154 Articles
Motorsports
Roger Penske to Indianapolis 500 fans: 'I wanted you here'

The seats will be empty — and for the first time we know how many seats there are

Roger Penske will not pretend he is not disappointed he can't open the gates to spectators for his first Indianapolis 500 as steward of the iconic event. Penske purchased Indianapolis Motor Speedway in January and spent an additional $15 million on capital improvements for an enhanced fan experience. Without fans roaming the property and celebrating at downtown Indianapolis establishments, the buildup to Sunday's race has lacked the energy that elevates the Indy 500 into a world-class event.

Motorsports
Indy 500's TV audience on Sunday could set a record

Sports-starved audience will tune in, though some traditions will be missing

Everything was new to Mike Tirico when he walked past the famed pagoda that dominates the front stretch at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, assumed his broadcast perch high above pit lane and proceeded to host his first Indy 500. One year after NBC assumed the rights from longtime broadcaster ABC, the network is preparing to bring one of the iconic events in sports to a potentially record-setting television audience Sunday.

Motorsports
An Andretti wins family's first Indy 500 pole position in 33 years

'He's seriously focused on winning the 500,' Marco's grandfather Mario says

Marco Andretti was 2 months old the last time his venerable racing family led the field to green at the Indianapolis 500. In this strange pandemic-plagued season, he ended a 33-year Andretti drought by winning the pole. Jeff Andretti went 0 for 3.

Motorsports
Marco Andretti breaks 233 mph on Indy 500 Fast Friday

Others clock 231: 'Going 231 around Indianapolis? Man, this is fun'

Motorsports
NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson enamored with IndyCar after test

'First day of school' for an expected tryout with McLaren

Jimmie Johnson finally fulfilled his childhood dream of driving an Indy car with a test session Tuesday. When the seven-time NASCAR champion finished turning laps, he was sold on figuring out how to race next year in the IndyCar Series. NASCAR has been so good to me and I am so proud of the success I've had.

Motorsports
Indy 500 postponed until August because of coronavirus

Penske makes the call to delay his first Indy 500 as owner

The Indianapolis 500 was postponed Thursday until August because of the coronavirus pandemic and won't run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946. “The month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is my favorite time of year, and like our fans, I am disappointed that we have had to reschedule the Indianapolis 500,” said motorsports giant Roger Penske, who finalized his purchase of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this year. The Indianapolis 500 began in 1911 bu

Motorsports
IndyCar joins other racing series by going virtual

Last Sunday's NASCAR race was the most-watched esports event in U.S. history

IndyCar isn't sure when it can get its cars on track to officially start the season. IndyCar's first iRacing event will be Saturday with a 25-car field. IndyCar, like all sports, has been idled during the coronavirus pandemic, which hit the United States just as the series was ready to open its season.

Motorsports
'Right now is strange' — NASCAR, IndyCar reverse course on coronavirus, call off races

NASCAR calls off this weekend and next, IndyCar through April

NASCAR and IndyCar reversed course Friday and pulled the plug on racing this weekend, with IndyCar also suspending its season through the end of April due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. NASCAR called off Sunday's race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and next weekend's events at Homestead-Miami Speedway. IndyCar was scheduled to open its season Sunday on the streets of downtown St. Petersburg without fans.

Motorsports
Alonso and McLaren will give the Indy 500 another shot

'We have unfinished business with Fernando' after last year's fiasco

Fernando Alonso will again attempt to complete motorsports' Triple Crown with a return to the Indianapolis 500 in May with McLaren. The team failed to qualify Alonso for the race last season in a spectacular comedy of errors, including not having its car properly prepared to put the two-time Formula One champion in the field. “We beat ourselves,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown said Tuesday.

Followup
Penske plans to spend big as Indy owner, maybe bring a 24-hour race or F1

'We're looking forward to seeing what we can do to make IndyCar even stronger'

McLaren will return to IndyCar racing full-time after 40 years

For one thing, it's a way to better ensure Alonso qualifies at the Indy 500

Motorsports
Kyle Kaiser, Juncos team look for Indy 500 fairytale ending

He edged out Alonso, so he wants to be the first to win from the 33rd spot

He edged out Alonso, so he wants to be the first to win from the 33rd spot.

Breaking
IndyCar to use 'Aeroscreen' cockpit protection next season

Polycarbonate screen will be anti-reflective, anti-fogging

Polycarbonate screen will be anti-reflective, anti-fogging

Motorsports
Focus moves off McLaren and onto the closest field in Indy 500 history

Only 1.8040 seconds separates the pole from the final starting driver

Only 1.8040 seconds separates the pole from the final starting driver.

Motorsports
Mari Hulman George, Indy's quiet pioneer, dies at 83

Voice of 'start your engines,' from family that saved the Speedway

Voice of 'start your engines,' from family that saved the Speedway.

Motorsports
Tony Kanaan fires warning shot at Indy 500 ‘Carb Day’

Hits an eye-opening top performance of 227.791 mph

Hits an eye-opening top performance of 227.791 mph.

Motorsports
How to win the Indy 500? ‘Shut up and drive’

4-time winner Rick Mears advising 3-time winner Helio Castroneves

4-time winner Rick Mears advising 3-time winner Helio Castroneves.

Motorsports
Indy core sample shows 108 years of hard-core racing history

This is 18 inches of the track's surface — and it didn't start out as brick.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway didn't actually start off as a brick surface.

Motorsports
Can Fernando Alonso win Indy? Here's why and why maybe not

Will his Honda engine hold up? The same question goes for the weather.

Honda engines like Alonso's have had a run of bad luck. One blew up on Friday.

Motorsports
Helio Castroneves fastest in final Indy 500 practice

"Today we ticked all the boxes," Fernando Alonso said.

/ 8