2025 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500

[rd45usa]

 

[sdj]

Thanks @rd45usa , great information!

 

[donthaveanickname]

I always look forward to the day this thread is put up. Can't wait to study practice times every day for the next two weeks.
The 500 is never predictable and with the début of the hybrid it might be more unpredictable than ever.
I don't think we'll see another Palou walkover win.

 

[sdj]

@donthaveanickname , I'm a casual Indy car fan. What do you mean about the "hybrid debut".

 

[Charlie Spencer]

@donthaveanickname , I'm a casual Indy car fan. What do you mean about the "hybrid debut".

Since last year's 500, IndyCar adopted a mandatory hybrid system. This is the first time the cars will race the 500 with it.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

This is the second year in the last three that I've somehow scheduled an extended vacation trip that overlaps with the most important weekend on the North American racing calendar. At least this year I'll be in the states (New Mexico) instead of England, so finding coverage will be much easier. I =think= my provider's app will work out there so I will at least be able to record both races. I must to remember to book May vacations for the All-Star weekend instead!

 

[FLRacingFan]

 

[FLRacingFan]

Slight change to today’s schedule since all other veteran refreshers/ROPs were completed at the open test:

 

[FLRacingFan]

Rain has stopped, finally:

 

[sdj]

@FLRacingFan , What is the Kanaan refresher session about?

 

[FLRacingFan]

@FLRacingFan , What is the Kanaan refresher session about?

Since he hasn’t raced in two years, TK has to complete a 30-lap program to be cleared to step into the 17 in case the 500 gets delayed again and Larson prioritizes the 600.

 

[FLRacingFan]

Already reverting back to last year’s chassis:

 

[Speedbowl14]

Buxton has done a great job in the booth. You can tell he is tickled pink to be announcing at Indy.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Short green session around 5pm lasted about 15 minutes. Palou 227.546, just a 4/100ths short of a full 2mph ahead of Power. Larson 11th 223.746. Back under yellow for weather.

 

[Doc Austin]

​

 

[Nitro Dude]

I don’t know if this has been mentioned anywhere here, but I just saw that Fox has added Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart to the broadcast lineup. That’s awesome.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

I don’t know if this has been mentioned anywhere here, but I just saw that Fox has added Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart to the broadcast lineup. That’s awesome.

I don't know how much value they'll bring. Neither have been in this car, or run an oval in the last several years. One reason I think Jr. does a good job as a commentator is because he still races a couple of times a year.

 

[FLRacingFan]

I don't know how much value they'll bring. Neither have been in this car, or run an oval in the last several years. One reason I think Jr. does a good job as a commentator is because he still races a couple of times a year.

I think Tony is at least an interesting personality to have around. I reserve comment on Danica.

 

[FLRacingFan]

Biggest crowd since the 100th running in 2016. ~ 350k expected:

 

[Tony_K]

I reserve comment on Danica.

I won't. She never adds anything of interest or value.

I really hate it when F1 coverage adds her to the prerace show. Again, nothing she says contributes to the show. I'm pretty sure I could add more than she does.

My opinion and others may disagree.

 

[FLRacingFan]

Kyffin Simpson with a huge one with the boost turned up and car trimmed out for quali sims on Fast Friday. Tough one. That’s gonna be a whole new car very late in the game.

 

[FLRacingFan]

^ Really fortunate they’ve mostly figured out how to get these cars to ‘sit’ back down pretty well - that very easily could’ve become a blowover into the fence.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

^ Really fortunate they’ve mostly figured out how to get these cars to ‘sit’ back down pretty well - that very easily could’ve become a blowover into the fence.

That was my first thought - it didn't go completely over.

 

[rd45usa]

Nascar needs to take note of the track and safety crew at IMS, hands down the best in the world for racing.

 

[rd45usa]

I don’t know how they remember witch button is for what, I have a hard enough time with my remote.

 

[KTMLew01]

^ Really fortunate they’ve mostly figured out how to get these cars to ‘sit’ back down pretty well - that very easily could’ve become a blowover into the fence.

Almost made it back to his pit to get fresh tires and new underwear.

 

[virtualbalboa]

Nascar needs to take note of the track and safety crew at IMS, hands down the best in the world for racing.

Has NASCAR even bothered yet to have a real safety team rather than contracting local paramedics?

Cars are breaking 230mph today. That's all I care about.

 

[Charlie Spencer]

I don’t know how they remember witch button is for what, I have a hard enough time with my remote.

Simple: practice. What would drive me nuts (nuttier) is going from the wheel on an Indy car to a wheel with different controls and capabilities, like IMSA or F1. Hell, I get screwed up going between our Ford and Mazda.

 

[FLRacingFan]

Incident #2 for Larson at the Speedway. Seen and released from the care center, car should more or less be okay beyond the nose cone.

 

[FLRacingFan]

If it stays this slick all weekend, oh man. These could be some of the most ragged qualifying attempts we’ve seen in a while. The change in balance from the hybrid weight has only made things trickier as well.

 

[Tony_K]

Dammit Larson! Stop crashing.

 

[rd45usa]

Incident #2 for Larson at the Speedway. Seen and released from the care center, car should more or less be okay beyond the nose cone.

Just like the old timers used to say, there are two types of drivers, those who have hit the wall and those who have not hit the wall yet.

 

[Ford 222]

Since last year's 500, IndyCar adopted a mandatory hybrid system. This is the first time the cars will race the 500 with it.

Anyone know where I could learn more about this hybrid system in relativity layman terms? Lol. What kind of assist does it give the engine, when, how do they “regen” it, etc? Crazy how the battery depletes to zero so fast and charges about as fast?

 

[Charlie Spencer]

Anyone know where I could learn more about this hybrid system in relativity layman terms? Lol. What kind of assist does it give the engine, when, how do they “regen” it, etc? Crazy how the battery depletes to zero so fast and charges about as fast?

Hybrid Power Unit Overview

The Official Site of IndyCar News, Drivers, Schedule & Shop | IndyCar.com

www.indycar.com

 

[rd45usa]

Qualifying Draw | 2025 Indianapolis 500​

 

[FLRacingFan]

Anyone know where I could learn more about this hybrid system in relativity layman terms? Lol. What kind of assist does it give the engine, when, how do they “regen” it, etc? Crazy how the battery depletes to zero so fast and charges about as fast?

They went with a supercapacitor storage solution over a battery because of its ability to charge and deploy so quickly. For regen on a superspeedway like Indy there’s a paddle on the back of the steering wheel they can use to brush the brakes (they can manually adjust the rate of regen/deploy), or they can opt for a software solution that regens at a set rate as the driver lifts. It’s a big unknown as to how it’ll play out in the race since it hasn’t been run on a big oval yet.

 

[2 Sweet]

So pumped for this. Probably my favorite event of the year

 

[Mispeedway15]

I wonder if we need a little more downforce with the new car

 

[virtualbalboa]

Woke up to see Armstrong wrecked his car this morning and had to take an ambulance ride. That's too bad for him but hey, that's the speedway for you.

 

[Hotrod]

Woke up to see Armstrong wrecked his car this morning and had to take an ambulance ride. That's too bad for him but hey, that's the speedway for you.

We're on the same wave length. I too am just catching up on the Armstrong crash.
This has been quite the year for Indy 500 practice crashes. Just thankful for no serious
injuries. Its amazing how these teams can rebuild these cars so quickly to be ready
for qualification.