2015 Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indy

Will Power has broken the track record, claimed pole position, and won the second ever Grand Prix of Indianapolis. And the events leading up to this very moment have been as exciting as the closing laps of the race itself.

The Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indy is quickly becoming the appetizer in a month long buffet of racing which features the iconic Indy 500 as the main course. But for those of you that don’t live in Indy, or are foreign to Indycar car racing, let me explain some of the differences in between the Grand Prix of Indy, and the Indy 500.

Grand Prix of Indy:

• Race Course: 2.43 mile Road Course
• Turns: 14 different left and right turns
• Duration: 82 laps or 200 miles
• Avg. Speed: 126.35mph (Pole Position Qualifying)
• Contestants: 25 race drivers
• Last year’s winner: Simon Pagenaud

Indy 500:

• Race Course: 2.5 mile Oval
• Turns: 4 equal left turns
• Duration: 200 laps equaling 500 miles
• Avg Speed: 186.56mph (2014 Winner)
• Contestants: 33 drivers (2014 Grid)
• Last year’s winner: Ryan Hunter-Reay

As you can see the differences are wild, but the biggest one of them all can be seen only in person, I’m referring to the direction which the cars drive on the track. Even non racing fans that have been exposed to second-hand racing will quickly point out the cars driving “the wrong way” during the GP of Indy. And that’s because the road course is driven in clockwise direction, while the Indy 500 oval is ran counter-clockwise. Confused yet? Don’t be. It all makes sense — I promise.

Scott Dixon prepares to head out on track

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway works very hard each year to make sure that the venue and all of its events remain family friendly, and most importantly — affordable.

General admission tickets start at only $30 bucks for the GP of Indy and $40 for the Indy 500, and they might just be the only world-class track to allow the two following things: kids 12 and under receive FREE admission, and you can bring your own food, drinks, even alcohol. Yes — I said it, bring your sandwiches, nachos, fried chicken , and why not a beer keg while you’re at it. YOLO

You are still on time to turn your life around and come out to the Indy 500. GO!

2015 Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indy Top 10 finishers:

1. Will Power – Team Penske
2. Graham Rahal – RLL Racing
3. Juan Pablo Montoya – Team Penske
4. Sebastien Bourdais – KVSH Racing
5. Charlie Kimball – Chip Ganassi
6. Helio Castroneves – Team Penske
7. Tony Kanaan – Chip Ganassi
8. Stefano Coletti – KV Racing Technology
9. Takuma Sato – A.J Foyt Racing
10. Scott Dixon – Chip Ganassi

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