#1 Moment in Indy 500 History

The top moment in my Indy 500 history is last year's race!!

Last year's race begins  with all the questions about Tony Kanaan, a fast car all week but had crashed during qualifications and so thus would start in 33rd. His speed and skill is evident right away as he passes seven cars on the first half of a lap! Fast forward now to lap 161 and a caution. Most drivers pit, but Mike Conway, Justin Wilson, Helio Castroneves, and Graham Rahal stay out and occupy the top four spots. None have enough fuel to finish the race under green and have to pit, giving Dario Franchitti the lead. However, all of the leaders who pitted are going to be close on fuel, too!  Fan favorite Tony Kanaan is in second and closing on Franchitti, but needs a splash of fuel with five laps to go, so his "worst-to-first" attempt comes up short. Now the questions begin as to whether Franchitti can make it. Dan Wheldon is now in second place and has save enough fuel that he can go full speed and full rich around the track for the closing laps. Franchitti isn't so lucky, as he turns in laps of 208, 202, and sub-200 mph on his last three green laps. When the white flag flies, Franchitti lets three lapped cars pass him because he's going so slowly, and Wheldon is closing the gap only 3.6 seconds behind and running at full speed. But as Wheldon enters turn 1, a devistating crash in turn 3 ends the race and Franchitti can coast around the track for the last lap and take the checkered flag! He led 155 of the 200 laps.

The accident in turn 3 is one that I personally will never forget. Ryan Hunter-Reay runs out of fuel entering turn 3 and Mike Conway suddenly is right on his rear wing. Conway goes to the inside and the two cars touch wheels. Conway gets up into the air and slams hard into the catch fence with Hunter-Reay's car right under him.  The car does it's job as it breaks apart and leaves carbon fiber all over the track.  Even with all of the dispersed energy, Conway suffers a broken leg and is done for the season.

This race is my vote for the top moment in the last 37 years due to all of the stories. Kanaan worst-to-first, Helio on pole going for his 4th win, Franchitti's dominance throughout the race, the fuel strategies at the end, and one of the most devastating crashes ever at the speedway are just some of the big stories that surrounded the 2010 running of the Indianapolis 500.

ENJOY RACE DAY! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!!