Firestone Indy 400

The Firestone Indy 400 was an IndyCar Series race held at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

Between 1970 and 2007, Michigan International Speedway (MIS) hosted at least one open-wheel race in every season, hosting 55 open-wheel races over 38 years. In July 2007, MIS announced that it would not hold an open-wheel auto race after the Indy Racing League was unable to provide a suitable date, and was not willing to return to the twin race format.

USAC Indy Car Years

In 1968, American open wheel racing debuted at the circuit with a 200-mile (Template:Convert/( 200 )*1609.344) USAC Champ Car event. In 1970, USAC returned with what would become a traditional July race date. In 1973, a second USAC race was added to the Champ Car schedule, a fall race usually held in September.

CART Champ Car years

In 1979, both MIS races switched to CART Champ Car sanctioning, remaining 150 - 250 miles (Template:Convert/(250)*1609.344) in length.

In 1980, Ontario Motor Speedway closed, and thus Indycar racing's quadruple crown lost one of its 500-mile (Template:Convert/( 500 )*1609.344) races. In 1981, the summer race at Michigan was expanded to a 500-mile (Template:Convert/( 500 )*1609.344) event, replacing Ontario. NBC agreed to broadcast the race live, making it the first 500-mile (Template:Convert/( 500 )*1609.344) Indy race to be broadcast live. Michigan joined Indianapolis and Pocono for the new Triple Crown of 500-mile (Template:Convert/( 500 )*1609.344) races. Following the 1986 CART season, the fall race was dropped from the schedule, leaving the Michigan 500 the track's lone Indycar event.

In 1987, the 500-mile (Template:Convert/( 500 )*1609.344) race began to sponsored by Marlboro. On network television, however, due to tobacco regulations, the race was still advertised as the "Michigan 500." From 1988-1991 the race was part of the Marlboro Million, a cash prize awarded to any driver who won the Marlboro Grand Prix, the Marlboro 500, and the Marlboro Challenge All-Star event in the same year. The prize was never won.

In 1996, the CART series held a second 500-mile (Template:Convert/( 500 )*1609.344) race, the U.S. 500, the same day as the Indianapolis 500. The race featured a capacity crowd of around 80,000, albeit aided greatly by corporate sponsors who encouraged—and allegedly, in some cases, ordered—their employees to attend. This race was dropped immediately after its only running, partially due to a hope of running the Indy 500 in 1997.

After debris from a crash on the track killed 3 spectators in 1998, corporate sponsorship dropped off drastically, and attendance started to wane. Worse yet, MIS started a massive grandstand expansion program to accommodate the NASCAR crowds, and the smaller crowd looked even smaller in the larger grandstands. In addition, Roger Penske sold the track to ISC in 1999, and ISC lacked the emotional and economic ties to CART.

In spite of a very memorable race—one of a long string of very memorable races—the 2001 CART race was the last sanctioned by that organization at MIS.

Safety concerns

During the CART era, safety was always a major concern due to the high speeds of the CART cars. In fact, much of the discussion by the CART Board of Directors centered on safety issues when they approved increasing the race to 500 miles (Template:Convert/(500)*1609.344) in 1981. Crashes at MIS ended the careers of Chip Ganassi, Emerson Fittipaldi, Hector Rebaque and Danny Sullivan, and crashes injured Derek Daly, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Jr., Gordon Johncock, Mario Andretti and Bobby Rahal among others. Most crashes resulted in a total write-off of the vehicle, and high speeds resulted in many mechanical failures.

While no drivers have been killed at a MIS open-wheel event, many drivers expressed grave reservations about racing at such speeds during the CART years, and it is fair to say that few drivers looked forward to racing at MIS. Michael Andretti and Nigel Mansell both complained publicly about the high speeds; ironically, both won in the years that they complained the loudest.

In 1987, a dogleg was hastily built on the backstrech, but was never used, partially due to fear of gearbox failure, but mostly due to concern over fan reaction. No effort was ever made by CART to reduce horsepower and thus slow the cars, an approach NASCAR tackled in 1987 following a bad crash at Talladega Superspeedway that injured several spectators.

Al Unser, Jr. averaged Template:Convert/mi/h in the 1990 Marlboro 500, which is still the fastest 500 race ever run at MIS. In 1996, Paul Tracy was clocked at Template:Convert/mi/h during a practice session.||}} In 1997, Richie Hearn was clocked at 249.018. Paul Tracy set the track record for qualifying at 234.949 in 2000, which is still a track record.

In 1998, the Hanford Device was introduced. It was a spoiler attached across the back of the rear wing to greatly increase of drag. The result was a massive increase in the slipstream, and suddenly became a powerful force in Indycars. It provided wheel-to-wheel competition as well as multiple lead changes per lap. In 1998, CART counted 62 official lead changes, but since lead changes were only counted at the start-finish line, the number was much higher.

Also in 1998, three spectators were killed, and six others injured, when debris from a single-car crash flew over the 15-foot ( m) fence into the grandstands. All of the injured and dead were local residents from Michigan. In spite of the improvements to the fence, subsequent attendance in races declined greatly over previous totals.

By 2001, it was clear that change was needed. CART drivers and teams still complained about the high speeds, with the corresponding safety and cost concerns that it generated. The Hanford Device cost $50,000, and was blamed by someTemplate:Who? for the death of Greg Moore in 1999 at Fontana. In 2001, an early attempt at a "soft wall" was tried, using tires to line the exit to turn 2, but it was ineffective, as the lone crash into the tires resulted in a total loss to the car and a trip to the hospital for the driver. The popularity of the series was also in freefall with declining attendance.

In the final CART race at Michigan the lead changed 63 times.

Attrition during the CART era

Attrition has always been a factor in the 500-mile CART Michigan races.

In 1981 (the inaugural 500-mile race), only 10 cars out of 37 cars (still to this day the highest number of cars to start the Michigan 500) finished the race. The theme of the day was mechanical failures (engine, suspension, etc.), which claimed 21 cars. Crashes claimed four cars. Johnny Rutherford had a strange end to his day when he cut a tire and spun out; he did not finish. A pit fire claimed the entrant of Herm Johnson and stopped the race for over an hour.

1983 saw a spectacular finish and a bad wreck on the final lap; Rick Mears was lapping Chris Kneifel on the final lap when John Paul, Jr. drafted past entering Three; Mears spun out and was T-boned by Kniefel.

1984 was among the most brutal races of all. Phil Krueger's car was bent almost into itself in an early wreck, then Gary Bettenhausen was hit by Howdy Holmes and one car spun atop the other's rollbar. Chip Ganassi spun into Al Unser, Jr. and both tumbled into the backstretch guardrail, then on the final lap Pancho Carter tried to pass Rick Mears but shot head first into the backstretch armco, slicing off several foot-thick metal posts at their base as the car disintegrated and the cockpit tub tumbled to Turn Three.

In 1985 only 10 of 30 cars finished the race. It was an even mixture of problems as ten cars suffered mechanical failures (engine, suspension, etc.) while the other ten cars crashed. The most severe crash came when Danny Ongais tumbled down the backstretch like a stock car. Mario Andretti was forced out of a subsequent race following injury in a Turn Four crash.

In 1986 only 7 of 28 cars finished the race. That is still the Michigan 500 record for fewest cars to ever finish the race. Seven cars crashed out. The theme of the day was again mechanical failures, which took out 14 cars. Johnny Rutherford took his final Indycar win.

In 1988, 9 of 28 cars finished the race. Mechanical failures 16 cars. There was only 1 car taken out by a crash (Derek Daly). Howdy Holmes was too fatigued too continue. Johnny Rutherford's car was engulfed in flames and could not continue.

In 1994, 8 of 28 starters finished the race. Mechanical failures (engine, suspension, etc.) claimed 16 cars, crashes claimed 3 more cars and a severe pit fire (eerily similar to a severe pit fire during the inaugural Michigan 500 that stopped the race for over an hour) claimed the entrant of Adrian Fernandez. Also, at the same time this was happening Michael Andretti crashed in turn 2 (one of the 3 cars eliminated in a crashes) bringing out the yellow flag allowing the CART officials to stop the fire.

Indy Racing League years

Starting for the 2002 season, the race became an Indy Racing League Indycar series event. In addition, the race distance was changed from 500 miles (Template:Convert/(500)*1609.344) to 400 miles (Template:Convert/(400)*1609.344). In a very memorable race, Tomas Scheckter overcame bickering with team owner Eddie Cheever to beat team mate Buddy Rice. The race featured wheel-to-wheel racing, albeit at much slower speeds than the CART-sanctioned events. In addition, Sarah Fisher became the first female driver to pass for the lead under green flag conditions in an Indy-style race.

The IRL was unable to rebuild the event's attendance in spite of heavy support from the Jackson, Michigan community leadership. In many cases, the attendance for supporting stock car events was as great, if not greater, than the IRL race itself.

For 2007, the race had to move dates. The Allstate 400 at the Brickyard was moved by ESPN up one week, and created a conflict. Originally the race at Michigan was to move to July 22, but after the Indy Racing League added a new event at Mid-Ohio for that date, the race was moved to the first weekend in August. The IRL was faced with the task of selling tickets for 3 events (Mid Ohio, Michigan, and Detroit) within 6 weeks of each other, at venues that are within easy driving distance of one other.

In July, 2007, ISC announced that they would not be hosting an IRL race in 2008. The track management was not offered their traditional date for 2008 due to the same constraints that led to the 2007 date. In addition, track management wanted to return to the twin 200-mile (Template:Convert/( 200 )*1609.344) race format in order to gain publicity, and the IRL refused to meet that request. Faced with very low attendance, as well as the task of a race only 2 weeks before a major NASCAR race, ISC terminated negotiations and announced that there would be no race in 2008.

Past winners

Season	Date	Race Name	Driver	Team	Chassis	Engine	Race Distance		Race Time	Average Speed (mph)	Report
							Laps	Miles (km)
USAC Championship Car history
1968	October 13	Michigan Inaugural 250	Ronnie Bucknum	All American Racers	Eagle	Offy	125	250 (402.336)	1:32:42	161.812	Report
1970	July 4	Michigan Twin 200s	Gary Bettenhausen	Bettenhausen Racing	Gerhardt	Offy	100	200 (321.868)	1:25:20	138.67	Report
1971	July 18	Michigan 200	Mark Donohue	Penske Racing	McLaren	Offy	100	200 (321.868)	1:22:09	144.898	Report
1972	July 16	Michigan 200	Joe Leonard	Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing	Parnelli	Offy	100	200 (321.868)		140.685	Report
1973	July 15	Michigan 200	Roger McCluskey	Lindsey Hopkins	McLaren	Offy	100	200 (321.868)	1:14:28	161.146	Report
	September 16	Michigan Twin 125s	Bill Vukovich II	Jerry O'Connell	Eagle	Offy	63	126 (202.777)	0:56:24	134.026	Report
			Johnny Rutherford	Bruce McLaren Motor Racing	McLaren	Offy	63	126 (202.777)	0:48:05	157.243
1974	July 21	Michigan 200	Bobby Unser	All American Racers	Eagle	Offy	100	200 (321.868)	1:14:41	160.695	Report
	September 15	Norton 250	Al Unser	Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing	Eagle	Offy	125	250 (402.336)	1:45:32	142.135	Report
1975	July 20	Norton 200	A.J. Foyt	A.J. Foyt Enterprises	Coyote	Foyt	100	200 (321.868)	1:15:31	158.907	Report
	September 13	Michigan 150	Tom Sneva	Penske Racing	McLaren	Offy	75	150 (241.401)	0:51:05	176.16	Report
1976	July 18	Norton Twin 200s	Gordon Johncock	Patrick Racing	Wildcat	DGS	100	200 (321.868)	1:12:43	1:12:43	Report
	September 18	Michigan 150	A.J. Foyt	A.J. Foyt Enterprises	Coyote	Foyt	75	150 (241.401)	0:54:51	164.058	Report
1977	July 17	Norton 200	Danny Ongais	Interscope Racing	Parnelli	Cosworth	100	200 (321.868)	1:20:27	149.152	Report
	September 17	Michigan Grand Prix	Gordon Johncock	Patrick Racing	Wildcat	DGS	75	150 (241.401)	0:51:21	175.25	Report
1978	July 16	Norton Twin 200	Johnny Rutherford	Bruce McLaren Motor Racing	McLaren	Cosworth	100	200 (321.868)	1:15:02	159.941	Report
	September 16	Gould Grand Prix	Danny Ongais	Interscope Racing	Parnelli	Cosworth	75	150 (241.401)	1:01:32	146.246	Report
Indy Car / CART World Series history
1979	July 15	Norton Twin 125s	Gordon Johncock	Patrick Racing	Penske	Cosworth	63	126 (202.777)	0:44:13	170.796	Report
			Bobby Unser	Penske Racing	Penske	Cosworth	63	126 (202.777)	0:48:40	155.342
	September 15	Gould Grand Prix	Bobby Unser	Penske Racing	Penske	Cosworth	75	150 (241.401)	0:51:22	175.211	Report
1980	July 20	Norton 200	Johnny Rutherford	Chaparral Cars	Chaparral	Cosworth	100	200 (321.868)	1:20:48	148.515	Report
	October 20	Gould Grand Prix	Mario Andretti	Penske Racing	Penske	Cosworth	75	150 (241.401)	0:53:44	167.494	Report
1981	July 25	Norton Michigan 500	Pancho Carter	Alex Morales Autosport	Penske	Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:45:45	132.89	Report
	September 20	Detroit News Grand Prix	Rick Mears	Penske Racing	Penske	Cosworth	74*	148 (238.182)	1:10:30	125.957	Report
1982	July 18	Norton Michigan 500	Gordon Johncock	Patrick Racing	Wildcat	Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:14:54	153.925	Report
	September 26	Detroit News Grand Prix	Bobby Rahal	TrueSports	March	Cosworth	75	150 (241.401)	1:04:03	140.515	Report
1983	July 17	Norton Michigan 500	John Paul, Jr.	VDS	Penske	Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:42:27	134.862	Report
	September 18	Detroit News Grand Prix	Rick Mears	Penske Racing	Penske	Cosworth	100	200 (321.868)	1:05:49	182.235	Report
1984	July 22	Michigan 500	Mario Andretti	Newman/Haas Racing	Lola	Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:44:45	133.482	Report
	September 24	Detroit News Grand Prix	Mario Andretti	Newman/Haas Racing	Lola	Cosworth	100	200 (321.868)	1:11:12	168.523	Report
1985	July 28	Michigan 500	Emerson Fittipaldi	Patrick Racing	March	Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:53:58	128.22	Report
	September 22	Detroit News 200	Bobby Rahal	TrueSports	March	Cosworth	100	200 (321.868)	1:13:19	163.647	Report
1986	August 2	Michigan 500	Johnny Rutherford	Alex Morales Autosport	March	Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:38:45	137.139	Report
	September 28	Pepsi Cola 250	Bobby Rahal	TrueSports	March	Cosworth	125	250 (402.336)	1:22:33	181.701	Report
1987	August 2	Marlboro 500	Michael Andretti	Kraco Racing	March	Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	2:54:56	171.493	Report
1988	August 7	Marlboro 500	Danny Sullivan	Penske Racing	Penske	Chevrolet	250	500 (804.672)	2:46:03	180.654	Report
1989	August 6	Marlboro 500	Michael Andretti	Newman/Haas Racing	Lola	Chevrolet	250	500 (804.672)	3:07:15	160.21	Report
1990	August 5	Marlboro 500	Al Unser, Jr.	Galles/Kraco Racing	Lola	Chevrolet	250	500 (804.672)	2:38:07	189.727	Report
1991	August 4	Marlboro 500	Rick Mears	Penske Racing	Penske	Chevrolet	250	500 (804.672)	2:59:23	167.23	Report
1992	August 2	Marlboro 500	Scott Goodyear	Walker Racing	Lola	Chevrolet	250	500 (804.672)	2:48:53	177.265	Report
1993	August 1	Marlboro 500	Nigel Mansell	Newman/Haas Racing	Lola	Ford- Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	2:39:24	188.203	Report
1994	July 31	Marlboro 500	Scott Goodyear	King Racing	Lola	Ford- Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:07:44	159.8	Report
1995	July 30	Marlboro 500 Presented by Speedstick	Scott Pruett	Patrick Racing	Lola	Ford- Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	3:07:52	159.676	Report
1996	May 26	Inaugural U.S. 500	Jimmy Vasser	Chip Ganassi Racing	Reynard	Honda	250	500 (804.672)	3:11:48	156.403	Report
	July 28	Marlboro 500	André Ribeiro	Tasman Racing	Lola	Honda	250	500 (804.672)	3:16:33	152.627	Report
1997	July 27	U. S. 500 Presented by Toyota	Alex Zanardi	Chip Ganassi Racing	Reynard	Honda	250	500 (804.672)	2:59:35	167.044	Report
1998	July 26	U. S. 500 Presented by Toyota	Greg Moore	Forsythe Racing	Reynard	Mercedes	250	500 (804.672)	3:00:48	165.913	Report
1999	July 25	U. S. 500 Presented by Toyota	Tony Kanaan	Forsythe Racing	Reynard	Honda	250	500 (804.672)	2:41:12	186.097	Report
2000	July 23	Michigan 500 Presented by Toyota	Juan Pablo Montoya	Chip Ganassi Racing	Lola	Toyota	250	500 (804.672)	2:48:49	177.694	Report
2001	July 22	Harrah's 500 Presented by Toyota	Patrick Carpentier	Forsythe Racing	Reynard	Ford-Cosworth	250	500 (804.672)	2:54:55	171.498	Report
Indy Racing League IndyCar Series history
2002	July 28	Michigan Indy 400	Tomas Scheckter	Team Cheever	Dallara	Infiniti	200	400 (643.737)	2:14:03	179.044	Report
2003	July 27	Firestone Indy 400	Alex Barron	Mo Nunn Racing	G-Force	Toyota	200	400 (643.737)	2:12:39	180.917	Report
2004	August 1	Michigan Indy 400	Buddy Rice	Rahal Letterman Racing	G-Force	Honda	200	400 (643.737)	2:11:47	182.123	Report
2005	July 31	Michigan Indy 400	Bryan Herta	Andretti Green Racing	Dallara	Honda	200	400 (643.737)	2:23:33	167.197	Report
2006	July 30	Firestone Indy 400	Helio Castroneves	Team Penske	Dallara	Honda	200	400 (643.737)	2:03:44	193.972	Report
2007	August 5	Firestone Indy 400	Tony Kanaan	Andretti Green Racing	Dallara	Honda	200	400 (643.737)	2:49:38	141.481	Report

• September 1981: Race shortened due to scoring error.

Indy Lights winners

Season	Date	Winning Driver
CART PPG Indy Lights
1996	May 25	David Empringham
1998	July 25	Tony Renna
1999	July 24	Philipp Peter
2000	July 22	Felipe Giaffone
IRL Indy Pro Series
2002	July 28	A.J. Foyt IV
2003	July 27	Mark Taylor
2004	August 1	P.J. Chesson

References

• http://www.indycar.com
• http://www.champcarstats.com

Template:IndyCar Series races