Watch The Indy 500 The Geek Way

In case you’d like to re-live last weekend’s Indy 500—or watching 200 laps on a rectangular oval is simply not your thing—the Indianapolis Star has created an excellent Flash visualization of the race. More »

Vitor Meira's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Indy 500

Vitor Meira had a pretty rough Indianapolis 500. His car went up in a fireball, and he returned on the lead lap only to get involved in the days most spectacular crash. Roll the videos! More »

Helio Castroneves Cries Victorious Tears

From a rumored affair to actual tax evasion charges, things have been a little rough for Helio Castroneves. Top it off with your third Indy 500 win and things get, well, emotional.

Indy 500: Vitor Meira Crash Introduces Sideways Retaining Wall Racing

We haven't gotten decent images yet, but if you missed it, Vitor Meira, who returned to the field after a near-flambe, got tangled with Raphael Matos, his car flipped backwards, landed on its side pod and slid along the wall for about a quarter mile before landing upright. Unbelievable. More »

Vitor Meira Lights Self On Fire, Will Change Pants Later

During a pit stop, Vitor Meira got the OK to pull away before the fuel probe was totally withdrawn, resulting in a full-car fireball! The pit crew quickly put out the fire and Meira went back into the race and remained on the lead lap! Cajones? Yep. More »

Indy 500: Tony Kanaan Crashes Out Hard On Lap 99

Tony Kanaan's streak of leading every Indianapolis 500 he's ever been in has come to an end as he crashed hard into the wall on the entry of turn two and bounced off, hitting hard again on the other side. Thankfully he walked off under his own power.

Indy 500: Davey Hamilton Hits The Wall In Turn Four

Turn four at the Indy 500 is turning into a graveyard as Davey Hamilton has hit the wall following similar crashes from Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Robert Doornbos (who kissed the wall after some 150 MPH reverse lock correction). We're 90 laps in and under green once again.

Graham Rahal Crashes Exiting Turn Four, Dixon Takes Lead

For the second straight year, Graham Rahal has crashed in the beginning laps of the Indy 500, grinding the outside of his car hard into the outside wall while exiting turn four. Lucky for us he came to rest just in front of the press box. Pics below. More »

Indy 500: Ryan Hunter-Reay Crashes Into Pit Lane

Ryan Hunter-Reay in the #21 car lost it into the outside of turn four and slid into pit lane amidst a shower of sparks. We're sitting at 12 laps of yellow out of 26 so you might say the Indianapolis 500 is getting off to a crashy start.

Indy 500: And They're Off... To A Yellow

The green flag dropped on the 93th running of the Indianapolis 500 and almost right away two cars went into the wall. Mario Moraes and Marco Andretti tangled in the first lap. The 22-year-old Moraes was apparently on his cell phone and not paying attention, pushing Andretti into the wall. More »

Things You See At The Indy 500

It's getting close to the start now, the grandstands are full, cars are on the track, all the teams are making last minute checks and Miss America is singing "America the Beautiful." Here's a collection of some of the sights and sounds going on right now at the Indy 500. More »

Indy 500: We're Here!

After a harrowing battle with 326 miles of cornfields and freeways, we've made it through the gates of the Indianapolis 500. It's already muggy, and the red sunrise looms like a warning from the racing gods. More »

Jalopnik Going Indy, Perhaps A Bit Gonzo

Just a reminder that we'll be live from the Indianapolis 500, the greatest spectacle in racing this weekend. With a crowd capacity of 400,000 around the 2.5 mile oval and untold hoards tailgating outside, we'll be covering the ins-and-outs of this mind-bogglingly huge festival of speed. Details below. More »

Helio Castroneves Indicted On Tax Evasion; Charges Against More Drivers To Come?

Brazilian race car driver and Dancing With The Stars winner Helio Castroneves is staring down charges he evaded taxes on more than $5 million in income over a four-year period. The 33-year-old two-time Indy 500 winner is expected to turn himself in to authorities today, along with his sister Kati and his lawyer, Alan Miller, both accused of helping Castroneves. Good call on the part of authorities, because although he's got fancy footwork, we kind of doubt the Team Penske driver was the tax code mastermind behind the scheme. Regardless, because of the Alan Miller connection, Castroneves' indictment could have repercussions well beyond those currently accused. More »

Pictures of Entire 1952 Indianapolis 500 Starting Grid Found

As much as we like open wheel racing and modern car designs, there's something far more awesome about vintage racing cars. This is undoubtedly the opinion of one Jim Rogacki, an engineer from Buffalo, who, while digging around for vintage car parts, managed to run into an amateur Indianapolis 500 historian. After shooting the breeze for a while, Jim convinced the man to let him scan his fantastic collection of photos for all 33 cars in the 1952 starting grid. We swiped a couple, but go take a look at the very neat complete collection and the story behind it over at Jalopy Journal. More »

Torquing Offys Aplenty!

When Mickey Thompson was railing against the Offenhauser-powered establishment while building his Buick V8-powered Indy 500 car, he referred to the big four-bangers as "those torquing Offys," and the phrase just sticks in our minds. The Offy, like, totally pwned for decades, and we've seen a bunch of them all up close and personal here at Laguna Seca. They sound cool, and of course they go fast, but sometimes we just like to geek out on the metal of it all and stick our inquisitive snouts deep into some engine compartments. More »

Vintage Indy Roadsters at Monterey Historics

The acrid odor of burning methanol filled the air at the 34th Monterey Historics during a practice session at the event, which this year celebrates the heritage of Indy's Roadster era. Also on deck for the weekend are IMSA and Can-Am monsters of history. The newest car in the entire group of 400 cars is 1981 Porsche 935K4, with a 1914 Mercer taking up the slack. Stick around as we turn on the racing way back machine over the next few days.

Great Achievements in Motorsport: AJ Foyt Interview

While there may or may not have been any more Elvis, Beatles, or the Rolling Stones in 1977, it was certainly the year that AJ Foyt won his fourth Indy 500. Tune in as Jim McKay, Jackie Stewart, and Chris Economaki don the mustard yellow sports jackets to bring you the constant variety of sport, then say so long from Indianapolis. – Mike Bumbeck

Franchitti Wins Indy 500, er, 415; No Milk for Milka

In the denouement to yesterday's abbreviated Indy 500, it was a rain-drenched, barefoot Ashley Judd providing the glamor an eighth-place Danica Patrick, an ousted Milka Duno and a lurking Gene Simmons could not. Patrick lost a late-race game of pitstop musical chairs, nullifying an earlier reach to second place; Duno hit a wall, and Simmons could have used some makeup. Judd's husband Dario Franchitti took the checkered flag in the 91st running of Indy, taking advantage of a few late-race shakeups that nullified prior heroics by Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon, Sam Hornish Jr. and podium finishers Scott Dixon in second and Hélio Castroneves in third. Intermittent rain over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway delayed the race for nearly three hours after 113 laps, and officials called it for good when a downpour started after 166 laps. In the end, an early pit gave the advantage to Franchitti, who wound up on top with plenty of fuel when the early flag waved. Still, it was the damp Ms. Judd who stole the Indy spotlight, talking to ESPN about understeer, ballast and sweet spots, then heading off to the pits barefoot. – Mike Spinelli More »

Indy 500 Garage Wrap Up

We caught about half of the Indy 500 over donuts and bagels down at Cole Coonce's place until rain stopped the action. Or so we thought. Mr. Coonce phoned up later to say part two of the race had begun with Tony Kanaan in the lead. The rest of the race was viewed on our trusty Panasonic portable while painting an G54B engine block out the garage. After a few spills that resulted in Kanaan losing his grip, it was Dario Franchitti who took the checkered flag in Indy 500 Part Two: Ashley Judd edition. – Mike Bumbeck More »

Say it Isn't So! Jim Nabors Unable to Attend Indy 500

In a move shocking to Indiana residents and racing fans alike, Jim Nabors announced that he will be unable to attend the Indy 500 and sing Back Home in Indiana due to illness. Race fans in attendance and from around the world will be encouraged to sing in place of the heartland crooner via a live video satellite feed from his home in Hawaii. Brush up on the lyrics now for race day. – Mike Bumbeck More »

El Presidente Congratulates Milka Duno

El Presidente Chavez says he is happy Venezuelan driver Milka Duno and Citgo will run the Indy 500, even though no gasoline will be involved. The surprise is that Al Gore or any other American politician didn't beat El Presidente to this aggrandizement political punch, considering Indy cars have been running on alternative fuel of the alcohol kind since the '60s. This year the traditional methanol has been replaced by a home-brewed ethanol special corn blend. Milk will still be served to the winner on Sunday, who El Presidente says will be Milka. – Mike Bumbeck More »

Patrick Dempsey to Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

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Parnelli Jones Back at Brickyard

Looks as if Parnelli Jones himself is back in the number 40 at the Brickyard. Trackforum.com has a shot of Jones sporting an open face helmet behind the wheel of his son PJ's Honda-powered tribute to the legendary turbine-powered Silent Sam. – Mike Bumbeck More »

Silent Sam Turbine Livery Returns to Indy 500

In 1967 Parnelli Jones lead the Indianapolis 500 in an all-wheel drive entry built by Andy Granatelli - and powered by a jet turbine. With Jones at the wheel the turbine car almost won, but was felled by a spent bearing with but a few laps left in the race. "Silent Sam" was nonetheless a crowd favorite. Parnelli's son PJ Jones and crew plan to honor the 40th Anniversary of this tremendous feat of motorsports achievement and engineering innovation with a florescent orange livery and number 40 in-a-meatball on their entry at this, the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500. Team owner Kent Baker said that "We hope to recapture some of that excitement and recognition without the STP pajamas." We're hoping for more turbine cars and STP Pajamas. – Mike Bumbeck More »

That Psychedelic 70s Car Show

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway itself is putting out the call to all unique and unusual rides from the 70s. Owners are encouraged to roll in and help celebrate the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Psychedelic 70s Car Show, from May 18th to 20th. As a Sunday bonus the entire group will be invited out onto the Brickyard for a parade lap. Brush the dust off that 1976 Mercury Bobcat, break out the 8-Tracks, and register before May 11th. – Mike Bumbeck More »

Offenhauser Insanity in PA!

Yes, we know we often wax giddy over the might of Suzuki's 1.3L hellion of a motorcycle engine, but let's face it, the 'Busa ain't a patch on the Offenhauser, which is simply the most badass four-cylinder motor ever conceived. Great looks, great power, (15:1 compression!) DOHC, four valves and a career that spanned decades in top-rank motorsport competition. And that unholy sound! On May 10th, a gaggle of front-engined Indy roadsters will gather at Jennerstown Speedway in Pennsylvania, spanning the ages from the 1930s to 1970. No turbos allowed. – Davey G. Johnson More »

I Am Indy: Chevrolet's 2007 Indianapolis 500 Corvette Pace Car Replica

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Verdict Reached Re: Mickey Thompson Murders, Appeal Imminent

This case has been brewing for sixteen years and today, a jury has finally come down with its decision. Supercross godfather Mike Goodwin has been found guilty for the deaths of Mickey and Trudy Thompson. The jury also agreed with the special circumstance charges of lying in wait and multiple murder, although the prosecution has chosen not to seek the death penalty in the case. Predictably, there will be an appeal. According to public defender Elena Saris, "We don't believe justice was served. We believe passion controlled and there was a Hollywood version of events." [Thanks to Scott for the tip.] – Davey G. Johnson More »