Jimmie Johnson wrecks late in Indianapolis 500 debut
2 years, 6 months ago

Jimmie Johnson wrecks late in Indianapolis 500 debut

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Jimmie Johnson said a few prayers when he wrecked late in his Indianapolis 500 debut with his teammate in the lead. Instead, the wreck only spoiled Johnson’s race — Ericsson held on after the delay and pulled away for the Indy 500 win for Chip Ganassi Racing. Johnson was pulled tight by Indianapolis 500 great Dario Franchitti for some last-second encouragement before the race and then worked the rope surrounding his car — mobbed with fans, friends and family like no other driver — and hugged and high-fived everyone he could reach. Franchitti, the three-time Indy 500 champion, served as Johnson’s driving coach at Chip Ganassi Racing and appeared emotional as he hugged Johnson.

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History of this topic

Ericsson’s early Indianapolis 500 exit typifies wild day full of crashes and other problems
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Ericsson’s early Indianapolis 500 exit typifies wild day full of crashes and other problems

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Marcus Ericsson’s challenging May ended Sunday the same way it began — with a crash. Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 champion and 2023 runner-up, failed to complete a lap as rookie Tom Blomqvist’s car got too low on the rumble strip coming through the first turn, spun up the track and collided with Ericsson’s No. I just can’t …

Drivers who try the Indy 500-NASCAR 600 double have had mixed results. Kyle Larson is next
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Drivers who try the Indy 500-NASCAR 600 double have had mixed results. Kyle Larson is next

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Only four drivers have attempted one of the most grueling days in motorsports: the 1,100-mile Memorial Day weekend double. A look at the previous efforts: John Andretti Total double attempts: One At Indianapolis: Started 10th, finished 10th At Charlotte: Started ninth, finished 36th Total laps completed: 416 The skinny: The nephew of racing great Mario Andretti and cousin …

Marcus Ericsson and Linus Lundqvist involved in separate wrecks during Indy 500 preparations
7 months, 1 week ago

Marcus Ericsson and Linus Lundqvist involved in separate wrecks during Indy 500 preparations

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson and rookie Linus Lundqvist were involved in separate crashes during a busy day of practice Thursday, leaving their teams with a lot of extra work ahead of qualifying this weekend. “I think we were in good shape,” Ericsson said, “but obviously you have a big crash like this, it sets everything back …

Jimmie Johnson to attempt his own version of Indy 500 & NASCAR doubleheader
7 months, 1 week ago

Jimmie Johnson to attempt his own version of Indy 500 & NASCAR doubleheader

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Jimmie Johnson will attempt his own version of “The Double” when he becomes the first driver to be part of the Indianapolis 500 broadcast team hours before he competes in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600. Johnson, who ran the Indy 500 in 2022, was part of NBC Sports’ broadcast booth in 2021 when he ran only the road and street …

William Byron survives crash-filled final laps to win the Daytona 500
10 months ago

William Byron survives crash-filled final laps to win the Daytona 500

LA Times  

You can always count on two things about the Daytona 500. Those two factors were on display at this year’s Daytona 500 when William Byron was awarded the win when two cars pushing to get the lead from Byron tangled just past the start-finish line on the last lap. “We obviously laid back and tried to save fuel for most …

Jimmie Johnson uses desperate late push to qualify for his 21st Daytona 500
10 months, 1 week ago

Jimmie Johnson uses desperate late push to qualify for his 21st Daytona 500

Associated Press  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The panic set in for Jimmie Johnson on the final lap of his qualifying race for the Daytona 500. The seven-time NASCAR champion and newest Hall of Fame inductee recognized he was dangerously close to missing the cut for “The Great American Race.” Johnson, now co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, didn’t have the speed in time …

Josef Newgarden finally relishes an Indy 500 win after so many disappointments
1 year, 6 months ago

Josef Newgarden finally relishes an Indy 500 win after so many disappointments

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — In the slow buildup to the Indianapolis 500, Josef Newgarden talked openly about having to put on a brave face when he would arrive at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and how so many failures in the race that mattered most had weighed on him. William Behrends, the sculptor who will craft Newgarden’s face on the Borg-Warner Trophy, took reference …

Ericsson, Dixon keep Ganassi atop Indianapolis 500 speed chart for 2nd day
1 year, 7 months ago

Ericsson, Dixon keep Ganassi atop Indianapolis 500 speed chart for 2nd day

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson looked like a double threat in Indianapolis 500 practice Thursday. Ericsson’s teammate, Scott Dixon, had the second-fastest overall lap for the second straight day, giving Chip Ganassi Racing another one-two finish. Thursday’s boost could put Ericsson in a stronger position to become the sixth driver in Indy history to record back-to-back wins, …

500 winner Ericsson intends to stay in IndyCar title picture
1 year, 8 months ago

500 winner Ericsson intends to stay in IndyCar title picture

Associated Press  

In the days leading up to the IndyCar season-opening race, Chip Ganassi made clear that Marcus Ericsson was a valued member of the organization. Ericsson then went on to win the March 5 race on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, with a late pass of Pato O’Ward to pick up the fourth win of his IndyCar career. He …

Sweden’s Ericsson gives Ganassi another Indy 500 victory
2 years, 6 months ago

Sweden’s Ericsson gives Ganassi another Indy 500 victory

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Marcus Ericsson, once a Formula One backmarker, is now an IndyCar frontrunner. Ericsson was cut loose from his first IndyCar team after just one year, then bought a seat at Chip Ganassi Racing — he made sure to note it when he said “winning the Indy 500, it’s not bad for a pay driver” — and has made …

Rossi salvages top finish in another tough 500 for Andretti
2 years, 6 months ago

Rossi salvages top finish in another tough 500 for Andretti

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Alexander Rossi salvaged one solid result for Andretti Autosport. “Now all you can think about is what if didn’t happen.” Grosjean was one of three drivers who spun going through the track’s tricky second turn, hitting the outside wall about halfway through the race. Marco Andretti suddenly found himself out front for three laps late when other drivers …

An Indy 500 ending to forget for 6-time series champ Dixon
2 years, 6 months ago

An Indy 500 ending to forget for 6-time series champ Dixon

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Scott Dixon answered a few questions and started to trudge down pit road when he realized he forgot someone: His wife. Another Ganassi teammate, Marcus Ericsson, won the Indy 500 after Dixon’s error, and close friend and teammate Tony Kanaan crossed the finish line in third. Dixon was 21st, his fourth-worst finish at IndyCar’s signature event and is …

A happier Andretti returns to Indy 500 as part-time racer
2 years, 7 months ago

A happier Andretti returns to Indy 500 as part-time racer

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — Marco Andretti doesn’t want to be at the track if he’s not racing. Andretti walked away from his full-time ride after the 2020 season and only returned for last year’s Indianapolis 500. He’s back again this month for a 17th attempt at winning the race that has tormented his family; Mario Andretti, his grandfather, has the only victory …

Jimmie Johnson to run Indy 500 and full IndyCar schedule
3 years ago

Jimmie Johnson to run Indy 500 and full IndyCar schedule

Associated Press  

Jimmie Johnson will enter the Indianapolis 500 next year and run a full IndyCar schedule. The seven-time NASCAR champion had been speeding toward the Indy 500 decision he finally announced Wednesday since he moved to IndyCar earlier this year. “The safety of these cars has come so far, and after I tested the ovals at Texas and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, …

Indy 500 winner Castroneves pumped for return at Nashville
3 years, 4 months ago

Indy 500 winner Castroneves pumped for return at Nashville

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Helio Castroneves exhausted himself sprinting down Indianapolis Motor Speedway in celebration and then tacked on another -- a fourth at Indy! “It’s not like this guy woke up drunk the next day and had no idea or did something crazy like that.” If he wants to try something really crazy, he could scale the 72 cables that …

Indycar rookie Johnson aims for Indianapolis 500 run in 2022
3 years, 4 months ago

Indycar rookie Johnson aims for Indianapolis 500 run in 2022

Associated Press  

IndyCar rookie Jimmie Johnson is hopeful of testing in August on the oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway as part of a path toward running in next year’s Indianapolis 500. Johnson kept an eye on fellow IndyCar rookie Romain Grosjean’s oval test Tuesday at World Wide Technology Raceway outside St. Louis. Hopefully, the test, when it happens in late August, will go …

Andretti at ease at Indy after stepping back from racing
3 years, 7 months ago

Andretti at ease at Indy after stepping back from racing

Associated Press  

INDIANAPOLIS — His car so far is just OK and he could use a lot more speed ahead of Indianapolis 500 qualifying. His 1969 Indianapolis 500 victory is the only race win for seven different Andretti racers and he ranks second on IndyCar’s all-time wins list. Michael Andretti also made it to Formula One — just one underwhelming season — …

Indy 500 does its best to shine as show goes on in pandemic
4 years, 4 months ago

Indy 500 does its best to shine as show goes on in pandemic

The Hindu  

The Indianapolis 500 has been stripped almost to the bone for the 104th running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The iconic test of man and machine is too important to new owner Roger Penske to cancel in the year of the coronavirus pandemic. The Indy 500 was cancelled only during World War I and World War II and Penske’s …

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