Firestone Indy 400
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Venue | Michigan International Speedway |
| Corporate sponsor | Firestone |
| First race | 1968 |
| First IRL race | 2002 |
| Distance | 400 miles |
| Number of laps | 200 |
| Previous names | Michigan Indy 400 (2002, 2004-2005) |
The Firestone Indy 400 is an Indy Racing League IndyCar Series race held at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.
Michigan International Speedway has hosted at least one open-wheel race in every season since 1970. As of 2006, MIS has hosted 55 open-wheel races over 38 years.
In 1968, American open wheel racing debuted at the circuit with a 200-mile USAC Champ Car event. In 1970, USAC returned with what would become a traditional July race date. In 1973, a second USAC race was added to the Champ Car schedule, a fall race usually held in September.
In 1979, the races switched to CART Champ Car sanctioning, and both the summer and fall races remained. Races remained 150 - 250 miles in length.
In 1980, Ontario Motor Speedway closed, and thus Indycar racing's triple crown lost one of its 500-mile races. In 1981, the summer race at Michigan was expanded to a 500-mile event, replacing Ontario. Michigan joined Indianapolis and Pocono for the new triple crown of 500-mile races. Following the 1986 CART season, the fall race was dropped from the schedule, leaving the Michigan 500 the track's lone Indycar event.
In 1987, the 500-mile race began to sponsored by Marlboro. On network television, however, due to tobacco regulations, the race was still advertised as the "Michigan 500." From 1988-1991 the race was part of the Marlboro Million, a cash prize awarded to any driver who won the Marlboro Grand Prix, the Marlboro 500, and the Marlboro Challenge All-Star event in the same year. The prize was never won.
In 1996, the CART series held a second 500-mile race, the U.S. 500, the same day as the Indianapolis 500. See main article: U.S. 500 for more information. The race featured a capacity crowd of around 80,000, albeit aided greatly by corporate sponsors who encouraged -- and allegedly, in some cases, ordered -- their employees to attend.
During the CART era, safety was always a major concern due to the high speeds of the CART cars. Al Unser Jr averaged 189.727 mph in the 1990 Marlboro 500, which is still the fastest 500 race ever run at MIS. In 1996, Paul Tracy was clocked at 256.948 mph during a practice session. In 1997, Richie Hern was clocked at 249.018. Paul Tracy set the track record for qualifying at 234.949 in 2000, which is still a track record. While no drivers have been killed at a MIS open-wheel event, many drivers expressed grave reservations about racing at such speeds. The use of the Hanford Device, which used the rear wing to induce tons of drag, provided for wheel to wheel competition as well as multiple lead changes per lap -- all of which were exciting to watch, but terrifying to the drivers.
In 1998, three spectators were killed, and six others injured, when debris from a single-car crash flew into the grandstands. All of the wounded and dead were from Michigan. In spite of the improvements to the fence, subsequent attendance in races declined greatly over previous totals. The diminished ticket sales, combined with the construction of new grandstands (built to accommodate growing NASCAR races) gave the impression of a very poorly attended event.
By 2001, it was clear that changes were needed. In spite of a memorable race, CART drivers and teams still complained about the high speeds, with the corresponding safety and cost concerns that it generated. The Hanford Device made the rear wings alone cost $50,000, and was widely blamed for the death of Greg Moore in 1999. Most crashes resulted in a total write-off of the vehicle. In 2001, an early attempt at a "soft wall" was tried, using tires to line the exit to turn 2, but it was ineffective. In addition, Roger Penske sold the track to ISC in 1999, and ISC lacked the emotional and economic ties to CART.
Starting for the 2002 season, the race became an Indy Racing League Indycar series event. In addition, the race distance was changed from 500 miles to 400 miles. In a very memorable race, Tomas Scheckter overcame bickering with team owner Eddie Cheever to beat team mate Buddy Rice. The race featured wheel-to-wheel racing, albeit at much slower speeds than the CART-sanctioned events. In addition, Sarah Fisher became the first female driver to pass for the lead under green flag conditions in an Indy-style race.
The IRL continues to sanction the event, but attendance continues to be a problem, as the attendance for supporting stock car events was sometimes as great, if not greater, than the IRL race itself.
For the 2007, the race had to move dates. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard was moved by ESPN up one week, and created a conflict. Originally the race at Michigan was to move to July 22, but after the Indy Racing League added a new event at Mid-Ohio for that date, the race was moved to the first weekend in August for at least one season. The IRL is faced with the task of selling tickets for 3 events (Mid Ohio, Michigan, and Detroit) within 6 weeks of each other, at venues that are within easy driving distance of one other.
[edit] Past winners
[edit] Previous logos
 2004-2005 logo |
[edit] References
| Previous race: | Current Indycar Series Races |
Next race: |
| Tracks of the Indy Racing League |
|---|
| Ovals Indianapolis Motor Speedway Chicagoland • Homestead • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Michigan • Milwaukee • Motegi • Nashville • Richmond • Texas Road/Street Courses Former Tracks |
