Rain Turns Indy into Sprint Race

The rain in Indianapolis before the start of the 500 washed away all the rubber that had built up to give the drivers grip and more ability to drive off the main line. The result was a race filled with one car incidents where a driver got out of line into the marbles and then the wall. The yellow flags kept the cars together and the draft provided for regular lead changes amongst more than a half-dozen drivers representing several teams.

As the race neared the half way point (thereby making it an official race) rain moved in again and drivers' strategy became reduced to a single thought - get out front - now.

Nazareth's Marco Andretti did just that and as the clouds approached the field was under yellow and he was sitting first ahead of teammate Tony Kanaan. On the restart Kanaan used the draft to get by Marco and take the lead just as the rain began and the red flag came out. It seemed as though Marco may have been passed on the last lap for a second year in a row to finish 2nd in the Indy 500. As a matter of fact, Andretti-Green Racing (AGR) was running 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8, with principal Michael Andretti in 8th. It would have been heart-breaking for Marco, but an amazing finish by the team.

When the rain stopped, track drying began and behind the scenes lobbying was being done to call the race and to continue it. Later Tony Kanaan asked if it had been any race other than Indy would they have worked 3 hours to race an extra handful of laps only to call the race again before its completion? There is a 'ground rule' at Indy that they can't race past 8:00 p.m. because of a lack of lighting in the stands and around the track and it was known by all that more rain was on the way.

Racing did resume and each lap was a sprint as another rain storm closed on the Speedway. Andretti's teammate Dario Franchitti made a pit due to a cut tire that ultimately put him out front when other's pit cycles came around just before a downpour, but not before Andretti's machine took a wild ride down the front straight.

In mid-pack due to pit stops both Kanaan and Andretti were working back to the front, but in traffic with a mirror gone, Andretti cut infront of Dan Wheldon clipping tires and Andretti was launched first toward the wall and catch fence then upside down on the front-stretch before catching the infield grass and flipping him back onto all four wheels. A scary ride and one that demonstrated how well safety is considered in the series, for Marco got out and was able to walk away, but finished in the mid-20s.

While the cars circled during the clean-up of Andretti's car the rain came and it was unquestioned that this was the end of a long day at Indy. AGR's Dario Franchitti became only the second Scotsman to ever win the event and the team won its second 500 in three years.

It was a tough end for Marco, but at least he got his chance at victory after the rain delay. For Michael, it seemed he couldn't quite get to the front and strategy to do so was constantly marred by yellows and rain.

Marco will have many more races ahead of him, and so too will Michael, but in the role of team owner and father. The past two Indy 500s have been some of the most exciting in recent years and Marco has proven that he is a tough competitor at the world's best known Speedway. I look forward to watching many more events with Marco in them and can only thank Michael for all the enjoyment and excitement he has provided through the years.