2006 Indianapolis 500

90th running of the Indianapolis 500

The 90th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday May 28, 2006. Sam Hornish Jr. won from the pole position. It was Hornish's first and only win at Indianapolis, and the record fourteenth Indy victory for Penske Racing. Hornish would later win the IndyCar Series championship, the second driver in a row to sweep the Indy 500 and season championship in the same season. In one of the most dramatic finishes in Indy history, 19 year old rookie Marco Andretti took the lead with three laps to go, after passing his father Michael Andretti on the outside of turn one. Marco Andretti battled Sam Hornish Jr. over the final two laps, holding off the challenge until the final straightaway. On the final lap, Hornish passed Marco Andretti about 450 feet from the finish line to take the win. It was the first time a driver successfully made a pass for the lead on the final lap for victory in the 90 year history of the event. The margin of victory was 0.0635 seconds just over one car length which was the second closest finish in Indy history at the time. (As of 2019, it is the third closest). Hornish had earned the pole in qualifying with a four lap average of , and second place Marco Andretti was unanimously voted the Rookie of the Year. Defending race winner and defending IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon dominated much of the race, leading 148 of the 200 laps. However, a small tire puncture forced him to make his final pit stop earlier than planned, which coupled with an untimely caution period, saw him slip to fourth at the finish. The race was sanctioned by the Indy Racing League and was part of the 2006 IndyCar Series season. With a high temperature of , it was one of the hottest days on record for the running of the Indy 500. Rain and cold temperatures washed out the first weekend of time trials, and washed out or delayed numerous days of practice. Race weekend, however, was sunny with no precipitation.

Chevrolet and Toyota withdrew from the series, leaving Honda as the sole engine provider for all teams for 2006 through 2011. Three races preceded the Indy 500, and Hélio Castroneves, with two wins and one second place, held a large points lead going into the month of May. A new series initiative introduced the use of ethanol fuel. As part of a two year roll out, all entries for 2006 were required to utilize a 10% ethanol/90% methanol fuel blend (E10). Previously, from 1974 to 2005, methanol was the only fuel permitted, and from 1965 to 1973, the rules were crafted in such a fashion as to encourage the use of methanol in order to be competitive.

Several drivers shuffles occurred during the offseason. Defending Indy 500 winner and 2005 IndyCar champion Dan Wheldon switched from Andretti Green Racing to Ganassi. Wheldon started off the season with a victory at the season opener at Homestead. However, the race was marred by the death of Paul Dana during the morning practice session. Marco Andretti moved up from the Indy Lights series and took over the vacated spot at Andretti Green Racing. In December, team owner Michael Andretti announced he would come out of retirement to race at Indy, alongside his son. Similarly, owner/driver Eddie Cheever announced he would get back into the car, participating in four races, including Indy. Tomas Scheckter moved from Panther to Vision Racing. Vítor Meira took over the vacant spot at Panther, leaving the Rahal team. Paul Dana was signed as the third car for RLR, but was replaced by Jeff Simmons after his tragic fatal crash. Rahal maintained the services of Buddy Rice and Danica Patrick. After a brief retirement, Al Unser Jr., who missed the 2005 race, signed with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. Unser would race alongside teammate Buddy Lazier, who signed on for a partial season ride at DRR. Hemelgarn Racing signed P. J. Chesson with financial backing from NBA basketball player Carmelo Anthony. An aggressive marketing campaign nicknamed the entry "Car Melo", and also acquired the services of Jeff Bucknum for a two car effort. However, by month's end, a disastrous result saw the two cars crash out together on lap 2, placing 32nd 33rd respectively. Hemelgarn subsequently closed its doors for the remainder of the season.

Opening day featured rookie orientation and refresher tests. The day opened with the Andretti family celebrating three generations (Mario, Michael, and Marco) taking a ceremonial lap around the track together. Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr., and Arie Luyendyk Jr. participated in refresher tests. Rookies P. J. Chesson and Marco Andretti passed the four phase rookie test. Townsend Bell took only "shake down" laps. Michael Andretti (220.999 mph) was the fastest car of the day.

The second day of rookie orientation saw Thiago Medeiros pass the rookie test. Townsend Bell (221.381 mph) was the fastest car of the day.

The first full day of veteran practice. Sam Hornish Jr. (224.811 mph) was the fastest car of the day.

Sam Hornish Jr. (226.056 mph) was the fastest car of the day. The track closed early due to rain at 3:30 p. m.

Rain delayed the start of practice until nearly 2 p. m. Marty Roth spun in turn two, but made no contact. Sam Hornish Jr. (226.789 mph) was the fastest car of the day.

Rain washed out practice for the day.

Time trials was scheduled for four days. The "11/11/11" format was to be utilized, with eleven positions available on pole day. However, rain washed out time trials for the day. Pole day qualifying was rescheduled for Sunday May 14.

The "11/11/11" format was scheduled to be used, and thus 22 position were to be open for qualifying on Sunday May 14. Rain continued to fall, but the track dried shortly after 1 p. m. The cars took to the track for practice for about an hour, and Dan Wheldon turned the fastest lap of the month at 228.663 mph. At 2:15 p. m., the rain resumed, and the track was closed for the day. Time trials was washed out for the entire weekend for the first time since 1983.

Sam Hornish Jr. (224.381 mph) was the fastest car of the day. Rain closed the track early at 4:26 p. m.

Rain kept the track closed until 3:45 p. m. Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Thiago Medeiros suffered crashes. The brief session was ended at 5:52 p. m., as rain fell again. Sam Hornish Jr. (224.381 mph) was the fastest car of the day.

Sam Hornish Jr. (227.925 mph) was the fastest car of the day. Hornish led the speed charts on all three practice days during the second week. Marty Roth spun but made no contact. Jeff Simmons crashed in turn one, but was uninjured.

Since the first two days of time trials were rained out, 33 positions were available for time trials on May 20. The field was filled to 32 cars by the end of the day. Sam Hornish Jr., won the pole with the fastest four lap qualifying speed of
Only one driver waved off during the day. Dario Franchitti experienced engine trouble after three laps, but later completed his attempt after an engine change. Although the new qualifying rules allowed qualified cars to be withdrawn and re qualified in hopes of gaining a better starting position (with a maximum of three attempts per day), only one driver took the opportunity to do so. Townsend Bell's qualification run of was withdrawn, and he achieved an average of on his second attempt. This improved his starting position by only one spot.

The day opened with one position open in the field, and two drivers prepared to make an attempt. Rookie Thiago Medeiros, who had crashed his lone car on Thursday, returned to the track for practice. Most of the afternoon focused on race day practice for already qualified cars. Sam Hornish Jr. (226.256 mph) led the speed charts for practice laps, capping off a month where he led the speed chart every day he took practice laps except one. Marty Roth was the only driver besides Medeiros that was looking to make an attempt. At 3:30 p. m., polesitter Sam Hornish Jr. spun in turn one and hit the outside wall while practicing in a backup car. He was uninjured. With about an hour to go, A. J. Foyt brought a backup car to pit lane, driver Ryan Briscoe was getting settled into the car, fueling rumors of a late qualifying run. At 5:08 p. m., Thiago Medeiros completed a qualifying attempt, and filled the field to 33 cars, however he was slowest and now on the bubble. With 23 minutes left in the day, Marty Roth spun during a practice run, and crashed into the outside wall in turn 1. He was not injured, but the car was wrecked, and his chances to qualify were finished. The day ended with Medeiros the only car to complete an attempt for the afternoon with Briscoe deciding against making a run.

Sam Hornish Jr. once again led the speed charts (220.698 mph). It was the ninth day of the month that Hornish completed the fastest practice lap. Penske Racing with driver Hélio Castroneves won the 30th Annual Checker's/Rally's Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge.

Saturday, May 13, 2006No qualifications due to rain Sunday, May 14, 2006No qualifications due to rain Saturday, May 20, 2006 Attempt Time Day CarNo. Driver Laps TotalTime Speed(mph) Result Position Rank1 12:03 1 92 Jeff Bucknum 4 2:42.5566 221.461 Qualified 22 222 12:07 1 90 Townsend Bell 4 2:40.9590 223.659 Qualified; withdrawn 3 12:12 1 4T Vítor Meira 4 2:39.1823 226.156 Qualified 6 64 12:16 1 31 Al Unser Jr. 4 2:44.0925 219.388 Qualified 27 275 12:21 1 7 Bryan Herta 4 2:40.5859 224.179 Qualified 16 166 12:25 1 41 Larry Foyt 4 2:42.6519 221.331 Qualified 23 237 12:30 1 88 Airton Dare 4 2:45.0091 218.170 Qualified 29 298 12:34 1 55 Kosuke Matsuura 4 2:39.6431 225.503 Qualified 7 79 12:39 1 2 Tomas Scheckter 4 2:40.2431 224.659 Qualified 11 1110 12:43 1 51 Eddie Cheever Jr. 4 2:42.1420 222.028 Qualified 19 1911 12:48 1 52 Max Papis 4 2:42.1198 222.058 Qualified 18 1812 12:52 1 1 Michael Andretti 4 2:40.3505 224.508 Qualified 13 1313 12:57 1 9 Scott Dixon 4 2:38.6457 226.921 Qualified 4 414 1:01 1 21 Jaques Lazier 4 2:42.7847 221.151 Qualified 24 2415 1:06 1 11 Tony Kanaan 4 2:38.7471 226.776 Qualified 5 516 1:11 1 20 Ed Carpenter 4 2:40.3224 224.548 Qualified 12 1217 1:15 1 8 Scott Sharp 4 2:39.7720 225.321 Qualified 8 818 1:20 1 15T Buddy Rice 4 2:40.4326 224.393 Qualified 14 1419 1:24 1 26 Marco Andretti 4 2:40.0586 224.917 Qualified 9 920 1:29 1 91 P. J. Chesson 4 2:42.4724 221.576 Qualified 20 2021 1:33 1 6 Sam Hornish Jr. 4 2:37.2155 228.985 Qualified 1 122 1:38 1 12 Roger Yasukawa 4 2:44.5393 218.793 Qualified 28 2823 1:42 1 10 Dan Wheldon 4 2:38.3543 227.338 Qualified 3 324 1:47 1 16T Danica Patrick 4 2:40.2319 224.674 Qualified 10 1025 1:51 1 5 Buddy Lazier 4 2:42.9534 220.922 Qualified 25 2526 1:56 1 17T Jeff Simmons 4 2:43.3785 220.347 Qualified 26 2627 2:00 1 97 Stéphan Grégoire 4 2:45.5723 217.428 Qualified 30 3028 2:05 1 3T Hélio Castroneves 4 2:37.8893 228.008 Qualified 2 229 2:10 1 14 Felipe Giaffone 4 2:42.4973 221.542 Qualified 21 2130 2:14 1 27 Dario Franchitti 3 2:02.1355 221.066 Waved off 31 5:27 1 27 Dario Franchitti 4 2:41.1857 223.345 Qualified 17 1732 5:33 1 90 Townsend Bell 4 2:40.4466 224.374 Qualified 15 1533 5:38 1 98 P. J. Jones 4 2:46.8091 215.816 Qualified 32 3234 5:51 1 61 Arie Luyendyk Jr. 4 2:46.3952 216.352 Qualified 31 31 Sunday, May 21, 200635 5:08 2 18 Thiago Medeiros 4 2:46.8763 215.729 Qualified 33 33 REPORT

25 Marty Roth — Wrecked during practice.

After considerable rain during the month, race day was sunny and hot. Temperatures topped out at , one of the hottest days for the Indy 500 on record. Due to the state of Indiana observing Daylight Saving Time, the start of the race was scheduled for 1:11 p. m. EDT. Mari Hulman George gave the command to start engines at 1:04 p. m. EDT, and all 33 cars pulled away for the pace laps, with Lance Armstrong driving the pace car. Sugar Ray Leonard waved the green flag to start the race, and polesitter Sam Hornish Jr. took the lead into turn one. Down the back stretch, Hélio Castroneves passed Hornish for the lead, and Dan Wheldon moved into second. Castroneves led the opening lap. On the second lap in turn two, Jeff Bucknum spun out and collected his teammate P. J. Chesson, taking both of the entries from Hemelgarn Racing out of the race and sadly out for the remainder of the season.

After the Hemelgarn incident, a long period of green flag racing ensued, lasting 60 laps. During this period, Dan Wheldon dominated the race, briefly losing then regaining the lead during a round of green flag pit stops around laps 36 39. By lap 64, Wheldon had built up a 19 second lead—nearly half a lap—over the next nearest competitor, and after 65 laps had lapped twenty five of the other cars in the race, including all five of the other former 500 winners, leaving only eight cars on the lead lap. The field tightened during a yellow flag on lap 67 due to a crash by Tomas Scheckter. The crash sent debris into the inside grandstand, injuring five spectators, none seriously. Wheldon maintained the lead through a series of pit stops, and led at the halfway point.

Wheldon gave up the lead briefly during pit stop on lap 108, which allowed Scott Dixon to lead. On lap 110, Hélio Castroneves struck Buddy Rice from behind, taking out both cars. It was the first time two former winners had been involved in the same crash in the Indy 500 since 1992. It was also the first time in his career that Castroneves failed to finish the race. Sam Hornish Jr., took the lead from Wheldon on lap 130. Wheldon, however, would regain the lead on lap 145 and hold it through lap 182. Third place finisher Michael Andretti had high praise for his son: "I felt so bad for Marco, but I'm so proud. He drove a hell of a race. I drove with him a hell of a lot in that race. He drove like a champion. He drove like he's been out there 10 years." But Marco wanted more: "I do not want to wait until next year. I have to take advantage of everything because second's nothing," he said. After leading 148 laps, 2005 winner Dan Wheldon failed in his bid to win back to back races. He recovered from the punctured tire on lap 183 to finish in the top five. On the final lap, while most of the attention was focused on Andretti and Hornish, Wheldon slipped by Tony Kanaan for position going into turn three, and came home fourth.

Lap Leaders Laps Leader1–9 Hélio Castroneves10–34 Dan Wheldon35–37 Sam Hornish Jr.38 Tony Kanaan39–107 Dan Wheldon108–110 Scott Dixon111–124 Dan Wheldon125–127 Scott Dixon128–129 Dan Wheldon130–144 Sam Hornish Jr.145–182 Dan Wheldon183–193 Tony Kanaan194–197 Michael Andretti198–199 Marco Andretti200 Sam Hornish Jr.

Total laps led Driver LapsDan Wheldon 148Sam Hornish Jr. 19Tony Kanaan 12Hélio Castroneves 9Scott Dixon 6Michael Andretti 4Marco Andretti 2

Cautions: 5 for 44 lapsLapsReason2–6 Jeff Bucknum, P. J. Chesson crash in turn 267–75 Tomas Scheckter crash in turn 4111–122 Buddy Rice, Hélio Castroneves crash in turn 4149–161 Al Unser Jr. in turn 3; Jeff Simmons crash in northchute191–195 Felipe Giaffone crash in turn 2

For the first time, Honda was the sole engine supplier to the field. It is believed that for the first time in Indianapolis 500 history, that the race was run without a single engine problem during the entire month. In Hornish's seven tries at the Indy 500, this was the first that he had even completed 500 mile (805 km). The second and third place finishes by Marco and Michael Andretti were the 49th and 50th unsuccessful attempts to win the 500 by members of the Andretti family as drivers (Michael Andretti was a winning owner in 2005 then would be again in 2007, 2014, 2016, and 2017) since patriarch Mario Andretti's sole win in 1969, extending what is popularly called the "Andretti Curse" at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ABC Sports utilized Side By Side for the first time during the Indianapolis 500.