Year End Recap
2019
Year in Review - 2019
The editorial staff at IMS.com took a look back at the 10 biggest moments of 2019 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion.
Top Moments of 2019 - #1: Penske Buys IMS, INDYCAR
If you’re a fan of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and/or INDYCAR, think back to where you were and what you were doing when the news broke just a few hours past dawn Monday, Nov. 4.
Top Moments of 2019 - #2: Pagenaud Sweeps May
Simon Pagenaud made the ultimate legacy play during the Month of May in 2019 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Frenchman became just the second driver to sweep the INDYCAR Grand Prix on the IMS road course and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on the Brickyard oval in the same year.
Top Moments of 2019 - #3: Alonso Misses the Show at Indy
Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso, who qualified fifth and led 27 laps in his Indy 500 debut in 2017 with Andretti Autosport, didn’t qualify for the “500” last May. Read the previous sentence again: It still is almost beyond belief, seven months later.
Top Moments of 2019 - #4: Harvick's Brickyard Win Worth the Wait
Harvick entered this year’s Brickyard as an event favorite, as usual. His track record at IMS always makes him a marked man. And he delivered with a stirring, record-setting second victory, 16 years after his first. It was the longest gap between victories in a NASCAR race at IMS.
Top Moments of 2019 - #5: Brickyard Weekend on the Move in 2020
The Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line and the Indiana 250 will enter a new, star-spangled era in 2020 when the 27th annual NASCAR showcase at IMS moves to Fourth of July weekend, Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5.
Top Moments of 2019 - #6: Damon, Bale Take Starring Role at Indy 500
The irresistible pull of IMS and “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was proven once again in May 2019 when two of the biggest supernovas in Hollywood, actors Matt Damon and Christian Bale, attended the race and served as honorary starters for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Top Moments of 2019 - #7: Teen Wise Takes BC39
In early August 2018, Wise became the youngest National Series feature winner in the 63-year history of USAC when he won a USAC Midget race in Newmantown, Pennsylvania. He was 15 years, 8 months and 21 days old.
Top Moments of 2019 - #8: FGL Fest Finally Rocks IMS
The 2018 Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line was one of the most surreal race weekends ever at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since the facility opened in 1909.
Top Moments of 2019 - #9: IMS Paves Path for Safer Future with Aeroscreen Test
Series champions and Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winners Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing and Will Power of Team Penske tested the revolutionary Aeroscreen at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Aeroscreen will be fitted around the cockpits of all NTT IndyCar Series cars starting in the 2020 season.
Top Moments of 2019 - #10: Bikes, Sports Cars To Return in 2020
Fans of motorcycle racing and sports cars often wondered out loud – either through email, social media or in person – whether their favorite machines would return to the IMS road course, which includes part of the world-famous 2.5-mile oval. Their wait is over. Both will be back in 2020!