RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up – Americana’s

With a diverse background, spanning from Mexico to New York, and in-between…

 

Team Scandia’s final three drivers, according to their 1996 Indy 500 car numbers. Feature a winning Champ Car driver, a Super Modified champion, and a Bonneville Land Speed record driver.

 

Michel Jourdain Jr.

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results

Car No. 22, Start: 8th, Finish: 13th; Running, 177-laps

Michel Jourdain Jr began racing cars at the relatively late age of 12, in Mexico’s Junior formulae. Graduating to Mexico’s Formula K and Formula 2 series before joining Team Scandia in 1996, as a teenager.

 

Michele made His Indy Racing League (IRL)  debut in Round 2 at Phoenix International Raceway; presumably a “tune-up” for the Indianapolis 500. Which Michel contested as a 19 year old rookie.

 

Jourdain saved His best result for Team Scandia in His final outing. Finishing runner-up to Richie Hearn at the Fall (1996) Las Vegas Motor speedway race. With teammate Michele Alboreto finishing fifth.

 

Interestingly, Jourdain also contested the rival CART PPG IndyCar World Series for Dick Simon Racing in 1996, before joining Payton/Coyne Racing the following three years.

 

In 2000, Michel joined Bettenhausen Racing for two years, before moving to Team Rahal. Jourdain would have His best results at Team Rahal between 2002-03, the first season being a consistent top ten finishers, and tenth overall.

 

2003 would be Jourdain’s breakout year, claiming six podiums, including two wins. As Michel claimed His debutante IndyCar win on the Milwaukee Mile, leading most laps. Then a second victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve enroute to a career best third overall.

 

Jourdain’s final Champ Car season for RuSPORT in 2004, as rookie A. J. Allmendinger’s teammate surely was a disappointment, finishing 12th overall, with two podium finishes; including runner-up at Vancouver.

 

For 2005, Jourdain competed in the NASCAR Busch series, followed by the World Touring Car championship. (WTCC) Then returned to Open Wheel Racing in the 2007 A1 series, driving for Team Mexico.

 

Jourdain ran His second and final Indianapolis 500 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, finishing 19th, before failing to qualify the next year. With His maiden Indy 500 driving for Team Scandia being His best result.

 

Joe Gosek

Car No. 43, Start: 31st, Finish: 22nd; Radiator, 106-laps

Joe Gosek is a native of Oswego, New York, racing mainly as a Super Modified’s driver. Gosek made His lone start for Team Scandia in the 1996 Indy 500, before failing to qualify for the race with Liberty Racing in 1998.

 

Reportedly, Gosek’s nickname is “Double-O Joe” for running the number 00 in racing. Having been a prolific winner at His home track’s Oswego Speedway. Including winning its crown jewel, the International Classic 200 three times. Along with being a multi-time champion on the International Challenge Association’s Modified tour.

 

Racin Gardner

Car No. 90, Start: 25th, Finish: 25th ; Suspension, 76-laps

According to oldracingcars.com, Racin Gardner was given the name after His mom went into labour during a race at Ontario Motor Speedway. While His father Slick was also a racecar driver. Although two different sources give two different names for His father, i.e.; Slick or Dennis, and what racing series He dabbled in? Either being NASCAR or SCCA?

 

Born in Buellton, California, where His father owned a ranch. Uhm, Beef. Its what’s for dinner? Eventually racing in the High Desert Racing Association between 1991 to 1993. Making me think He’d be a perfect member of that ‘Ol Mears Gang, along with Robby Gordon and ‘Ol JJ’, nee Jimmie Johnson…

 

The most interesting part of Gardner’s Bio is that according to Wikipedia. Racin tested a Green Monster jet racer at Bonneville for four years before at age 16, becoming the youngest person to exceed 500mph on the Salt Flats in 1988!

 

Walt and Art Arfons were legendary Land Speed Record racers, battling with Craig Breedlove for supremacy oat Bonneville.

 

Art bought a General electric J-79 jet engine from a scrapyard out of a F-104 Starfighter jet, having been scrapped due to ingesting a bird! After crashing this version of the Green Monster at 610mph! Art bult another Green Monster jet car and apparently sold it to Slick Gardner.

 

Racin Gardner also raced in the short lived American IndyCar Series. (AIS) Devoted to stock block engine IndyCars, where Gardner was Rookie Of the Year in 1992.

 

Having failed His rookie test twice at Phoenix International Raceway due to engine failures, He made His one and only Indy Racing League start in the 1996 Indy 500 as Team Scandia’s seventh and final driver. Replacing Lyn St. James who’d driven the No. 90 in the first two IRL races, before running into funding issues.

 

St. James would then race for Zunne Group Racing aboard its No. 45 entry that May.

 

Racin then made one start in ARCA at Charlotte in 1997 before retiring from racing. Becoming a stunt driver for television and movies, along with various driving instructor roles, including off road.

 

Whilst reportedly, Racin and His father ran into legal problems and the ranch was sold, albeit Garner still lives in the “Sunshine State”.

 

VIDEO: All IndyCar’s Racin Gardner Bio 

RETRO: Revisiting Team Scandia’s Drivers line-up

As where did thirty years go?

 

Yeah, your Humble, yet Haggard No Fenders scribe Tomaso has gone down another deep, dark Wabbit’ Hole. Ostensibly due to it being the Month ‘O May and traipsing down memory lane thirty years after that Oh, so controversial 1996 Indianapolis 500.

 

As I thought I’d take a “Deeper Dive” into the drivers who comprised Team scandia’s record seven Indy 500 entries that year.

 

Ten years later, Uhm what’s that ‘Ol Pink Floyd song Time about, Eh?

 

R100: Pacific Northwest Racing Teams - Scandia/Simon

 

Eliseo Salazar

(1996 Indianapolis 500 results)

Car No. 8, Start: 3rd, Finish: 6th; Accident, 197-laps

Eliseo Salazar raced in formula 1 between 1981-83, for March, Ensign, ATF and RAM Racing. He scored a total of three points, with sixth in the 1981 Dutch Grand Prix. And a career best fifth in the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix.

 

Yet Salazar’s moment of fame came in the 1982 German Grand Prix after having collided with the overtaking leader Nelson Piquet, with Piquet punching and kicking Him afterwards!

 

Salazar joined Dick Simon Racing for the 1995 CART PPG IndyCar World Series and finished fourth as a rookie in that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Salazar remained with Simon as they transitioned to the Indy Racing League, (IRL) driving for the new Team scandia for two years. With Eliseo scoring the team’s only IRL victory at the Loas Vegas Motor Speedway in 1997.

 

Salazar would remain in the IRL through the 2002 season, with a career best third place finish for A. J. Foyt Enterprises in the 2000 Indy 500. Before a serious accident testing at IMS caused Eliseo to decide to retire from IndyCar racing.

 

Alessandro Zampedri

Car No. 8, Start: 7th, Finish: 4th; Accident, 199-laps

Alessandro Zampedri made His IndyCar debut for Euromotorsports at Surfers Paradise, Australia in 1994, after having raced in the International Formula 3000 championship; pre-cursor to today’s Formula 2 series.

 

For 1995, He drove for Payton/Coyne Racing, before joining Team Scandia in 1996 for that year’s Indianapolis 500.

 

Alessandro was involved in a major accident at the race’s end, being caught-up  in a wreck involving Roberto Moreno and Team Scandia teammate Eliseo Salazar.

 

Zampedri’s car went airbourne and struck the catch fencing! With Zampedri needing to have part of His left foot and three toes amputated.

 

Zampedri returned for the 1997 Indy 500 with Team Scandia. But an oil leak led to engine failure on the formation lap, with the Italian classified 35th and last with 0 laps.

 

Zampedri made one further IRL start for Team Scandia at the following Texas Motor Speedway round, before returning to Europe. Eventually becoming the 2005 Porsche Supercup champion, the first Italian to win the championship.

 

Michele Alboreto

Car No. 33, Start: 12th, Finish: 30th; Gearbox, 43-laps

The most decorated of Team Scandia’s seven man band. Michele Alboreto rose thru the ranks to the pinnacle of motorsports, entering Formula 1 in 1981.

 

The Italian began His F1 career driving for Tyrrell for 1981-83, before moving to la Scuderia, nee Ferrari between 1984-88. Followed by stint at Larrousse, Arrows, footwork, Scuderia Italia and Minardi. Amassing a total of 185 F1 starts between 1981-94; with five wins, two poles, 23 podiums and five fastest laps to His credit.

 

He scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at the oft, maligned and forgotten Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1982.

 

Alboreto holds the distinction of winning the last Ford Cosworth 3.0-litre normally aspirated DFV derived victories. Winning then Cosworth’s 156th victory at Detroit with a short stroke DFY development lump’. Being the sport’s final normally aspirated victory until their return in 1989.

 

Having won twice for “Uncle chopper”, (Ken Tyrrell) Michele’s crowing achievement in Formula 1 was driving for Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari for five seasons and 80 Grands Prix. Netting a further three wins and contesting the 1985 F1 title, before finishing runner-up to Alain Prost. With the Frenchman replacing Him for the 1989 season.

 

Michele made His return to Open Wheel Racing when contesting the entire 1996 IRL season driving for Team Scandia,  finishing fourth upon debut at Walt Disney Speedway.

 

Also competing aboard Scandia Engineering’s Ferrari 333 SP in that year’s 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

 

Alboreto claimed His sole podium finish in the IRL for Team scandia at Loudon, New Hampshire Speedway’s fall ’96 race. Finishing third, then capped His Team Scandia career with a fifth place finish at Las Vegas’s 1996-97 Round 2.

 

Michele dabbled in DTM and Touring cars, along with multiple stints in Sports Cars pre and post Formula 1. With the Italian returning to Circuit de la Sarthe between 1996-2000.

 

Alboreto won the 1997 24 Heurs du Mans in the Joest Porsche WSC95 Spyder, alongside ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson and Mr. Le Mans, ergo tom Kristensen.

 

Sadly, Alboreto lost His life in a testing accident at the diabolical Lausitzring, driving an Audi R8. Having somehow forgotten that Alboreto died on April 25, 2001 at the same track that almost cost Alex Zanardi His life nearly five months later…

 

Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 Ace, Le Mans winner and a Good Man

 

 

 

 

 

Fermin Velez

Car No. 34, Start: 28th, Finish: 21^st; Engine Fire, 107-laps

Fermin Velez is another driver I know very little about, or how the Spaniard rose to be a premiere Sports Car racer. Other than knowing of His two wins for Team Scandia at the 1995 and 1997 12 Hours of Sebring. Having a  framed 1995 Randy Owens serigraph with Velez’s, Eric van de Poele and Andy Evan “John Hancock’s” upon thoust Bungalow’s wall.

 

Velez was also a two-times World Sports Car Group C2 champion, and made six starts in the 24 Heurs du Mans between 1986 and 1998. Claiming two class wins, first in 1987 in Group C2 for Spice Engineering. And then in 1998 in LMP1. Driving for Doyle-Risi Racing alongside Wayne Taylor and Eric van d Poele in a Ferrari 333 SP.

 

Having spent one season in the International Formula 3000 series, with less than promising results in 1988, I can only Arse-sume this led to Fermin focusing upon a Sports Car career…

 

Fermin made His Indy Racing League debut at Phoenix International Raceway during the inaugural IRL season, finishing 19th for Team Scandia, presumably a “tune-up” for the impending Indianapolis 500.

 

Velez would make another four starts for Team Scandia during the IRL’s second 1996-97 season, including His best result at the Brickyard, finishing tenth. And then capping His IRL career at the following Texas Motor Speedway round in 25th .

 

Sadly, Fermin died from cancer at the age of 43, just shy of His 44th birthday. 

INDY 500: Will there ever be another Team Scandia entry?

The quick answer is No! But then you cannot collect your $200 for passing go…

 

“Don't believe in the 60's
The golden age of pop
You glorify the past
When the future dries up”

 

“I, I, believe in love”

 

VIDEO: God Part II

 

Not sure why I’ve become so fixated upon the year 1996 this May. Other than I suppose, because Alex Palou once again slicing His way to another IndyCar championship, and the future’s drying up…

 

Thirty years ago, Andy Evans entered the most IndyCar’s in the Post-war era with a whopping seven drivers! Having bought Dick Simon Racing over the winter of 1995.

 

And I found it Uber ironic that I just learned this May, that Dick Simon was born in Seattle, WA, my former Hometown.

 

Being the first year of The Split and Tony George’s Indy Racing League. (IRL) Allowing for old CART “rolling stock” to be utilized, due to the new “lower” cost IRL normally aspirated machinery not ready. I’d Arse-sume this left plenty of “cheap” racecars available that year…

 

Team Scandia (7)

Tyres: Goodyear

 

Chassis: Lola T95/00 Ford-Cosworth XB

#7) Eliseo Salazar, Chile

#8) Alessandro Zampedri, Italy

#22) R-Michele Jourdain, Jr, Mexico

#34) R-Fermin Velez, Spain

 

Chassis: Reynard 95i/Ford-Cosworth XB

#33) R-Michele Alboreto, Italy

 

Chassis: Lola T94/00 Ford-Cosworth XB

#43) R-Joe Gosek, USA

#90) R-Raccin Gardner, USA

 

As what’s that overused cliché about the perfect storm, Eh? Having first scribbled labourisly about this topic on No Fenders Wayback in gory 2015, albeit having first asked Mike Yippee-Aye-eh! King in 2009, Aye Karumba!

 

INDY 500: Multiple entries in Vogue

 

The following year, (1997) Team Scandia “slimmed” down to a five car effort. Which would be the last team to enter five cars in the Indianapolis 500 for nearly the next decade.

 

With Mikey A’ coming out of retirement in order to race with His son Marco, Andretti Green Racing (AGR) enter five Dallara IR-05 Honda powered chassis for the 2006 Indianapolis 500. With Marco finishing a disappointed runner-up to Sam Hornish Jr, with the consolation of being named Rookie Of the Year.

 

Michael Andretti made His final Indy 500 start in 2007, seeing AGR remain at five entries, with the big news being the arrival of Danica Patrick as Brian Herta’s replacement.

 

AGR reverted to four entries the following two years, with Micheal Andretti taking sole control of the team over the winter of 2009 and renaming it Andretti Autosport.

 

For 2010, Andretti Autosport added a fifth Dallara/Honda entry for Gentleman John Andretti driving the famed No. 43 in collabouration with The King, Richard Petty.

 

Five cars would be the norm for Andretti between 2010-2016 in various guises, before bulking up to six entries with the arrival of some smarmy Spaniard in 2017.

 

INDY 500: Andretti Six Pack

 

Andretti continued its six car armada’s thru 2021, with the exception of running only five cars in 2019.

 

Then for 2022, Andretti reverted to only having five cars at Mother Speedway, yet was joined by Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) also having five entries. Thus seeing these two powerhouse teams comprise nearly one third of the grid!

 

2023 saw Andretti as the sole five car entry, with CGR reverting to four. Before 2024 saw the two teams playing role reversals. With Andretti slimming down to its current day four car entry. Whilst Ganassi reverted to five cars. Before IndyCar enacted its nebulous Charter system, enroute to becoming a closed shop for 2027.

 

Thus I’m guessing the days of playing five card Monty at Mother Speedway’s over, and we’ll now only see four car “Super-teams” in the future.

 

Whilst now pondering if Andretti Global simply wouldn’t give up its fourth Honda engine this May for fear of not getting it back next year? Although I think everyone would have preferred having Bumping, even if just for one entry.

 

Partial song lyrics from: U2’s God Part II, 1988 Rattle and Hum Album. 

Outfoxing Foodies’, bumping Shemozzle and Car Washes

Current day IMS Tenderloin basket. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

“Let it rain, let it pour”. Hey I hear an Old Man’s Snore!

 

Certainly, its old news now about Romain Grosjean and Takuma Sato’s Up Close ‘n Personal outcomes with animals at Mother Speedway this April, during the two day IMS Open test.

 

Romain Grosjean, was quite peeved after a bird flew into His cockpit during testing! Grousing about not even getting to have any Chicken pate afterwards!

 

French racing driver Romain Grosjean has angered animal rights group Peta for “flippant” comments after hitting a bird while testing for next month’s Indianapolis 500

 

Whilst Taku-san’ said He saw something “Furry” moving around when entering Turn-1 at some 220mph! Which turned out to be a Fox ambling cross the Speedway!

 

Score 1-1 for the Animals. As Grosjean complained about how His suit stunk, His helmet stunk and He didn’t even get to have any chicken or Courdon Bleu…

 

While no idea why Romain was so mad at Marcus Armstrong following the Sonsio Grand Prix?

 

Hey Romain, its not like Marcus said keep your hands off my Swanson Hungry Man dinner.

 

Letgo my Eggo Romain!

 

“Road Kill lunches

This one’s kinda tough

 

I even like the Chicken

If the sauce’s not too blue”

 

VIDEO: TV Dinners

 

And if you thought those tenderloin sandwiches, Coke and fries, or is it onion rings? Were expensive. Then perhaps Y’all didn’t hear about the $150 caviar with sprinkled gold flakes Hot Dogs sold at the Miami Grand Pris!

 

Whilst Thar was also the Gold Digger steak sandwich available for only $135, or some bite sized ‘lil Debbie caviar muffins for $30, Aye Karumba!

 

Outrage as Miami Grand Prix unveils $150 caviar Hot dog for F1 showpiece: Absolutely tone deaf

 

Then there’s the matter of no Bump Day this year. Which although I don’t have a problem with reshuffling the weekend’s qualifying procedures. Other than I still think artificially boosting the engines is lame!

 

No, I just have a problem with blurring the lines between true Bumping and bumping positions, since they’re not the same. Can you hear me now IndyCar!

 

Nope, No Mother Natured didn’t approve of the Qualie’ format change Jokes here…

David Land: This Didn’t need to Change

 

Lastly, for all of those who drove to Mother Speedway back and their vehicle’s splattered with bugs, road tar and whatever other debris a good road trip entails. Then perhaps you’ll want to make sure your trip to the local car wash pans out far better than Tex’s did!

 

And no, that’s not an ‘Ol SuperTex’ reference either. But John Phillips story is priceless!

 

Don’t Mess with Tex!

 

What’s that ‘Ol song about At the Car Wash, Crunch!

 

Partial song lyrics from: ZZ Top’s TV dinners, 1983 Eliminator Album. 

IMS Photos: Ask Rinus?

Rinus VeeKay sits in the  No. 18 Dale Coyne IndyCar, waiting to be pushed into victory lane. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

“Do you know the way to San Jose?” Err I meant victory lane, Rinus.

 

Suppose fairly soon, We’ll All know the answer to this riveting question…

 

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

IMS Photos: Hometown winner?

Fan favourite Conor Daly poses for picture at last year’s Indianapolis 500. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Will this be the year that Noblesville’s Conor Daly claims victory on Home turf?

 

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

IMS Photos: Can Lundgaard do the Double?

Christian Lundgaard’s 2025 Arrow McLaren racecar being pushed somewhere, to the front of the grid? (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Can Christian Lundgaard become the seventh IndyCar driver to sweep the Month of May? Which would nicely match His car number…

 

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

IMS Photos: Rowdy Holmes remembered

IMS lights up pylon to honour Kyle Busch. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway lit up its iconic pylon in honour of Kyle Busch on Thursday night after He unexpectedly died.

 

Photo C/O No Fenders Offical’ Photographer CARPETS’ 

Kyle Busch Dies Suddenly

Rowdy Holmes takes His last bow…

 

Naturally, like everyone, I was shocked when hearing the news whilst listening to the Indianapolis Star’s Sports section late last night via my NFB Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service.

 

Actually had to go back and restart article twice, to make sure I was hearing that Kyle Busch had died suddenly. Having gone to hospital Thursday morning with a serious illness. Before dying at age 41 and leaving behind His wife Samanta, and their two children Brexton and Lennix.

 

Cannot say I was a fan of His, but did recognize His talent, since at one point of His NASCAR career, He was a force to be reckoned with! Doing the unthinkable by routinely ding the “Double”, i.e.; winning what’s now known as O’Riley’s Auto Parts series and NASCAR cup. Along with being the only driver to sweep a NASCAR weekend, i.e.; Trucks, Grand National and Cup! Which Kyle did twice; both at Bristol in 2010 and 2017.

 

The greatest Cup wins of Kyle Busch’s storied NASCAR career

As I know there was a Kyle Busch Motorsports team for many years, which He dominated Trucks in. And His overall accomplishments as a driver are quite impressive.

 

Having won the 2009 Nationwide series and 2015 and 2019 Cup championships. Along with having the most all-time career wins for the combined three series, i.e.; Trucks, Grand National and Cup with an eyewatering 234! Not to mention the most O’riley’s Auto Parts win with 102 and Craftsman Trucks with 69, Damn!

 

His 63 Cup wins currently ranks Him ninth overall for career wins, with the only major race missing from His resume being the Daytona 500. Making it ironic that He won this year’s pole for that race…

 

While I believe He raced once in the 24 Hours of Daytona? But what I remember most about Kyle, is racing that No. 18 M&M’s car for Joe Gibbs Racing…

 

Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski speak out after Kyle Busch’s sudden Death 

Indianapolis 500 Driver Factoids

Yeah, let’s just push the Cliffs  nothing-burger’ car back into the garage, and knock off the Drive for 5 nonsense! (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Who’ll be adding their name to the record books this year?

 

Arse-sumedly, most of Yuhs will already know this? But thought I’d “Jot” it down quickly for those keeping tabs…

 

This year’s field only has 33 total entries with no bumping, BOO! Comprised of the full season 25 Charter entries and 8 “At large” entries, sound familiar? Can Y’all say 25/8 Rule, Eh?

 

Naturally it appears to fast becoming another Alex Palou Gravy-train express to His fifth championship title overall, and fourth consecutive, Aye Karumba!

 

Indy 500 Rookies

#4. Caio Collet, Brazil; A. J. Foyt Enterprises

#19. Dennis Hauger, Norway; Dale Coyne Racing

#47 Mick Schumacher, Germany; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

#51. Jacob Abel, USA; Abel Motorsports

 

Caio collet is 24 years old and finished “Vice champion” (Runner-up) in last year’s Indy NXT championship. claiming three wins.

 

Prior to the Sonsio Grand Prix at Mother Speedway, Collet was P21 overall with a best finish of 12th at Arlington.

 

Having qualified 12th at Indy’s road course, Caio was collected in a first lap accident and never recovered, finishing P19, ironically one place ahead of Mick Schumacher.

 

Dennis Hauger is 23 years old and is the reigning Indy NXT champion, claiming seven wins enroute to the title.

 

Prior to the Indy Road Course race, He was 16th overall with a best finish of 10th at St. Pete.

 

Although starting a disappointing P24, Hauger worked His way thru the wild ‘n wooly Sonsio Grand Prix for a career best finish of eighth!

 

Mick Schumacher is 27 years old. A former Formula 1 driver and winner of the 2020 Formula 2 championship.

 

Prior t this May’s Indy’s permanent road course race, where He made His IndyCar debut testing for RLLR last October, Mick’s best finish was P17 at Long Beach; being 24th overall.

 

Mick looked set for a possible top ten finish at IMS until a late race collision with Santino Ferrucci, who had worn out His tyres. Netted Schumacher a Drive-thru penalty and a finish of P20 Saturday.

 

Jacob Abel is 25 years old and finished second overall in the 2024 Indy NXT championship. Last year He drove for Dale Coyne Racing in IndyCar, but failed to qualify of the Indianapolis 500.

 

This year Jacob make’s His Indy 500 debut in a “One-off” drive for His family’s team at Mother Speedway, while competing in IMSA Spors Car LMP2 category for Era Motorsports.

 

Hauger currently leads the Rookie Of the Year (ROY) battle with 100 points. Followed by Collet, 30 markers adrift, and Schumacher third,  a further 16 markers behind Collet, with 54 points.

 

Hauger finished 15th in His first IndyCar oval race at Phoenix this March. Collet finished 19th , and Schumacher sandwiched in-between at P18.

 

Arguably, Mick Schumacher has the least IndyCar experience of these four rookies, with only one oval race to His credit, not to mention being on His second race Engineer…

 

Indy 500 Only entries

#06. (W) Helio Castroneves, Brazil; Meyer Shank Racing

#11. Katherine Legge, UK; HMD Motorsports with Foyt enterprises

#23. Conor Daly, USA; Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

#24. Jack Harvey, UK; Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

#31. (W) Ryan Hunter-Reay; Arrow McLaren

#33. Ed Carpenter, USA; ECR

#75. (W) Takuma Sato, Japan; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

 

‘Ol Dancin’ fool Hulio’ is the most decorated of these seven Indy 500 Only runners with four Borg Warners to date. As could we please stop the Drive-for-5 nonsense!

 

Taku-san’ (Sato) is the only other multiple winner, which very likely could have been three; Playin’ Thru Dario!

 

The Dude! Nee Ryan Hunter-Reay is the only other former winner, while Fast Eddie’ has won three poles.

 

Indy 500 Pole Sitters

(6) Rick Mears: 1979, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991

(5) Scott Dixon: 2008, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022

(4) Helio Castroneves: 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010

(3) Ed Carpenter: 2013, 2014, 2018

(1) Alex Palou: 2023

(1) Scott McLaughlin: 2024

 

The last pole sitter to win the Indianapolis 500 was Symone’, nee Pageantry’, aka Simon Pagenaud in 2019.

 

Indy 500 Consecutive Winners

Wilbur Shaw: 1939-1940

Mauri Rose: 1947-1948

Bill Vukovich: 1953-1954

Al Unser: 1970-1971

Helio Castroneves: 2001-2002

Josef Newgarden: 2023-2024 

INDY 500: Searchin’ Far and Wide

Now if I could only find me a decent Tenderloin sandwich to go with my Chips, and something to Drink! (The Tomaso Collection)

 

As the yearly Hunt for the perfect, Classic Jumbo Tenderloin Rolls On…

 

Every May, the Media likes to Salt ‘N Pepper us with stories of People’s yearly Indianapolis 500 traditions, since after all it’s the Gurr-Reatest’ Something Ruther…

 

And although I can No longer recall if I’ve ever Had one? Since I only remember paying $9.00 for a Steak Sandwich during the 2006 USGP Formula 1 race instead, but I digress…

 

Thus for over a Decade Now, I’ve lived vicariously thru the written and spoken word  of one such person with the tradition of Hunting for the elusive, perfect Classic Jumbo Tenderloin Sandwich at Mother Speedway every May! For which this ‘lil Ditty’s in regards to and Good Hunting!

 

Testing Testing, 1-2, 1-2, Is this Thingy’ On?

 

“The Searcher”

I looked Under Stand J

I looked Behind the Museum

I Asked around the Pagoda

But They couldn’t Help Me either

 

They Call Me The Searcher

I’ve been Searchin’ Far and Wide

I Won’t Get to Taste what I Came For

Until I’m Trackside

 

I Asked Doug Boles

I Asked Jay Frye

I Asked Mark Miles

But He Couldn’t  Help Me either

 

They Call Me The Searcher

I’ve been Searchin’ Far and Wide

I Won’t Get to Taste what I Came For

Until I’m Trackside

 

People ten to Scoff at Me

They Think I’m Crazy lookin’ for the perfect Tenderloin

Always interrupting Me to Say Hi George

When I’m putting Mustard on my Bun

 

Finding A Classic Tenderloin

I’ve been Searchin’ for Miles

 

Because I’m The Searcher

And I want A Real Tenderloin

 

And I Won’t Get to Get What I’m After

Until I’m trackside

 

I’ve learned Not to Stop at the First concession Stand

But Yeah look at My Face, Ain’t that A Smile

 

I’m Happy when I’ve found My Classic Tenderloin

Cause I’ve Got Values and I Won’t be Denied

 

I’m lookin’ for Mine

You’re lookin’ for Yours

We’re Both lookin’ together, But we don’t Know where to Turn!

 

They Call Me The Searcher

I’ve been Searchin’ Far and Wide

I Won’t Get to Taste what I Came For

Even if they’re now 13 Dollars and 99 cents

Until I’m Trackside!

 

This Lyrical Prose was Shamelessly inspired by The Who’s The Seeker song, which Y’all can listen to in the Youtube link below…

 

VIDEO: The Seeker

 

(Originally written by Tomaso on May 15, 2022. Updated on May 7, 2026)