2008 Indianapolis 500
The 92nd Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday May 25, 2008. Scott Dixon of New Zealand won the race from the pole position.
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis 500 | |||||
| Sanctioning body | Indy Racing League | ||||
| Season | 2008 IndyCar season | ||||
| Date | May 25, 2008 | ||||
| Winner | Scott Dixon | ||||
| Winning team | Chip Ganassi Racing | ||||
| Average speed | 143.567 mph (231 km/h) | ||||
| Pole position | Scott Dixon | ||||
| Pole speed | 226.366 mph (364 km/h) | ||||
| Fastest qualifier | Scott Dixon | ||||
| Rookie of the Year | Ryan Hunter-Reay | ||||
| Most laps led | Scott Dixon (115) | ||||
| Pre-race ceremonies | |||||
| National anthem | Julianne Hough | ||||
| "Back Home Again in Indiana" | Jim Nabors | ||||
| Starting command | Mari Hulman George | ||||
| Pace car | Chevrolet Corvette | ||||
| Pace car driver | Emerson Fittipaldi | ||||
| Starter | Bryan Howard | ||||
| Honorary starter | Kristi Yamaguchi | ||||
| Estimated attendance | 400,000+ | ||||
| TV in the United States | |||||
| Network | ESPN on ABC | ||||
| Announcers | Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, Eddie Cheever | ||||
| Nielsen ratings | 4.5 / TBD | ||||
| Chronology | |||||
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It was the thirteenth Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and served as the showcase event of the 2008 IndyCar Series in DIRECTV HD season. It was the fifth round of the 2008 IndyCar Series season. It was the first Indy 500 after the open wheel "unification" took place, and it featured a full complement of entries of IndyCar Series regulars, as well as former Champ Car teams.
It was the first Indy 500 where all entries utilized the Dallara IR-05 chassis after Phil Giebler failed to qualify with Panoz chassis - effectively ushering in a four-year "spec" era. In addition, all full-time entries began utilizing semi-automatic paddle shifters in 2008. Paddle shifters for part-time Indy 500-only entries were optional due to cost reasons. IndyCar Series practice began May 4. Time trials took place over the two weekends prior to the race (May 10–11 and May 17–18). The final practice was held Friday May 23.