2009 Indianapolis 500

The 93rd Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500) was held on Sunday May 24, 2009, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It was the 14th Indy 500 sanctioned by the Indy Racing League, and the premier event of the 2009 IndyCar Series season.

Hélio Castroneves of Brazil won the race from the pole position, becoming the first driver born outside the USA to win the race more than twice. Former winner Dan Wheldon of England came second, with Danica Patrick third and Townsend Bell fourth. There were eight crashes, with Vitor Meira and Tony Kanaan both suffering non-permanent injuries.

The 2009 Indianapolis 500 began a three-year Centennial Era celebration which marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2011 will mark the 100th anniversary of the first Indy 500.

Crashes summary
Ten drivers crashed in the race:
 * Mario Moraes – lap 1
 * Marco Andretti – lap 1, re-entered race at leaders' lap 61
 * Ryan Hunter-Reay – lap 20
 * Graham Rahal – lap 56
 * Davey Hamilton – lap 83
 * Tony Kanaan – lap 98