Firestone Racing was there for the very first Indy 500 in 1911, won by Ray Harroun on Firestone brand tires. Legend has it that tires played a pivotal role in the outcome of that first race.
Knowing that tire/wheel changes were difficult and time consuming back then, Ray asked the Firestone Racing engineers how fast he could drive without a tire failure. He was told 75 miles per hour. Sure enough, on May 30, 1911, he crossed the finish line first with an average speed of 74.602 miles per hour – and he only had to change one tire for the whole race.
So many memorable Indy 500 moments have happened on Firestone brand tires. Of our 61 Indy 500 victories, 43 were consecutive between 1920 and 1966. Great names such as Gaston Chevrolet, Wilbur Shaw, AJ Foyt, Jimmy Clark, Mario Andretti and Al Unser have chugged the milk in Victory Circle, thanks in no small part to the reliability of their Firestone race tires.
For many years, Firestone would advertise in newspapers around the nation after the race with artwork featuring all of their Indy 500 victories, proclaiming our Indy success. This ad typified the “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” mentality.
In 2011, the Centennial Anniversary of the first Indy 500, the 62nd driver will cross the finish line on Firestone tires, and we have re-created that classic ad. Who do you think it will be? Comment below and let us know.
Alex Tagliani will win the 2011 Indy 500
Scott Dixon wins his second Indy 500
Ed Carpenter will win the 2011 Indianapolis 500
Marco Andretti will finally break the Andretti curse
Danica Patrick will add to her consistently good finishes at Indy with a win.
Dario Franchitti all the way!!!
My pick is either Dario Franchitti or Danica Patrick… Although we know that Helio is going to win it on the 100th and tie A.J., Al Sr. and Rick with 4 wins!!!
Have to go with PT this year ….
Helio Castroneves will dance to his fourth Indy win!
Danica Patrick — She will make history once again!!!!!
Dario Franchitti for his third.
tony kanon for the green team is going to win .
Vitor will do it this year!!always been there at the end plus having A.J. in his corner,a good combo.
Will Power will finally conquer an oval
Will Power has looked good in practice. He’s my pick to win the Indy 500.
I think Will Power will get his first oval victory at the greatest race course in the world this year. HOWEVER I’ll be cheering on TK like I always do!
Ed Carpenter and SFR wins the Indianapolis 500.
I do believe in Marco, it is time for the Andretti family to get back up top!! Go Marco, you will see the sunlight!!!
James Jakes for the win! Eight cars crash during qualifying allowing the English driver to qualify for his first 500. On the 10th lap of the race, Takuma Sato causes a huge chain reaction crash taking out the other 32 cars. The race is red flagged. After a two hour delay and citing a hidden rule that yellow periods can last no longer than 2 hours, Brian Barnhart declares the race must be restarted. When he is reminded that they are under a red flag, not a yellow flag, he responds, “According to the instructions I gave in the driver’s meeting, red is just another shade of yellow.” Jakes is the only car circulating the track when remarkably, E.J. Viso pulls out of pit lane. Apparently, Viso’s crew has so much experience rebuilding cars that they are able to get him back out, albeit 100 laps down. Viso’s team then jumps on the other two KV cars, getting them back in the race as well. A three car KV draft allows Viso to make up the laps and nearly catch Jakes at the finish line for the closest 500 in history – 1/1000 sec!
Winner’s post race quote:
Jakes: “This is just incredible. I had no idea the race would take so long. I think I fell asleep a few times out there.” This is a sentiment many fans held as well.
Ryan Briscoe wins.
I think/hope Justin Wilson will win at the Indy 500
Will Power will power his way to win his first oval. He’s got the talent, the team and it’s time.
Ed Carpenter has the speed. Sarah Fisher Racing has come a long way.
Buddy Rice will show them the way!!
My favorite driver, Alex Tagliani, will be victorious! Fastest in practice Tuesday and so far today!
Simona and HVM kiss the bricks at days end.
Ed Carpenter has looked good in every practice session. He has the best shot at knocking the Penske’s and Ganassi’s off the throne.
While Dario is my fav…if he doesn’t get #3, would LOVE to see Tag or TK.
Helio will do it!!
Helio Castroneves eAsy
Helio. I want to see him up there with AJ, Rick, and Al.
A Penske or Ganassi Car! Any other questions?
Tony Kanaan is DUE!!!!
Graham Rahal will take it this year !
Danica has no chance !!!!
DANICA WILL WIN SHE IS DO TO WIN THE 500.
Oriol Servia will win the 500. he is on the best team in Indy Car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buddy Rice Sneaky Fast Watch Him
Here are my complete picks:
Most Possible Winners: Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, Will Power, Danica Patrick
Most Possible Fails: Ryan Briscoe, Marco Andretti
Most Pleasant Surprises: Simona De Silvestro (what a story it would be if she does well after her accident), Ed Carpenter, Alex Tagliani, Tony Kanaan (might win it)
Sleepers: Oriol Servia, Paul Tracy, Ryan Hunter-Reay
Other Predictions:
-All 4 women qualify for the 500, Ana does it on Sunday.
-Helio Castroneves or Will Power wins the pole.
-Only 1-2 Andretti drivers make the Fast 9 (possibly Marco and Danica).
-At least 1 big crash during the race.
-2 years in a row on fuel mileage? I don’t think so, caution within the last 15-20 laps.
-Helio or Dario lead the most laps.
-James Jakes, Scott Speed and Ho-Pin Tung fail to make the race, searching for the other 4 (5 if the 57 attempts).
dad had a dream sunday night danica will win i say h3lio or tagkiani since he’s been kicking but last 2 days practice until the last 30 minutes or any one from andretti autosports
Helio on the pole and fourth win
Buddy Rice. He is finally in decent equipment again. These cars have finished runner up the last couple years with subpar drivers.
I am going with this year’s Dark-horse… Jay Howard.
I think it will be Dixon but I would love to PT get his second.
Ed Carpenter will win the Indy 500!
This is the year Helio Castroneves wins his fourth Indy 500. What a story that will make for the centennial!
Alex Tagliani will win
Dan Wheldon has been runner up the last two years ,he knows how to pace himself and make the right adjustments to car during.the race with full tank or not. Are they double file restart this year
Tagliani says my gut but go for it John An
drette
I’m crossing my fingers for Bertrand Baguette.
I’m cheering for Graham Rahal, money on Will Power.
After starting the race with the stomach flu, Ed Carpenter slips out of the SFR machine and lets the boss take over. Indiana is delighted as their sweetheart, Sarah Fisher, wins the Indy 500!
A big surprise… Ho-Pin Tung on his first attempt!
Dario. ’nuff said.
Well to whoever said Sarah fisher, Sorry but she’s 4 months pregnant lol. My fave driver is helio but I think it will end up being Whoever starts in 3rd place.
….Paul Tracy….. will win(Las Vegas style) the Indy 500! What a story !!!!
I am rooting for Danica! If she qualifies top 10, look out! Simona will do well and Pippa Mann will finish top 20, look out boys, here come the girls!!
Marco Andretti…. time to add another Andretti to the Borg-Warner Trophy….
my pick is dario for his 3rd ’nuff said
This is the year for Danica, who ever said she has no chance failed to look at the past races. It is the year of the Danica!!!
No doubt in my mind…the winner will be Scott Dixon, another feather for TCGR racing’s already full cap!
My pick to win the 2011 Indianapolis 500 Automobile Race is Ed Carpenter, who will be the driver for Firestone Tires’ 62nd victory in THE RACE.
Dario will do his stuff and fly the flag for a third time
How about Vitor? AJ won the 50th and they will need lady luck (as everyone does at Indy) but what a great story. Vitor has been second twice so he can do the job if the team can have a decent day they could be the best surprise of the year.
simona de slyvestro will win ,,I think shes that good
Scott Dixon will win
Townsend Bell hes fast
Helio (Car Number3) will winn his 4th Indy 500.
ok looking at qualifying its gonna be Servia. Oriol Servia is going to win the indy 500.
Oriol Servia. Too consistent and too fast not to make it to Victory Lane! Watch out for Wheldon, though!
Ed Carpenter will win his first 500. Number 62 for Firestone. On the 100th Anniversary. As I am at my 49th 500.
ORIOL SERVIA!!!!!Go Go GO OOOOOOO!!!!
My three picks are Dan Wheldon, Oriol Servia, and Alex Tagliani. If they finish top 3, I’d be happy with any order <3
Oriol Servia is third in the standing and will be starting third, but he will win the Indy 500.
Scott Dixon all the way!!!!
GO SCOTTY!!!!!
Marco is my pick, its time, other possibles would be Danica, Helio, Tagliani, and as always my Favorite, has to be Hardluck John Andretti. What a better Closer then to see John Winning the 500 for Andretti Racing……
Paul Tracy will win it this time around!!!
Pippa Mann will be the winner.
Danica all the way!!!!
Marco will go from sitting on the bubble last minute to winning the race with an out of sequence fuel stop
Bruno…….what’s that?????
Oh. Nevermind.
Paul Tracy all the way.
Simona Desilvestro will overcome the painin her hands and win the indy 500
Carpenter, Patrick or any of the other women, Wheldon, or Hunter-Reay. Hamilton would be a happy shock. Kanaan would be a fun win. Hilldebrand finally breaks the Panther curse would be fun too. Meira with Foyt would be cool It will be an EPIC race, no doubt.
Thanks Firestone. I wish you’d be around for another 100 years at the yard of bricks!
It is difficult to pick against TCGR!
S. Dixon or Dario have the speed, fuel mileage and driver expertise. If either one does not win it would be due to a pit conplication of some fashion. Will Power or Helio would be my favorite, but, I hate to admit that I think Chip’s teams and drivers are better!
ED CARPENTER , there are alot of scenarios that would be incredible . can you imagine a carpenter,danica,marco or hunter-reay in A.J.’s car ,win ? tag win for sam schmit?
as much as i like dario ,anybody but ganassi or penske.
also,i really feel for bruno….i guess these are more my favorite choices than predictions..so i’ll leave it at that.
Helio Castroneves will win his fourth Indy 500.
I would really like to see Tagliani or Servia win this since i bet them both at 40-1 pre-qualifying.
Vitor. Vitor. Vitor takes the double checkers on a set of Firestones
ORIOL SERVIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and NEWMAN HAAS RACING THE BEST TEAM IN INDY THEY DONT NEED HELP FROM OTHER TEAMS TO GET IN THEY COME COME TO THE RACES BEST PREPARED HANDLE BUSINESS AND GET IN!!!!!!!!!! BOTH OF THIER DRIVERS AND ONE IS A ROOKIE!!!!!!! THERE SHOULD QUESTIONS ASKED!!!!!!!!! ORIOL SERVIA!!!!!!!! GOT IT!!!!!!!!!
NEWMAN HAAS DOESNT NEED THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE AND THE TV COVERAGE AS PENSKIE AND GANASSI OR ANDRETTI!!!!!! THEY HANDLE BUSINESS YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT!!!!!!!! WERE HAVE ALL THOSE TEAMS OR DRIVERS GET THIER START? THATS RIGHT NEWMAN/HAAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO AS I SAID BEFORE AND WILL SAY AGAIN SERVIA WILL WIN!!!!!!!! AND HE WILL ALSO BRING NEWMAN/HAAS ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LETS LIST SOME OF THOSE DRIVERS IF YOU DONT BELEAVE ME,, ANDRETTI,TRACY,FITTAPALDI,MORENO,DAMATTA,BOURDIAS,RAEHAL,JUNQUIERA NEED I SAY MORE!!!!! NEWMAN/HAAS AND SERVIA WILL WIN THE 500 AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!
Dan Wheldon will do a Rick Mears and stay close most of the race and then put the hammer down for the lead and the win.
This is why you never see palm readers win the Lottery… Scott Dixon
It would be nice to see Carpenter, Andretti, Hunter-Reay, Tracy, or Danica but none have a real chance against the power in the Gannassi or Penske cars
Tomas Scheckter #07 – - -> Go Tomas!
It is surprising that not many ar egiving tagliani his due. Hwe won the pole at the last minut. We, in canada, can hardly wait to see how the race turns out. He WILL win the 500 on the last lap pass of etierh Penske or Ganassi. You read it here first. GO TAGS and Team Schmidt! Get ‘er done boys!
I’d like Danica to win, but My Pick is….Dario For Back-To-Back Wins!
Bruno!
No wait, he’s out now. Boo on the deal. Busine$$ first?
GO TAG!
Oh, and the deal bought Danica & Marco each another spot in the grid.
Boo.
Go-go Sam Schmidt!
ABP ….Anybody But Penske!
TONY KANAAN WILL FINALLY WIN THE INDY 500!
Charlie Kimball !!!
Vitor is my choice this year!
NO COVERAGE OF THE INDY 500 ON GERMAN TV! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? My pick is… SPIDERMAN!!
MARCO TO WIN GO MARCO!
Ed Carpenter will win the 500. Sarah Fisher will become the first woman owner to win.
My pick is going to be a dark horse this year.
John Andretti. He has quietly been the fastest of the Andretti Autosport Cars…and nobody knows the track better.
Afterthought….
Weather forecast is “partly sunny with a high of 88 degrees.
This means we’re going to have a race track that will change several times before the day ends (probably turning hot and greasy).
That’s why I’m sticking with John Andretti.
Danica is ready to make history again.
Tony Kanaan gets his Indy win on Sunday.
JR Hildebrand in the National Guard car in Victory Circle. Panther Racing, National Guard, and rookie JR Hildebrand will shock the racing world!
John Andretti will bring home the win
He’s had the best car all month so barring any mistakes Alex Tagliani should be celebrating Sunday night.
Dixon (although I’m hoping for Kanaan)
dario will get #3.
JUSTIN WILSON will win the Indy 500
Dario Franchitti!!!
The Thrill From West Hill – Paul Tracy – will get his second Indy 500 victory! I know, because I was then and will be Sunday in Turn Three…
Ed Carpenter will not have to go into the pits when they are closed and will win the race
Helio gets a 4th. But watch out for Wheldon!!!