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1997 Indianapolis 500

81st Indianapolis 500
Indy500winningcar1997.JPG
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning body USAC/IRL
Season 1996-97 IRL season
Date May 25-26-27, 1997
Winner Arie Luyendyk
Winning team Treadway Racing
Average speed 145.827 mph
Pole position Arie Luyendyk
Pole speed 218.263
Fastest qualifier Arie Luyendyk
Rookie of the Year Jeff Ward
Most laps led Tony Stewart (64)
Pre-race ceremonies
National anthem Florence Henderson
"Back Home Again in Indiana" Jim Nabors (recording)
Starting Command Mari Hulman George
Pace car Oldsmobile Aurora
Pace car driver Johnny Rutherford
Attendance 400,000 (estimated)
TV in the United States
Network ABC
Announcers Paul Page, Tom Sneva, Bobby Unser, and Danny Sullivan
Chronology
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1996 1998

The 81st Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana over three days, May 25–27, 1997. It was originally scheduled for Sunday May 25, however, rain washed out all activities for the day. The race was started on Monday May 26, but rain halted the race after only 15 laps had been completed. On Tuesday May 27, the race was resumed, and was run to completion. The rain delay, as well as two controversies (one during time trials, and one during the race), put a damper on the month.

It was the second Indianapolis 500 held as part of the USAC-sanctioned Indy Racing League, and was part of the 1996-97 Pep Boys Indy Racing League season. It marked the introduction of a new production-based, normally aspirated engine formula as well as a new chassis design.

A controversy during qualifying saw two additional cars added to the field after the close of time trials. It was only the second time since 1933 that more than the traditional 33 cars composed the starting grid.

With two laps to go, polesitter Arie Luyendyk led teammate Scott Goodyear. A caution came out on the 199th lap, but the pace car did not come out to pick up the field. Drivers and crews expected the race would finish under the caution. Without warning, the green and white flag were displayed at the starter's stand on the final lap, signifying the track was back to racing conditions. None of the cars in the field were prepared for the restart, and yellow lights around the course remained illuminated for many seconds afterwards. Luyendyk held on to win, but controversy erupted regarding the officials' poor handling of the situation. Less than a month later, USAC was permanently removed from sanctioning the IRL and Indy 500, in favor of in-house officiating.


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