2011 Indianapolis 500 — Tagliani. Power and Castroneves prepare
Tuesday, 24. May 2011
Memorial Day Weekend will once again hear the racing engines winding it out with car insurance in Ontario at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The practice sessions for the 100th running of what has become the worldæ¯ greatest motor racing event are underway and qualifying will be taking place. After a two week rest the Indy Car series is back on the schedule with its premier event.
Drivers from around the world are ready to compete. Alex Tagliani, the Canadian driver has turned in the fastest practice lap to date and is prepared to take the pole on race day in Indianapolis. The first four races of the season are completed and Will Power, the driver for team Penske has taken all the poles in the first four races and has dominated early season racing. Power seems to be the dominant driver in Indy Car for 2011 so far. However Power has had a rough time in qualifying so far for the 500 and remains behind the lead pack that includes his fellow Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves.
Since this is the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500 there will be many special events that take place over race weekend. Drivers who own former Indy 500 pace cars and replica pace cars have been invited to take a ceremonial lap of the track during pre race events. There are over 250 participants currently signed up for this event. The pace car from the inaugural race will be represented as a Stoddard Dayton takes to the track 100 years after it paced the inaugural event.