2006 Indianapolis 500
 | |||||
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | Indy Racing League | ||||
| Season | 2006 IndyCar season | ||||
| Date | May 28, 2006 | ||||
| Winner |  Sam Hornish Jr. | ||||
| Winning team | Marlboro Team Penske | ||||
| Average speed | 157.085 mph | ||||
| Pole position | Sam Hornish Jr. | ||||
| Pole speed | 228.985 mph | ||||
| Fastest lap | Sam Hornish Jr. | ||||
| Rookie of the Year | Marco Andretti | ||||
| Most laps led |  Dan Wheldon (148) | ||||
| Pre-race ceremonies | |||||
| National anthem | Members of United States Armed Forces | ||||
| "Back Home Again in Indiana" | Jim Nabors | ||||
| Starting command | Mari Hulman George | ||||
| Pace car | Chevrolet Corvette | ||||
| Pace car driver | Lance Armstrong | ||||
| Starter | Bryan Howard | ||||
| Honorary starter | Sugar Ray Leonard | ||||
| Estimated attendance | 250,000 (estimated) | ||||
| TV in the United States | |||||
| Network | ABC | ||||
| Announcers | Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, Rusty Wallace | ||||
| Nielsen ratings | 5.0 / 14 | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
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The 90th Indianapolis 500 was an IndyCar Series motor race held on Sunday, May 28, 2006, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It was the premier event and fourth round of the 2006 IndyCar Series season. The race was won by Sam Hornish Jr., who earned his first and only win at Indianapolis. Hornish, a two-time Indy Racing League champion (2001, 2002) had never finished in the top ten at Indy in six previous starts. The win marked the record-extending fourteenth Indianapolis 500 victory for Marlboro Team Penske. Hornish Jr. would later win the IndyCar Series championship (his third overall), becoming the second driver in a row to win the Indianapolis 500 and season championship in the same season.
The track opened for practice on May 9, thus beginning the Month of May festivities. Time trials were scheduled to be held on May 13–14, though both days were rained out. Pole qualifying was rescheduled to May 20, and Bump Day was held on May 21. Carb Day, the traditional final day of practice, was held on May 26, alongside the Pit Stop Challenge and the Freedom 100. Hornish Jr. was one of the favorites to win throughout the month, setting the fastest laps of multiple practice sessions and winning the pole position.
In one of the most dramatic finishes in Indianapolis 500 history, 19-year old rookie Marco Andretti took the lead with three laps to go, after passing his father Michael Andretti on the outside of turn one. Marco Andretti battled Sam Hornish Jr. over the final two laps, holding off the challenge until the final straightaway. On the final lap, Hornish passed Marco Andretti about 450 feet from the finish line to take the win. It was the first time in the 90-year history of the event that a driver would successfully make a pass for the lead on the final lap en route to victory. Despite Andretti's loss, he was unanimously named Rookie of the Year.
The margin of victory was 0.0635 seconds – just over one car-length – which was the second-closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history at the time (as of 2025, it is the third-closest finish). Defending race winner Dan Wheldon dominated much of the race, leading a race-high 148 laps. However, a small tire puncture forced him to make his final pit stop earlier than planned, which coupled with an untimely caution period, saw him slip to fourth place at the finish.
Race background
[edit]The Indianapolis 500, commonly shortened to the Indy 500, is an annual race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a four-turn, 2.5 mi (4.0 km) asphalt oval circuit, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.[1] The event is contested by "Indy cars", a formula of professional-level, single-seat, open cockpit, open-wheel, purpose-built race cars. Since its inaugural running in 1911, the Indianapolis 500 has become a staple of Memorial Day weekend and one of, if not the, most prestigious races in motorsports.[2] Dan Wheldon was the defending race winner.[3]
Chevrolet and Toyota both announced their withdrawals from the IndyCar Series after the 2005 season, leaving Honda as the sole engine provider for all teams for 2006 and beyond.[4][5] IndyCar's single-engine program allowed costs to be reduced for teams who were looking to buy or lease an engine.[6] It marked the first time since 1960 that every entry in the Indianapolis 500 would be fielded with the same engine.[7]
A new series initiative introduced the use of ethanol fuel. As part of a two-year roll-out, all entries for 2006 were required to utilize a 10% ethanol and 90% methanol fuel blend (E10).[8][9] While this was the first time all entries in the Indianapolis 500 utilized ethanol fuel, it was not the first time that ethanol was used during the race.[10] Leon Duray's Miller car was fueled by ethyl alcohols in 1927, and Art Sparks claimed to have used ethanol in his cars in 1937–1939.[3]
The final hour of each practice and qualifying session for the Indianapolis 500 was known as "Happy Hour" because the cooler track temperatures, caused by the sun setting behind the front-stretch grandstands, produced significantly faster speeds. As a result, many teams would scramble to put down the fastest lap of the session before time expired.[11] However, a month prior to the 2006 Indianapolis 500, Indiana began using daylight saving time for the first time in over 30 years, inadvertently ending the "Happy Hour" tradition.[12]
2006 IndyCar Series
[edit]The Indianapolis 500 was the fourth round of the 2006 IndyCar Series season.[13] Marlboro Team Penske driver Hélio Castroneves entered the event with the Drivers' Championship lead, having earned 146 points and two wins in the first three races of the season.[14] Wheldon trailed Castroneves by 42 points.[15] Sam Hornish Jr. earned 94 points and placed third in the standings.[16] Scott Dixon, with 92 points, and Tony Kanaan, with 89 points, took the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.[15]
Race schedule
[edit]
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Entry list
[edit]
The official entry list for the 2006 Indianapolis 500 was released on April 13, 2006.[18] Entry invitations were mailed to eligible race teams on February 22, and the deadline was set on April 5.[19] Sixty-six cars for 38 entries were featured on the entry list, with 26 drivers being named to the entries.[20] By May 7, the entry list had been updated, with 31 car-driver combinations being announced.[21] Among the drivers entered were six former winners of the race and three race rookies.[20][22] Each car used Honda Indy V8 engines and Firestone tires. Dallara and Panoz were the chassis providers.[3]
Team and driver changes
[edit]The biggest storyline heading into the Indianapolis 500 revolved around Wheldon, who opted to drive for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 2006, despite winning the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar championship with Andretti Green Racing the previous season.[23] Replacing him in the No. 26 entry would be third-generation driver Marco Andretti, who was one of the three race rookies.[24] Andretti's father, Michael Andretti, announced his comeback from retirement to compete in the Indianapolis 500 alongside his son, driving the one-off No. 1 entry for Andretti Green Racing.[25][26]
Similarly, 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever made his return to the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500 for the first time since 2002.[27] During his hiatus, Cheever exclusively focused his efforts on his ownership role at Cheever Racing.[28] Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. also came out of retirement and returned to the Indianapolis 500.[29] He was teamed with 1996 winner Buddy Lazier in the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing-prepared No. 31 car.[30]
On March 23, Rahal Letterman Racing filed three entries for the Indianapolis 500, which were to be driven by 2004 race winner Buddy Rice, 2005 Rookie of the Year driver Danica Patrick, and series rookie Paul Dana.[31] However, after Dana was killed in a practice crash at Homestead–Miami Speedway, team co-owner Bobby Rahal selected seven-time Indy Pro Series winner Jeff Simmons to drive Dana's No. 17 entry for the remainder of the season, including the Indianapolis 500.[32]
Testing and Rookie Orientation
[edit]Two tests were conducted prior to the 2006 Indianapolis 500. The first test was held at Indianapolis on October 6 and October 7, 2005 to evaluate Firestone tires. Castroneves, Wheldon, and Rice were the lone participants.[33] No incidents were reported.[34] The second and final test was held on April 5, 2006, in order to assess the efficiency of the Honda engines.[35] Seventeen teams and drivers participated in this open test session, which started 42 minutes late due to cool track temperatures. As a result of the late start, the session was extended by an hour and finished at 5:00 PM local time.[36] Dixon was fastest in the incident-free session with a speed of 226.012 mph (363.731 km/h), ahead of Hornish Jr., Wheldon, Patrick, and Kosuke Matsuura.[37]
The Rookie Orientation and Refresher Programs, the latter of which were for drivers who didn't race in the previous Indianapolis 500, took place at Indianapolis on May 7 and May 8, with ten drivers partaking in the test sessions.[17][38] Rookie Orientation consists of four phases; the first phase features speeds between 195 and 200 mph (313.822 and 321.869 km/h), the second phase features speeds between 200 and 205 mph (321.869 and 329.916 km/h), the third phase features speeds between 205 and 210 mph (329.916 and 337.962 km/h), and the fourth phase features speeds above 215 mph (346 km/h). The rookie drivers had to pass all four phases in order to be eligible to race in the Indianapolis 500.[39]
May 7, the opening day for the Indianapolis 500, began with a celebration of the Andretti family. Mario, Michael, and Marco Andretti completed a three-wide ceremonial lap around Indianapolis, with Mario driving the same car with which he won the pole position for the 1967 Indianapolis 500.[40] At 12:10 PM local time, Marco Andretti became the first driver to complete a lap on opening day, and passed the Rookie Orientation along with P. J. Chesson.[38][41] Michael Andretti, Unser Jr., Arie Luyendyk Jr., and Townsend Bell participated on the first day of refresher testing, with Andretti setting the fastest lap of the day at a speed of 220.999 mph (355.663 km/h) and easily passing his test.[42] Four caution flags were thrown during the session, three of which were for debris and one for a mechanical issue involving Bell, who stopped his car at the entrance of pit lane.[39]
On May 8, the second day of Rookie Orientation, eight drivers took to the track under sunny conditions and air temperatures around 68 °F (20 °C).[43] Bell set the fastest lap of the five-hour, incident-free session with a lap of 221.381 mph (356.278 km/h).[39] He and Thiago Medeiros, who was set to make his IndyCar debut with PDM Racing, passed the rookie test, while Luyendyk Jr., Larry Foyt, and Unser Jr. all passed the refresher test.[44] With an hour remaining in the session, Michael Andretti lent his son his No. 1 Honda for a handful of laps around the circuit because of complaints that Marco had about his own No. 26 Honda.[43]
Practice (week 1)
[edit]Tuesday May 9
[edit]The first full day of veteran practice. Sam Hornish Jr. (224.811 mph) was the fastest car of the day.
Wednesday May 10
[edit]Sam Hornish Jr. (226.056 mph) was the fastest car of the day. The track closed early due to rain at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday May 11
[edit]Rain delayed the start of practice until nearly 2 p.m. Marty Roth spun in turn two, but made no contact. Sam Hornish Jr. (226.789 mph) was the fastest car of the day.
"Fast" Friday May 12
[edit]Rain washed out practice for the day.
Time trials (first weekend wash out)
[edit]Saturday May 13
[edit]Time trials was scheduled for four days. The "11/11/11" format was to be utilized, with eleven positions available on pole day. However, rain washed out time trials for the day. Pole day qualifying was rescheduled for Sunday May 14.
Sunday May 14
[edit]The "11/11/11" format was scheduled to be used, and thus 22 position were to be open for qualifying on Sunday May 14. Rain continued to fall, but the track dried shortly after 1 p.m. The cars took to the track for practice for about an hour, and Dan Wheldon turned the fastest lap of the month at 228.663 mph. At 2:15 p.m., the rain resumed, and the track was closed for the day. Time trials was washed out for the entire weekend for the first time since 1983.
Practice (week 2)
[edit]Wednesday May 17
[edit]Sam Hornish Jr. (224.381 mph) was the fastest car of the day. Rain closed the track early at 4:26 p.m.
Thursday May 18
[edit]Rain kept the track closed until 3:45 p.m. Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Thiago Medeiros suffered crashes. The brief session was ended at 5:52 p.m., as rain fell again. Sam Hornish Jr. (224.381 mph) was the fastest car of the day.
"Fast" Friday II May 19
[edit]Sam Hornish Jr. (227.925 mph) was the fastest car of the day. Hornish led the speed charts on all three practice days during the second week. Marty Roth spun but made no contact. Jeff Simmons crashed in turn one, but was uninjured.
Time trials (second weekend)
[edit]Pole Day - Saturday May 20
[edit]Since the first two days of time trials were rained out, 33 positions were available for time trials on May 20. The field was filled to 32 cars by the end of the day. Sam Hornish Jr., won the pole with the fastest four-lap qualifying speed of 228.985 mph (368.516 km/h).
Only one driver waved off during the day. Dario Franchitti experienced engine trouble after three laps, but later completed his attempt after an engine change. Although the new qualifying rules allowed qualified cars to be withdrawn and re-qualified in hopes of gaining a better starting position (with a maximum of three attempts per day), only one driver took the opportunity to do so. Townsend Bell's qualification run of 223.659 mph (359.944 km/h) was withdrawn, and he achieved an average of 224.374 mph (361.095 km/h) on his second attempt. This improved his starting position by only one spot.
Bump Day - Sunday May 21
[edit]The day opened with one position open in the field, and two drivers prepared to make an attempt. Rookie Thiago Medeiros, who had crashed his lone car on Thursday, returned to the track for practice.
Most of the afternoon focused on race day practice for already-qualified cars. Sam Hornish Jr. (226.256 mph) led the speed charts for practice laps, capping off a month where he led the speed chart every day he took practice laps except one.
Marty Roth was the only driver besides Medeiros that was looking to make an attempt. At 3:30 p.m., polesitter Sam Hornish Jr. spun in turn one and hit the outside wall while practicing in a backup car. He was uninjured.
With about an hour to go, A. J. Foyt brought a backup car to pit lane, driver Ryan Briscoe was getting settled into the car, fueling rumors of a late qualifying run.
At 5:08 p.m., Thiago Medeiros completed a qualifying attempt, and filled the field to 33 cars, however he was slowest and now on the bubble.
With 23 minutes left in the day, Marty Roth spun during a practice run, and crashed into the outside wall in turn 1. He was not injured, but the car was wrecked, and his chances to qualify were finished. The day ended with Medeiros the only car to complete an attempt for the afternoon with Briscoe deciding against making a run.
Carb Day
[edit]Practice - Friday May 26
[edit]Sam Hornish Jr. once again led the speed charts (220.698 mph). It was the ninth day of the month that Hornish completed the fastest practice lap.
Pit Stop Challenge
[edit]The 30th Annual Checker's/Rally's Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge was held Friday May 26. Ten teams participated in a two-round format (Qualifying Round followed by Elimination Round). The top six qualifiers advance to the elimination bracket. Positions 7–10 were eliminated. Danica Patrick was assessed a 3-second penalty for the right-rear tire outside of the pit box during qualifying. The top two qualifiers received a bye for the quarterfinals round.
Scott Dixon was assessed a 3-second penalty in the quarterfinal round for equipment outside of the pit box. Hélio Castroneves defeated Dario Franchitti in the final round for his second victory in the event. Team Penske notched ninth win overall.
| Rank | Car no. |
Driver | Team | Time (seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Helio Castroneves | Team Penske | 8.6398 |
| 2 | 27 | Dario Franchitti | Andretti Green Racing | 8.7586 |
| 3 | 6 | Sam Hornish Jr. | Team Penske | 8.9405 |
| 4 | 15 | Buddy Rice | Rahal Letterman Racing | 9.1060 |
| 5 | 6 | Scott Dixon | Chip Ganassi Racing | 9.5118 |
| 6 | 11 | Tony Kanaan | Andretti Green Racing | 9.5510 |
| 7 | 26 | Marco Andretti | Andretti Green Racing | 9.8859 |
| 8 | 10 | Dan Wheldon | Chip Ganassi Racing | 10.2462 |
| 9 | 7 | Bryan Herta | Andretti Green Racing | 9.9150 |
| 10 | 16 | Danica Patrick | Rahal Letterman Racing | 17.9074 |
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||
| Hélio Castroneves (Team Penske) | 7.7365 | ||||||||||
| Buddy Rice (Rahal Letterman) | 9.7450 | Buddy Rice (Rahal Letterman) | 9.2871 | ||||||||
| Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) | 12.2402 | Hélio Castroneves (Team Penske) | 8.0852 | ||||||||
| Dario Franchitti (Andretti Green) | 8.4428 | ||||||||||
| Dario Franchitti (Andretti Green) | 8.4471 | ||||||||||
| Tony Kanaan (Andretti Green) | 8.36719 | Tony Kanaan (Andretti Green) | 11.7395 | ||||||||
| Sam Hornish Jr. (Team Penske) | 8.6923 | ||||||||||
Qualifying chronology
[edit]| Saturday, May 13, 2006 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No qualifications due to rain | ||||||||||
| Sunday, May 14, 2006 | ||||||||||
| No qualifications due to rain | ||||||||||
| Saturday, May 20, 2006 | ||||||||||
| Attempt | Time | Day | Car no. |
Driver | Laps | Total time |
Speed (mph) |
Result | Position | Rank |
| 1 | 12:03 | 1 | 92 | Jeff Bucknum | 4 | 2:42.5566 | 221.461 | Qualified | 22 | 22 |
| 2 | 12:07 | 1 | 90 | Townsend Bell | 4 | 2:40.9590 | 223.659 | Qualified; withdrawn | -- | -- |
| 3 | 12:12 | 1 | 4T | Vítor Meira | 4 | 2:39.1823 | 226.156 | Qualified | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 12:16 | 1 | 31 | Al Unser Jr. | 4 | 2:44.0925 | 219.388 | Qualified | 27 | 27 |
| 5 | 12:21 | 1 | 7 | Bryan Herta | 4 | 2:40.5859 | 224.179 | Qualified | 16 | 16 |
| 6 | 12:25 | 1 | 41 | Larry Foyt | 4 | 2:42.6519 | 221.331 | Qualified | 23 | 23 |
| 7 | 12:30 | 1 | 88 | Airton Dare | 4 | 2:45.0091 | 218.170 | Qualified | 29 | 29 |
| 8 | 12:34 | 1 | 55 | Kosuke Matsuura | 4 | 2:39.6431 | 225.503 | Qualified | 7 | 7 |
| 9 | 12:39 | 1 | 2 | Tomas Scheckter | 4 | 2:40.2431 | 224.659 | Qualified | 11 | 11 |
| 10 | 12:43 | 1 | 51 | Eddie Cheever Jr. | 4 | 2:42.1420 | 222.028 | Qualified | 19 | 19 |
| 11 | 12:48 | 1 | 52 | Max Papis | 4 | 2:42.1198 | 222.058 | Qualified | 18 | 18 |
| 12 | 12:52 | 1 | 1 | Michael Andretti | 4 | 2:40.3505 | 224.508 | Qualified | 13 | 13 |
| 13 | 12:57 | 1 | 9 | Scott Dixon | 4 | 2:38.6457 | 226.921 | Qualified | 4 | 4 |
| 14 | 1:01 | 1 | 21 | Jaques Lazier | 4 | 2:42.7847 | 221.151 | Qualified | 24 | 24 |
| 15 | 1:06 | 1 | 11 | Tony Kanaan | 4 | 2:38.7471 | 226.776 | Qualified | 5 | 5 |
| 16 | 1:11 | 1 | 20 | Ed Carpenter | 4 | 2:40.3224 | 224.548 | Qualified | 12 | 12 |
| 17 | 1:15 | 1 | 8 | Scott Sharp | 4 | 2:39.7720 | 225.321 | Qualified | 8 | 8 |
| 18 | 1:20 | 1 | 15T | Buddy Rice | 4 | 2:40.4326 | 224.393 | Qualified | 14 | 14 |
| 19 | 1:24 | 1 | 26 | Marco Andretti | 4 | 2:40.0586 | 224.917 | Qualified | 9 | 9 |
| 20 | 1:29 | 1 | 91 | P. J. Chesson | 4 | 2:42.4724 | 221.576 | Qualified | 20 | 20 |
| 21 | 1:33 | 1 | 6 | Sam Hornish Jr. | 4 | 2:37.2155 | 228.985 | Qualified | 1 | 1 |
| 22 | 1:38 | 1 | 12 | Roger Yasukawa | 4 | 2:44.5393 | 218.793 | Qualified | 28 | 28 |
| 23 | 1:42 | 1 | 10 | Dan Wheldon | 4 | 2:38.3543 | 227.338 | Qualified | 3 | 3 |
| 24 | 1:47 | 1 | 16T | Danica Patrick | 4 | 2:40.2319 | 224.674 | Qualified | 10 | 10 |
| 25 | 1:51 | 1 | 5 | Buddy Lazier | 4 | 2:42.9534 | 220.922 | Qualified | 25 | 25 |
| 26 | 1:56 | 1 | 17T | Jeff Simmons | 4 | 2:43.3785 | 220.347 | Qualified | 26 | 26 |
| 27 | 2:00 | 1 | 97 | Stéphan Grégoire | 4 | 2:45.5723 | 217.428 | Qualified | 30 | 30 |
| 28 | 2:05 | 1 | 3T | Hélio Castroneves | 4 | 2:37.8893 | 228.008 | Qualified | 2 | 2 |
| 29 | 2:10 | 1 | 14 | Felipe Giaffone | 4 | 2:42.4973 | 221.542 | Qualified | 21 | 21 |
| 30 | 2:14 | 1 | 27 | Dario Franchitti | 3 | 2:02.1355 | 221.066 | Waved off | -- | -- |
| 31 | 5:27 | 1 | 27 | Dario Franchitti | 4 | 2:41.1857 | 223.345 | Qualified | 17 | 17 |
| 32 | 5:33 | 1 | 90 | Townsend Bell | 4 | 2:40.4466 | 224.374 | Qualified | 15 | 15 |
| 33 | 5:38 | 1 | 98 | P. J. Jones | 4 | 2:46.8091 | 215.816 | Qualified | 32 | 32 |
| 34 | 5:51 | 1 | 61 | Arie Luyendyk Jr. | 4 | 2:46.3952 | 216.352 | Qualified | 31 | 31 |
| Sunday, May 21, 2006 | ||||||||||
| 35 | 5:08 | 2 | 18 | Thiago Medeiros | 4 | 2:46.8763 | 215.729 | Qualified | 33 | 33 |
| Report[45] | ||||||||||
Starting grid
[edit]| Row | Inside | Middle | Outside | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Sam Hornish Jr.
|
3 |  Hélio Castroneves W
|
10 | Dan Wheldon W
|
| 2 | 9 |  Scott Dixon
|
11 | Tony Kanaan
|
4 | Vítor Meira
|
| 3 | 55 |  Kosuke Matsuura
|
8 | Scott Sharp
|
26 | Marco Andretti R
|
| 4 | 16 | Danica Patrick
|
2 |  Tomas Scheckter
|
20 | Ed Carpenter
|
| 5 | 1 | Michael Andretti
|
15 | Buddy Rice W
|
90 | Townsend Bell R
|
| 6 | 7 | Bryan Herta
|
27 | Dario Franchitti
|
52 |  Max Papis
|
| 7 | 51 | Eddie Cheever W
|
91 | P. J. Chesson R
|
14 | Felipe Giaffone
|
| 8 | 92 | Jeff Bucknum
|
41 | Larry Foyt
|
21 | Jaques Lazier
|
| 9 | 5 | Buddy Lazier W
|
17 | Jeff Simmons
|
31 | Al Unser Jr. W
|
| 10 | 12 | Roger Yasukawa
|
88 | Airton Daré
|
97 |  Stéphan Grégoire
|
| 11 | 61 |  Arie Luyendyk Jr. R
|
98 | P. J. Jones
|
18 | Thiago Medeiros R
|
| [46] | ||||||
- W - Former Indianapolis 500 winner
- R - Indianapolis 500 Rookie
Failed to qualify
[edit]- 25 - Marty Roth — Wrecked during practice.
Race summary
[edit]Start
[edit]After considerable rain during the month, race day was sunny and hot. Temperatures topped out at 89 °F (32 °C), one of the hottest days for the Indy 500 on record.
Due to the state of Indiana observing Daylight Saving Time, the start of the race was scheduled for 1:11 p.m. EDT. Mari Hulman George gave the command to start engines at 1:04 p.m. EDT, and all 33 cars pulled away for the pace laps, with Lance Armstrong driving the pace car.
Sugar Ray Leonard waved the green flag to start the race, and polesitter Sam Hornish Jr. took the lead into turn one. Down the back stretch, Hélio Castroneves passed Hornish for the lead, and Dan Wheldon moved into second. Castroneves led the opening lap.
On the second lap in turn two, Jeff Bucknum spun out and collected his teammate P. J. Chesson, taking both of the entries from Hemelgarn Racing out of the race and sadly out for the remainder of the season.[47]
First half
[edit]After the Hemelgarn incident, a long period of green-flag racing ensued, lasting 60 laps. During this period, Dan Wheldon dominated the race, briefly losing then regaining the lead during a round of green-flag pit stops around laps 36–39. By lap 64, Wheldon had built up a 19-second lead—nearly half a lap—over the next nearest competitor, and after 65 laps had lapped twenty-five of the other cars in the race, including all five of the other former 500 winners, leaving only eight cars on the lead lap.[47][48][49][50]
The field tightened during a yellow flag on lap 67 due to a crash by Tomas Scheckter. The crash sent debris into the inside grandstand, injuring five spectators, none seriously. Wheldon maintained the lead through a series of pit stops, and led at the halfway point.
Second half
[edit]Wheldon gave up the lead briefly during pit stop on lap 108, which allowed Scott Dixon to lead.[47][51]
On lap 110, Hélio Castroneves struck Buddy Rice from behind, taking out both cars. It was the first time two former winners had been involved in the same crash in the Indy 500 since 1992.[47][52] It was also the first time in his career that Castroneves failed to finish the race.
Sam Hornish Jr., took the lead from Wheldon on lap 130. Wheldon, however, would regain the lead on lap 145 and hold it through lap 182.[47]
On lap 149, Al Unser Jr. precipitated a caution period after spinning down the back-stretch and crashing in turn 3. During the caution, Jeff Simmons left the pit area with the fuel hose nozzle still attached. The hose tore, and Simmons's car dropped the nozzle out on the track in turn 3. On lap 150, the leaders pitted. Sam Hornish Jr. started to pull out of his pits with the hose still attached. The hose ripped, but Hornish stopped in the pits allowing the crew to disengage the nozzle. Team owner Roger Penske accepted responsibility for the error, having told Hornish to go before the fueling was complete. Fuel spilled in the pit stall, but Hornish was able to return to the track and stay on the lead lap.
Still under caution on lap 155, the field was preparing to go back to green when Jeff Simmons wrecked in the north chute. The caution was prolonged. On lap 160, Michael Andretti and Sam Hornish Jr. ducked into the pits to top off their fuel. Both would be able to make it to the finish without another pit stop.[47][51] On lap 163, the green came back out with Dan Wheldon leading. Sam Hornish Jr. was assessed a "drive-through" penalty (being required to drive once through pit road, without stopping, obeying the pit road speed limit) for the pit violation moments earlier. Hornish returned to the track over 30 seconds behind the leader, but he was still on the lead lap.
With twenty laps to go, Dan Wheldon and Tony Kanaan were running nose-to-tail in 1st-2nd. All of the lead lap cars would need to make one final pit stop for fuel, except for Sam Hornish Jr. and Michael Andretti. Eighth place Hornish was less than 10 seconds ahead of Wheldon and Kanaan, barely clinging to the lead lap. Down the backstretch on lap 183, Wheldon came up on the lapped car of Kosuke Matsuura, and was momentarily blocked. Kanaan darted into the lead on the inside. But in turn three, Kanaan and Wheldon split the slower car of Max Papis, going three-wide through the northchute. Wheldon got up into the marbles in turn four, and punctured a tire. As they went through turn one on lap 184, Wheldon nearly got sideways, and he had to back off his pace. Wheldon immediately headed for the pits for tires and fuel (a few laps earlier than planned). But due to the puncture he lost several seconds on his in-lap.
Tony Kanaan was now in front, with Andretti Green Racing teammates holding the top four spots (Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Dario Franchitti, and Michael Andretti).[47] Seven cars were on the lead lap, with Hornish in 6th and Wheldon now down to 7th, both clinging to the tail end of the lead lap.
Late race caution and finish
[edit]Marco Andretti, running second, went to the pits for fuel on lap 190. As Marco Andretti was pitting, Felipe Giaffone crashed in turn two, bringing out the yellow. Marco Andretti (legally) slipped by the pace car exiting the pits, and avoided losing a lap in the shuffle. Leader Tony Kanaan, who still needed to pit, was stuck out on the track as the pits were closed at the onset of the yellow. The pits re-opened as the field came by for lap 193. Kanaan and Dario Franchitti ducked into the pits for fuel. Fan-favorite Michael Andretti stayed out on the track, and assumed the lead. Michael had come out of retirement to race with his 19-year-old son Marco, who cycled up to second place. In his 15th Indy 500, Michael was still looking for his first Indy victory. Scott Dixon was lined up third, and Sam Hornish Jr. was now up to fourth.
The green came out with 4 laps to go. Michael Andretti led the field, with his son Marco close behind in second. Hornish made a desperate pass deeper in the field, and emerged in third place as the field exited turn 2.
With three laps to go, Marco Andretti pulled outside of his father down the frontstretch, and passed his father for the lead in turn 1. Marco began to pull away as Michael now assumed a blocking role to protect his son's lead. Down the backstretch, Michael tried but failed to hold off the charging Hornish, and Hornish took over second place.
With two laps to go, Marco led Hornish by a half second, with Michael still in third. Down the backstretch, Hornish tried to squeeze past Marco as they approached turn three. He was pinched down, and ran out of race track, and had to back off. Hornish lost his momentum, and Marco pulled out to a 1-second lead at the start/finish line with one lap to go.
On the final lap, Marco held his lead down the back stretch. In turn three, however, Hornish began to reel him in. As the two cars exited turn four, Hornish executed a slingshot pass in the final 400 feet. He beat Marco Andretti to the finish line by 0.0635 seconds, the equivalent of about 15 feet (4.6 m). It was the second-closest finish in Indy 500 history. It was also the first time in Indy history that a driver made a pass for the lead to win the race on the final lap.
Afterwards, Hornish commented on his last-second pass, "I figured I came all this way, I ought to give myself one more shot at it. I kind of looked at it as, I was going to drive over him if I had to. For Marco to come as a rookie and drive like that he should be proud no matter what."[47][51][53]
Third-place finisher Michael Andretti had high praise for his son: "I felt so bad for Marco, but I'm so proud. He drove a hell of a race. I drove with him a hell of a lot in that race. He drove like a champion. He drove like he's been out there 10 years." But Marco wanted more: "I do not want to wait until next year. I have to take advantage of everything because second's nothing," he said.[53][54]
After leading 148 laps, 2005 winner Dan Wheldon failed in his bid to win back-to-back races. He recovered from the punctured tire on lap 183 to finish in the top five. On the final lap, while most of the attention was focused on Andretti and Hornish, Wheldon slipped by Tony Kanaan for position going into turn three, and came home fourth.
Box score
[edit]W Former Indianapolis 500 winner
R Indianapolis 500 Rookie
All entrants utilized Firestone tires.
Race statistics
[edit]
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Race notes
[edit]- For the first time, Honda was the sole engine supplier to the field. It is believed that for the first time in Indianapolis 500 history, that the race was run without a single engine problem during the entire month.[55]
- In Hornish's seven tries at the Indy 500, this was the first that he had even completed 500 miles (800 km).[53]
- It was the 14th Indianapolis 500 win for Roger Penske as an owner.[53]
- This was the first Indianapolis 500 in which the leader of lap 199 did not win the race.[56]
- The second- and third-place finishes by Marco and Michael Andretti were the 49th and 50th unsuccessful attempts to win the 500 by members of the Andretti family as drivers (Michael Andretti was a winning owner in 2005 then would be again in 2007, 2014, 2016, and 2017) since patriarch Mario Andretti's sole win in 1969, extending what is popularly called the "Andretti Curse" at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.[53][54]
- A few weeks after the race, Tom Carnegie announced his retirement after 61 years, making the 2006 500 his final race as track announcer.[57]
- ABC Sports utilized Side-By-Side for the first time during the Indianapolis 500.
Broadcasting
[edit]Radio
[edit]The race was carried live on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. Mike King served as chief announcer.
For the second year in a row, pit reporter Kevin Olson conducted a pre-race interview with David Letterman. This would be the final 500 on the radio for Adam Alexander.
| Indy Racing Radio Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| Booth announcers | Turn reporters | Pit/garage reporters |
|
Chief announcer: Mike King |
Turn 1: Jerry Baker |
Kevin Olson (pits/garages) Dave Argabright (north pits) Nicole Manske (center pits) Kevin Lee (south pits) |
Television
[edit]The race was carried live flag-to-flag coverage in the United States on ABC Sports, except in Indianapolis on WRTV, where it was tape delayed to primetime due to the seats not completely sold out. After a critically unpopular season as chief announcer for the IndyCar series on ABC/ESPN, Todd Harris was removed from the broadcast booth. Veteran announcer Marty Reid took over as play-by-play. Scott Goodyear returned as driver analyst. Joining them in the booth was 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Rusty Wallace, who served as co-analyst with Goodyear.
For the first time ever, the broadcast utilized the Side-By-Side feature during commercial breaks. This was also the final "500" broadcast solely in standard-definition.
| ABC Television (blacked out locally) | |
|---|---|
| Booth announcers | Pit/garage reporters |
|
Host: Brent Musburger |
Jack Arute Vince Welch Dr. Jerry Punch Jamie Little |
Gallery
[edit]-
2006 winning car -
2006 Chevrolet Corvette pace car
Notes
[edit]
- ^ "Facts, Figures and Records". RPM.ESPN.com. May 8, 2001. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ "USA TODAY Readers Name Indianapolis 500 as World's Best Motorsports Race in Poll". IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com. August 3, 2018. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c "90th Indianapolis 500 and Freedom 100 Fast Facts". IndyCar.com. May 2, 2006. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ "Chevy to quit after 2005". Autosport.com. November 4, 2004. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ "Toyota leaving IRL after 2006 season". The Madison Courier. June 28, 2005. p. 4. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lewandowski, Dave (December 15, 2005). "The power of one". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2005. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Honda Powers Entire Indianapolis 500 Field Without Single Engine Failure". Honda.com. June 26, 2006. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ "IndyCar Series switching to ethanol in '06". ESPN.com. March 2, 2005. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ "Beginning in 2006, Indy 500, IndyCar Series Will Use Ethanol". AfterMarketNews.com. March 9, 2005. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Ethanol To Fuel Cars In Indianapolis 500 Starting In 2006". Indy500.com. March 3, 2005. Archived from the original on May 31, 2005. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Herman, Steve (May 8, 2006). "Happy Hour no more". The Day. p. 48. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Lewandowski, Dave (May 8, 2006). "Time management". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (September 13, 2005). "Momentum, consistency". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2005. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (May 1, 2006). "Wired for May". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ a b Lewandowski, Dave (April 22, 2006). "Climbing higher". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "HORNISH, JR. FINISHES 4th AT MOTEGI". SamHornish.com. April 22, 2006. Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ a b "2006 Indianapolis 500 Schedule (all times local)". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "90th Indianapolis 500 Entry List". Indy500.com. April 13, 2006. Archived from the original on August 10, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Paul (February 21, 2006). "Entry Invitations For 90th Indianapolis 500 To Be Mailed Feb. 22". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ a b "Thirty-eight entries posted for Indianapolis 500". IndyCar.com. April 13, 2006. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Paul (May 7, 2006). "Four Drivers Named To Cars On Indy 500 Opening Day". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Indy 500 entry list revealed". Autosport.com. April 18, 2006. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Ganassi Confirms Wheldon, Honda, Dallara". SPEEDTV.com. November 28, 2005. Archived from the original on December 1, 2005. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Marco Andretti to Begin IndyCar Series Career with ArcaEx Team". AndrettiGreenRacing.com. December 20, 2005. Archived from the original on December 25, 2005. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (December 20, 2005). "Andretti family ties". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Paul (December 20, 2005). "Michael, Marco Andretti To Race As Teammates In 2006 Indianapolis 500". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Paul (February 21, 2006). "1998 Winner Cheever To Drive In 90th Indianapolis 500". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (February 21, 2006). "Back in the saddle". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Al Unser Jr. hopes for the best in Indy 500 return". LasVegasSun.com. May 4, 2006. Archived from the original on August 8, 2025. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (March 21, 2006). "Two-Time Winner Unser To Return To '500' With Dreyer & Reinbold". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Kelly, Paul (March 23, 2006). "Rice, Patrick, Dana Named To Drive Rahal Letterman Entries At Indy". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (April 4, 2006). "Simmons answers the call". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Boomer, Kate (October 6, 2005). "Wheldon, Castroneves, Rice Already Thinking May 2006 At Indy Test". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "2006 Indianapolis 500 90th Running". GeoCities.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "One-day tests added to schedule". IndyCar.com. January 12, 2006. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Shaffer, Jan (April 5, 2006). "Indianapolis Open Test Notebook". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (April 5, 2006). "Pole battle preview". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ a b "Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report -- May 7". IndyCar.com. May 7, 2006. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c "2006 Indianapolis 500 - Daily Trackside Report" (PDF). DoctorIndy.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (May 7, 2006). "May parade". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (May 7, 2006). "Rookies pleased with first-day progress". IndyCar.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Olson, Jeff (May 7, 2006). "The Andrettis dominate ROP". Autosport.com. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report -- May 8". IndyCar.com. May 8, 2006. Archived from the original on October 17, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (May 8, 2006). "Bell Climbs To Top Of Rookie Speed Chart At Indianapolis". Indy500.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "Indy Racing League Timing and Scoring Report: Qualification Results - Bump Day" (PDF). May 21, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
- ^ "Starting Grid for the 2006 Indianapolis 500". 2006. Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Race Breakdown". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 2006. p. R8.
- ^ "Wheldon dominates, but fails to duplicate win". USA Today. May 28, 2006. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
- ^ "'Almost' doesn't cut it for Wheldon". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 2006. p. R7.
- ^ "Indianapolis 500-Mile Race Scorecard". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 2006. p. R9.
- ^ a b c "Sam's the Man". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 2006. p. R2.
- ^ "Champs take each other out". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 2006. p. R13.
- ^ a b c d e "0.0635 Seconds". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 2006. p. A1.
- ^ a b "More Frustration for Andrettis". The Indianapolis Star. May 29, 2006. p. R3.
- ^ "Hondas Flawless and Hornish Wins A Thrilling Indy 500". May 28, 2006. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006. Retrieved July 16, 2006.
- ^ Davidson, Donald. (2007). "The Talk of Gasoline Alley" [Radio program]. WIBC, May 3, 2007. Archived at http://media.wibc.com/av/audio/talk_gas/2007/may3.mp3 Archived 2007-08-10 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved on May 9, 2007.
- ^ "Carnegie retiring after 61 years as Voice of the Speedway". USA Today. June 14, 2006. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
Works cited
[edit]- 2006 Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report for the Media
- Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats - Official Site