Dario Franchitti Wins 3rd Indy 500

[AutoSmith]

Check out Redline Review's coverage of the 2012 Indy 500. There's also an IZOD IndyCar Series Indy 500 highlights video embedded in the article. Enjoy gearheads! Redline Review Dario Franchitti Wins Third Indy 500

[Ralphy]

The boo's were out strong in turn three for Dario Franchitti. Takuma Sato was putting on a strong show throughout the race. Indy win-less, Tony Kanaan was getting lots of cheers with his attempts. Chevy started strong then faded. Something seemed wrong with Graham Rahal's car. The pop off valve was going nutz all thru the race in the turn. Next time I will be sitting in turn 1, that's the place to be. Pretty damn good race! Danika's old car made a strong showing, Hmmmm........

Dan Weldon Remembered
Dan Wheldon Remembered - YouTube

Ralphy

[IndyCobra]

Just a minor correction, there's no pop off valve anymore. The new engines are turbocharged and they use a computer chip now.

It was a great race with lots of passing. I was pulling for TK.

Good luck getting tickets in the shade in turn one. These are some of the longest held ticket reservations on the track, although you can find scalper tickets if you look hard.

[Dirty Harry]

I think Sato got a little anxious and tried to pass too soon. Franchitti moved up the track an appropriate amount, it seemed. It didn't look to me as if DF pinched him off. I could not tell for sure, but I don't think there was contact between the cars. It was a little surprising that Sato could spin from the inside line and not take out DF.

Record number of passes for the lead. A shame the Lotus powerplant wasn't ready for race day. I was rooting for sophmore JR Hildebrand, who last year drove 799 outstanding corners and crashed in the 800th one. Of course, that gave Wheldon a dramatic win that seems entirely fitting now. Overall, a good show.

[Ralphy]

Turn three where we sat, row PP, were great seats. But high in turn one I think is the place to be $$$. Robin Miller mentioned if Sato had waited till turn three he would have won. Maybe. As I heard at Indy, you never force a car, else your in deep dodo, Sato? Reading some engine specs, I see no waste gate. Also read Rahal had motor trouble earlier in the month. However during the race I guess it was handling. The pre-race radio show said they are using Borg Warner twin turbos. Chevy has been very private about their direct injection, keeping the motor covered was also mentioned. To bad the yellow had to come out on the final lap.

I think I walked six miles round trip. Ouch! Giant tenderloin sammy's at $6, what a deal.

[AutoSmith]

Interesting observations one and all. Ralphy, how cool that you were an on hand spectator. Is this your first time at the Indy 500? I hope you wore plenty of sunscreen. Will you go next year?

[Ralphy]

Yes it was my first and I would like to make it back. I was surprised at how nice the track looks. You see more than the cameras show, the wooded areas that is. The corners are banked more than I thought also. I may look into going for the qualifying. I understand that is the time you can get to see more. The heat was on but it was dry and breezy. Nothing I'm not used to being from ATL. We drove from Evansville, IN, now that area is hot and humid. I never knew an area in the midwest would typically see 100's in the summer. We screwed up with the time, who would think Evansville is one hour earlier than Indy time. Traffic overall was not that bad considering how many people go.

You really get a feeling of the rich history at Indianapolis. They talked of Barrichello's experience for the first time. Saying you can't get the whole picture from a TV. You have to go see it live. Rubens Barrichello felt very honored to be racing at Indy.

Ralphy