Year End Recap
2018
Year in Review - 2018
The editorial staff at IMS.com took a look back at the 10 biggest moments of 2018 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion.
Top Moments of 2018 - #1: Power Finally Breaks Through with Indy 500 Win
Power already had earned his spot in the IndyCar pantheon for the ages before the Month of May in 2018. He won the series championship in 2014. He already had 32 career IndyCar victories, including 29 with Team Penske. But something was missing – an Indianapolis 500 victory. Power knew that getting his face on the Borg-Warner Trophy was the only true way to secure legendary status within Penske and IndyCar circles. He came to IndyCar in 2008 disliking ovals but eventually learned to love them after mastering the subtle art of finding speed in circles.
Top Moments of 2018 - #2: BC39 Debuts with Huge Success
Heavy afternoon rain threatened the BC39 feature race Thursday. But the skies cleared, and track crews worked tirelessly to groom the clay oval into a tacky surface perfect for racing. The sticky dirt also was a marked contrast to the dry, dusty conditions of the previous night, offering an even greater challenge.
Top Moments of 2018 - #3: NASCAR 650 Ends Soggy Weekend with Manic Monday of Action
Monday dawned dry, the first hopeful sign of the extended race weekend. And once the green flag dropped on the Lilly Diabetes 250 on Monday morning, the fans who remained in town to see the race weekend through and those watching on TV quickly discovered this would be a special day in IMS history, filled with memories.
Top Moments of 2018 - #4: Goulian Soars to Emotional Win over Friendly Skies
Massachusetts native and resident Michael Goulian races in the sky and not on four wheels, but after his victory Oct. 7 in the Red Bull Air Race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was obvious he knew what Indy meant.
Top Moments of 2018 - #5: Carpenter Prevents Penske Front Row Lockout
Indianapolis resident Carpenter added another stirring chapter to his story of speed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 20 as he earned his third career pole for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” His dramatic run to the top spot also prevented Penske Racing from achieving a team sweep of the front row for just the second time in the 102 editions of the world’s most prestigious motor race.
Top Moments of 2018 - #6: Penske Rules All
Penske’s team is the all-time ruler of the Indianapolis 500, with a record 17 victories and 17 poles. Team Penske drivers have won the INDYCAR Grand Prix four times in its first five years.
Top Moments of 2018 - #7: Power Sets Table for May Sweep
Will Power won the INDYCAR Grand Prix from the pole May 12 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Looking at history, that’s a news flash with shock value equivalent to “Sun sets in west.” Power has dominated this event, winning twice in its first four years before adding another victory this May. He truly is the king of the IMS road.
Top Moments of 2018 - #8: Park Pounces in Playoff
Korean golfer Sung Hyun Park overcame a two-stroke deficit at the start of the final round to beat Lizette Salas of the United States on the first playoff hole Aug. 19 to win the second annual Indy Women in Tech Driven by Group 1001 LPGA tournament.
Top Moments of 2018 - #9: The Herta Sweep
Herta, son of former IndyCar driver and current IndyCar team owner Bryan Herta, displayed all the talent that has made him one of the hottest American open-wheel racing prospects of the last decade by winning all three Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires races last May at the Speedway.
Top Moments of 2018 - #10: Alonso Coming Back
Alonso’s decision to pursue the unofficial Triple Crown of global motorsport shook fans in delight as they admired the Spaniard’s desire to return to a time when elite drivers hopped among different cars in disparate disciplines to burnish their legend. Those days seemingly were gone in an era of specialization, huge sponsor and media demands, and contracts prohibiting freelancing.