2020 Indianapolis 500

The 2020 Indianapolis 500 (branded as the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge for sponsorship reasons) is an IndyCar Series event scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2020, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.[1] The Indianapolis 500 is the premier event of the 2020 IndyCar Series. The race is scheduled for 500 miles (200 laps). Simon Pagenaud of Team Penske is the defending race winner and defending pole position winner.

104th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning bodyIndyCar
Season2020 IndyCar season
DateAugust 23, 2020
Pole position Marco Andretti
Pole speed231.068 mph (371.868 km/h)
Pre-race ceremonies
Pace carChevrolet Corvette (C8) Stingray
Pace car driverMark Reuss
TV in the United States
NetworkNBC
AnnouncersLap-by-lap: Leigh Diffey
Driver analyst: Townsend Bell
Driver analyst: Paul Tracy
Chronology
Previous Next
2019 2021

Originally scheduled for May 24, the race was postponed to August due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The 2020 running will be the first time the race is not held in the month of May, and the first time not held on or around Memorial Day.[3] On August 4, it was announced that the race will be held without spectators.[4]

Practice was held on August 12–14 and time trials was held on August 15–16. Carb Day, the traditional final day of practice, is scheduled for August 21. Marco Andretti, son of Michael Andretti and grandson of 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario Andretti, won the pole position for Andretti Autosport. The achievement came 33 years after Mario won his third pole in 1987.[5] It was the first Indy pole for Andretti Autosport since 2005.

Race background

The Pagoda, the control tower which houses officials, broadcasting, and hospitality suites, is an icon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sponsorship

On January 31, 2019, it was announced that the online financial services company Gainbridge would become the new presenting sponsor of the 500 under a four-year deal. This will be the second year under the current deal.[6]

Safety changes

On May 24, 2019, it was announced that IndyCar Series would introduce cockpit protection combining an aeroscreen and Halo from 2020 season onward. The cockpit protection will be built by Red Bull Advanced Technologies. The combination of aeroscreen and halo is designed to improve safety standards by deflecting debris away from a driver's head and was originally developed for use in Formula One and IndyCar before its application was expanded to other open-wheel championships.[7] During the first two races of the season, drivers experienced stifling heat in the cockpits, caused by the now limited airflow.[8] A supplemental air duct was added to the aeroscreen beginning at Iowa to help cool the cockpits.[9]

On July 17, 2020, the aeroscreen had its first major test test at Iowa Speedway during the 2020 Iowa IndyCar 250s when during an aborted restart on lap 157, Ed Carpenter Racing’s Rinus VeeKay appeared to slow behind eventual race winner Simon Pagenaud and move to the right, and behind the Dutch rookie, Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta was caught in an accordion affect, launching the No. 88 Honda over the left-rear tire of VeeKay’s No. 21 Chevy. Prior to getting significantly airborne, Herta’s unimpeded nose – minus its wings – attempted to spear into the left side of VeeKay’s cockpit, level with his helmet. With the aeroscreen acting as a vertical barrier, Herta’s nose was forced upward, sliding skyward on the screen before hitting the top of the aerscreen frame and flying over VeeKay’s Dallara DW12 chassis. This saved VeeKay from apparent serious injury.[10]

Ownership changes

On November 3, 2019, it was announced that Penske Entertainment Corp., a subsidiary of the Penske Corporation, owned by Roger Penske, had purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IndyCar Series, and IMS Productions. Penske, owner of Team Penske will step down as full time-race strategist and focus on the new ownership roles.[11] The sale was finalized in January 2020.

Shortly after acquiring the property, Penske swiftly began upgrading and beautifying several areas at the track, particularly in the spectator areas. A refurbishment of the restrooms and concession stands, as well as widening and re-paving/paving walkways behind the grandstands along with new fencing was completed in the spring. Thirty new video boards were installed along the mainstretch grandstands, along with a new 104-foot video screen on the back of the Pagoda in the Pagoda Plaza. Other improvements included power washing, painting, improved internet service, general repairs, landscaping, hardscaping, and new lighting at the main gate. The victory lane podium was refurbished to include a new platform hoist to lift the winning car to the top.[12][13]

Qualifying changes

  • The Last Row Shootout will be expanded to a 75-minute session in order to allow multiple qualifying attempts for each participant. In the previous year participants in the shootout were permitted only one attempt.[14]
  • For practice on Fast Friday (August 14) and during time trials (August 15–16), turbocharger boost settings will be increased to allow an additional 45 horsepower. Engines will be permitted 150 kPa of turbocharger "boost". Engines are allowed 130 kPa of "boost" on race day and during all other practice sessions.[15]

Rule changes

  • Teams will be permitted seven crew members over-the-wall servicing the car during pit stops. This is up from six utilized from 1988 to 2019. The sole purpose of the seventh member is to clean or remove tear-offs from the new aeroscreen. Teams will be allowed four tire changers, one fueler, one pneumatic jack operator, and one aeroscreen attendant. The aeroscreen attendant is not permitted to service any other part of the car.[16] After cockpit cooling issues during the first two races of the season, the aeroscreen attendant was also given the permission to provide the driver with a drink bottle.[17]
  • Grid penalties for unapproved engine changes have been reinstated for the 2020 season. However, no penalties will be served at the Indianapolis 500. Penalties from the previous race, or penalties incurred at the 500 will be enforced at Gateway.[18]

Schedule

On March 12, 2020, the Speedway announced that the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic had not yet caused any changes to the proposed schedule.[19] One day later on March 13, IndyCar officials announced that the first four races of the 2020 IndyCar season would be cancelled, along with the open test at Indianapolis scheduled for April 30.[20] On March 26, the series announced the rescheduling of the 2020 Indianapolis 500 to August 23. The GMR Grand Prix was rescheduled for and held July 4, as part of the NASCAR Brickyard 400 weekend, and a matinee doubleheader with the Xfinity Series Pennzoil 150.[2] On May 31, it was announced that the 2020 Indy Lights season had been cancelled, and therefore the Freedom 100, traditionally run on Carb Day, would not be held.[21]

The first two IndyCar events (Texas and GMR Grand Prix) were held mostly behind closed doors.[22] Roger Penske stated on June 8 that "we are going to run it [Indianapolis 500] with fans", and that the race could be delayed further if they are unable to admit spectators.[23][24] On June 26, it was initially announced that spectators would be admitted for the Indianapolis 500 at half capacity, including restricting grandstands, and not holding the Snake Pit concert party.[25]

On July 20, Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles stated that the IndyCar Series was continuing to work with local health officials, and that "unless the COVID-19 world crashes in on us and healthcare metrics really turn south meaningfully, I'm quite confident we'll be able to do the race."[26] On July 21, the Speedway announced the attendance cap for the race would be reduced to a quarter of its total capacity, and that attendees would be required to wear face coverings.[27][28] On August 4, citing trends in Marion County, it was announced that the race would be held without spectators.[4]

On August 7, the Indianapolis Star confimed that the Last Row Shootout, previously scheduled to take place directly before the Fast 9 Shootout on August 16, would be cancelled as the field does not currently contain more than 33 entries.[29]

Race schedules — August 2020
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
9 10 11 12
ROP
Practice
13
Practice
14
Practice
Fast Friday
15
Time Trials
16
Fast 9 Shootout
Practice
17

18

19

20

21
Carb Day
22

23
Indianapolis
500
24

25

26

27

28

29
Gateway
Race #1

30
Gateway
Race #2

31            
Color Notes
Green Practice
Dark Blue Time trials
Silver Race day
Red Rained out*
Blank No track activity

* Includes days where track
activity was significantly limited due to rain

Source: 2020 Indianapolis 500 Event Schedule

Festivities

On March 18, it was announced that the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon scheduled for May 2 would not be held.[30] On July 22, Legends Day and the 500 Festival Parade downtown were cancelled.[31] The annual Last Row Party was cancelled,[31] as well as the annual Old Timers Banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The 2020 Hall of Fame class (Janet Guthrie and Dale Earnhardt Sr.) will be inducted alongside the 2021 class.[32]

On August 4, it was announced that the Pit Stop Challenge, traditionally held on Carb Day, would be cancelled.[33] On August 7, the traditional balloon release was removed from the pre-race festivities.[34]

Start time

Citing summer heat, the Speedway announced the start time would be moved back one hour and forty-five minutes from 12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (EDT), the latest scheduled start time of the Indianapolis 500. For many years after World War II, the race had traditionally been scheduled to start at 11a.m. local time, which was typically equivalent to 12p.m. EST. After exceptions in 1970 (12p.m. local time), and from 2005 to 2010 (1p.m. EST), the race went back to a 12p.m. EST (approximate) start time since 2011, but switched to 12:45 p.m. in 2019 under NBC's television contract.

With the final round coverage of The Women's Open Championship at Royal Troon scheduled for August 23 to air on NBC, the later start time allows The Open to finish without interfering with television coverage of the Indy 500.

On July 8, NASCAR announced the remainder of its schedule through the end of August, which included a 200-mile Xfinity Series and 500-kilometer Cup Series doubleheader at Dover the same day as the Indy 500. The races are part of a twin race weekend for both series where both series raced the respective distances (the Saturday races are the May races postponed by the pandemic; the Cup Series races were trimmed by 89 laps and became 500-kilometer races). The races will air against the Indy 500 in part on NBCSN.[35]

Original schedule

The original schedule for the 2020 Indianapolis 500 was released in early 2020.[36]

Date Event
April 30Open test
May 2500 Festival Mini-Marathon
May 8–9GMR Grand Prix
May 12–15Practice
May 16–17Time Trials
May 18Post-qualifying practice
May 22Carb Day / Freedom 100 / Pit Stop Challenge
May 23Legends Day / Parade
May 24Race day

Entry list

The official entry list was published by IndyCar on August 10 with a total of 33 car/driver combinations.[37]All entries will use the Dallara IR12 chassis, with Firestone tires. A total of eight former Indy 500 winners are included. If all eight make the starting lineup, it will be the most former winners in the field since there were ten in 1992.

Three-time Indy 500 winner Hélio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009) is expected to make his 20th consecutive start. He would become the 9th driver all-time to achieve 20 career starts. He will also move into a tie for third all-time for most consecutive starts.

As the defending Indy Lights champion, Oliver Askew is guaranteed an entry as part of the Road to Indy scholarship program. He signed with Arrow McLaren SP.[38] Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso confirmed that he will return for his third Indianapolis 500 attempt,[39] in a third Arrow McLaren SP entry.

Byrd Racing announced they would not field a dedicated entry due to financial issues,[40] but later announced a deal that "had come together quickly" with Dale Coyne Racing, Indy Lights team Belardi Auto Racing and NASCAR and sports car team Rick Ware Racing to field a car for James Davison.

DragonSpeed became the 33rd entry for the race after finding finding the necessary funding the weekend before opening practice.[41]

Defending Indy 500 winner and pole winner Simon Pagenaud.
Three-time Indy 500 winner Hélio Castroneves has the most previous starts in the field with 19.
No.DriverTeamEngine
1 Josef NewgardenTeam PenskeChevrolet
3 Hélio Castroneves  W Team PenskeChevrolet
4 Charlie KimballA. J. Foyt EnterprisesChevrolet
5 Patricio O'Ward  R [N 1]Arrow McLaren SPChevrolet
7 Oliver Askew  R Arrow McLaren SPChevrolet
8 Marcus EricssonChip Ganassi RacingHonda
9 Scott Dixon  W Chip Ganassi RacingHonda
10 Felix RosenqvistChip Ganassi RacingHonda
12 Will Power  W Team PenskeChevrolet
14 Tony Kanaan  W A. J. Foyt EnterprisesChevrolet
15 Graham RahalRahal Letterman Lanigan RacingHonda
18 Santino FerrucciDale Coyne Racing with Vasser-SullivanHonda
20 Ed CarpenterEd Carpenter RacingChevrolet
21 Rinus VeeKay  R Ed Carpenter RacingChevrolet
22 Simon Pagenaud  W Team PenskeChevrolet
24 Sage KaramDreyer & Reinbold RacingChevrolet
26 Zach VeachAndretti AutosportHonda
27 Alexander Rossi  W Andretti AutosportHonda
28 Ryan Hunter-Reay  W Andretti AutosportHonda
29 James HinchcliffeAndretti AutosportHonda
30 Takuma Sato  W Rahal Letterman Lanigan RacingHonda
41 Dalton Kellett  R A. J. Foyt EnterprisesChevrolet
45 Spencer PigotRahal Letterman Lanigan RacingHonda
47 Conor DalyEd Carpenter RacingChevrolet
51 James DavisonDale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing and Byrd BelardiHonda
55 Álex Palou  R Dale Coyne Racing with Team GohHonda
59 Max ChiltonCarlinChevrolet
60 Jack HarveyMeyer Shank Racing with Andretti TechnologiesHonda
66 Fernando AlonsoArrow McLaren SPChevrolet
67 J. R. HildebrandDreyer & Reinbold RacingChevrolet
81 Ben HanleyDragonSpeedChevrolet
88 Colton HertaAndretti Harding Steinbrenner AutosportHonda
98 Marco AndrettiAndretti-Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-AgajanianHonda
  •  W  Former Indianapolis 500 Winner
  •  R  Indianapolis 500 Rookie
  1. O'Ward, who was an NTT IndyCar Series rookie in 2019, failed to qualify for the 2019 Indianapolis 500, so he must retake all phases of the Indianapolis 500 rookie test and will be eligible for all Indianapolis 500 rookie awards.

Testing and Rookie Orientation

Aeroscreen test – October 2019

The series conducted an official evaluation test on October 2, 2019, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Two teams tested the new aeroscreen developed by Red Bull Advanced Technologies. The cockpit safety device is scheduled to be implemented for the 2020 season. Scott Dixon and Will Power collectively drove more than 600 miles' worth of laps, and the test yielded mostly positive results.[42][43]

Testing — Participants
DriverTeamEngine
Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Will Power Team Penske Chevrolet

Oval rookie test — February 14

Four IndyCar rookies took part in an oval acclimation test at Texas Motor Speedway on February 14. Oliver Askew, Álex Palou, Rinus VeeKay, and Scott McLaughlin took part in the test, which was conducted by IndyCar officials. The test provided the drivers with high-speed oval experience prior to the start of the Rookie Orientation Program. Veterans Josef Newgarden and Ed Carpenter also took laps, doing further evaluations of the new aeroscreens. Cold temperatures delayed the start of the test, but a total of five hours of track time was available. No incidents were reported.[44]

Open test

A full field open test was scheduled for Thursday, April 30.[45] However, the test was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] When the Indianapolis 500 was later rescheduled for August 23, no testing time (open test or private testing) was made available before practice was to begins on August 12. The original date of the race would have made it the first oval track event of the 2020 season. With the rescheduled date, the race will now be the fourth of six oval races, as well as the second superspeedway race, Texas being the first. This is the first time since 2010 (Kansas) that there will be a superspeedway race held prior to the Indianapolis 500.

During the week leading up to the originally scheduled race day, Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi took some demonstration laps for the NBC Sports special "Back Home Again" which aired on May 24. It marked the first laps both drivers had taken with the new aeroscreens, however, none of the laps were driven at racing speed.[46]

Rookie Orientation / Refresher tests — Wednesday August 12

  • Weather: 84 °F (29 °C), Partly cloudy
  • Summary: A dedicated session for Rookie Orientation and veteran Refresher tests was held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. A total of five rookies took part, along with seven veterans including Helio Castroneves and Fernando Alonso. The rookie test consisted of three phases. The first phase was ten laps at 205–210 mph, the second segment was ten laps at 210–215 mph, and the third phase was ten laps over 215 mph. The refresher test consisted of phases 2 and 3 only. Four of the five rookies passed all three phases during the session: Oliver Askew, Patricio O'Ward, Álex Palou, and Rinus VeeKay. Dalton Kellett passed two phases, then completed the third phase later in the day. All seven veteran drivers who participated in the session passed their refresher tests. Race veteran Ben Hanley, who did not take to the track Wednesday, will be required to pass the refresher test on Thursday. Rinus VeeKay was the fastest rookie of the session, while Helio Castroneves was the fastest veteran of the session. No incidents were reported.[47][48]
Top Practice Speeds
PosNo.DriverTeamEngineSpeed
1 21 Rinus VeeKay  R  Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 221.318
2 55 Álex Palou  R  Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh Honda 219.876
3 3 Helio Castroneves Team Penske Chevrolet 219.274
OFFICIAL REPORT

Practice

Opening day Practice — Wednesday August 12

James Hinchcliffe led the practice chart on opening day.
  • Weather: 84 °F (29 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Summary: 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones celebrated his 87th birthday by waving the ceremonial green flag from his home in Rolling Hills, California. A total of 32 drivers took practice laps over three sessions. The first session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. was reserved for veteran drivers active in the 2020 IndyCar season. Scott Dixon turned the fastest lap of the morning session at 224.047 mph. After a break for the Rookie Orientation/Refresher session, general practice resumed from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. James Hinchcliffe set the fastest lap of the day at 224.526 mph, leading Andretti Autosport, which had three of the top four speeds for the afternoon. Alexander Rossi had the fastest "no-tow" lap of the day at 221.952 mph. No incidents were reported, except for Charlie Kimball who barely white-walled the outside wall at the entrance of turn two. Marco Andretti brought out an early yellow for a tow-in after stalling in turn four, but he was able to return to the track shortly after. The only car that did not take laps during the scheduled sessions was Ben Hanley.[47][48] After the close of practice, officials provided Hanley with about 35 minutes of solo track time to work on his refresher test.
Top Practice Speeds
PosNo.DriverTeamEngineSpeed
1 29 James Hinchcliffe Andretti Autosport Honda 224.526
2 98 Marco Andretti Andretti-Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian Honda 224.345
3 9 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 224.047
OFFICIAL REPORT

Practice — Thursday August 13

Scott Dixon led the speed chart on day two.
  • Weather: 85 °F (29 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Summary: The second day of practice saw the first major incident of the week. At 4:40 p.m., Fernando Alonso came through turn four, but dipped too low and the left side wheels made contact with the concrete curbing below the white line. Alonso lost control and smacked the outside wall exiting turn four, then spun to a stop at the north end of the pit lane. Alonso climbed out uninjured, and the car suffered moderate damage. Takuma Sato (225.693 mph) set a fast lap early in the day, and it held up until the final fifteen minutes. Late in the session, Scott Dixon took over the top speed for the day with a lap of 226.102 mph in fairly hot conditions. The fastest "no-tow" lap of the day belonged to Jack Harvey at 222.123 mph. For the second day in a row, teams were working actively on various downforce settings, acclimating to the unfamiliar hot August conditions. Some teams were also working out various issues and complications with the new cockpit cooling hoses. A total of 32 cars took practice laps, with Ben Hanley again not able to practice as he had not completed his mandatory Refresher test. Hanley did pass one phase of the Refresher test during a solo session after the conclusion of practice.[49][50][51]
Top Practice Speeds
PosNo.DriverTeamEngineSpeed
1 9 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 226.102
2 30 Takuma Sato Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 225.693
3 98 Marco Andretti Andretti-Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian Honda 225.249
OFFICIAL REPORT

Fast Friday Practice — Friday August 14

Marco Andretti led the speed chart on "Fast Friday"
  • Weather: 86 °F (30 °C), partly cloudy
  • Summary: Marco Andretti set the fastest lap during "Fast Friday" practice at 233.491 mph, the fastest practice lap at Indy since 1996. Andretti's teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay was also near the top of the speed chart, turning in the fastest "no-tow" lap (232.124 mph). Andretti set the fast time early in the day, before the hot and sunny conditions of the afternoon. Honda-powered machines took nine of the top ten spots, with Conor Daly the only Chevrolet in the top ten. Daly was the fastest Chevy of the day, however, his speed was achieved with a tow. Most teams spent the day doing qualifying simulations. In order to avoid placing their cars in a tow, most teams actively avoided going out while others cars were on the track, or at least made certain there was adequate spacing between cars (≈10 second or more). Scott Dixon was 45 minutes late getting onto the track after his car stalled multiple times with electrical issues. The team was able to make corrections and he posted the third-best lap of the day. All 33 cars took laps at speed, and no incidents were reported. After the conclusion of practice, the traditional qualifying draw was held. Graham Rahal selected the coveted first spot in the qualifying line with his teammate Takuma Sato second.[52][53]
Top Practice Speeds
PosNo.DriverTeamEngineSpeed
1 98 Marco Andretti Andretti-Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian Honda 233.491
2 47 Conor Daly Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 232.337
3 9 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 232.290
OFFICIAL REPORT

Time trials

First day — Saturday August 15

  • Weather: 88 °F (31 °C), partly cloudy.
  • Summary: Time trials on Saturday determined the nine drivers moving on to the Fast Nine Shootout on Sunday and the final starting positions for spots 10–33. The day was dominated by Andretti Autosport, who claimed the top four positions. The fastest of the team was Marco Andretti with a four-lap average at 231.351 mph, while teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay came second at 231.330 mph. Scott Dixon turned the fastest single lap of the day at 232.356 mph, but waved off the run. He reverted back to his four-lap average set earlier in the day.[54] Chevrolet-powered cars struggled during the session with only one Chevy driver, Indianapolis 500 rookie Rinus VeeKay, qualifying for the Fast Nine Shootout. Only five Chevrolets ranked in the top twenty positions. Álex Palou, another Indianapolis 500 rookie, also advanced to the Fast Nine Shootout by qualifying in seventh place. Defending winners Team Penske were unexpectedly lacking speed, with three of the team's four cars falling outside the top 20. Fernando Alonso also struggled to find pace as he managed only twenty-sixth place.[55] No incidents occurred during the day.
2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay was the second-fastest of the day.
Colton Herta qualified 10th, the fastest car of the 10–33 grouping.
PosNo.DriverTeamEngineSpeed
Fast Nine Qualifiers
1 98 Marco Andretti Andretti Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian Honda 231.351
2 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay  W  Andretti Autosport Honda 231.330
3 27 Alexander Rossi  W  Andretti Autosport Honda 231.268
4 29 James Hinchcliffe Andretti Autosport Honda 231.195
5 9 Scott Dixon  W  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 231.155
6 21 Rinus VeeKay  R  Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 231.114
7 55 Álex Palou  R  Dale Coyne Racing w/ Team Goh Honda 231.034
8 15 Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 230.822
9 30 Takuma Sato  W  Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 230.792
Positions 10–33
10 88 Colton Herta Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport Honda 230.775
11 8 Marcus Ericsson Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 230.566
12 45 Spencer Pigot Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 230.539
13 1 Josef Newgarden Team Penske Chevrolet 230.296
14 10 Felix Rosenqvist Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 230.254
15 5 Patricio O'Ward  R  Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet 230.213
16 20 Ed Carpenter Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 230.211
17 26 Zach Veach Andretti Autosport Honda 229.961
18 47 Conor Daly Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 229.955
19 18 Santino Ferrucci Dale Coyne Racing w/ Vasser-Sullivan Honda 229.924
20 60 Jack Harvey Meyer Shank Racing Honda 229.861
21 7 Oliver Askew  R  Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet 229.760
22 12 Will Power  W  Team Penske Chevrolet 229.701
23 14 Tony Kanaan  W  A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 229.154
24 41 Dalton Kellett  R  A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 228.880
25 22 Simon Pagenaud  W  Team Penske Chevrolet 228.836
26 66 Fernando Alonso Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet 228.768
27 51 James Davison Dale Coyne Racing w/ Rick Ware Racing & Byrd Belardi Honda 228.747
28 3 Hélio Castroneves  W  Team Penske Chevrolet 228.373
29 4 Charlie Kimball A. J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet 227.758
30 59 Max Chilton Carlin Chevrolet 227.303
31 24 Sage Karam Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet 227.099
32 67 J. R. Hildebrand Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Chevrolet 226.341
33 81 Ben Hanley DragonSpeed Chevrolet 222.917
OFFICIAL REPORT

Fast Nine Shootout — Sunday August 16

2017 winner Takuma Sato qualified for the outside of the front row.
  • Weather: 81 °F (27 °C), partly cloudy with wind gusts up to 22 mph.
  • Summary: The Fast Nine Shootout began at 1:15 p.m. eastern. Gusty winds made conditions more challenging for the drivers than the previous day, resulting in reduced speeds. Marco Andretti claimed the pole position with a four-lap average at 231.068 mph, narrowly beating out Scott Dixon, who ran at 231.051 mph. The result was the third-closest margin between first and second in qualifying in the race's history.[56] It also marked the first time since 1987 that a member of the Andretti family qualified for the pole position, when Marco's grandfather Mario performed the same feat. Takuma Sato (who ranked 9th on Saturday) was the first driver to make an attempt, and set the early pace with a 230.725 mph average. His speed held up enough to qualify third and sit on the outside of the front row. Rinus VeeKay qualified fourth, making him both the highest qualified rookie and highest Chevrolet driver in the field. Álex Palou turned the fastest single lap of the session (231.901 mph), but suffered large speed drop offs over subsequent laps due to a broken weightjacker, relegating him to 7th.[57]
PosNo.DriverTeamEngineSpeed
Firestone Fast Nine Qualifiers
1 98 Marco Andretti Andretti Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian Honda 231.068
2 9 Scott Dixon  W  Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 231.051
3 30 Takuma Sato  W  Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 230.725
4 21 Rinus VeeKay  R  Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet 230.704
5 28 Ryan Hunter-Reay  W  Andretti Autosport Honda 230.648
6 29 James Hinchcliffe Andretti Autosport Honda 229.870
7 55 Álex Palou  R  Dale Coyne Racing w/ Team Goh Honda 229.676
8 15 Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda 229.380
9 27 Alexander Rossi  W  Andretti Autosport Honda 229.234
OFFICIAL REPORT

Post-qualifying practice

Sunday August 16

Fernando Alonso suffered a crash on Thursday, followed by a spin in the pits on Sunday.
  • Weather: 84 °F (29 °C), partly cloudy with wind gusts up to 22 mph.
  • Summary: A three-hour practice session began at 3:30 p.m. after the conclusion of the Fast Nine Shootout. Teams reverted the cars to race turbocharger boost settings and spent the session running in traffic to simulate race day conditions. At 4:11 p.m., Scott Dixon lost control of his car in turn four, making light contact with the outside wall before skidding across the track and making further contact with the pit wall.[58] However, the car was repaired before the end of session, and Dixon returned to the track to set the third-fastest time of the session. Fernando Alonso suffered a minor incident when he spun leaving his pit box late in the session, but his car was undamaged. Marco Andretti was the fastest on the session, lapping at 224.122 mph. Hélio Castroneves appeared in the top three on the speed charts for the first time of the event, running a lap at 224.067 mph.[59]
Top Practice Speeds
PosNo.DriverTeamEngineSpeed
1 98 Marco Andretti Andretti Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian Honda 224.122
2 3 Hélio Castroneves Team Penske Chevrolet 224.067
3 9 Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda 223.686
OFFICIAL REPORT

Carb Day — Friday August 21

  • Weather: 0 °F (−18 °C), TBA
  • Summary: TBA

Starting grid

Row Inside Middle Outside
1 98 Marco Andretti 9 Scott Dixon  W  30 Takuma Sato  W 
2 21 Rinus VeeKay  R  28 Ryan Hunter-Reay  W  29 James Hinchcliffe
3 55 Álex Palou  R  15 Graham Rahal 27 Alexander Rossi  W 
4 88 Colton Herta 8 Marcus Ericsson 45 Spencer Pigot
5 1 Josef Newgarden 10 Felix Rosenqvist 5 Patricio O'Ward  R 
6 20 Ed Carpenter 26 Zach Veach 47 Conor Daly
7 18 Santino Ferrucci 60 Jack Harvey 7 Oliver Askew  R 
8 12 Will Power  W  14 Tony Kanaan  W  41 Dalton Kellett  R 
9 22 Simon Pagenaud  W  66 Fernando Alonso 51 James Davison
10 3 Hélio Castroneves  W  4 Charlie Kimball 59 Max Chilton
11 24 Sage Karam 67 J. R. Hildebrand 81 Ben Hanley
R Indianapolis 500 rookie
W Indianapolis 500 winner

Broadcasting

Television

The race is scheduled to be televised on NBC in the United States; also, for the first time since 2016, the race will not be blacked out in the Indianapolis area, airing live on WTHR (channel 13), as ticket sales ended four weeks prior to the race, and under regulations of the Speedway and Marion County Public Health Department's orders regarding capacity limits for events, announced two weeks before tickets were revoked under Marion County orders. On the original date of the race, NBC aired an encore of the 2019 edition of the race, Back Home Again, with Mike Tirico joined by Simon Pagenaud and Alexander Rossi.[60]

Radio

The race is scheduled to be carried by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.

References

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Previous race:
2020 Iowa IndyCar 250s
IndyCar Series
2020 season
Next race:
2020 Bommarito Automotive Group 500
Previous race:
2019 Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500 Next race:
2021 Indianapolis 500
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