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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- In the end, Dario didn't run out of gas, a bunch of his competitors nearly did, and Ashley couldn't stay in her shoes.

Everything else surrounding the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday prior to the final couple of laps was a blur -- sort of like Dario Franchitti's No. 10 car for most of the steamy afternoon.

This was fun. This also was scary.

With one lap remaining and his car threatening to gasp any moment courtesy of a sprinkling of gas left in his tank, Franchitti's likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy was guaranteed for a second time in four Indy races after a crash in the north chute. It was a brutal one, but it wasn't fatal. It featured Mike Conway suffering just a leg injury despite his sparking, flipping and exploding ride flying high before slamming into the fence.

So this mostly was vintage Indy -- as in drama.

As in, it's about time.

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by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- The celebrity of Helio Castroneves has grown to heights not usually attainable by an IndyCar driver. From "Dancing with the Stars" to "Entertainment Tonight," it seems like the spotlight is always on the smiling Brazilian driver. His on the track legend could rise to a new level if he wins the Indianapolis 500 Sunday and joins the lofty four time Indy 500 winners club (he would join A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser).

FanHouse TV's Holly Cain caught up with him to find out what that would feel like.

FanHouse TV: Helio Runs for No. 4 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 29 May 2010 21:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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by FanHouse TV

Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- Four ladies and twenty nine gentleman are almost set to start their engines and kick off the 2010 Indy 500 from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

There are story lines galore, including Helio Castroneves' quest for a record-tying fourth Indy 500 win, Danica Patrick trying to best her third-place finish from last year, and a talented crew of rookie drivers looking to win it in their first attempt. FanHouse TV's Holly Cain is joined by three-time Indy 500 Champ Johnny Rutherford as they handicap the field, and project a winner.

FanHouse TV: Handicapping the Indy 500 originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 29 May 2010 20:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- In pursuit of a record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 victory, defending race winner Helio Castroneves speaks with reporters and FanHouse TV at Indy 500 Media Day.

Castroneves won his first 500 as a rookie in 2001 and made it two in a row the following year. In nine previous starts, along with the three victories he's five other top 10 finishes.

Here's a FanHouse TV video preview.

 

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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Helio Castroneves has won his fourth Indianapolis 500 pole after posting a four-lap qualifying average of 227.970 mph.

The Brazilian's average speed on Saturday was better than any single lap in practice all week. The defending race winner is trying to become the fourth driver to win four 500s. He has tied A.J. Foyt and Rex Mays for the second-most Indy poles in history. Rick Mears won six.

Australian Will Power will start second after averaging 227.578 mph. Scotland's Dario Franchitti is third at 226.990 mph.

Danica Patrick struggled on a day the top 24 starting spots were filled. She was 23rd, the middle of Row 8. Two other women - Ana Beatriz and Simona de Silvestro - will start 21st and 22nd.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

 

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Filed under: Penske Racing, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Indianapolis 500

Mother Nature hasn't taken kindly to the newly-shortened schedule for the 94th Indianapolis 500, but she figures to cooperate for this weekend's two days of qualifications.

A very slight chance of rain exists early Saturday morning, but by the time Pole Day qualifying begins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, skies are expected to be clearing. Highs in the 80s and sun are expected for Sunday's Bump Day.

The shortened schedule -- instituted as a cost-saving measure both for the track and the competing teams -- effectively dropped a weekend of qualifying and nearly a week of practice from the traditional IMS schedule. When qualifying wraps on Sunday, the 33 starters will only have just one hour of practice remaining next Friday before the race two days later.

 

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Filed under: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IRL, Danica Patrick, Indianapolis 500

Practice for the May 30 Indianapolis 500 has begun at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and after two rain-interrupted days on track this weekend, the leader board will surprise no one.

Defending race winner Helio Castroneves has started his quest for a record-tying fourth victory by posting the fastest speed to date with a lap of 227.046 mph in his No. 3 Team Penske Dallara-Honda. The previous two Indy winners, Target Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon (226.202 mph) and Dario Franchitti (226.044), are ranked second and third.

The only major incident in more than 1,900 total laps turned on Saturday and Sunday -- despite the rain -- was when 2004 winner Dan Wheldon's No. 4 National Guard Honda hit the wall exiting Turn 4 on Sunday. He suffered a bruised foot but was expected to be back on track Monday should the rainy weather clear long enough for practice.

All seven first-year drivers completed Indy's unique Rookie Orientation Program, with Jay Howard and Simona de Silvestro posting the fastest laps of that group.

Noticeably absent from her usual spot near the top of Indy's speed charts was Danica Patrick, whose best lap (223.651 mph) was only 15th fastest.

 

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by FanHouse NewswireKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) -- Waiting for the final green flag after a caution a few laps from the finish, Scott Dixon jokingly asked his crew if he could save some horsepower boosts for the Indianapolis 500 later this month.

Obviously, the answer was no.

The way Dixon kicked off IndyCar's oval season, he might not need them anyway.

Making few changes to a fast-off-the-truck car, Dixon cruised to his second straight IndyCar Series victory at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, firmly placing himself atop the list of favorites for the big race on the bricks.

Scott Dixon Back on Top as IndyCar Moves to Ovals originally appeared on Motorsports FanHouse on Sat, 01 May 2010 15:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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Scott Dixon ran away with the IndyCar series race at Kansas Speedway Saturday, leading more than three-fourths of the race on his way to an easy 30-car length victory over his teammate, Dario Franchitti.

On the clock, Dixon's margin of victory was a comfy 3.05 seconds, and he jumped ahead to that lead even after a restart with less than 10 laps to go.

Dixon led 167 laps, including the final 150 circuits, and easily survived a couple of late-race restarts to win his first race of 2010 and his second straight at Kansas.

Series defending champion Dario Franchitti was second after holding off a late charge from Tony Kanaan. Helio Castroneves was fourth, followed by Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Pole winner Ryan Briscoe, who led 31 early laps, was sixth, the final driver on the lead lap. Franchitti was the only other driver to lead any laps; he was in front for two circuits.

 

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Filed under: Crew Chiefs, IRL

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (AP) -- Helio Castroneves held off Scott Dixon to win the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday, coasting to the finish line after coming off caution with two laps to go.

The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner took over in the stretch run when Marco Andretti headed to pit road with seven laps to go. He treated the new IndyCar venue to his trademark "Spiderman" move, climbing a chain link fence in front of the grandstands and pumping his fists to the fans.

Castroneves won by just over half a second over Dixon and nobody else was closer than 7 seconds to the lead, making it a two-man chase at the end. He didn't offer any opening for Dixon to get by him on a narrow track that offers few easy spots to pass.

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