There was some racing at the Brickyard on Sunday afternoon, but it wasn’t what Indianapolis 500 officials were hoping for, as the race was delayed until 4:30 p.m. local time due to a wave of storms passing over the Hoosier State.
Fans were asked to take shelter, and while most covered up, a small group of attendees were seen racing each other on foot along the Indianapolis concourse.
Track president J. Douglas Boles said it would take the track’s drying crew about two hours to dry the 2.5-mile oval, but the expectation is that the race would start about four hours late and all 200 laps would be completed. before nightfall.
“Our plan all along has been to hold the Indianapolis 500 today and I think we’re on track to do that,” Boles said.
Strong storms were expected all week, arriving around 12:45 pm, just when the green flag was supposed to drop. Along with heavy rain, the band caused wind gusts of up to 45 mph and dangerous lightning, and video boards inside the racetrack advised fans who had already entered the track to seek shelter.
A group of fans are seen racing on foot during the four-hour delay at Indy.
General view during a rain delay in the 108th race of the Indycar Series of the Indianapolis 500
Boles said pre-race festivities would take place, including military salutes in honor of Memorial Day and the traditional performance of ‘Back Home Again in Indiana.’ He also said the television blackout preventing the race from being broadcast live in the Indianapolis area would be lifted so fans who needed to leave early could watch it from home.
Kyle Larson also plans to stay, choosing to run the Indianapolis 500 at the expense of the Coca-Cola 600.
The NASCAR star was attempting to become the fifth driver in history to complete ‘The Double’ by running both races on the same day; The last to do so was Kurt Busch in 2014, and the only driver to complete the 1,100 miles was Tony Stewart in 2001. But the delay at Indianapolis meant it would be impossible for Larson to make it to Charlotte in time for the Cup race.
Justin Allgaier was on standby there and planned to drive the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports car instead.
“I think our plan is to keep this as a priority,” said Larson, who qualified fifth for his Indy 500 debut in a joint effort between Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports.
His publicist later confirmed that Larson would indeed remain in Indy.
The defending Indy 500 winner is Josef Newgarden, whose Team Penske teammates Will Power and polesitter Scott McLaughlin join him on the front row. McLaughlin broke the four-lap qualifying record with an average of 234.220 mph.
A security guard huddles under an umbrella as heavy rain and lightning delayed the start of the race.
Storms cause delay before start of Indianapolis 500
Fans gather under grandstands as heavy rain and lights delayed start of Indy 500
Newgarden has been trying to rebuild its reputation in the paddock after IndyCar discovered illegal push-to-pass software in all three Team Penske cars and scrapped both Newgarden’s win and McLaughlin’s third-place finish in the season opener. President Tim Cindric, Newgarden’s strategist, is one of several team employees suspended for the race.
Only five drivers in 107 races have won ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ in consecutive years.
Chevrolet clearly had the speed advantage in qualifying as the engine manufacturer claimed the top eight spots on the grid. But Honda showed it can hold its own in the race, meaning there was no obvious favorite when the green flag dropped.
As it rained on the track, most drivers retreated to their garages or motor homes. Power was hiding in his garage on Gasoline Alley with his friend Flavor Fav, who rode with him in the Festival 500 parade on Saturday.