There's a large contingent of former Indy 500 pace cars (collectors) in the
infield today for a reunion - very cool machines.
9:15 am
Ryan Briscoe checked and released from infield care center - cleared to
drive. Reports are that he broke the steering wheel of his car with his
knee - ouch!
The highly popular nationally syndicated morning radio show, The Bob
and Tom Show, is being hosted at the Firestone garage this AM. Fun to
listen to it on the way into the track.
9:00 am
Practice underway before Pole Day qualifications begin at 11 AM. Once
again, Alex Tagliani setting the bar for speed today, up over 228 mph
again.
Simona De Silvestro was cleared to practice this morning, and will be
medically re-evaluated before qualifications - great news!
Ryan Briscoe, one of the favorites for the Pole and a race win, hits hard
into turn two (rear-end hit). He carefully gets out of the car and rests in the
grass while medical personnel attend to him. Hard, hard hit.