Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, frequently shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, is an American race for open-wheel automobiles held annually over the Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Run for the first time in 1911, "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" is one of the oldest and richest motorsport events in existence. This event lends its name to the "IndyCar" class of race cars.

NASCAR Drivers in the 500

Prior to 2005, a few NASCAR drivers would be able to compete double duty racing the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, which takes place the same day, just after the race. In order to make it on time, drivers usually catch a helicopter directly from Indy to take them to Indianapolis International Airport fly into Concord Regional Airport, and even then they barely make it in time to race. Notable drivers include Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, and John Andretti. Stewart competed double duty in 1999 and 2001, but contract limits restricted him from doing so in 2004. Robby Gordon has done it the most number of times; in 2004 the rain caused him to have to hand over driving duties to another driver. In 2000 Robby Gordon missed the start of the Coca Cola 600, which started pace laps when the Indy 500 finished. Gordon, being a team owner, just placed P. J. Jones in his car and finished the Indy 500, receiving no drivers points as P. J. Jones started the race but getting owners points. For 2005 the start Indianapolis 500 was pushed up to improve their TV ratings, thus preventing NASCAR drivers to be able to compete at Indy and Lowe's on the same day; Indiana moving to the statewide use of Daylight Savings Time means that the starting times of the races are likely to remain too close for drivers to compete in both races on the same day in the foreseeable future. Tony Stewart is the only driver to complete the full 1100 miles (1770 km) for 600 laps in both races on the same day.

Related Topics:
Coca-Cola 600 - Lowe's Motor Speedway - Indianapolis International Airport - Concord Regional Airport - Tony Stewart - Robby Gordon - John Andretti - P. J. Jones - Indiana - Daylight Savings Time

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