Live Indy 500 updates: A pit road crash, Scott Dixon runs out of gas, young guns out front
Welcome to the 2021 Indianapolis 500! The Indianapolis Motor Speedway gates open at 6 a.m. with the green flag flying at 12:45 p.m. to start the 200-lap race around the famed 2.5-mile oval. About 135,000 fans – roughly 40% of capacity – are expected after the 2020 Indy 500 had no fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scott Dixon leads the 33-car starting grid from the pole position. Dixon is one of nine race champions in the field, which features a prominent international contingent and a rare female-owned team.
Keep up with the pre-race pageantry and news updates, as well as racing action, right here. And please remember to refresh.
2021 Indy 500: A complete guide to the 33-car starting lineup
Too cold to race?:What lower temperatures mean for the racing at the Indy 500
2:08 p.m. — Conor Daly still in the lead
The Noblesville kid has a chance to make some history.
Indy 500 favorite Scott Dixon runs out of fuel, falls 1 lap behind
1:10 p.m. — Stefan Wilson crashes in pit road
Stefan Wilson’s car is backward in pit road, but all the other cars avoid contact. Wilson came in too fast, and ends up spinning. We jinxed it. Yellow flag. UPDATE: Wilson released from medical check, “cleared to drive.”
Indy 500 fans react to ‘(Back Home Again in) Indiana’
12:35 p.m. — We’re getting closer to the green flag.
Flyover, check.
For first time, female-dominant team will compete in Indy 500. Watch their journey
75 minutes of stress:Paretta Autosport survives Last Chance Qualifying to make field
10:30 a.m. — Social media influencers attend Indy 500
Josh Richards and Griffin Johnson take in Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is welcoming fans back with a personal touch. The @IMS Twitter account is responding to dozens of messages online from the 2021 Indy 500. The account is usually active on race day, but today’s online chatter welcomes fans back in person for one of the biggest sporting events since the pandemic began.