If you joined us for 30 Days in May earlier this year, you’ll see some familiar faces from that countdown. We’ve also added some new entries for 23 Days in August. So let’s celebrate some notable drivers and cars from the glorious past of the Indianapolis 500!
garages because of the sudden downpour that halted the race after 180 laps.
23 Days in August: No. 15, Buddy Rice,
2004 Rahal-Letterman Argent/Pioneer Panoz G Force/Honda. Buddy Rice had a May
to remember in 2004, taking the pole and then winning the rain-shortened race
for his first IndyCar victory.
I always felt bad that Rice didn’t get to do a lot of the post-race victory ceremonies because of the sudden downpour, which later turned into a dangerous storm.
The media center at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with all its windows, is about the last place you want to be during while tornado sirens are blaring. So I filed my story as quickly as possible, then was drenched as I went catch a ride from my brother-in-law, who fished me out.
Rice also won later in the year at Kansas and Michigan, two tracks now long absent from the IndyCar schedule. He was hurt in a crash in practice at Indy the next year. Kenny Brack, the 1999 500 winner, took over the car and posted the fastest qualifying speed.
Rice had four more starts after his 2004 victory, with a best finish of eighth in 2008.
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