OFFICIAL DIGITAL PROGRAM 2019 OPEN-WHEELS.COM 500 MILE RACE Welcome To the Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race On behalf of the staff at Open-Wheels.com, welcome to the inaugural running of the Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race presented by Mitchell Transmissions. After many months of planning, preparation, discussions, and excitement, we begin our first chapter in what is hopefully a storied history for our November event. My dreams, hopes, and visions for this race first began to circulate in late May, wondering what it would take to replicate (to the best of our ability) what it feels like for a driver to be part of the Indianapolis 500 in real life. To feel the pressure of qualifications, and what it means to simply make the race - not to mention the elation that one lucky competitor will enjoy upon winning the event itself. Indianapolis is about so much more than its four corners, or what happens for 200 laps within its pristine white walls. For some, it is a rousing pre-race ceremony that includes Taps, Back Home Again in Indiana, and always a memorable flyover. For others, it is the green flag that seems to take ages to finally get here - before it finally happens in the blink of an eye, and 33 daring drivers funnel into Turn 1 at over 200 miles per hour. This venue breathes tradition and honor, begging to tell the stories of its past while simutaneously waiting patiently to make new memories. This month, I hope we do just that by leaving our mark on the sim racing world and producing the most authentic, exciting, pressure-packed 500-mile race that iRacing’s proud history has ever seen. I created this event in the spirit of the late Tony Hulman, who saw potential in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway even in its state of disrepair following World War II. Today, we need a 500-mile race at Indianapolis that is made with the driver in mind, and the pure competitive spirit of Indianapolis in its heart. This is how the Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race was born, and I thank you all for your tremendous support thus far. Now all there is left to do, is race. Good luck to all the drivers, and I will see you at the Speedway. Tanner John Watkins President Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race The 2019 Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race presented by Mitchell Transmissions 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Welcome Letter THE DRIVERS 5 Hulman Tribute 38 Former Winners 6 Month of November Schedule 40 Veterans 7 Broadcast Schedule 50 Past Driver Performance 8 Race “At a Glance” 52 Rookies 10 Worldwide Start Time Map 54 Pit Stop Competition 11 Fast Facts presented by The Pit Window Entry List MEDIA SERVICES 55 Veterans 100 presented by 16 Headlines Jonathan Goke Entry List 17 Media Services 18 Style Primer 58 Glossary 19 Media Coverage 61 Flags of iRacing 63 Advertising Index THE RACE 22 Mitchell Transmissions 23 Official Partners 26 Lap Sponsorship Program 28 Race Awards 30 Qualifications Format 31 Traditions 34 Entry List The Hulman Vision Tony and Mary Hulman This page serves as a tribute to Tony and Mary Hulman, the couple who purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1945 - forever altering the future of the historic facility. This year, 2019, marks the 74th anniversary of the Hulman-George family’s ownership of IMS, and without their support, the heart and soul of Indianapolis could have succumbed to wartime turmoil and nature’s way of retaking its land. The Hulman family was instrumental in bringing the Indianapolis 500 and the Month of May to the high level of excitement and intrigue that we enjoy today. After purchasing the famed Speedway, Tony Hulman instituted a long-range improvement plan that included replacing the wooden grandstands with steel and concrete structures. He also envisioned what would become the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the Speedway’s infield, seen pictured behind Hulman above in an IMS archive photo. Those visions and long-range plans continue to be shepherded by the Hulman-George family and the staff of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was punctuated by Project 100’s slew of improvements that were completed in 2016. The staff at the Speedway continue to work towards maintaining relevancy in the world of sports entertainment while relentlessly pursuing the most cutting-edge technologies and advancements that will not only draw the attention of potential fans, but keep the drivers as safe as possible while they compete. As we embark on the first Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race this November, please take the time to remember all that the Hulman-George family has done for our beloved Speedway, and continue to support IMS’ efforts in future years to ensure a long and successful lifespan for the Brickyard. The 2019 Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race presented by Mitchell Transmissions 5 Month of November 2019 Open-Wheels 500 Event Schedule Sunday, November 3 Wednesday, November 13 Opening Day Veterans 100 Practice 10:00 AM Optional Drivers Meeting 7:00 PM Veterans 100 Practice 1:00 PM Welcome Press Conference, Media Center 3:00 PM 500 Mile Race First Practice 8:00 PM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor Thursday, November 14 Practice 3:00 PM 500 Mile Race Sixth Practice Tuesday, November 5 8:00 PM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor Practice 3:00 PM 500 Mile Race Second Practice 8:00 PM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor Friday, November 15 Media Day Thursday, November 7 All Day Interviews in the Media Center Practice 6:00 PM Veterans 100 Qualifications 3:00 PM 500 Mile Race Third Practice 7:00 PM Draw for Day One Qualifications Order 8:00 PM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor Saturday, November 16 Day Before the 500 Friday, November 8 9:00 AM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor Fast Friday Practice 11:00 AM Optional Drivers Meeting 3:00 PM 500 Mile Race Fourth Practice 12:30 PM 500 Mile Race Final Practice 2:00 PM Veterans 100 (40 Laps) 3:00 PM Veterans 100 Winner Press Conference, Media Center 3:30 PM Pit Stop Competition presented by The Pit Window Saturday, November 9 4:30 PM Pit Stop Competition press conference, Media Center Day One Qualifications 6:00 AM Qualifications Session One (Group One) 10:00 AM Qualifications Session Two (Group Two) 3:00 PM Qualifications Session Three 5:00 PM Qualifications Session Four Sunday, November 17 6:15 PM Pole Winner Press Conference, Media Center Inaugural Open-Wheels 500 Mile Race 6:30 PM Additional Story Press Conference, Media Center presented by Mitchell Transmissions 6:00 AM Ceremonial Military Cannon Opens Track 8:00 AM Parade of Bands 9:00 AM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor Sunday, November 10 9:15 AM “On the Banks of the Wabash” Day Two Qualifications 9:43 AM Driver Introductions 6:00 AM Qualifications Session Five 10:30 AM Military Speech 9:00 AM Qualifications Session Six 10:31 AM Invocation 11:00 AM Qualifications Session Seven 10:33 AM Rifle Volley 1:00 PM Qualifications Session Eight 10:35 AM “Taps” 3:00 PM Qualifications Session Nine 10:36 AM “God Bless America” 5:00 PM Qualifications Final Session 10:48 AM National Anthem 6:15 PM Feature Story Press Conference, Media Center 10:51 AM Flyover 8:00 PM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor 10:58 AM (Back Home Again in) Indiana 11:06 AM Race Session Opens on iRacing (Warmup) 11:30 AM Clear Grid of Alternate Drivers 11:36 AM Drivers, To Your Cars 11:38 AM Pace Laps Begin Tuesday, November 12 11:45 AM Open-Wheels 500 Mile Race (200 Laps) Practice 2:30 PM Race Winner Press Conference, Media Center 3:00 PM 500 Mile Race Fifth Practice 2:45 PM Second Place Press Conference, Media Center 8:00 PM Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor 3:00 PM Third Place Press Conference, Media Center 6 The 2019 Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race 2019 Open-Wheels 500 Broadcast Schedule Radio Schedule During the month of November, the Open-Wheels Radio Network will host a one-hour online radio show anchored by Open-Wheels.com owner and editor Tanner Watkins. The show will feature updates on pertinent news surrounding the event, practice and qualifications reports, the official Qualifications Draw reveal, driver interviews, special guests, and a two-hour pre-race show before the 500-mile race on Sunday, November 17. November 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor 8:00 to 9:00 PM Saturday, November 16 Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor 9:00 to 10:00 AM Sunday, November 17 Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor 9:00 to 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 19 Today at the 500 presented by Thru Kaiser’s Visor 6:00 to 8:00 PM Visit Mixlr.com/Today-At-The-500 to hear the latest “Today at the 500” airings! Additionally, all practice sessions will be streamed live by Open-Wheels at Twitch.tv/OpenWheels Streaming Broadcast Schedule RaceSpot TV is the official broadcast partner of the 2019 Open-Wheels.com 500 Mile Race presented by Mitchell Transmissions. RaceSpot TV will broadcast the final hour of both days during Qualifications Weekend on November 9 and 10, and will also host a pre-race show before the 500-mile race on November 17.