Who is the best driver in Indianapolis 500 Mile Race history? Fans now have the opportunity to vote for theirs in the “Champions of the 500” bracket challenge that starts today.
Sixteen of the greatest Indianapolis 500 winners – legendary names ranging from Shaw to Montoya, Vukovich to Franchitti – have been selected to square off in a digital voting platform that begins at noon ET today and runs through May 23, leading to the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on May 29.
Fans can vote for their #Champsofthe500 every hour during the contest by visiting ims.com/champsofthe500, and are encouraged to tout their votes by using the hashtag #Champsofthe500 in Facebook and Twitter posts. The voting contest runs in conjunction with Legends Day Honoring Champions of the 500 presented by Firestone at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 28.
The Round of 16 features a pair of bracket showdowns running three days each and concluding April 30. The eight winners by popular vote advance to the quarterfinal round, with the semifinals and championship round to follow.
The opening bracket matchups feature four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt going against two-time winner and reigning champion Juan Pablo Montoya, and back-to-back winner Bill Vukovich paired against three-time victor Wilbur Shaw. Voting for these bracket pairings is underway now through noon ET April 21.
The next first-round showdowns running April 21-24 feature all three-time Indianapolis 500 winners. Helio Castroneves goes against Louis Meyer and Mauri Rose takes on Bobby Unser.
The challenge from April 24-27 sees four-time winner Al Unser against his friend and 1963 winner Parnelli Jones. Also, two-time winner Al Unser Jr. goes up against three-time champion Johnny Rutherford.
The final two first-round matchups April 27-30 find four-time winner Rick Mears taking on two-time champ and fan favorite Dan Wheldon, as well as 1969 winner Mario Andretti going head-to-head with three-time victor Dario Franchitti.
The voting period for each matchup begins at noon ET on the designated start day and ends at noon ET on the designated end day. Again, votes may be cast each hour.
Show your pride and vote for your #Champsofthe500.
#Champsofthe500 First-Round Pairings:
April 18-21: A.J. Foyt vs. Juan Pablo Montoya; Bill Vukovich vs. Wilbur Shaw
April 21-24: Helio Castroneves vs. Louis Meyer; Mauri Rose vs. Bobby Unser
April 24-27: Al Unser vs. Parnelli Jones; Al Unser Jr. vs. Johnny Rutherford
April 27-30: Rick Mears vs. Dan Wheldon; Mario Andretti vs. Dario Franchitti
Note: Voting begins and ends at noon ET on the designated days; driver receiving the most votes in each pairing advances to the quarterfinal round to follow. Vote at ims.com/champsofthe500.