Indy 500 Sunday Notebook

Jerry Coons Jr. won the Hoosier Hundred USAC Silver Crown Series race Friday night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Coons led the last 86 laps of the 100-lap event.

Indianapolis 500 rookie qualifier Brian Clauson finished seventh.

***

American Connor De Phillippi won the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear "Night Before the 500" race Saturday night at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. It was De Phillippi's second consecutive victory in this event.

Americans completed the podium, as Andretti Autosport teammates Sage Karam and Zach Veach finished second and third, respectively.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is one of the rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy development system for INDYCAR.

***

American Spencer Pigot won the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda "Night Before the 500" race Saturday night at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis.

Pigot prevailed in a duel over Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing teammate and pole sitter Matthew Brabham, son of Indianapolis 500 veteran Geoff Brabham and grandson of Indianapolis 500 veteran and Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham.

The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda is one of the rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy development system for INDYCAR.

***

Brian Tyler won the Pay Less Little 500 on Saturday night at Anderson Speedway. Tyler led the final 158 laps to earn his second career victory in the 500-lap race.

***

The hottest Race Day temperatures in Indianapolis 500 history, based on high temperature in Fahrenheit for Race Day as supplied by the National Weather Service:

Temperature	Year(s)
92o	1937
91o	1919, 1953
90o	1977, 1978
89o	1929, 2006, 2010
88o	1934, 2011
87o	1913, 1921, 1972, 1988
86o	1941, 2009
85o	1939, 1956, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1995
84o	1999

***

Many significant events in Indianapolis 500 history have occurred in years ending with the number 2.

•1912: Ralph De Palma led 196 of the first 198 laps, building a lead of 5 ½ laps, before his car broke down just 1 ¼ laps from the checkered flag. De Palma and his riding mechanic pushed their car to the finish, placing 11^th. Joe Dawson won the race. De Palma's 196 laps led were the most by a driver who didn't win the race in Indianapolis 500 history.

•1952: Troy Ruttman won at age 22 years, 80 days, the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner in history.

•1962: Parnelli Jones won the pole at 150.370 mph, the first four-lap qualifying average faster than 150 mph in Indianapolis 500 history.

•1972: Mark Donohue earned the first of a record 15 Indianapolis 500 victories for team owner Roger Penske. Bobby Unser also won the pole with a track-record average of 195.940, a jump of 17.244 mph. It's the largest one-year speed increase for the pole winner in Indianapolis 500 history.

•1982: Gordon Johncock edged Rick Mears for victory by just .16 of a second in a classic duel, then the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history.

•1992: Al Unser Jr. edged Scott Goodyear by .043 of a second in the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history. It also was the coldest "500," with a Race Day high temperature of 58 degrees.

•2002: Helio Castroneves earned his second consecutive Indianapolis 500 victory, becoming the first back-to-back winner since Al Unser in 1970-71. The race ended in controversial fashion, with Castroneves judged to be just ahead of Paul Tracy when a race-ending caution period started on Lap 199 due to an accident. Castroneves also became the first driver to win his first two Indianapolis 500 starts.

***

A distinctive piece of jewelry fusing 100 years of Indianapolis 500 history is up for bid.

Mary Kaczor of Racer X Designs is the creator and designer of Winning Ways II, an exclusive pendant attached to a white gold cable-mesh chain.

Items appearing on the pendant include a Timken NTA-108 bearing from Dario Franchitti's Target Chip Ganassi car that won the 2010 Indianapolis 500 and the IZOD IndyCar Series championship. Also appearing on this jewelry is a frame nut from the legendary Marmon "Wasp" driven by Ray Harroun to victory in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Recently added to the piece is a portion of the third gear of the Bryan Herta Autosport car that Dan Wheldon drove to victory last year in the 100^th Anniversary Indianapolis 500.

A10.05-carat round diamond appears at the heart of the composition, with the 10 carats signifying the 100^th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. The pendant also features a collection of black-and-white princess cut diamonds in a checkered flag pattern set in white gold.

Bidding on this piece of jewelry begins at $1 million. To bid, contact Kaczor by phone at (302) 353-1955or via email at: mary@racerxdesigns.com. A portion from the sale of Winning Ways II will be donated to the Wheldon Family Trust.

***

Paul Page, who has broadcast the Indianapolis 500 and just about every form of auto racing and currently anchors the NHRA drag racing series on ESPN2, was honored Saturday with the Bob Russo Founders Award for dedication to auto racing.

The award was presented to Page by Russo Award Chairman Bill Marvel during the annual American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association breakfast meeting at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Russo, the late racing journalist/publicist/historian, founded AARWBA in 1955. He died in 1999 at age 71. The Russo Award is presented for "profound interest, tireless efforts and undying dedication to auto racing as exemplified by Russo throughout his lifelong career."

***

ESPN International's coverage of the 96^th Indianapolis 500 through its network and joint ventures will reach more than 212 million homes in 136 countries and territories outside of the United States. Add to that syndication (46 countries and 53.3 million homes) and ABC's U.S. reach of 114,700,000, and television distribution exceeds 380.5 million homes in 182 countries worldwide.

U.S. troops serving overseas and on Navy vessels around the world will watch live via a broadcast agreement between ESPN and the American Forces Network, bringing the total to 213 countries and territories around the world.

***

INDYCAR and Apex-Brasil announced today an extension of their partnership through 2014. Apex-Brasil is the Official Energy and Trade Partner of INDYCAR.

RANDY BERNARD (CEO, INDYCAR): "When you find great partners, it's more important to keep those and create better and better relationships. INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway are very proud to announce today that we've extended our relationship with Apex-Brasil through 2014. Last year, we saw over one billion dollars' worth of export revenue brought in through their INDYCAR project. Some of the similarities and elements that are so important to Apex-Brasil and INDYCAR is the fact we do use ethanol and we're using E-85, a pump-relevant product. Also the fact that we have so many great drivers in our series from Brazil, and we have a very successful event in Brazil. Brazil is a very important piece of business for INDYCAR. We look at them as a very important partner, but more importantly as a family member. Corporate involvement is essential in today's world. If you're going to make it as a sports property, you have to have great corporate involvement. This relationship is just one of those blessings we have."

MAURICIO BORGES (President, Apex-Brasil): "It is a pleasure to be here and announce this extension of our agreement for two more years. As Randy said, it is a pleasure for us to have a good partnership with INDYCAR. We are really pleased to have the extension. Thank you for all of your support for Brazilian companies and American companies to do business. Since we've fostered the relationship, we've improved our knowledge of American culture. So we've learned quite a lot when you consider that since 2008 there's more than two billion dollars of new business between Brazil and American companies. We really proud to do that."

GREG GRUNING (Executive Vice President, Corporate Business Development): "What's very interesting about this partnership, and there really is nothing like this in all of sports, is you think about what a typical trade show would be. When we were talking to Apex back in 2008, it was around fuel. You think about the heritage of the drivers, as Randy talked about. But what became really interesting as we were talking with Mauricio and his team is how do you showcase Brazilian products; the 80-plus sectors, the internationalization of their products? And how do you attract foreign investment back into Brazil? Leveraging the platform of INDYCAR, which is the middle to upscale, and really doing an end-to-end experience, from inviting the key folks to come in and experience the energy of Brazil and foster a relationship from a hospitality perspective, where you can foster B-to-B relationships at a high level in and around our sport is fantastic."

JEFF BELSKUS (President and CEO, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation): "We're pleased to be a part of this program today, and we've developed good friendships with Apex-Brasil ourselves. We're very pleased to be extending the arrangement. We're in a very historic time for the Indianapolis 500 and Indianapolis Motor Speedway with our 100th anniversary last year and looking forward to our 100th running in 2016, and Randy and Greg are both right. We're proud of the partnership and proud of the friendship, as well."

***

96^th INDIANAPOLIS 500 CELEBRITY RED CARPET QUOTES:

DRAKE HOGESTYN (Actor, "Days of Our Lives"): "As a child, I used to come here during the time trials. I was a big Vukovich fan. I loved A.J. Foyt, Parnelli Jones in '69 when he came out with the turbine, and I was a big Jimmy Clark fan as a kid because I loved that slick car."

CAPT. KEITH COLBURN ("Deadliest Catch"): "It's my first time at Indianapolis, my first time at the Speedway, but I have been following the race since I was a little kid. And you know what? This is like a dream come true for me. You know it is like Disneyland when you go when you are older and it looks smaller — this place in gigantic, it is amazing how big it is, it is a spectacle. I'll tell you, it is a lot better than being in the ice in the Bering Sea. I'll take a hot day in Indianapolis any day of the week."

DAVE HESTER ("Storage Wars"): "I participated in the parade yesterday. When I was done, I wanted to go through again because the excitement of the people is just awesome. (Today) I've never been around this many people with all this fun and energy. I wish I had one of these trailers out here. It's like reality TV out here. It's a little warm out here. It's not like California. But I'm not complaining. It's awesome."

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN (Singer, actress): "Oh, we are having a good time. We went to the Snake Pit Ball last night, went to the parade yesterday and had a book signing for my cookbook at Barnes and Noble, so it has been full-on, but it has been fun." (About nephew Emerson Newton-John being eliminated in accident in Firestone Freedom 100 on Friday): "Well, those things happen in racing, so it was just a tough break. I have been to the race before, a long time ago. In fact, I brought Emerson when he was a teenager to watch it, and Emerson Fittipaldi won. So isn't that funny? So I know what to expect, and I am excited. I am rooting for the Penske team because Will Power is an Aussie and the Penskes are friend of mine, so I am for all the Penske drivers, particularly the Aussie boy."

SCOTT BORCHETTA (Founder, Big Machine Records): "We were one of Dan (Wheldon's) sponsors last year for the '500.' It was such an extraordinary day. We were sitting in Turn 2, so when JR Hildebrand came by for the last lap. So, we were thinking for a one-race deal, second place is not that bad. JR goes by then two seconds later Dan goes by, and then we're watching the big screen. Then, we were like: 'Oh my God. We just won the Indy 500!' After we were high-fiving and screaming and hugging, we had to go to victory lane. Anyone that has been to IMS knows, from Turn 2 to Victory Lane is like a mile away. I have my Dan Wheldon champion ring from last year on (today), and Martina McBride is going to wear the ring when she sings the anthem today. We're also going to honor Dan on Lap 26 and 98 with these great white sunglasses today. It's a huge day to be here at the Indy 500."

TOMMY LASORDA (Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager): "I have been to Indianapolis a lot of times but never to this event, and I am so impressed. I just cannot believe that there are going to be 400,000 people here watching this race. (As a Dodger) I hate to walk on the red carpet, to be honest with you. I rode in an Indy car around Dodger Stadium in Andretti's car, and it was amazing. I would never do that (drive an Indy car). When I drive down the freeway, I'm scared — let alone go 220 mph. That's unbelievable; I just can't see that."

EVE (Singer, producer, actress): "This is my first one (Indy 500). I'm excited to be here. I've seen it on TV, and it always looks exciting, and it is exciting. There are so many people here. It is really hot, but it's great. It's good energy, amazing energy. I'm in the Gumball 3000 rally, so I think that makes it even more exciting because we're driving our cars. Then to come see some professionals on the track makes it that much more exciting."

BUN B (Rapper): "I keep hearing about the intensity, the adrenaline, about the energy from the crowd. I just really, really can't wait to experience seeing these cars start off this grid. I just want to see who catches that checkered flag today." (Are you rooting for anybody in particular?): "Oh yeah, definitely. I'm going for the team that won last year (Bryan Herta Autosport). We want to win one for Dan (Wheldon) again." (On his participation in the Gumball 3000 rally): "We're driving from New York to L.A. in seven days. I'm in car 56, 'White Phantom,' and we leave here tomorrow morning. We drive on to Kansas City, then Santa Fe New Mexico, Las Vegas, and we end on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles."

HOWIE MANDEL (TV personality, comedian, 96^th Indianapolis 500 honorary announcer): "It's good to be here. I've never been to an event this size. It's probably the biggest event in the nation – 300,000 people and the heat and the excitement, I'm just thrilled to be a part of it." (Do you have a favorite?): "I do have a favorite for the race. Are you talking about a driver? I was talking about French fries. My favorite is French fries and a beer for the race." (Being honorary announcer): "I don't know how tough it's going to be; now I'm starting to get nervous. I know my role is very important. I feel like I'm at the center of this whole thing – I am the pulse of the Indianapolis 500."

PETE ROSE (Baseball legend): "This is my first time here. This is exciting. This is fun. The World Series and All-Star Games don't even compare to the Indy 500. They're fun to play in, but this is the greatest sports spectacle in the world. I think I like Marco Andretti today. His name's Andretti. How can you not like him? It's in his blood. Today is going to be good."

GLADYS KNIGHT (Singer): "This is just the most amazing thing. The energy of the people is great. I can't wait to see the cars go around the track. It's my first time here. I'm looking forward to the speed. I can't wait to hear the sound of the cars. This is amazing."

GUY FIERI (TV personality, chef, 96^th Indianapolis 500 Pace Car driver): "This just continues to get more out of control. I mean, I thought Friday was crazy. Look at this – nuts." (Are you nervous?): "I don't know if nervous is the word. I just want to do good and do it right. I've got a lot of people counting on me. I've got 33 of the best drivers in the world behind me. I'm kicking off the party. I want to make sure I do it right." (You got lessons from Johnny Rutherford. You want to make him proud, right?): "Lessons, I'm telling you: That was the Obi-Wan Kenobi of pace car driving. I mean, he gave me as much as I think I could understand. He gave me everything. We got it; we did it. He said: 'I sign you off. You're ready to go.' The real key is to, as Johnny says, keep your eye on the six. So I'm going to watch that rear-view mirror and that side mirror and just really know where my guys are. Plus I've got the tower in my head, with the headphones on, telling me what speeds they want me to keep this at. There's a lot going on. I don't think people quite understand the responsibility. I didn't understand the responsibility of the Pace Car. It's a real responsibility of prepping this thing, getting those drivers ready and lettin' 'em loose."

MARTINA McBRIDE (Singer, 96^th Indianapolis 500 national anthem singer): "This is my first time to be here. I'm so excited. I got in at 4 o'clock and did my sound check. You can see that everyone is so excited to be here. To be here for the Memorial Day weekend and to sing the national anthem is just, I'm proud to be here. I'll warm up on the bus; I just try not to think about that (singing) and just think about our country. I got here at 7 o'clock this morning to do a mike (microphone) check, and there were people arriving already. The race will be loud and fast, and I'm glad I won't be in one of the cars."

MAXIMILLION COOPER (Founder, Gumball 3000 coast-to-coast rally): "This is the 14^th anniversary of our trip. We do a different 3,000-mile route each year, and this year it is from New York to Los Angeles. We're here on day three of the Gumball, and we've got a pit stop at the Indy 500. It's parties every night, an eclectic mix of cars and people; 110 cars, everything from '50s Chevies on up. The cars are on display in the infield. The ride finishes on Thursday." (Your impressions of the Speedway): "This is our first time to be at the Indy 500. I'm so impressed with the Speedway. I've been involved in motorsports all my live, and it's amazing that I've never been here to this race. This is one of the places in life that you have to come to."

96^th INDIANAPOLIS 500 PRE-RACE:

At noon, the ambient temperature was 91 degrees with a relative humidity of 64 percent and southwest winds at 7 mph. Skies were sunny. The track temperature was 121 degrees, according to Firestone engineers.

At 12:09 p.m., Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George gave the command, "Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines," while wearing white sunglasses in honor of Dan Wheldon. All cars except #14 Conway and #78 De Silvestro started and rolling. Both started, join field on pace lap.

Guy Fieri is driving the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Pace Car during the pace laps. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford will drive the Pace Car during caution periods.

***

Dario Franchitti put on white sunglasses in Victory Lane, in tribute to late friend Dan Wheldon. Franchitti points to sky, in tribute to Wheldon, after drinking from traditional winner's bottle of milk.

***

INDIANAPOLIS 500 WINNER'S POST-RACE QUICK QUOTE:

DARIO FRANCHITTI: "I just want to dedicate this to two of Indianapolis' finest, Dan Wheldon and Michael Wanser. Thanks to all of the Indianapolis fans for their tribute to Dan today. What a race. What a race. I think D-dub (Wheldon) would be proud of that one." (About final battle with Takuma Sato): "I moved over, and I saw he was coming. I came back over, and I moved up the track. He got loose underneath me. Kind of reminds me of Emerson (Fittipaldi) and Little Al (Unser) at the end there. This means the world. This is Indianapolis. To be on this trophy on either side of Dan, that means more than anything. The last week I've been studying my buddy JR's book, Johnny Rutherford gave me his book with a wonderful inscription, and he said he hoped to welcome me to the three-time club. To be in the company of guys like that means so much. What a great race today, to be able to come from the back of the grid after being in the pit lane and being spun."

***

Michael Wanser died last Oct. 23, 2011, exactly one week after Dan Wheldon passed away. Wanser was the 6-year-old son of Target Chip Ganassi Racing team manager (racing operations) Barry Wanser. Michael Wanser was suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. Team members nicknamed him "Iron Man Mike" for the courage and strength he showed during his fight with the disease.

***

Medical update from Dr. Michael Olinger, INDYCAR medical director: Marco Andretti and Takuma Sato were evaluated and released without injury from the IU Health Emergency Medical Center at IMS. They are cleared to drive.

96^th INDIANAPOLIS 500 HISTORICAL NOTES:

•Dario Franchitti is the 10^th driver to have three or more wins in Indianapolis 500 history.

•Dario Franchitti joins Helio Castroneves as three-time Indianapolis 500 winner in the fewest number of starts, nine. Louis Meyer won for the third time in his ninth start, but it was his 10^th Indianapolis 500 because he drove as a relief driver only in his rookie year.

•Dario Franchitti and Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon finished first and second, respectively. The last time teammates finished 1-2 before today was in 2003 when Gil de Ferran beat Penske teammate Helio Castroneves to the checkered flag.

•This is the fifth Indianapolis 500 victory for Chip Ganassi, tying Lou Moore for second on the list of career wins by car owners. Roger Penske leads all car owners with 15 victories.

•There were a record 34 lead changes during the 2012 Indianapolis 500. The previous record for most lead changes was 29 in 1960.

•The 2012 Indianapolis 500 race had 10 different lap leaders, tying the 1980, 1995, 1998 and 2011 races for second-highest number of lap leaders. The record for different lap leaders is 12 in the 1993 race.

•Dario Franchitti's 2012 Indianapolis 500 winning average speed of 167.734 mph was the fifth fastest in Indianapolis 500 history.

•The 2012 race is the third Indianapolis 500 win for Dario Franchitti. His other victories came in 2010, and 2007 in a rain shortened (166 laps) race. In all three victories, he crossed the finish line under caution.

•Dario Franchitti is the second driver to win the Indianapolis 500 starting from the 16^th position. Dan Wheldon won from the same position in 2005.

•This is the first time car No. 50 has won the Indianapolis 500.

•Jean Alesi is the third driver in Indianapolis 500 history to start and finish 33^rd in the race. Both Dempsey Wilson (1960) and Ronnie Duman (1966) started and finished 33^rd.

•The 2012 race represents the eighth time that Helio Castroneves has completed the full 500-mile distance. Castroneves joins Ted Horn and A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to have completed the full 500 miles eight times without the aid of a relief driver. The use of relief drivers was a common practice at the Indianapolis 500 before World War II.

•Honda has been the winning engine for the past nine years and moves up to fourth all time for victories by all engine manufacturers.

•Scott Dixon has completed the last 1,366 consecutive laps of Indianapolis 500 competition, which represents the most consecutive laps completed by a driver in Indianapolis 500 history. The previous record stood for 71 years and belonged to Wilbur Shaw, who completed 1,351 consecutive laps from 1935-41.

•The 2012 Indianapolis 500 marks the eighth time in nine Indianapolis 500 starts, including two rain-shortened races, that Dario Franchitti has finished on the lead lap. The only time he failed to do so was his rookie year, when he finished three laps off the pace in the 2002 Indianapolis 500. Franchitti has completed 1,743 laps out of a possible 1,746 laps during his Indianapolis 500 career for a completion rate of 99.8 percent.

•Dario Franchitti (Scotland) is the second foreign driver to win the Indianapolis 500 three times. The other foreign three-time winner is Brazilian driver Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009).

•This is the seventh time that a member of the Andretti family has led the most laps of the Indianapolis 500. Mario led the most laps in 1969, 1985, 1987 and 1993. Michael led the most laps in 1991 and 1992. Marco led a race high 59 laps in today's race. Among these seven occasions, only the 1969 effort by Mario Andretti resulted in a victory.

•Target Ganassi Racing had a driver lead the most laps for the past four consecutive Indianapolis 500 races until Marco Andretti of Andretti Autosport led the most laps in today's race.

•Rubens Barrichello's 11^th-place finish was the highest finishing position among the eight Indianapolis 500 rookies in today's race. Barrichello, who led two laps, was the only rookie lap leader.

•Four drivers led the Indianapolis 500 for the first time: Takuma Sato (31 laps), James Hinchcliffe (five laps), Charlie Kimball (three laps) and Rubens Barrichello (two laps).

•Tony Kanaan led his eighth Indianapolis 500 today. That is the second-most races led by a driver still seeking his first win. Michael Andretti and Rex Mays each led nine races without winning in their respective Indianapolis 500 careers.

•Sixteen cars completed the full 500-mile distance, which ties the 1959 field for second all time. A record 19 cars completed the full distance in 2009.

•The National Weather Service recorded a high temperature of 91 degrees at 4:12 p.m. today, so this year's race ties for the second-hottest Indianapolis 500. The hottest race came in 1937, when the high temperature was 92. The high temperature also was 91 in 1919 and 1953.

•Dario Franchitti won the 2012 Indianapolis 500 powered by a Honda six-cylinder engine. This is the third time a six-cylinder engine has won the Indianapolis 500. The other two occasions are 1911, when Ray Harroun drove a Marmon-powered car to victory, and in 1946, when George Robson won with a Sparks-powered six-cylinder engine.

•Runner-up Scott Dixon led 53 laps today. He moved from 19^th to 12^th on the all-time Indianapolis 500 lap leader list with 346 laps led. This is the most laps led by an active driver.

•2012 race winner Dario Franchitti led 23 laps, raising his Indianapolis 500 career total to 329 laps led. This total is second-highest among all active Indianapolis 500 drivers.

•Marco Andretti recorded the fastest lap of the 2012 Indianapolis 500 on Lap 59, 220.172 mph. He also recorded the fastest lap of the race in 2008. Michael Andretti recorded the fastest lap of the race in 1992, and Mario Andretti recorded the fastest lap of the race in 1978.

•Marco Andretti has led five times in seven Indianapolis 500 career starts. His father, Michael Andretti, did not lead his fifth Indianapolis 500 until his 11^th start. His grandfather Mario Andretti didn't lead his fifth Indianpolis 500 until his 19^th start.

•Today marked the second time Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon finished 1-2, respectively, in the Indianapolis 500. The other year was 2007, when Franchitti won for Andretti Green Racing and Dixon was second for Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

***

TOP 10 IN IZOD INDYCAR POINT STANDINGS (after Indianapolis 500):

***

Former IMS Radio Network reporter Ron Carrell died today. He called the action from the backstretch, first turn, third turn and pits from 1965-92. He was most well-known for his vivid description of Danny Sullivan's famous spin in the short chute between Turns 1 and 2 before driving to victory in the 1985 Indianapolis 500.

***

The 97^th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, 2013.