100th Running of the 2016 Indianapolis 500 Champion, Andretti Autosport/Herta Racing’s Alexander Rossi — Indianapolis Motor Speedway Image by Joe Skibinski
INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, May 30, 2016 – Alexander Rossi earned $2,548,743 from an overall purse of $13,273,253 for his victory on Sunday in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The rookie – whose winnings include $50,000 for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors – coasted across the finish line on an empty fuel tank in his No. 98 NAPA Auto Parts/Curb Honda for Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian. Rossi beat Andretti Autosport teammate Carlos Munoz by 4.4975 seconds, treating the sellout crowd to one of the more improbable finishes in Indy 500 history.
Rossi was the first rookie winner since Helio Castroneves in 2001 and the first American-born rookie champion since Louis Meyer in 1928.
Munoz, who led 10 laps including Laps 194-196 before pitting for fuel and surrendering the lead to Rossi, earned $788,743 for the runner-up effort in the No. 26 United Fiber & Data Honda.
Josef Newgarden drove the highest-finishing Chevrolet, taking third and $574,243 in the No. 21 Preferred Freezer Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing. He led 14 laps in what was his best finish in five Indianapolis 500 starts.
Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 champion, led five different times in the second half of the race for 19 laps overall in the wild race that featured 54 lead changes among 13 drivers. He earned $445,743 in the No. 10 NTT Data Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing Teams.
Rounding out the top five was Charlie Kimball, the only in the top five to not lead a lap. He earned $423,243 in the No. 42 Tresiba Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and now has four top-10 finishes in his last five Indy 500 starts.
Pole sitter James Hinchcliffe led 11 times for 27 laps, his fourth consecutive “500” with laps led. He won $502,993 in the No. 5 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda, which included the $100,00 Verizon P1 Award.
Ryan Hunter-Reay, the 2014 Indy 500 champion, led the most times (15) and the most laps (52) but could only muster a 24th-place finish after a pit road incident on Lap 117 with Andretti Autosport teammate Townsend Bell and Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves. Hunter-Reay earned $419,243 in the No. 28 DHL Honda.
Defending champion Juan Pablo Montoya was the first car out of Sunday’s race after a Lap 64 crash. He earned $339,493 in the No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.
The Indianapolis 500 purse consists of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Verizon IndyCar Series awards, plus other designated and special awards. Purse awards were announced and presented at the Victory Awards Celebration presented by Ice Miller, Contour Hardening, Inc., Allied Solutions and PWC on Monday, May 30, at the JW Marriott downtown.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Image by Eric Anderson
So ends my Month of May … as many of you know, I choose not to work on race day, spending my time with my family, in our seats on the main straightaway … we always arrive at the break of dawn to see the sun come up over the backstretch, being unbelievably thankful for the blessing of spending time together because of the sacrifice of those who have protected America.
With those thoughts in mind I will quietly slip into the shadows for a bit and spend time with Amy and our grandchildren. I will leave you in the hands of the terrifically talented scribes who bring auto racing alive, Gordon Kirby, John “Oreo” Orevicz, Jeff Olson, Andy Hallbery, Art Garner and so many more that there isn’t enough room here to list.
Needless to say my good friend Donald Davidson forever keeps the light of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway burning bright.
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The finest words I have ever read about this place and the world’s most important race day are from the final radio sign-off of Sid Collins …
“So now, the 60th running of the 500 here is now history. Since 1911, the hypnotic effect of speed upon driver and spectator alike is never dim. The run from the green flag to the checkered and on to Victory Lane here is a pursuit only one man in the world can accomplish once a year. Today, once again, Johnny Rutherford etched his name and his achievement upon the granite of time. He reigns supreme as the champion of the sport of auto racing this day and forever more. The massive crowd of more than 350,000 has threaded its way towards the exit gates as their eyes have taken a final sweep over the track before departing. For some, this has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, others will come back, but in every case, it’s always difficult to relinquish one’s grasp on the pulsating emotion that is the 500. And at this microphone we share that reaction of having to say goodbye to you across the many miles that separate us. But, another icy Indiana winter will come and go, and before we know it, springtime returns, it will be May, and the roar of engines will once again breathe life into the lazy Hoosier sky and bring us back together. God willing, I’ll be here to greet you for this annual reunion through our mutual love of auto racing and the Indianapolis 500…
… And now this final thought for our winner. Enthusiasm with wisdom will carry a man further than any amount of intellect without it. The men who have most-powerfully influenced the world have not been so much men of genius, as they have been men of strong conviction with an enduring capacity for work coupled with enthusiasm and determination. Johnny Rutherford showed these qualities today in becoming victorious over the Indianapolis 500…
… So until next May, this is Sid Collins, the Voice of the 500, wishing you good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, depending upon where in the world you are right now. We’re here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, at the Crossroads of America. Goodbye.”
Alexander Rossi toasts with ice cold milk in Victory Circle following his win in the 100th — IMS Image by Eric Anderson
INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 29, 2016) – On the biggest motorsports stage imaginable, Alexander Rossi picked the perfect day to make unimaginable history before a sellout crowd at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a worldwide television audience tuned in.
The 24-year-old Californian and Verizon IndyCar Series rookie literally coasted across the finish line to win the epic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in most memorable fashion.
Driving the No. 98 NAPA Auto Parts/Curb Honda, Rossi stretched his last tank of fuel over the final 36 laps around the hallowed 2.5-mile oval, running dry of Sunoco E85R as he entered Turn 4 on the final lap. The car’s momentum was enough to carry Rossi across the finish line 4.4975 seconds ahead of teammate Carlos Munoz.
In the process, Rossi became the 10th rookie in Indianapolis 500 history to win the race and the first since Helio Castroneves in 2001. He became a Verizon IndyCar Series winner in just his sixth race and the first to win a race in his debut season since Carlos Huertas in 2014.
“I have no idea how we pulled that off,” a stunned Rossi admitted in Victory Circle after drinking and then pouring the celebratory bottle of milk over his head. “We struggled a little bit in the pit stops but Bryan (Herta) came up with an unbelievable strategy. I can’t believe we’ve done this!”
In yet another thrilling Indianapolis 500 that saw 13 drivers swap the lead 54 times – the second most changes in Indy 500 history (68 in 2013) and seventh most for any Indy car race – Rossi led just 14 laps. The majority of the field, including Rossi, stopped for fuel and tires on Lap 164 during the caution period caused when Takuma Sato’s No. 14 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Honda made light contact with the Turn 4 wall.
Rossi sat seventh on the Lap 167 restart and bided his time as those ahead of him began to peel off for a splash of fuel in the final 10 laps. When race leader Munoz had to stop four laps from the completion of the 200-lap event, Rossi inherited the lead and nursed his car home with help of a tow from another Andretti teammate, Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Rossi’s final lap averaged 179.784 mph, nearly 40 mph slower than the charging Munoz, but he had cushion enough to coast across the famous yard of bricks by the largest margin of victory since the 1996 race.
“This is unbelievable,” said Herta, whose team merged with Andretti’s this year to form Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian and field Rossi, who left the American open-wheel junior ranks for Europe and made five Formula One starts in 2015 before returning to race on home soil.
“Man, it was so close at the end,” added Herta, Rossi’s race strategist. “For a rookie to drive with the poise he did in such a tough situation – I was telling him, ‘Don’t let anybody pass you but save fuel’ – and he did it.”
Rossi’s deal with Andretti Herta wasn’t formalized until a few weeks before the 2016 season opener. His best finish before today was 10th at the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 14. Now Rossi is an Indianapolis 500 champion and he continues a trend of rookies winning landmark Indy 500s started by Ray Harroun at the first race in 1911 and Graham Hill at the 50th in 1966.
“I don’t even know where to begin,” Rossi said. “In February I wasn’t even thinking about Indy car, and now we’ve just won the Indy 500. Thanks to an amazing group of people who gave me an opportunity to come here this year.”
The Indy 500 win was the fourth for Andretti Autosport (Dan Wheldon, 2005; Dario Franchitti, 2007; Hunter-Reay, 2014) and the second for Herta (Wheldon, 2011).
“After that last pit stop, I knew that Alex was going to try it,” co-owner Michael Andretti said. “We knew then, all right, if he’s going to try it, we’re going to try different strategies. It really worked out. We had two cars that had a shot at winning with two different strategies.
“To be a part of history, to win the 100th running, to win it with a 1-2 finish is incredible. I’m a bit speechless.”
For Munoz, it marked his second runner-up Indy 500 finish in four tries. The Colombian placed second to Tony Kanaan in 2013 to earn rookie of the year honors.
“I was really disappointed when it comes to fuel (strategy) and you lose the race because of that,” the 24-year-old said. “I was really disappointed to get second. Half a lap short, that’s what it took.”
Josef Newgarden finished third in the No. 21 Preferred Freezer Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing.
“Today’s gut-wrenching just because I think I had a winning car,” Newgarden said. “And when you know you have a winning car and you know you can win the thing and you go for it and it doesn’t happen because of a strategy call, it’s kind of tough.”
Kanaan was fourth in the No. 10 NTT Data Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing, leading 19 laps. It was the 12th Indy 500 that Kanaan has led, second only to A.J. Foyt’s 13. Charlie Kimball, also driving for Ganassi, finished fifth in the No. 42 Tresiba Chevrolet.
Defending Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya finished 33rd after crashing his No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet into the Turn 2 SAFER Barrier on his own on Lap 64. Montoya became just the third reigning winner to finish last at Indy, joining Jimmy Bryan in 1959 and Johnny Rutherford in 1977.
“I started making up some ground again and the car was actually pretty good,” said Montoya, who started 17th. “I went into (Turn) 2 with a big push and, when I got on the gas, it just came around. It’s just disappointing. Our Verizon Chevy was really good. Just a tough day.”
Hunter-Reay led a race-high 52 laps but had his bid for victory stifled following an incident on pit lane. Teammate Townsend Bell ran into Helio Castroneves on pit road and Bell’s car caromed into that of Hunter-Reay, who finished 24th.
Championship leader Simon Pagenaud finished 19th to end a three-race win streak. The Team Penske driver saw his points lead trimmed to 57 over Scott Dixon, who finished eighth. With double points awarded for the race in addition to qualifying points, Pagenaud has 292 to Dixon’s 235 after six of 16 races.
Castroneves failed for the seventh time to become a four-time Indy 500 winner, finishing 11th and retaining third place in the standings with 224 points. Newgarden vaulted from eighth to fourth in the championship with 211 points.
The next event on the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule is the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, featuring the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit, the only doubleheader race weekend on the 2016 calendar. The June 4 and 5 races air at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.
Kohler Co. will be the title sponsor for the Verizon IndyCar Series’ return to Road America, which will be known as the KOHLER Grand Prix. The green flag will fly on the event at approximately 12:15 pm CST on June 26.
“Kohler Co. is pleased to serve as the title sponsor for the KOHLER Grand Prix for the Verizon IndyCar Series at historic Road America. Verizon IndyCar events are among the most exciting in motorsports today as evidenced by the recent sell out of the 100th Indianapolis 500,” said David Kohler, President and CEO of Kohler Co. “Kohler shares this passion and enthusiasm and we are excited to welcome Verizon IndyCar fans to our home to take part in the return of IndyCar racing at Road America, one of the most beautiful and unique tracks in the world.”
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of more than 30,000 associates. With 48 manufacturing locations worldwide, Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products; engines and power systems; premier furniture, cabinetry and tile; and owner/operator of two of the world’s finest five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, and St Andrews, Scotland. The Kohler courses have hosted six Major golf championships to date, including the record-setting 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, and will host the Ryder Cup in 2020. Kohler’s Old Course Hotel in St Andrews served as host-hotel for the 2015 British Open. Kohler recently broke ground on LODGE KOHLER, a hotel development within the new Titletown District in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin.
“Kohler is a great fit for Road America,” said George Bruggenthies, Road America’s president and general manager. “They have a very unique brand that has been instrumental to Road America’s success through previous partnerships and initiatives while remaining dedicated to supporting the local area. We feel that Kohler Co. will incorporate itself very well in the racing community through this entitlement and we are very excited to have them on board in such a prestigious capacity.”
The Verizon IndyCar Series’ KOHLER Grand Prix takes center stage at Road America June 23-26 as an international lineup of drivers will have their chance to battle it out for glory on one of the world’s most revered road courses. The first IndyCar race at Road America took place in 1982, when Hector Rebqaue was crowned as the winner. In 2000, Dario Franchitti set the track record with a lap of 1 minute, 39.866 seconds (145.924 mph) set in qualifying for the 2000 race. Legendary drivers Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi have each won three times at Road America, while Jacques Villeneuve and Paul Tracy were two-time winners on the high-speed course.
Ten current Verizon IndyCar Series drivers have raced on the circuit, with Sebastien Bourdais winning the last Indy car race there in 2007 under Champ Car sanction.
“I am really excited to see Road America back on the 2016 Indy car schedule,” said Bourdais, a four-time Indy car champion who currently drives for KVSH Racing. “This place allows our cars to stretch their legs fully and show what the Verizon IndyCar Series is all about. For me, it is the best racetrack in North America and I have some great memories there, including the win in 2007, and I am looking forward to coming back.”
Tickets are still available and additional event details; ticket pricing, a tentative event schedule and camping information can be found at www.roadamerica.com or by calling 800-365-7223. New for 2016, anyone 16-years-old and under are FREE with a paying adult at the gate. All races will run rain or shine.
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