2002 Indianapolis 500
The 86th Indianapolis race was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 26, 2002. It was part of the 2002 Indy Racing League season. Rookie Tomas Scheckter led 85 laps, and appeared on his way to a possible victory, which would have marked the third consecutive Indy win for a first-year driver. However, Scheckter crashed on the front stretch while leading with only 27 laps to go. Hélio Castroneves became the fifth driver in Indy 500 history to win back-to-back races. It was the second of his four Indy 500 victories. Castroneves became the first repeat winner since Al Unser Sr.. There would not be another repeat winner until Josef Newgarden in 2023–2024.
The 2002 race is largely considered one of the most controversial races in Indy history. On the 199th lap, second place Paul Tracy was alongside leader Hélio Castroneves, going for the lead in the third turn. At the same time, a crash occurred on another part of the track, bringing out the caution flag. Indy Racing League officials ruled that the yellow came out before Tracy completed the pass, and Castroneves was declared the victor. After an official protest was filed, and after an appeals hearing, Castroneves' victory was upheld on July 2, 2002.
About 7.46 inches of rain fell during the month of May, considerably interrupting the on-track activities. The second day of time trials was completely washed out, while Bump Day was cut short due to rain. Likewise, six of the ten practice days were either delayed by moisture or halted due to rain showers. Uncomfortably cold temperatures also were observed during most of the month. Private testing and rookie orientation in April was also hampered several times due to rain and cold temperatures. Race day, however, was sunny, warm, and clear.
Background
During the off-season, several CART teams again committed to entries in the IRL-sanctioned Indy 500 for 2002. Penske Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Team Green all announced they would return from 2001. Rahal Letterman Racing also announced they would join the CART teams and cross party lines to race at Indy. Due to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, Team Green announced that they would not have primary sponsor KOOL, but their cars would carry the colors of associate sponsor 7-Eleven.Robby Gordon announced on March 28 that he would attempt "double duty" for 2002 by racing in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Tony Stewart, who attempted the feat in 1999 and 2001, announced he would not do so for 2002. John Andretti, who did so in 1994, also announced he would not attempt the double.
During the spring, the asphalt pavement at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway underwent a diamond grinding in an effort to smooth out several bumps. In April, the new SAFER barrier was retrofitted to the retaining walls in the turns at the Speedway. It marked the first installation of the revolutionary-new energy-absorbing technology at an American superspeedway.
Rule changes
For the 2002 race, all pit crew members that work over the wall must wear approved helmets. This requirement was in response to a succession of accidents and injuries involving pit crew members in series sanctioned by members of ACCUS. Many pit crews in the series had already been utilizing optional helmets since about 1999, after Steve Fried, the crew chief for Robby McGehee was critically injured in a pit accident. The accident put Freid in a coma for several weeks.Prior to 2002, it was only required that the crew member operating the fuel rig was to wear a helmet. It was to protect from fire in case of a fuel spill, and protect him in case he lost his balance. His position between the front and rear axles was deemed particularly precarious. The tire changers did not wear helmets, despite the fact that they were more exposed and vulnerable to injury from other cars entering and exiting the pit lane.
The standardized font car numbers used from 1999 to 2001 were scrapped. Teams were permitted to utilize any color/font for car numbers decals, provided they were sufficiently visible. Car number decal placement locations were also adjusted. The required car number locations were to be one on the nose, and one on each of the rear wing vertical panels.
Race schedule
Practice and time trials
Practice – week 1
On opening day, Robby McGehee became the first driver to crash into the newly installed SAFER barrier. Scott Sharp and Hélio Castroneves led the speed chart.During the first week of practice, rain delayed the start of track activity on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Several hours of practice time were lost, with over of rain falling in those four days.
Crashes involving P. J. Jones, Mark Dismore, Max Papis, and Alex Barron occurred during the first week. During practice on the morning of pole day, Paul Tracy suffered a major accident in turn 2, demolishing his lone car. Without a backup car, the team was forced to make repairs.
The top of the speed chart changed widely over each day, with no driver atop the leaderboard more than twice all month. Speeds flirted with the barrier for the first time since 1996. Bruno Junqueira finally cracked around 3:30 p.m. on Friday May 10.
Pole Day time trials – Saturday May 11
Three days of time trials were scheduled for 2002. On pole day May 11, Bruno Junqueira was the first car to make a qualifying attempt. He finished at, the fastest pole speed since 1996. His speed held up all afternoon, and he secured his first Indy 500 pole position. He was also the first driver since Emerson Fittipaldi in 1990 to win the pole after qualifying as the coveted "first in the field." The front row was rounded out by IRL-regular Robbie Buhl, and Raul Boesel in the Team Menard car.Defending champion Hélio Castroneves managed only 13th starting position, while veteran Michael Andretti was the second slowest of the day at.
The second day of time trials, scheduled for May 12, was rained out. All remaining time trials were shifted to bump day, May 19.
Practice – week 2
During the second week of practice, three additional days were delayed or halted by rain. Paul Tracy returned to the track late in the week, in preparation to qualify on the second weekend.Bump Day time trials – Sunday May 19
On bump day, nine spots remained open in the field. Rain delayed the start by over an hour, but several cars lined up to make attempts. The field filled to 33 cars just before 2 p.m., with Billy Roe on the bubble. With light rain threatening, George Mack bumped Roe out of the field at 2:35 p.m. In doing so, he became the second African American driver to qualify for the Indy 500.With some cars practicing and preparing to enter the qualifying line, Team Green withdrew the slow time previously put in by Michael Andretti. The move momentarily reinstated Roe to the field. Andretti's speed greatly improved from the previous weekend, and he safely bumped his way back into the field. With Billy Boat on the bubble, rain stopped qualifying at 3:40 p.m., and it was eventually ended at 4:51 p.m. Jimmy Kite and Donnie Beechler were left waiting in the qualifying line.
Carb Day
On Thursday May 23, the final practice session was held. Indy rookie Tony Kanaan led the speed chart at. All 33 starters took laps without incident.Pit Stop Challenge
The 26th annual Coors Pit Stop Challenge was held Thursday May 23. Twelve teams competed in a single-elimination bracket. Six crew earned berths based on their pit stop performances at Indy Racing League events since the previous year's Indy 500: Panther Racing, Cheever Racing, Hemelgarn Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Kelley Racing. Three crews earned spots based on IRL points standings going into the Indianapolis 500: Team Penske, and Mo Nunn Racing. The final three spots were filled by at-large participants. The race pole position winner received an automatic berth; however, if that driver had already qualified for the contest, or declined the invitation, the berth went to the fastest race qualifier not already in the contest. The final two spots were to be filled by a last-chance pit stop "time trials" session scheduled for Wednesday May 8.Due to inclement weather, the last-chance pit stop "time trials" session was postponed to Wednesday May 15. Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Rahal advanced from the "time trials". Polesitter Bruno Junqueira took the final spot. Felipe Giaffone later withdrew, and he was replaced with Robbie Buhl from Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
Four teams received byes for the first round. During the first round matches, Kenny Bräck lost to Buddy Lazier after receiving a penalty for a loose rear wheel. Eddie Cheever was also issued a penalty for equipment outside of the pit box. During the quarterfinals, Sam Hornish Jr. was penalized and eliminated after he lost a right rear wheel. The finals pitted Penske versus Ganassi, with the crew of Hélio Castroneves defeating Jeff Ward. It was the first victory in the event for Castroneves, and the seventh overall for Penske.
Starting grid
Alternates
- First Alternate: #81 Billy Roe – Bumped
- Second Alternate: None
Failed to qualify
- #10 Robby McGehee – Waved off
- #15 Oriol Servià ' – Waved off
- #37 Scott Harrington – Waved off
- #99 Jimmy Kite – Stalled during qualifying attempt
- #16 Jon Herb – Failed to make an attempt during qualifying
- #32 Memo Gidley ' – Failed to make an attempt during qualifying
- #41 Donnie Beechler – Failed to make an attempt during qualifying
- #32 Johnny Herbert ' –
- #37 John de Vries ' –
- #99 Anthony Lazzaro –
Race running
Start
After a month plagued by constant rain, race day saw clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 70s. Mari Hulman George gave the command to start engines at 10:52 a.m. EST, and all cars pulled away behind the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette pace car.At the start, polesitter Bruno Junqueira took the lead and led the first 32 laps. A record-setting pace early on saw 29 laps completed before the first yellow. Greg Ray brought out the first caution with a crash in turn 1 Junqueira and the rest of the leaders pitted, but he stalled exiting the pits, giving the lead over to rookie Tomas Scheckter.