What is 241 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Well, it is the qualifying lap for the Indy 500, known as the “Great American Race.” It is the last of four mandatory speed trials that teams and drivers must complete before the start of the big race on Sunday. Any car that does not finish in the top six in any of the four qualifying runs will not be allowed to start the race. As you can imagine, this is a pretty big deal and a number of drivers throw caution to the wind and go for broke in an attempt to qualify for the biggest race of their careers. The last few years have seen incidents of cars spinning out and crashing, which has added an extra layer of danger to the already nerve-wracking event. We thought it would be fun to take a closer look at what exactly is going on before, during, and after these crucial four laps of the Indy 500.
The History Of The Qualifying Runs
The qualifying laps at the Indy 500 are the final speed trial before the big race on Sunday. They were first held in 1911 and have continued every year since. Since the inception of the event, the qualifying laps have always been the fastest four trials of a five-race segment called the Grand Prix of Indianapolis. The first two races were held on a temporary street circuit, while the others were on a half-mile oval named after the track’s primary sponsor, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The oval was redesigned in 1909, so the tracks have changed somewhat over the years. The first three years of the Indy 500, the qualifying laps were held on Columbus Day, which was also the biggest race of the year back then. From 1915 to 1919, the big race was on Thanksgiving Day, so they have been on different days of the week ever since. In 2012, the dates for the Indy 500 switched back to the traditional May race, so fans will not have to wait as long to see their favorite drivers race again. This is also good for those who have family and friends coming in from out of state to see the 500.
Who And What Wins The Qualifying Competition?
The biggest racing event of the year is certainly the Indianapolis 500, but it is not the only one. There are numerous other major races all over the world, and drivers from around the world flock to Indianapolis to compete in these events. This is actually a testament to how prestigious the Indy 500 is, as well as why so many drivers are trying to qualify for this one race. The series of events leading up to the Indy 500 are collectively called the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, which has become a major international event with races in London, Paris, and now even Los Angeles. As you can probably imagine, the top drivers in the world are trying to win these events, so they can name their price for a spot on the grid of the Indy 500. Here are the current standings for the major events that will determine who wins the overall Grand Prix of Indianapolis title.
Who Are The Favorites To Win This Year’s Indy 500 Race?
The race for the Indy 500 has always been a popular one, and for good reason. The overall prize money is higher than that of any other event in the series due to the prestige of the Indy 500 and the fact that it is a 500-mile race. This year is no exception, and a number of drivers are in the middle of a heated battle for the top spot. Here are the current standings for the race, with the winner to be determined this Sunday, May 24th.
A Look At The Top 30 Drivers
There are a number of drivers who have been killing it the last few months, and they will all be going for broke in an attempt to qualify for the 2015 Indy 500. These are the top 30 drivers, as ranked by their speed over the last five months.
It is worth noting that all of these drivers have an outside chance of qualifying for the Indy 500. Anything can happen between now and the end of the season, so these positions are not pre-determined. Keep up with all the latest news and chatter about the Indy 500 on Twitter @IndyCar and @Indy500, as well as on Facebook at facebook.com/indy500.
What Is The Strategy For Qualifying?
While it is great to have the best speed over the last five months, it does not exactly matter what your strategy is for qualifying, as long as you have a decent enough run. Every team will have a different approach to take, but there are some guidelines that can be followed. Going all out on one lap is not going to get you anywhere, because you will drop straight down the back of the field. You will most likely even qualify at the back, which is almost as bad as not qualifying at all. The best advice would be to come in for a quick, smooth qualifying lap, make a couple of moves at the end, and park it. The car will be easy to drive, and you can relax and have some chips and dip while you wait for the start of the race. If you are using a team who has an experienced team member at the wheel, follow their lead and stick close behind. Trying to be the first car on the track can also be a viable strategy. The key is to try something different and see what works for you. You never know, maybe the unexpected will happen and you will end up qualifying at the front of the field.
Is It Worth The Risk?
This is a question that you should ask yourself, and not just about the Indy 500. Is it worth putting your car on the line by going for broke on one last qualifying lap? The answer is simply because you cannot know what is going to happen, and you may very well end up qualifying at the back. You could spin out, you could have a mechanical issue, or any number of things could go wrong. This is the type of gamble that every driver takes, and it is certainly not a risk that is going to get any less appealing as the season goes on.
The Ambiance Of Qualifying At The Indy Speedway
The ambiance at the Indy 500 is something else. Fans line up for miles before the start of the race, and many of them are there for the entire duration. It is well worth the risk to drive fast and qualify for the big race, and many fans would love to be there for every practice session and qualifying race, too. The stands are packed together, and even those who are sitting in the grandstands are leaning towards the track, trying to catch a glimpse of the action. The atmosphere is truly incredible, especially if you have just driven a lap and all of a sudden, the checkered flag drops and you are surrounded by thousands of people going crazy.
The Emotions Of Qualifying
Even those outside of racing know that the excitement of qualifying for the Indy 500 is unlike any other. The car you drive in for that one lap will feel completely different from the one you drive for the rest of the season, and even the make and model can change how you handle the vehicle. Just the stress of getting the lap right will get to you. This is a special moment for any driver who makes it through, and it is no surprise that the emotions of these drivers are often reflected in their on-track performance.
The Aftermath Of A Qualifying Crash
The aftermath of a crash at the Indy 500 is also something else. If a car goes off track and hits the wall, there will be a full recovery truck parked there, ready to grab the driver and carry them to the hospital. After the race, everyone will be walking around, shaking hands, and hanging out. There is no “cool down period” at the Indy 500. The mood is and has always been extremely positive. Teams and drivers who have qualified for the race have already overcome a lot of adversity, and they know the importance of the race. This is one place where you can truly be yourself and let your hair down, as there are no restrictions on what you can say or how you can act. There has always been a sense of camaraderie among the drivers and teams who have participated in the Indy 500, and it continues to this day.
What Is The Difference In The Weather?
Another important thing to consider before, during, and after the Indy 500 is the weather. Now is a great time to do so, as the days are getting warmer and there is less chance of bad weather. Driving in the rain or cold is one thing, but taking a bad accident or spin out simply because of weather is inexcusable. You need good tires, winter tires if necessary, and preferably a lot of experience in handling wet and inclement weather. Remember, this is Indianapolis we are talking about – the weather can change quickly, with sudden drops in temperature and thick cloud cover turning into sunny days with no warning.