2010 Indianapolis 500

94th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Sanctioning bodyIndy Racing League
Season2010 IndyCar season
DateMay 30, 2010
WinnerUnited Kingdom Dario Franchitti
Winning teamTarget Chip Ganassi Racing
Average speed161.623 mph (260.107 km/h)
Pole positionBrazil Hélio Castroneves
Pole speed227.970 mph (366.882 km/h)
Fastest qualifierBrazil Hélio Castroneves
Rookie of the YearSwitzerland Simona de Silvestro[1]
Most laps ledUnited Kingdom Dario Franchitti (155)
Pre-race ceremonies
National anthemJewel[2]
"Back Home Again in Indiana"Jim Nabors
Starting commandMari Hulman George
Pace carChevrolet Camaro SS[3]
Pace car driverRobin Roberts[4]
StarterPaul Blevin
Honorary starterJack Nicholson[5]
Estimated attendance300,000 + (est.)
TV in the United States
NetworkABC
AnnouncersMarty Reid
Scott Goodyear
Eddie Cheever, Jr.[6]
Nielsen ratings3.6,[7] 4.0 overnight[8] / 10
Chronology
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2009 2011

The 94th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 30, 2010. It was the 15th Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and was the premier event of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season. The race was won by Dario Franchitti, ahead of Dan Wheldon and Marco Andretti. Tony Kanaan, who had started in the final position, ran as high as second during the race before finishing eleventh.

The race was the second of the three-year-long Centennial era, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 100th anniversary of the first Indianapolis 500. It was the 53rd time the race had been held on a May 30. This year marked the first race with four female drivers (repeated in 2011), and Simona de Silvestro was awarded Rookie of the Year.

  1. ^ Powell, Eric (2010-05-31). "Franchitti Earns $2.75 Million For Indy 500; De Silvestro Chase Rookie Of The Year". Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Retrieved 2010-06-01. Simona de Silvestro earned the prestigious Indianapolis 500 Chase Rookie of the Year Award, which includes a $25,000 bonus plus the Chase Rookie of the Year Trophy. De Silvestro finished 14th in the No. 78 Team Stargate Worlds HVM Racing Dallara/Honda/Firestone.
  2. ^ Cavin, Curt (2010-05-02). "Bull-riding links bring Jewel for anthem". The Indianapolis Star. Michael G. Kane; Gannett Company. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
  3. ^ Powell, Eric (2009-12-18). "Chevrolet Camaro SS To Pace 2010 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race". Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  4. ^ Kelly, Paul (2010-03-25). "'Good Morning America' Anchor Robin Roberts To Drive Pace Car At 2010 Indianapolis 500". Indy500.com. Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  5. ^ Cavin, Curt (2010-05-26). "Jack Nicholson will flag start of Indianapolis 500". The Indianapolis Star. Michael G. Kane; Gannett Company. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
  6. ^ Lewandowski, Dave (2010-03-06). "VERSUS' passion at forefront of telecasts". IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League. Archived from the original on 2010-05-26. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  7. ^ "Indianapolis 500 On ABC Earns Lowest Rating, Viewership Ever". SportsBusiness Daily. Street & Smith's Sports Group. 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2010-09-28.
  8. ^ "Indy 500 Overnights Drop on ABC". Sports Media Watch. Blogspot. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-09-28.