99th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
• Race details: 200 laps on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Banking in each corner of 9 degrees, 12 minutes. … Pit box size of 47 feet x 14 feet. … Each entry receives 130 U.S. gallons of Sunoco E85R fuel. ... Firestone's Indy 500 tires have new right-side compound and softer left-side construction for better heat resistance and improved grip.
• Starting lineup
• Twitter: @IMS, #Indy500; @IndyCar, #IndyCar
• TV: ABC telecast starts at 11 a.m. (ET). Allen Bestwick is the chief announcer. Former Indy car drivers Scott Goodyear and Eddie Cheever Jr., the 1998 Indy 500 winner, are the analysts. ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor Lindsay Czarniak will host the telecast from the Speedway’s iconic Panasonic Pagoda, with pit reporters Jon Beekhuis, Rick DeBruhl, and Dr. Jerry Punch.
During the telecast, viewers will be able to see just how much physical strain is put on a driver's body during the race. ABC has outfitted James Jakes and Sage Karam with sensors that will, in real time, give the heart and respiration rate as well as calorie burn rate.
ESPN’s production for ABC will deploy a total of 85 cameras, including three onboard cameras in each of 12 of the 33 cars. Four of the 12 will be equipped with RF provider Broadcast Sports Inc.’s dual-path technology, allowing shots from two of the cameras on a car to be used simultaneously.
Viewers will have the option of a second-screen experience through a choice of live-streaming video from the onboard cameras on ESPN3, which will carry the feeds exclusively through WatchESPN, on IndyCar.com, and the INDYCAR 15 app.
• Web: Real-time Timing & Scoring and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network broadcast, starting at 11 a.m. (ET), is available on RaceControl.IndyCar.com and the INDYCAR 15 app.
• Radio: Paul Page is the chief announcer alongside analyst Davey Hamilton, Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian Donald Davidson and commentary by Dave Wilson on the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network. Broadcasts also on RaceControl.IndCar.com, indycarradio.com, the INDYCAR 15 app, Sirius 212 and XM 209. All start at 11 a.m. (ET).
Honorary pace car driver: NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, who announced in January that he will retire at the end of the season, will lead the field to the green flag. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, the pace car driver at Verizon IndyCar Series oval events, then takes over.
Honorary starter: Actor and race car driver/team owner Patrick Dempsey will wave the green flag as honorary starter.
Who’s performing in pre-race ceremonies: Danielle Bradbery, winner of "The Voice," will sing "America The Beautiful.” … Straight No Chaser will sing “Back Home Again in) Indiana.” … Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem.
Who’s starting up front: Scott Dixon, who won the race from the pole in 2008, earned the Verizon P1 Award for the pole position with a four-lap average speed of 226.760 mph. He was second fast in the final practice session May 22 in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. Dixon is fourth in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship standings through five races. Juan Pablo Montoya is first, followed by Team Penske teammates Will Power and Helio Castroneves.
“It's not easy to take a low-key approach to the Indy 500,” Dixon said. "You've got to look at it as just another race, yes, it's the biggest one-day sporting event in the world, with 400,000-plus people. There's a massive amount of emphasis on this race for the team, sponsors and everyone involved.”
Team owner Chip Ganassi likes Dixon’s chances over the 200 laps.
“I’m excited because I think he has a better race car than a qualifying car,” Ganassi said. “That’s what we’re most excited about. He’s Scott Dixon, you know the kind of racer he is. We’re pretty excited we have a good car. His chances are as good as they’ve ever been.”
Keys to the race: It’s important to stay close to the front in the second half of the race, and be in the lead pack with 10 laps left. There is a minimum of six service stops and moving in and out in a timely fashion and without mistakes is important. The driver will get a feel for the car’s handling on the first stint (about 30 laps) and the crew can make adjustments during pit stops.
“Adaptability is a key ingredient to a win at the Indy 500,” Chevrolet IndyCar program manager Chris Berube said.
In a 500-mile race – the first of three this season -- concentration is key.
“Physically, the road races are more physical and the ‘500’ mentally harder because of how precise you have to be with the margin of error,” Montoya said. “It’s a longer race, more chances for you to (mess) up. If you can minimize the mistakes, then you can have a shot at it.”
Added race director Brian Barnhart during the public drivers meeting: "Remember that this is a 500-mile race and not a sprint. The keys are respect of yourself and your fellow competitors and patience."
2014 winner: Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport. He is among the five former winners in the field.