Indy 500 Schedule 2015: Mobile Live Stream Info and TV Coverage Details
The 99th edition of the Indy 500 takes place on the familiar Indianapolis Motor Speedway track today. A star-studded lineup, including six previous winners, is expected to make this race a thrilling one, with decorated and fancied drivers such as Helio Castroneves already generating buzz as a potential winner, according to Indianapolis Star writer Curt Cavin.
Here are all of the relevant schedule and viewing details ahead of green-flag time:
Date: Sunday, May 24
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Time: 12:15 p.m. (ET)
TV: ABC
Live Stream: IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com.
Preview
The all-important pole position belongs to Scott Dixon following qualifying races, per 120Sports.com. Even on a course as unpredictable as the one in Indy, the Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver will hope to take any edge he can get over a deep and talented field of rivals.
One prominent rival is Castroneves, despite entering this race at the age of 40. But Cavin noted how the Brazilian has been keen to move forward and adjust to the new demands of modern racing.
In particular, Cavin focused on one vital technical change Castroneves has made to the way he drives: "Castroneves cited a decision a few years ago to changing braking feet – from the right to the left – as an example of him keeping up with the times. Had he refused, he might not have been able to shift gears quickly enough to match the sport's reduced braking zones."
An up-to-speed Castroneves should be buoyed by the motivation to win this prestigious race for a fourth time. It's a distinction he would share with just three other drivers, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears, according to Associated Press writer Michael Marot (via the Detroit News).
But Castroneves' chase for history could be undone by a super-fast course that's already given him and other drivers trouble. A scary-looking crash during qualifying races sent the Team Penske driver tumbling through the ether.
Thankfully, Castroneves' brief tussle with gravity left him unhurt. He was even able to make light of the incident in a column for Sports Illustrated:
"I was expecting a big shot. When, really, nothing happened—because the crash came later in the corner—I was like, Oh. That wasn’t that bad! I’m thinking I’m just going to spin out some more or keep going backwards until I run out of momentum. When I start lifting off, I was like What. Is. Happening. As soon as I see the sky, I’m like, Oh snap. I’m a bird.
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Unfortunately, Canadian driver James Hinchcliffe couldn't escape more serious injury after he collided with a barrier during practice runs. As his car was crushed on impact, a piece of debris pierced Hinchliffe's thigh, something that later required surgery.
Cavin noted how the initial cut had also caused some arterial damage, naturally increasing concern over Hinchcliffe's condition. Fortunately, the driver has since posted a positive message regarding his quick recovery, via his official Instagram feed:
Concerns about the track aside, most drivers will welcome the level of competition in this edition of the race. For instance, 2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay tends to thrive the faster things get. The Andretti Autosport driver will get to attack an inside lance from Row 6.
He's also vowed not to let the dangers exposed during practice races alter his hell-for-leather approach in the race proper. During an interview with Lauren Steel of Men's Journal, Hunter-Reay made it clear that even the crash suffered by "close friend" Hinchcliffe can't be allowed to change the way he drives.
Yet despite the defending champion's necessary bravado, there's a more logical choice to win this year's race. Sports Illustrated's Andrew Lawrence smartly gives the overall edge to Dixon, citing the advantage of pole position.
Perhaps just as important, Lawrence also commends Dixon for the way he's taken to the new oval aerodynamic kits that have changed the body shape of many of the cars in Indy. The idea, implemented by both Chevrolet and Honda, is to encourage even greater speed, per Lawrence.
Of course, that may make for a more exciting race, but it also poses greater challenges in terms of handling for each driver. These types of changes are usually portrayed as not being too significant, but they tend to have a greater impact determining an outcome than many like to admit.
Yet if speed was the only determining factor, second-placed Will Power would be favored instead. After all, he finished the final practice race topping the table with a blink-of-an-eye time of 0:39.2978 over 20 laps, per IndyCar.com.
Power is a definitely a prominent contender to watch. But so is Tony Kanaan. Another Ganassi driver, Kanaan will be on the inside of the second row, putting him in direct competition with Castroneves.
Like many of those at the top of the order, Kanaan also brings a winner's experience to this race. He last sped across the line first in 2013.
Predicted Winner: Scott Dixon, Target Chip Ganassi Racing
Dixon is a worthy favorite even in a field comprised of so many former winners and some of the sport's biggest names. But none have matched the 34-year-old's instant comfort with the new style of car and its demands. Nor will they overcome his starting advantage of beginning in pole.
Expect Dixon to edge Castroneves and the likes of Hunter-Reay, Power and Kanaan.
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