Race Recaps - 85th Running in 2001 - The Captain is Back & he Brings Helio with Him
2001 - 85th Running - A cold morning welcomed the participants, just ask the Pole Sitter Scott Sharp who wrecked in Turn One when he put his tires on the cold, possibly damp white line at the bottom of the track. Two weeks of build up for less than 1 half lap. This is Indy.
Team Penske was among several CART teams to break ranks and race at Indianapolis.
While the race was interrupted by the rain, Rookie Hélio Castroneves lit up Indianapolis with his victory and his fence climb. His victory and enthusiasm was in stark contract to the previous years winner, Juan Pablo Montoya.
Team Penske teammate Gil de Ferran finished 2nd, Michael Andretti teased us all by leading and finishing 3rd for Team Green. Jimmy Vasser was 4th with Team Chip Ganassi partner Bruno Junqueira 5th.
Some other interesting notes.
Michael Andretti teased us all by leading and finishing 3rd for Team Green.
The Penske cars were plain white with the Marlboro Red accent. The cars were not allowed to run the Marlboro cigarette stickers in an IRL event because the tabacco companies had been limited to only sponsoring in one series. This marked a major change in American motorsports and marketing. The plain cars and plain red uniforms of Helio and Gil de Ferran made the visitors from the CART/Champ Car series really stand out as appearing to be out of place.
Sarah Fisher Finished 31st. Robby Gordon drove for AJ Foyt Racing
Tony Stewart, driving for Chip Ganassi, completed the best ever “Indy-Charlotte Double” finishing 6th in the 500 and 3rd in the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte
ABC went from electronic imposed billboards to video imposed on the track. Remember, this was in the era when they were making the hockey puck glow with a different color on TV.
