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Indianapolis is a place like no other. For over a hundred years, this cathedral of speed has played host to some of the most legendary names in all of motorsports. Names like Haroon, Shaw, Meyer, Rose, Foyt, Unser, Andretti, Rutherford, and Mears have graced this great facility. No other motor racing event in the world possesses the history, the pageantry, the tradition that this race has. Now, for the 100th time, a brave group of men and women would put everything on the line for a chance at immortality. This was not just another race. This was Indianapolis. This was the 100th Running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Fans began to pour in through the gates as soon as the track opened at 5:30. This was going to be a truly special day. Very rarely does a sporting event of any kind reach its 100th edition, and this was by far not just any sporting event. This monumental event would, for about 7 hours, make the little town of Speedway, Indiana the 57th largest city in the nation.
The pageantry began with 18 former winners, representing a grand total of 39 Indy 500 victories, taking a ceremonial lap around the track in the special edition Chevrolet Camaro event cars. Many of them would later take to the track once again as a host of former Indy 500-winning cars took to the track, including, much to the delight of the crowd, the 1911 Marmon Wasp, which was driven to victory in the very first edition of the 500.
The performance of America, the Beautiful was made even more emotional by the sight of hundreds of men and women - serving in the army, navy, air force, and marines - marching in perfect formation down pit lane. This was followed up a few minutes later by the performance of God Bless America, during which an american bald eagle took flight in the infield.
After the driver introductions, the speedway honored a few survivors of the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, in a very moving piece showed on the jumbotrons. Those survivors were, of course, in attendance that day.
Soon after, country music star Darius Rucker performed the national anthem, which was capped off by the traditional flyover. Following this was yet another “500” tradition: the performance of Back Home Again in Indiana.
A special moment followed as virtually the entire Hulman-George family, representing 4 generations, uttered as one the most famous words in motorsports. On cue, the front stretch was filled with the sound of 21 engines roaring to life. Indy 500 legend A.J. Foyt waved the cars off the grid, and the field was away.
All 21 cars lined up in their rows of three, with William Kitsmer, Cole Rosemyer, and Sam Graves on the front row. After the two parade laps, the field went into the pace lap. Down the backstretch they went, all perfectly aligned. This was it. This was the moment everyone had waited over 100 years for. The field roared out of turn 4, accompanied by the cheers of over 350,000 fans. Actor Chris Pine waived the green flag, and the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 was on!!!
Kitsmer led the field through the first turn, Rosemyer right behind. Rosemyer made a move for the lead heading into turn 3 and managed to get around Kitsmer, and went on to lead the first lap. Zeke Bawlbowolf, Sam Graves, and Field T. Mouse followed them to complete the top 5, with Iron, rookie E.D. Curtis, Dart Wuffy, and rookies Shane Coyote and Formula Azurewolf rounding out the top 10. On the second lap, Graves took 3rd from Bawlbowolf. A lap later, Kitsmer retook the lead from Rosemyer, while defending champ Emily Vulpintaur made her way up to 11th after starting 16th. A lap later, she would take 10th from Harry while Rosemyer and Kitsmer swapped positions once again, with Kitsmer again taking the lead on lap 5. Lap 6, and AGAIN, the front two swapped postions, this time with Rosemyer back in front.
On lap 8, E.D. Curtis took 6th from Iron, while Vulpintaur was now up to 8th ahead of Dart Wuffy. A lap later, Kitsmer was once again back in front, and Vulpintaur’s surge to the front continued, as she got around Iron for 7th. The battle up front continued to rage, as Kitsmer and Rosemyer would trade off in the lead almost every lap. After 20 laps, William Kitsmer led Cole Rosemyer, with Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and E.D. Curtis - the highest-running rookie at the moment - rounding out the top 5. The rest of the top 10 was rookie Formula Azurewolf - who was on a surge at the moment, Emily Vulpintaur, Field T. Mouse, Iron, and Dart Wuffy.
Lap 24, and Rosemyer was back in the lead, with some more shuffling of positions behind them. Bawlbowolf was now 3rd, and Azurewolf was now up to 5th. Pitstops began a few laps later, with the whole field cycling through by lap 33. Azurewolf had a very good pitstop, while Kitsmer had a particularly bad one. After 40 laps, 100 miles, the full-field rundown had Cole Rosemyer, Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Formula Azurewolf, and Iron in the top 5, with William Kitsmer, E.D. Curtis, Emily Vulpintaur, Shane Coyote, and Harry rounding out the top 10. The rest of the order was Field T. Mouse, Michael Dragonson, Dart Wuffy, Zach T. Cheetah, Antoni Fox, France, Shockey Ruuka, Calyx Salazaar, Bryan Shadowolf, Kile Marka, and Draco Elijah Potens, the latter two being a lap down.
By lap 42, Sam Graves and Zeke Bawlbowolf had caught leader Cole Rosemyer, and Graves took the top spot. Two laps later, Emily Vulpintaur continued her move to the front by taking 7th from E.D. Curtis.
The first yellow came on lap 47, as debris was found on the backstretch. Everyone took the opportunity to come in and pit. A bit of drama unfolded as Field T. Mouse and Emily Vulpintaur made contact while exiting the pits, resulting in Field being sent to the back of the pack on for the restart. After the pitstops, Cole Rosemyer was back in the lead, with Formula Azurewolf, Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and William Kitsmer rounding out the top 5, with Iron, Shane Coyote, Emily Vulpintaur, E.D. Curtis, and Michael Dragonson completing the top 10.
The race resumed on lap 54, and Azurewolf got off to a slow restart, dropping from 2nd to 6th in just one lap. She dropped two more spots on the next lap, while Graves and Kitsmer moved up to 2nd and 3rd ahead of Bawlbowolf. Graves would take the lead from Rosemyer on lap 57. One lap later, and Rosemyer and Kitsmer both got around Graves to move to 1st and 2nd, respectively. Kitsmer was back in front on lap 59. It wouldn’t last long, however, as Rosemyer retook the lead on lap 61.
The yellow came out once again on lap 64. Calyx Salazaar had spun coming out of turn two and smacked the wall, sliding to a stop in the infield grass. Salazaar climbed from the car unhurt, but dejected.
Everyone pitted under the yellow, save for Field T. Mouse, who opted to go off-strategy. More drama unfolded in the pits as Formula Azurewolf made contact with E.D. Curtis on exit, resulting in the second “to-the-back” penalty of the day, this time for Azurewolf. For the restart, the top 10 was Field T. Mouse, William Kitsmer, Cole Rosemyer, Shane Coyote, Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Emily Vulpintaur, E.D. Curtis, and Michael Dragonson.
After a brief delay for slight moisture in turn 3, the race resumed on lap 75. William Kitsmer wasted no time in getting around Field for the lead as they headed for turn 1. Rosemyer got around Field for 2nd a lap later, while Shane fell two spots. Rosemyer took the lead from Kitsmer on lap 78, and maintained his lead over Kitsmer through the 80-lap, 200-mile point of the race, with Graves, Bawlbowolf, and Shane rounding out the top 5. The rest of the top 10 was Field T. Mouse, Emily Vulpintaur, Iron, Michael Dragonson, and E.D. Curtis. Dart Wuffy, Shockey Ruuka, Harry, Zach T. Cheetah, France, Antoni Fox, Formula Azurewolf, Bryan Shadowolf, Draco Elijah Potens, and Kile Marka made up the rest of the order.
On lap 81, William Kitsmer decided it was his turn to lead again, and he kept the lead until lap 85, when Rosemyer repassed him. Meanwhile, Shane Coyote had now made his way up to third. Michael Dragonson was on the move, as he took 7th from Emily Vulpintaur on lap 86. Two laps later, Kitsmer was back in the lead, while Sam Graves moved up to 4th ahead of Zeke Bawlbowolf. On lap 89, Shane got around Rosemyer for 2nd. The rookie was looking like he was on a mission. He had the lead on lap 92. Meanwhile, Field came in for his pitstop, dropping him all the way to 20th.
The yellow came out again on lap 94. Michael Dragonson had just taken 4th place when he lost it in turn 1, smacking the outside wall, ending his day.
Pitstops occurred once again under the yellow, this time without any major incidents. Harry, however, had a particularly bad pitstop, dropping him to 19th. The top 10 for the restart was Shane Coyote, Cole Rosemyer, William Kitsmer, Sam Graves, Dart Wuffy, Emily Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Shockey Ruuka, and E.D. Curtis, with Formula Azurewolf, Zach T. Cheetah, France, Antoni Fox, Bryan Shadowolf, Draco Elijah Potens, Field T. Mouse, Kile Marka, and Harry making up the balance of the order.
The race resumed on lap 104, just past halfway, and Cole Rosemyer made quick work of the rookie Shane, taking the lead into turn one. A lap later, Emily Vulpintaur and Zeke Bawlbowolf made their way up to 3rd and 4th respectively. Graves and Kitsmer both got around Bawlbowolf for 4th and 5th on lap 106. A lap later, Shane fell several spots as Vulpintaur, Graves, Kitsmer, and Bawlbowolf got around to take positions 2-5. Meanwhile, Formula Azurewolf was in trouble. Something had to be wrong, as she was dropping fast, now down to 14th. She fell yet another spot to 15th on lap 108.
Up front, the lead changed hands again, this time with Emily Vulpintaur taking the point from Cole Rosemyer. Lap 110 saw Rosemyer back in front. A lap later, Vulpintaur dropped to 4th as Graves and Kitsmer took 2nd and 3rd, while Shane Coyote took 5th from Bawlbowolf. Shane then took 4th from Vulpintaur as Formula Azurewolf dropped even more positions. A misfiring engine was hampering her, and she was now at the tail end of the lead lap in 19th.
Yet another lead change occurred up front on lap 113 as Sam Graves took the point from Rosemyer. Vulpintaur slid another two spots as Dart Wuffy was now 5th, and Zeke Bawlbowolf 6th.
Another yellow occurred on lap 115 as rookie Bryan Shadowolf hit the wall exiting turn 1. The crash slowed the field and allowed everyone else to catch their breath.
Everyone pitted on undre the yellow, but this time, major drama unfolded. Sam Graves exited his pitbox and bounced off Shane’s #40, which sent Graves right into the #1 of Rosemyer. Both Graves and Rosemyer sustained damage, and both needed to be rolled back into their stalls for repairs. It was a huge blow to both drivers, as two of the race’s biggest contenders were all but taken out of contention.
The full-field rundown after 120 laps, 300 miles, had Harry - whom had stayed out during this yellow - as the leader ahead of Shane Coyote, William Kitsmer, Emily Vulpintaur, and Dart Wuffy, with Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Shockey Ruuka, Antoni Fox, and France completing the top 10. Field T. Mouse, E.D. Curtis, Draco Elijah Potens, Zach T. Cheetah, Kile Marka, Formula Azurewolf, Sam Graves, and Cole Rosemyer made up the balance of the order.
The race resumed on lap 121, and Harry allowed the lapped car of Sam Graves to pass him. He tucked in behind Graves, and the two of them pulled away from the rest of the field while William Kitsmer and Shane Coyote fought for 2nd. On lap 125, Emily Vulpintaur managed to get around Shane for third. Vulpintaur then took 2nd from Kitsmer on lap 129. Antoni Fox was also on the move, as he took 7th from Dart Wuffy. Lap 132 saw Shane Coyote take 3rd from William Kitsmer. Meanwhile, Dart Wuffy had an issue, as he had dropped to 12th.
Shane Coyote managed to get around Emily Vulpintaur for 2nd on lap 136, while Iron took 5th from Zeke Bawlbowolf. Harry finally made his stop on lap 138, giving the lead to Shane and dropping Harry to 15th. More pitstops began a few laps later, and by lap 149, everyone had pitted save for Iron, Antoni Fox, Shockey Ruuka, and Formula Azurewolf.
The yellow came out yet again on lap 150, this time for debris. The rest of the field came in to pit, and the restart had Shane Coyote, Emily Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, William Kitsmer, Zach T. Cheetah, Field T. Mouse, Harry, Iron, E.D. Curtis, and Draco Elijah Potens in the top 10.
The race resumed on lap 158, and Emily Vulpintaur wasted no time taking the lead from Shane, who faded to fourth. After 160 laps, 400 miles, the full-field rundown had Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, William Kitsmer, Shane Coyote, Zach T. Cheetah, Iron, Field T. Mouse, Harry, E.D. Curtis, and Shockey Ruuka in the top ten, with Draco Elijah Potens, France, Cole Rosemyer, Dart Wuffy, Antoni Fox, Sam Graves (now back on the lead lap), Formula Azurewolf, and Kile Marka making up the balance of the order.
On lap 161, William Kitsmer surged ahead of Vulpintaur to take the lead after getting around both he and Bawlbowolf. Meanwhile, another contender was in trouble. Shane Coyote’s left rear wing pod was hanging off the car after light contact from Zach T. Cheetah. Shane was beginning to fade. Perhaps what saved him was the fact that it fell off the car, bringing out a yellow for debris.
Once again, almost everyone pitted under the yellow, save for Zach T. Cheetah, who was now off strategy. The restart order had Cheetah, William Kitsmer, Emily Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and Iron in the top 5, with Field T. Mouse, Harry, E.D. Curtis, Sam Graves, and Dart Wuffy rounding out the top 10.
The race resumed on lap 167, and Vulpintaur was once again in the lead on lap 168, with Kitsmer dropping to 4th. Bawlbowolf was up to 2nd a lap later. Kitsmer then got back around Zach T. Cheetah for 3rd on lap 170. There were now just thirty laps remaining.
For several laps, Vulpintaur led ahead of Bawlbowolf. Finally, on lap 179, Bawlbowolf made the pass for the lead. Meanwhile, Field T. Mouse had faded to 16th. Perhaps he was saving fuel? With 20 laps to go, the top 10 was Zeke Bawlbowolf, Emily Vulpintaur, William Kitsmer, Zach T. Cheetah, Iron, Sam Graves, Harry, France, E.D. Curtis, and Shockey Ruuka.
Lap 182 saw yet another change for the lead, as Emily Vulpintaur got around Zeke Bawlbowolf. A lap later, Bawlbowolf returned the favor as Iron took 4th from William Kitsmer. Zach T. Cheetah began the late-race pitstops as he came in with 15 laps to go. A lap later, Iron got around Emily Vulpintaur for 2nd. Suddenly, he was looking like a contender. Antoni Fox was in for a splash of fuel on lap 187. E.D. Curtis was beginning to fade rapidly, falling to 12th. Perhaps he was trying to stretch his fuel. The way things were looking, however, everyone would have to make one more stop.
Shockey Ruuka was the next to blink on lap 190. The top 10 with 10 laps to go was Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Emily Vulpintaur, William Kitsmer, Sam Graves, Harry, France, Shane Coyote, Dart Wuffy, an Cole Rosemyer.
After making a nice recovery from his pit incident with Cole Rosemyer, Sam Graves gave up 5th place to come in for his final stop on lap 191, while another lead change occurred up front. Iron was now the race leader ahead of Zeke Bawlbowolf. Vulpintaur came in a lap later as Bawlbowolf was now back in the lead. Behind him were Iron, William Kitsmer, France, and Harry.
Kile Marka’s crew was calling it a day. He had pulled into his pitstall complaining of mechanical issues. After having spent the last several minutes in pit lane, his crew undid his belts, and he climbed out of the car.
Iron retook the lead on lap 194 as France and Formula Azurewolf ducked into the pits. Bawlbowolf and Kitsmer ducked in a lap later. That left Iron in the lead with Harry in 2nd, followed by Dart Wuffy, Shane Coyote, and Cole Rosemyer. Both Iron and Wuffy peeled off on lap 196, giving the lead to Harry. Behind him were now Shane Coyote and Cole Rosemyer. Shane came in on lap 197. Harry now led Cole Rosemyer, but behind them, the battle for third was on. Iron, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and Emily Vulpintaur were putting on a show. Vulpintaur took 4th and now had Iron in her sights. Could she win it for the second year in a row?
Rosemyer ducked into the pits on lap 198, moving Iron and Emily Vulpintaur to 2nd and 3rd. Zeke Bawlbowolf lost a spot to E.D. Curtis. Up front, Harry had almost a full lap advantage, but he had yet to make his final stop.
Or did he?
He stayed out on track to cross the line with two laps to go. He went into turn 1, and there was a noticeable drop in speed. Was he perhaps trying to stretch his fuel to the end?
Emily Vulpintaur certainly didn’t think he was going to make it, as she rocketed around Iron for 2nd, and proceeded to put the lapped car of Formula Azurewolf between them, allowing her to distance herself from Iron. The race was hers, provided Harry didn’t have enough fuel to make it.
Harry rounded turn 4 at a noticeably slower pace. His lap speed on lap 198 had been 214mph. In contrast, Vulpintaur’s last lap had been 221 mph. Surely he was going to come in for a splash of fuel.
No, he stayed out!
Harry took the white flag, crossing the line to complete a lap of a mere 190 mph. He went into the first turn at a crawl. Was he out of fuel!?
Vulpintaur was standing on it, carving into Harry’s 15-second lead little by little.
Halfway down the backstretch, Harry stood on it as well, using what little fuel he had left to try to maintain his lead. At this point, he didn’t care if he ran out of fuel. This was about more than just finishing well. This was a chance at immortality.
Harry gunned it through turn 3 and into turn 4, then his engine was silent.
He was out of fuel.
But he didn’t care.
By now, he had enough momentum to carry him down the fronstretch, rolling across the yard of bricks at a mere 113 mph, his fist pumping in pure joy at what he had just accomplished.
He had just won the Indianapolis 500.
His car finally rolled to a stop at the entrance to turn 4, where he received a tow to victory lane. He was in utter shock as he removed his helmet and climbed out of the car. He was met with thunderous applause as the ceremonial Borg Warner wreath was placed around his neck, and he was handed the bottle of milk.
Never in his life had milk ever tasted as good as it did in that moment.
He shed tears of joy as he drank the bottle of milk. He had done it.
It was Harry’s first ever victory, but it was made even more special because of where it was.
Not only was he now an Indianapolis 500 champion, he had won the 100th Running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
RACE RESULTS:
1. (7) 42 - Harry
2. (16) 6 - Emily Vulpintaur
3. (9) 9 - Iron
4. (5) 21 - E.D. Curtis ®
5. (4) 26 - Zeke Bawlbowolf
6. (3) 72 - Sam Graves
7. (13) 49 - Zach T. Cheetah ®
8. (2) 1 - Cole Rosemyer
9. (1) 27 - William Kitsmer
10. (17) 13 - France
11. (14) 62 - Shockey Ruuka
12. (8) 2 - Field T. Mouse
13. (12) 88 - Dart Wuffy
14. (6) 40 - Shane Coyote ®
15. (11) 93 - Antoni Fox
16. (20) 57 - Draco Elijah Potens
17. (10) 85 - Formula Azurewolf ®
18. (18) 00 - Kile Marka ®
19. (19) 99 - Bryan Shadowolf ®
20. (15) 14 - Michael Dragonson ®
21. (21) 73 - Calyx Salazaar
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. Zeke Bawlbowolf - 279
2. Cole Rosemyer - 265
3. Emily Vulpintaur - 233
4. William Kitsmer - 209
5. Field T. Mouse - 206
6. Michael Dragonson ® - 191
7. Dart Wuffy - 168
8. Shockey Ruuka - 167
9. Draco Elijah Potens - 120
10. Antoni Fox - 115
11. Harry - 115
12. Sam Graves - 103
13. Iron - 83
14. E.D. Curtis ® - 83
15. Zach T. Cheetah ® - 61
16. Calyx Salazaar - 49
17. Shane Coyote ® - 49
18. France - 45
19. Formula Azurewolf ® - 38
20. Kile Marka ® - 28
21. Bryan Shadowolf ® - 25
Indy 500 logo is © IMS
Fans began to pour in through the gates as soon as the track opened at 5:30. This was going to be a truly special day. Very rarely does a sporting event of any kind reach its 100th edition, and this was by far not just any sporting event. This monumental event would, for about 7 hours, make the little town of Speedway, Indiana the 57th largest city in the nation.
The pageantry began with 18 former winners, representing a grand total of 39 Indy 500 victories, taking a ceremonial lap around the track in the special edition Chevrolet Camaro event cars. Many of them would later take to the track once again as a host of former Indy 500-winning cars took to the track, including, much to the delight of the crowd, the 1911 Marmon Wasp, which was driven to victory in the very first edition of the 500.
The performance of America, the Beautiful was made even more emotional by the sight of hundreds of men and women - serving in the army, navy, air force, and marines - marching in perfect formation down pit lane. This was followed up a few minutes later by the performance of God Bless America, during which an american bald eagle took flight in the infield.
After the driver introductions, the speedway honored a few survivors of the attacks on Pearl Harbor in 1941, in a very moving piece showed on the jumbotrons. Those survivors were, of course, in attendance that day.
Soon after, country music star Darius Rucker performed the national anthem, which was capped off by the traditional flyover. Following this was yet another “500” tradition: the performance of Back Home Again in Indiana.
A special moment followed as virtually the entire Hulman-George family, representing 4 generations, uttered as one the most famous words in motorsports. On cue, the front stretch was filled with the sound of 21 engines roaring to life. Indy 500 legend A.J. Foyt waved the cars off the grid, and the field was away.
All 21 cars lined up in their rows of three, with William Kitsmer, Cole Rosemyer, and Sam Graves on the front row. After the two parade laps, the field went into the pace lap. Down the backstretch they went, all perfectly aligned. This was it. This was the moment everyone had waited over 100 years for. The field roared out of turn 4, accompanied by the cheers of over 350,000 fans. Actor Chris Pine waived the green flag, and the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 was on!!!
Kitsmer led the field through the first turn, Rosemyer right behind. Rosemyer made a move for the lead heading into turn 3 and managed to get around Kitsmer, and went on to lead the first lap. Zeke Bawlbowolf, Sam Graves, and Field T. Mouse followed them to complete the top 5, with Iron, rookie E.D. Curtis, Dart Wuffy, and rookies Shane Coyote and Formula Azurewolf rounding out the top 10. On the second lap, Graves took 3rd from Bawlbowolf. A lap later, Kitsmer retook the lead from Rosemyer, while defending champ Emily Vulpintaur made her way up to 11th after starting 16th. A lap later, she would take 10th from Harry while Rosemyer and Kitsmer swapped positions once again, with Kitsmer again taking the lead on lap 5. Lap 6, and AGAIN, the front two swapped postions, this time with Rosemyer back in front.
On lap 8, E.D. Curtis took 6th from Iron, while Vulpintaur was now up to 8th ahead of Dart Wuffy. A lap later, Kitsmer was once again back in front, and Vulpintaur’s surge to the front continued, as she got around Iron for 7th. The battle up front continued to rage, as Kitsmer and Rosemyer would trade off in the lead almost every lap. After 20 laps, William Kitsmer led Cole Rosemyer, with Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and E.D. Curtis - the highest-running rookie at the moment - rounding out the top 5. The rest of the top 10 was rookie Formula Azurewolf - who was on a surge at the moment, Emily Vulpintaur, Field T. Mouse, Iron, and Dart Wuffy.
Lap 24, and Rosemyer was back in the lead, with some more shuffling of positions behind them. Bawlbowolf was now 3rd, and Azurewolf was now up to 5th. Pitstops began a few laps later, with the whole field cycling through by lap 33. Azurewolf had a very good pitstop, while Kitsmer had a particularly bad one. After 40 laps, 100 miles, the full-field rundown had Cole Rosemyer, Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Formula Azurewolf, and Iron in the top 5, with William Kitsmer, E.D. Curtis, Emily Vulpintaur, Shane Coyote, and Harry rounding out the top 10. The rest of the order was Field T. Mouse, Michael Dragonson, Dart Wuffy, Zach T. Cheetah, Antoni Fox, France, Shockey Ruuka, Calyx Salazaar, Bryan Shadowolf, Kile Marka, and Draco Elijah Potens, the latter two being a lap down.
By lap 42, Sam Graves and Zeke Bawlbowolf had caught leader Cole Rosemyer, and Graves took the top spot. Two laps later, Emily Vulpintaur continued her move to the front by taking 7th from E.D. Curtis.
The first yellow came on lap 47, as debris was found on the backstretch. Everyone took the opportunity to come in and pit. A bit of drama unfolded as Field T. Mouse and Emily Vulpintaur made contact while exiting the pits, resulting in Field being sent to the back of the pack on for the restart. After the pitstops, Cole Rosemyer was back in the lead, with Formula Azurewolf, Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and William Kitsmer rounding out the top 5, with Iron, Shane Coyote, Emily Vulpintaur, E.D. Curtis, and Michael Dragonson completing the top 10.
The race resumed on lap 54, and Azurewolf got off to a slow restart, dropping from 2nd to 6th in just one lap. She dropped two more spots on the next lap, while Graves and Kitsmer moved up to 2nd and 3rd ahead of Bawlbowolf. Graves would take the lead from Rosemyer on lap 57. One lap later, and Rosemyer and Kitsmer both got around Graves to move to 1st and 2nd, respectively. Kitsmer was back in front on lap 59. It wouldn’t last long, however, as Rosemyer retook the lead on lap 61.
The yellow came out once again on lap 64. Calyx Salazaar had spun coming out of turn two and smacked the wall, sliding to a stop in the infield grass. Salazaar climbed from the car unhurt, but dejected.
Everyone pitted under the yellow, save for Field T. Mouse, who opted to go off-strategy. More drama unfolded in the pits as Formula Azurewolf made contact with E.D. Curtis on exit, resulting in the second “to-the-back” penalty of the day, this time for Azurewolf. For the restart, the top 10 was Field T. Mouse, William Kitsmer, Cole Rosemyer, Shane Coyote, Sam Graves, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Emily Vulpintaur, E.D. Curtis, and Michael Dragonson.
After a brief delay for slight moisture in turn 3, the race resumed on lap 75. William Kitsmer wasted no time in getting around Field for the lead as they headed for turn 1. Rosemyer got around Field for 2nd a lap later, while Shane fell two spots. Rosemyer took the lead from Kitsmer on lap 78, and maintained his lead over Kitsmer through the 80-lap, 200-mile point of the race, with Graves, Bawlbowolf, and Shane rounding out the top 5. The rest of the top 10 was Field T. Mouse, Emily Vulpintaur, Iron, Michael Dragonson, and E.D. Curtis. Dart Wuffy, Shockey Ruuka, Harry, Zach T. Cheetah, France, Antoni Fox, Formula Azurewolf, Bryan Shadowolf, Draco Elijah Potens, and Kile Marka made up the rest of the order.
On lap 81, William Kitsmer decided it was his turn to lead again, and he kept the lead until lap 85, when Rosemyer repassed him. Meanwhile, Shane Coyote had now made his way up to third. Michael Dragonson was on the move, as he took 7th from Emily Vulpintaur on lap 86. Two laps later, Kitsmer was back in the lead, while Sam Graves moved up to 4th ahead of Zeke Bawlbowolf. On lap 89, Shane got around Rosemyer for 2nd. The rookie was looking like he was on a mission. He had the lead on lap 92. Meanwhile, Field came in for his pitstop, dropping him all the way to 20th.
The yellow came out again on lap 94. Michael Dragonson had just taken 4th place when he lost it in turn 1, smacking the outside wall, ending his day.
Pitstops occurred once again under the yellow, this time without any major incidents. Harry, however, had a particularly bad pitstop, dropping him to 19th. The top 10 for the restart was Shane Coyote, Cole Rosemyer, William Kitsmer, Sam Graves, Dart Wuffy, Emily Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Shockey Ruuka, and E.D. Curtis, with Formula Azurewolf, Zach T. Cheetah, France, Antoni Fox, Bryan Shadowolf, Draco Elijah Potens, Field T. Mouse, Kile Marka, and Harry making up the balance of the order.
The race resumed on lap 104, just past halfway, and Cole Rosemyer made quick work of the rookie Shane, taking the lead into turn one. A lap later, Emily Vulpintaur and Zeke Bawlbowolf made their way up to 3rd and 4th respectively. Graves and Kitsmer both got around Bawlbowolf for 4th and 5th on lap 106. A lap later, Shane fell several spots as Vulpintaur, Graves, Kitsmer, and Bawlbowolf got around to take positions 2-5. Meanwhile, Formula Azurewolf was in trouble. Something had to be wrong, as she was dropping fast, now down to 14th. She fell yet another spot to 15th on lap 108.
Up front, the lead changed hands again, this time with Emily Vulpintaur taking the point from Cole Rosemyer. Lap 110 saw Rosemyer back in front. A lap later, Vulpintaur dropped to 4th as Graves and Kitsmer took 2nd and 3rd, while Shane Coyote took 5th from Bawlbowolf. Shane then took 4th from Vulpintaur as Formula Azurewolf dropped even more positions. A misfiring engine was hampering her, and she was now at the tail end of the lead lap in 19th.
Yet another lead change occurred up front on lap 113 as Sam Graves took the point from Rosemyer. Vulpintaur slid another two spots as Dart Wuffy was now 5th, and Zeke Bawlbowolf 6th.
Another yellow occurred on lap 115 as rookie Bryan Shadowolf hit the wall exiting turn 1. The crash slowed the field and allowed everyone else to catch their breath.
Everyone pitted on undre the yellow, but this time, major drama unfolded. Sam Graves exited his pitbox and bounced off Shane’s #40, which sent Graves right into the #1 of Rosemyer. Both Graves and Rosemyer sustained damage, and both needed to be rolled back into their stalls for repairs. It was a huge blow to both drivers, as two of the race’s biggest contenders were all but taken out of contention.
The full-field rundown after 120 laps, 300 miles, had Harry - whom had stayed out during this yellow - as the leader ahead of Shane Coyote, William Kitsmer, Emily Vulpintaur, and Dart Wuffy, with Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Shockey Ruuka, Antoni Fox, and France completing the top 10. Field T. Mouse, E.D. Curtis, Draco Elijah Potens, Zach T. Cheetah, Kile Marka, Formula Azurewolf, Sam Graves, and Cole Rosemyer made up the balance of the order.
The race resumed on lap 121, and Harry allowed the lapped car of Sam Graves to pass him. He tucked in behind Graves, and the two of them pulled away from the rest of the field while William Kitsmer and Shane Coyote fought for 2nd. On lap 125, Emily Vulpintaur managed to get around Shane for third. Vulpintaur then took 2nd from Kitsmer on lap 129. Antoni Fox was also on the move, as he took 7th from Dart Wuffy. Lap 132 saw Shane Coyote take 3rd from William Kitsmer. Meanwhile, Dart Wuffy had an issue, as he had dropped to 12th.
Shane Coyote managed to get around Emily Vulpintaur for 2nd on lap 136, while Iron took 5th from Zeke Bawlbowolf. Harry finally made his stop on lap 138, giving the lead to Shane and dropping Harry to 15th. More pitstops began a few laps later, and by lap 149, everyone had pitted save for Iron, Antoni Fox, Shockey Ruuka, and Formula Azurewolf.
The yellow came out yet again on lap 150, this time for debris. The rest of the field came in to pit, and the restart had Shane Coyote, Emily Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, William Kitsmer, Zach T. Cheetah, Field T. Mouse, Harry, Iron, E.D. Curtis, and Draco Elijah Potens in the top 10.
The race resumed on lap 158, and Emily Vulpintaur wasted no time taking the lead from Shane, who faded to fourth. After 160 laps, 400 miles, the full-field rundown had Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, William Kitsmer, Shane Coyote, Zach T. Cheetah, Iron, Field T. Mouse, Harry, E.D. Curtis, and Shockey Ruuka in the top ten, with Draco Elijah Potens, France, Cole Rosemyer, Dart Wuffy, Antoni Fox, Sam Graves (now back on the lead lap), Formula Azurewolf, and Kile Marka making up the balance of the order.
On lap 161, William Kitsmer surged ahead of Vulpintaur to take the lead after getting around both he and Bawlbowolf. Meanwhile, another contender was in trouble. Shane Coyote’s left rear wing pod was hanging off the car after light contact from Zach T. Cheetah. Shane was beginning to fade. Perhaps what saved him was the fact that it fell off the car, bringing out a yellow for debris.
Once again, almost everyone pitted under the yellow, save for Zach T. Cheetah, who was now off strategy. The restart order had Cheetah, William Kitsmer, Emily Vulpintaur, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and Iron in the top 5, with Field T. Mouse, Harry, E.D. Curtis, Sam Graves, and Dart Wuffy rounding out the top 10.
The race resumed on lap 167, and Vulpintaur was once again in the lead on lap 168, with Kitsmer dropping to 4th. Bawlbowolf was up to 2nd a lap later. Kitsmer then got back around Zach T. Cheetah for 3rd on lap 170. There were now just thirty laps remaining.
For several laps, Vulpintaur led ahead of Bawlbowolf. Finally, on lap 179, Bawlbowolf made the pass for the lead. Meanwhile, Field T. Mouse had faded to 16th. Perhaps he was saving fuel? With 20 laps to go, the top 10 was Zeke Bawlbowolf, Emily Vulpintaur, William Kitsmer, Zach T. Cheetah, Iron, Sam Graves, Harry, France, E.D. Curtis, and Shockey Ruuka.
Lap 182 saw yet another change for the lead, as Emily Vulpintaur got around Zeke Bawlbowolf. A lap later, Bawlbowolf returned the favor as Iron took 4th from William Kitsmer. Zach T. Cheetah began the late-race pitstops as he came in with 15 laps to go. A lap later, Iron got around Emily Vulpintaur for 2nd. Suddenly, he was looking like a contender. Antoni Fox was in for a splash of fuel on lap 187. E.D. Curtis was beginning to fade rapidly, falling to 12th. Perhaps he was trying to stretch his fuel. The way things were looking, however, everyone would have to make one more stop.
Shockey Ruuka was the next to blink on lap 190. The top 10 with 10 laps to go was Zeke Bawlbowolf, Iron, Emily Vulpintaur, William Kitsmer, Sam Graves, Harry, France, Shane Coyote, Dart Wuffy, an Cole Rosemyer.
After making a nice recovery from his pit incident with Cole Rosemyer, Sam Graves gave up 5th place to come in for his final stop on lap 191, while another lead change occurred up front. Iron was now the race leader ahead of Zeke Bawlbowolf. Vulpintaur came in a lap later as Bawlbowolf was now back in the lead. Behind him were Iron, William Kitsmer, France, and Harry.
Kile Marka’s crew was calling it a day. He had pulled into his pitstall complaining of mechanical issues. After having spent the last several minutes in pit lane, his crew undid his belts, and he climbed out of the car.
Iron retook the lead on lap 194 as France and Formula Azurewolf ducked into the pits. Bawlbowolf and Kitsmer ducked in a lap later. That left Iron in the lead with Harry in 2nd, followed by Dart Wuffy, Shane Coyote, and Cole Rosemyer. Both Iron and Wuffy peeled off on lap 196, giving the lead to Harry. Behind him were now Shane Coyote and Cole Rosemyer. Shane came in on lap 197. Harry now led Cole Rosemyer, but behind them, the battle for third was on. Iron, Zeke Bawlbowolf, and Emily Vulpintaur were putting on a show. Vulpintaur took 4th and now had Iron in her sights. Could she win it for the second year in a row?
Rosemyer ducked into the pits on lap 198, moving Iron and Emily Vulpintaur to 2nd and 3rd. Zeke Bawlbowolf lost a spot to E.D. Curtis. Up front, Harry had almost a full lap advantage, but he had yet to make his final stop.
Or did he?
He stayed out on track to cross the line with two laps to go. He went into turn 1, and there was a noticeable drop in speed. Was he perhaps trying to stretch his fuel to the end?
Emily Vulpintaur certainly didn’t think he was going to make it, as she rocketed around Iron for 2nd, and proceeded to put the lapped car of Formula Azurewolf between them, allowing her to distance herself from Iron. The race was hers, provided Harry didn’t have enough fuel to make it.
Harry rounded turn 4 at a noticeably slower pace. His lap speed on lap 198 had been 214mph. In contrast, Vulpintaur’s last lap had been 221 mph. Surely he was going to come in for a splash of fuel.
No, he stayed out!
Harry took the white flag, crossing the line to complete a lap of a mere 190 mph. He went into the first turn at a crawl. Was he out of fuel!?
Vulpintaur was standing on it, carving into Harry’s 15-second lead little by little.
Halfway down the backstretch, Harry stood on it as well, using what little fuel he had left to try to maintain his lead. At this point, he didn’t care if he ran out of fuel. This was about more than just finishing well. This was a chance at immortality.
Harry gunned it through turn 3 and into turn 4, then his engine was silent.
He was out of fuel.
But he didn’t care.
By now, he had enough momentum to carry him down the fronstretch, rolling across the yard of bricks at a mere 113 mph, his fist pumping in pure joy at what he had just accomplished.
He had just won the Indianapolis 500.
His car finally rolled to a stop at the entrance to turn 4, where he received a tow to victory lane. He was in utter shock as he removed his helmet and climbed out of the car. He was met with thunderous applause as the ceremonial Borg Warner wreath was placed around his neck, and he was handed the bottle of milk.
Never in his life had milk ever tasted as good as it did in that moment.
He shed tears of joy as he drank the bottle of milk. He had done it.
It was Harry’s first ever victory, but it was made even more special because of where it was.
Not only was he now an Indianapolis 500 champion, he had won the 100th Running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
RACE RESULTS:
1. (7) 42 - Harry
2. (16) 6 - Emily Vulpintaur
3. (9) 9 - Iron
4. (5) 21 - E.D. Curtis ®
5. (4) 26 - Zeke Bawlbowolf
6. (3) 72 - Sam Graves
7. (13) 49 - Zach T. Cheetah ®
8. (2) 1 - Cole Rosemyer
9. (1) 27 - William Kitsmer
10. (17) 13 - France
11. (14) 62 - Shockey Ruuka
12. (8) 2 - Field T. Mouse
13. (12) 88 - Dart Wuffy
14. (6) 40 - Shane Coyote ®
15. (11) 93 - Antoni Fox
16. (20) 57 - Draco Elijah Potens
17. (10) 85 - Formula Azurewolf ®
18. (18) 00 - Kile Marka ®
19. (19) 99 - Bryan Shadowolf ®
20. (15) 14 - Michael Dragonson ®
21. (21) 73 - Calyx Salazaar
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. Zeke Bawlbowolf - 279
2. Cole Rosemyer - 265
3. Emily Vulpintaur - 233
4. William Kitsmer - 209
5. Field T. Mouse - 206
6. Michael Dragonson ® - 191
7. Dart Wuffy - 168
8. Shockey Ruuka - 167
9. Draco Elijah Potens - 120
10. Antoni Fox - 115
11. Harry - 115
12. Sam Graves - 103
13. Iron - 83
14. E.D. Curtis ® - 83
15. Zach T. Cheetah ® - 61
16. Calyx Salazaar - 49
17. Shane Coyote ® - 49
18. France - 45
19. Formula Azurewolf ® - 38
20. Kile Marka ® - 28
21. Bryan Shadowolf ® - 25
Indy 500 logo is © IMS
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File Size 16.9 kB
.......... . I cant believe it. After all these year of racing at the local track(our shop is about 2 miles from it).we finally did it and it couldnt have been a better time to make the first win.
I was actually speechless at the end as to me this was a special event as i can hear the races and everything leading up to the race from my home and i have always been fascinated by the race and the track itself. This is kinda why you rarely see me outside of indy as the other tracks just dont hold quite the soul like indy.
I was actually speechless at the end as to me this was a special event as i can hear the races and everything leading up to the race from my home and i have always been fascinated by the race and the track itself. This is kinda why you rarely see me outside of indy as the other tracks just dont hold quite the soul like indy.
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