FYI WIRZ: IZOD IndyCar's Top 3 at Indy 500 Talk Before and After Epic Finish

This Memorial Day weekend, the IZOD IndyCar Series presented the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Ind., known as “The greatest Spectacle in Racing”. This Indy 500 might just have featured its most spectacular finish.

IndyCar rookie J.R. Hildebrand nearly caught a legendary boost early in his career, only to slam the wall on the last turn in the final lap of the 2011 Indianapolis 500.  He nearly bounced down the wall and over the finish line before the winner, Dan Wheldon, drove by and seized his second Indy 500 win.  Graham Rahal, son of 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, finished third. 

The abundant crowds at the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500 got way more than they paid for—they got a memory that will likely be history for years to come.  The replay video might even have value for another century, especially if young Hildebrand triumphs over this stunning loss.       

Racing engines are powerful but emotions are potent too, certainly before the green flag and after the checkered flag at Indianapolis.
 
Drivers almost always seem optimistic, but check out what Wheldon, Hildebrand and Rahal had to say before the race, and how they commented after the surprise at the green flag.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of motorsports topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com.  Quotes derived from team and sanction press releases.

Dan Wheldon (No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport) Finished first.
(Qualified sixth)

Before the green flag: “To be honest, the speed is a testimony to this team,” Wheldon said. “It's not me; the guys have done a fantastic job. I know what I want from the race car, and we're making it work. Being in a race car is what I love to do. My time off made me realize how much I love motor racing. I'm having a blast. We will be a force to be reckoned with."

After the checkered flag: "I was just trying to go as hard as I could. I knew it was the last lap, and I knew some of those guys were struggling with fuel. I want to thank my wife. For Bryan Herta and everyone at Bryan Herta Autosport, such a dream ride. It's been absolutely phenomenal. I love Indianapolis. I love the people, I love everything about it. The tradition, the history. I just felt a lot of relief. It's an incredible feeling. I've been runner-up two years before this, but I never gave up."

J.R. Hildebrand (No. 4 Panther Racing) Finished second.
(Qualified twelfth)

Before the green flag: “The Panther guy has done a great job in preparing this car,” Hildebrand said. “This car has been awesome every time we've hit the track, and that has really built up my confidence. I'm new to this qualifying gig. I've been to Pole Day the last four years as a spectator, and it's pretty neat to be a part of the big show."

After the checkered flag: “I knew we were running a little tight on fuel coming to the end, and I had spotters in my ears saying, 'Guys are coming, and they're coming hard because we were having to conserve a little bit of fuel,' and the tires are at the end of their stint,” Hildebrand said “I was just hanging on to get the thing around.  I went to the high side and just got caught up in the marbles, and that was it.

“I owe this run entirely to the Panther Racing team and the National Guard team. These guys have done an awesome job year after year after year. We've been the bridesmaid, and I didn't come to Indianapolis this year expecting to be in a position to win the Indy 500. But we were, and I guess that's why it's a little bit frustrating right now. But here on Memorial Day, I'd just like to say thanks to all service men and women that are here. We put up a heck of a fight for you out there."

Graham Rahal (No. 38 Chip Ganassi Racing) Finished third.
(Qualified Twenty-ninth)

Before the green flag: "We got lucky,” Rahal said. “We got a pretty good draw to go early.. We had a fuel pickup issue. The car shut itself off. Still, I don't think we're exactly sure what it is. We went through the fuel cell and changed the fuel pump, the collector, all the fuel lines, you know, everything inside. But it was one of those mysterious things. We didn't even touch the fuel cell when we changed engines yesterday, but the next thing we know it didn't want to run. They did a great job getting this car back on track, getting us out there this morning. This morning we ran low 225.3 by ourselves, so I thought that's where I would expect to be in qualifying pace. But it just didn't quite work out."

After the checkered flag: "It feels good, that's for sure,” Rahal said. “I mean, this is what it's all about, you know? We needed to ride the momentum, and we did. And this is obviously a lot better than second place in Brazil, and we'll just keep going on from here. But I'm so proud of the Service Central boys, because starting where we started and to end up here, we passed 26 cars, and that's fantastic."

Photo credit: Dwight Drum at Racetake.com