3 memorable finishes at the Indianapolis 500
This year marks the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has seen no shortage of historic moments since opening in 1909. While the marathon race rarely comes down to the final lap, the times it has are unforgettable.
Here are three of the best finishes at the Brickyard in recent memory:
1992: Unser wins closest finish ever
The crash-filled 1992 Indianapolis 500 looked to be a cakewalk for Michael Andretti, who led 160 laps and was 30 seconds ahead of any competition when his fuel pump failed, ending his race with eleven laps remaining.
This led to a lengthy duel down the final stretch between Al Unser Jr. and Scott Goodyear. Unser held off Goodyear, who drafted behind him for the final seven laps until cutting inside on the final straightaway. Unser hung on to win by 0.043 seconds - the closest finish in the history of the race.
With the win, Unser became the first second-generation driver to win the race, following in the footsteps of father Al Unser Sr. - a four-time champion, who finished third during his son's impressive victory.
2006: Hornish passes Andretti
Since Mario Andretti won the Indianapolis 500 in 1969, the racing legend's family (sons Michael and Jeff, and nephew John) were all unable to add a second victory before the turn of the century, but Michael's teenage son Marco looked ready to break that curse in 2006.
Just 19 years old and making his first Indy 500 start, Marco built a sizable lead over Sam Hornish Jr. to start the final lap, and while the announcers were declaring the young Andretti the winner, Hornish passed him just 450 feet from the finish line and took the checkered flag.
Marco finished second, and his father finished third.
It was the first time in history a driver made a pass on the final lap to win the event. Marco's still chasing that elusive second Indianapolis win for his family, and has added three third-place finishes and three additional top 10s in his nine starts since.
2011: Hildebrand crashes on final lap
In what was certainly the most memorable finish in recent memory, 23-year-old rookie J.R. Hildebrand headed into the final lap low on fuel, and hung onto a comfortable lead as he looked to coast to his first ever IndyCar win.
As he made his final turn toward the checkered flag, however, his car went high and crashed into the wall. It continued to slide toward the finish line, but unfortunately for Hildebrand, Dan Wheldon was close enough to pass. Wheldon grabbed his second Indy 500 win, while the rookie finished second.
Wheldon's second win in Indianapolis would be his last, as he was tragically killed during a race in Las Vegas four months later. Hildebrand, meanwhile, is still looking to win his first IndyCar race.