Indy 500 Results And Recap 2012: Franchitti Joins Exclusive Club With Third Victory

WIth his victory at the 2012 Indy 500 on Sunday, Dario Franchitti joined an exclusive club of race car drivers to have won the Indy 500 at least three times. Of those 10 racers, one— Helio Castroneves, who won his third Indy 500 in 2009— is still active, otherwise the feat hasn't been accomplished since the late 1980s.

Here's the full list of drivers to have won at least three Indy 500s (in chronological order):

1. A.J. Foyt (4)
2. Al Unser (4)
3. Rick Mears (4)
4. Louis Meyer (3)
5. Wilbur Shaw (3)
6. Mauri Rose (3)
7. Johnny Rutherford (3)
8. Bobby Unser (3)
9. Helio Castroneves (3)
10. Dario Franchitti (3)

Franchitti and Castroneves are two of only four active drivers to have won an Indy 500. The other two are Buddy Rice, who won in 2004, and Scott Dixon, who won in 2008.

For more updates on the Indy 500, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For more on Indy racing, including the 2012 Indianapolis 500, please visit Pop Off Valve.

Indianapolis 500 Race Results And Finishing Order: Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan Round Out Top-3

The 2012 Indianapolis 500 went down on Sunday afternoon in record-breaking heat, and Dario Franchitti took home the top spot for the third time in his career. Finishing second in the race is Franchitti's teammate, Scott Dixon, who battled with his colleague down the stretch before ultimately bowing out.

With Franchitti and Dixon finishing 1-2, it's the seventh time in history that a owner has had his cars finish in the top-two spots. Below is the full finishing order for Sunday's race:

1. Dario Franchitti
2. Scott Dixon
3. Tony Kanaan
4. Oriol Servia
5. Ryan Briscoe
6. James Hinchcliffe
7. Justin Wilson
8. Charlie Kimball
9. Townsend Bell
10. Helio Castroneves
11. Rubens Barrichello
12. Alex Tagliani
13. Graham Rahal
14. JR Hildebrand
15. James Jakes
16. Simon Pagenaud
17. Takuma Sato
18. E.J. Viso
19. Michel Jourdain Jr.
20. Sebastien Bourdais
21. Ed Carpenter
22. Katherine Legge
23. Ana Beatriz
24. Marco Andretti
25. Josef Newgarden
26. Sebastian Saavedra
27. Ryan Hunter-Reay
28. Will Power
29. Mike Conway
30. Bryan Clauson
31. Wade Cunningham
32. Simona De Silvestro
33. Jean Alesi

Justin Wilson and James Jakes of Dale Coyne Racing finished 7th and 15th, respectively. The team is centered in Plainfield, Ill.

For more updates on the Indy 500, stay tuned to this StoryStream. For more on Indy racing, including the 2012 Indianapolis 500, please visit Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indy 500: Dario Franchitti Wins For Third Time In Career

Dario Franchitti won his third career Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon in wild fashion, beating out the remainder of the field after Takuma Sato wrecked while trying to pass for the lead late in the race. As SB Nation's Jeff Gluck notes, "the field had already broken the record for most lead changes in 96 years of Indianapolis 500 history."

Here's video of Franchitti winning the race:

Sato leading the race with just 55 laps remaining was one of the big stories on Sunday given his lack of success with IndyCars, but he couldn't pull off the stunning victory. While trying to pass Franchitti for the lead late in the race, Sato spun out and ultimately finished 17th.

Catch up on the best video highlights, crashes and notes from the race with SB Nation's Indy 500 2012 StoryStream. For more on Indy racing, including the 2012 Indianapolis 500, please visit Pop Off Valve.

Indy 500 2012: Will Power, Mike Conway Crash During Lap 82

There was a scary moment at this year's Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon as Mike Conway's car was launched into the air after colliding with Will Power's car during the 82nd lap. SB Nation's Jeff Gluck is covering the race, and he described the scene:

Conway had spun around and hit the wall, which then collected Power. But Power's car catapulted Conway into the air, and the No. 14 car rode the wall – with the driver's head dangerously close to the fence – until it eventually dropped back onto the track.

Here's video of the crash:

Neither driver was injured in the crash, but it was scary nonetheless. As Gluck notes, this was especially so after Dan Wheldon was killed during a crash at the last IZOD IndyCar Series race back in October 2011.

Indianapolis 500 Lineup 2012: Briscoe, Hinchcliffe, Hunter-Reay Lead Pack Heading Into Race

The three racers that make up Row 1 of the 2012 Indianapolis 500 aren't exactly familiar with being at the head of an Indy 500 pack. Those racers— Ryan Briscoe, who holds the poll, James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Hunter-Reay— all finished outside of the top 20 in last year's race, though Briscoe did finish fifth in 2007 and Hunter-Reay sixth in 2008.

Last year's winner was Dan Wheldon, who died in October of 2011 in an accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the IndyCar World Championship.

Here's the starting lineup for Sunday's Indianapolis 500, with the starting grid being grouped in threes:

1. Ryan Briscoe
2. James Hinchcliffe
3. Ryan Hunter-Reay
4. Marco Andretti
5. Will Power
6. Helio Castroneves
7. Josef Newgarden
8. Tony Kanaan
9. EJ Viso
10. Rubens Barrichello
11. Alex Tagliani
12. Graham Rahal
13. Ana Beatriz
14. Charlie Kimball
15. Scott Dixon
16. Dario Franchitti
17. James Jakes
18. J.R. Hildebrand
19. Takuma Sato
20. Townsend Bell
21. Justin Wilson
22. Michel Jourdain
23. Simon Pagenaud
24. Sebastian Saavedra
25. Sebastien Bourdais
26. Wade Cunningham
27. Oriol Servia
28. Ed Carpenter
29. Mike Conway
30. Katherine Legge
31. Bryan Clauson
32. Simona De Silvestro
33. Jean Alesi

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indy 500 Live Stream 2012: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, ESPN3 Offer Streams

The Indy 500 will be broadcast on ABC once again this year, but those without a TV or who just want to get a different view of the race have some options this year. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be doing a general live streaming of the race on their website, though details on what exactly that entails are currently sparse.

ESPN will also be utilizing ESPN3 to show the race from various dashboard cameras. The network will give viewers a look at the race from the vantage point of the following racers: Marco Andretti, Rubens Barrichello, Helio Castroneves, Dario Franchitti, James Hinchcliffe, J.R. Hildebrand, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan, Charlie Kimball, Will Power and Graham Rahal.

Though ESPN will not have a camera mounted in pole sitter Ryan Briscoe's car, Hinchcliffe and Hunter-Reay are joining him in row one.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indy 500 2012: Start Time, TV Schedule, Radio Broadcast And More

After a week-plus of qualifying races and other pre-race activities, race day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has arrived. Pole position belongs to Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe, who will be joined on the first row of the grid by James Hinchcliffe and Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport. Briscoe finished 27th in last year's race, while Hinchcliffe finshed 29th and Hunter-Reay 23rd.

Last year's winner was Dan Wheldon, who died this past October after in an accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This year's Indy 500 does feature three past winners, including three-time champion Helio Castroneves, as well as 2008 winner Scott Dixon and two-time winner Dario Franchitti. Castroneves will start off in row two, with Dixon in row five and Franchitti in row six.

Race date/time: Sunday, May 27, 2012, 11:00 a.m. CT

Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Ind.

TV: ABC

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indy 500 Starting Grid: Briscoe, Hinchcliffe And Hunter-Reay Sit Atop 2012 Starting Grid

The Indy 500 is now less than 24 hours away from its 11:00 a.m. CDT starting time. Ryan Briscoe will get the race started off after averaging 226.484 -- just 0.003 ahead of James Hinchcliffe -- in the Pole Day results.

Here is a look at the full starting grid:

1. Ryan Briscoe, 4 Lap Average: 226.484
2. James Hinchcliffe, 4 Lap Average: 226.481
3. Ryan Hunter-Reay, 4 Lap Average: 226.240
4. Marco Andretti, 4 Lap Average: 225.456
5. Will Power, 4 Lap Average: 225.422
6. Helio Castroneves, 4 Lap Average: 225.172
7. Josef Newgarden, 4 Lap Average: 224.037
8. Tony Kanaan, 4 Lap Average: 224.751
9. EJ Viso, 4 Lap Average: 224.422
10. Rubens Barrichello, 4 Lap Average: 224.264
11. Alex Tagliani, 4 Lap Average: 224.000
12. Graham Rahal, 4 Lap Average: 223.959
13. Ana Beatriz, 4 Lap Average: 223.920
14. Charlie Kimball, 4 Lap Average: 223.868
15. Scott Dixon, 4 Lap Average: 223.684
16. Dario Franchitti, 4 Lap Average: 223.582
17. James Jakes, 4 Lap Average: 223.482
18. JR Hildebrand, 4 Lap Average: 223.422
19. Takuma Sato, 4 Lap Average: 223.392
20. Townsend Bell, 4 Lap Average: 223.134
21. Justin Wilson, 4 Lap Average: 222.929
22. Michel Jourdain, 4 Lap Average: 222.893
23. Simon Pagenaud, 4 Lap Average: 222.891
24. Sebastian Saavedra, 4 Lap Average: 222.811
25. Sebastien Bourdais, 4 Lap Average: 223.760
26. Wade Cunningham, 4 Lap Average: 223.258
27. Oriol Servia, 4 Lap Average: 222.393
28. Ed Carpenter, 4 Lap Average: 222.324
29. Mike Conway, 4 Lap Average: 222.319
30. Katherine Legge, 4 Lap Average: 221.624
31. Bryan Clauson, 4 Lap Average: 214.455
32. Simona de Silvestro, 4 Lap Average: 214.393
33. Jean Alesi, 4 Lap Average: 210.094

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indy 500 Weather: Record-Setting Heat Possible On Sunday

Those planning on going to the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday should be preparing for record-setting heat. As Brian Neudorff of SB Nation reports, the expected weather for this year's race could potentially break the record for hottest temp on the day of the event.

Temperatures will reach the low to mid 90s, and when you factor in the humidity, the heat index will feel like the upper 90s to near 100. The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a heat advisory for central Indiana for the entire weekend.

In 1937, the temperature hit 92 degrees during that year's Indianapolis 500. Fans haven't seen hotter weather on race day since, but it appears that streak may end this weekend. Given the extreme heat, Neudorff gave a variety of suggestions on how to ensure that it won't ruin your fun. Anyone going to the race should keep the heat in mind and prepare accordingly.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indianapolis 500 2012 Schedule: Saturday Is Legends Day

On the eve of the 2012 Indy 500, fans will have an opportunity to meet the field during an autograph session; there will also be a memorabilia show going on throughout the afternoon.

This is the full schedule for Saturday:

Saturday, May 26 -- Legends Day at the Indy 500 presented by Shell V-Power

($10 Admission, 12 and under free)

Featuring a full field autograph session and the public drivers meeting.

9am - 10am - Autograph Session

9am - 4pm - Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show - Plaza Pavilion

9:20am - 10:20am - Vintage Racing On-Track

10:30am - Public Drivers Meeting

1:00pm - Indianapolis 500 Veterans Autograph Session "A" Begins (Drivers TBA)

3:00pm - Indianapolis 500 Veterans Autograph Session "B" Begins (Drivers TBA)

5:00pm - Gates Close

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indianapolis 500 2012 Schedule: It's Miller Lite Carb Day At The Speedway

The festivities in Indianapolis continue as the race approaches; on Friday, fans will be able to take in a concert by Lynyrd Synyrd, among other things. The events get started at 9:30 a.m. CT.

Here is the full day's schedule (all times Eastern):

Friday, May 25 -- Miller Lite Carb Day

($20 Admission, 12 and under free)

Featuring the Pit Stop Challenge, Firestone Freedom 100, Final Indianapolis 500 Practice and headlined by legendary rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

10:30am - Q&A with INDYCAR Crew Members, Coke Stage, Plaza

10:45am - Firestone Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza

11am - Practice Begins

Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Pre-Race Begins

12:30 - Firestone Freedom 100

1:35 - IZOD Performance Pit Stop Challenge

3:30 - Miller Lite Carb Day Concert Begins, Lynyrd Skynyrd

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indianapolis 500 2012 Preview and Thursday Schedule

The 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 is drawing closer, and over at SB Nation Studios, Jeff Gluck -- the motor sports editor at SB Nation -- profiles some things everyone should be looking forward to on Sunday. Gluck thinks the Chevy engines will make the biggest splash in the main event, but there are plenty of other little tidbits to look for as well.

Here is Thursday's schedule of events:

Thursday, May 24, 2012

This is the future of IndyCar racing and a day packed full of practice and qualifying. These drivers will race on Carb Day and this is their last chance to make sure the car is set. The AM session features practice and pits. The afternoon features qualifying for Friday Firestone Freedom 100!

Schedule of Events (All Times Eastern Local Time)8 am - Public Gates Open -

9 am - 12:00 pm - Firestone Indy Lights Practice - Track

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm - Firestone Indy Lights Qualifications - Track

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm - Vintage Car Laps - Track

6 pm - Public Gates Close -

The main event is rapidly approaching, so be sure to check out SB Nation's Indy 500 preview in the embedded video below.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indianapolis 500 2012 Schedule: Wednesday Is Festival Community Day

With the Indianapolis 500 right around the corner, festivities begin in earnest Wednesday with 500 Festival Community Day at the speedway. Fans will have an opportunity to attend several autograph sessions throughout the day.

Here's the full itinerary for Wednesday:

Wednesday, May 23 -- 500 Festival Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

($8 advance/$10 gate, 6 and under free)

11am - 500 Festival Community Day Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza

11am - Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session, Plaza Pavilion

12:30pm - 1:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #1 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36

1:30pm - 2:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #1, Plaza Pavilion

2pm - 3pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #2 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36

3pm - 4pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #2, Plaza Pavilion

3:30pm - 4:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #3 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36

4:30pm - 5:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #3, Plaza Pavilion

(All times Eastern.)

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indy 500 Schedule: Race Week Festivities Begin Wednesday

The starting order for the 2012 Indianapolis 500 is set, and we're less than a week away from the big race. This week is packed with events at the track, beginning on Wednesday morning. The full schedule of the week's events is listed below. (All times Eastern.)

Wednesday, May 23 -- 500 Festival Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

11am - 500 Festival Community Day Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza

11am - Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Driver Autograph Session, Plaza Pavilion

12:30pm - 1:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #1 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36

1:30pm - 2:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #1, Plaza Pavilion

2pm - 3pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #2 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36

3pm - 4pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #2, Plaza Pavilion

3:30pm - 4:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #3 Wristband Distribution, MotoGP Garage 36

4:30pm - 5:30pm - Indy 500 Autograph Session #3, Plaza Pavilion

Thursday, May 24 -- Practice/Qualifications for the Firestone Freedom 100

9am - Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Practice

1:15pm - 2:15pm - Firestone Indy Lights Qualifications Begin

2:30pm - 4pm - Vintage Car Laps

Friday, May 25 -- Miller Lite Carb Day

Featuring the Pit Stop Challenge, Firestone Freedom 100, Final Indianapolis 500 Practice and headlined by legendary rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

10:30am - Q&A with INDYCAR Crew Members, Coke Stage, Plaza

10:45am - Firestone Pin Distribution, Pagoda Plaza

11am - Practice Begins

Noon - Firestone Indy Lights Pre-Race Begins

12:30 - Firestone Freedom 100

1:35 - IZOD Performance Pit Stop Challenge

3:30 - Miller Lite Carb Day Concert Begins, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Saturday, May 26 -- Legends Day at the Indy 500 presented by Shell V-Power

Featuring a full field autograph session and the public drivers meeting.

9am - 10am - Autograph Session

9am - 4pm - Indianapolis 500 Memorabilia Show - Plaza Pavilion

9:20am - 10:20am - Vintage Racing On-Track

10:30am - Public Drivers Meeting

1:00pm - Indianapolis 500 Veterans Autograph Session "A" Begins (Drivers TBA)

3:00pm - Indianapolis 500 Veterans Autograph Session "B" Begins (Drivers TBA)

5:00pm - Gates Close

Sunday, May 27 -- The 96th Running of The Indianapolis 500 Mile Race

7am - Snake Pit Opens

8:30am - Parade of Bands

9:25am - Cars Begin To Enter Pit Lane

9:30am - 500 Festival Princesses Lap

9:55am - All Cars To Pit Lane

10:15am - Cars Begin To Grid On Track

10:40am - All Cars In Place On Grid

10:50am - Engine Warm-up

11:00am - Vintage Car Lap

11:00am - Indianapolis 500 Pre-Race Begins

11:10am - Military Tribute Lap

11:30am - Driver Introductions

Noon - 96th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indy 500 Qualifying: Field Set For Next Sunday

With the completion of qualifying on Sunday -- bump day -- the field for the 2012 Indianapolis 500 is set. Ryan Briscoe took home the pole on Saturday, and he'll start up front with James Hinchcliffe.

Related: 2012 Indy 500 Qualifying: Ryan Briscoe Earns Pole Position

Elsewhere in the field, Helio Castroneves is starting in sixth position, Tony Kanaan qualified eighth and Dario Franchitti starts 16th.

Here is the full starting order for next Sunday's 500:

1. Ryan Briscoe
2. James Hinchcliffe
3. Ryan Hunter-Reay
4. Marco Andretti
5. Will Power
6. Helio Castroneves
7. Josef Newgarden
8. Tony Kanaan
9. EJ Viso
10. Rubens Barrichello
11. Alex Tagliani
12. Graham Rahal
13. Ana Beatriz
14. Charlie Kimball
15. Scott Dixon
16. Dario Franchitti
17. James Jakes
18. JR Hildebrand
19. Taukma Sato
20. Townsend Bell
21. Justin Wilson
22. Michel Jourdain
23. Simon Pagenaud
24. Sebastian Saavedra
25. Sebastien Bourdais
26. Wade Cunningham
27. Oriol Servia
28. Ed Carpenter
29. Mike Conway
30. Katherine Legge
31. Bryan Clauson
32. Simona De Silvestro
33. Jean Alesi

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indianapolis 500 Qualifying, Bump Day: Start Time, TV Schedule, Radio And More

Bump Day is the day in which the field for the Indianapolis 500 will be settled. After Saturday's qualifying, there are nine spots left in the field of 33. Here's how they'll be filled. The leftover drivers will race today to be slotted in spots 24-33. The fatest driver on Sunday will be in position No. 24, regardless of if the time is faster than the slowest qualifying time from Saturday. The first nine drivers will fill the remaining nine slots, but after that, the slowest time will be "bumped" from the field if a subsequent driver places in today's top nine fastest times.

It is complicated, but it gets the job done. Today's winner will have an inside track on the rest of the leftover drivers, but will be far behind those that qualified on Saturday, including Ryan Briscoe, the driver who won the poll.

Bump Day date/time: Sunday, May 20, 11 a.m. CT

Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Ind.

TV: NBC Sports Network

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indianapolis 500 Schedule 2012: Practice Begins At 9:00 AM, Qualifications At Noon

After Ryan Briscoe narrowly defeated James Hinchcliffe in the Pole Day standings, the field will look to continue their pursuit of the top qualifying spot heading into the 96th running of the Indy 500.

Here is a look at the Opening Day schedule for the Indy 500, courtesy of the official Indianapolis Motor Speedway website:

Sunday, May 20 Schedule

• 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. -- Armed Forces Military Equipment on Display, Pagoda Plaza, MotoGP Course Turns 7 and 9
• 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. -- Indianapolis 500 Practice
• 10:15 a.m. -- Armed Forces Enlistment Ceremony Begins
• 12:00 p.m. -- Qualifications Begin

Gates open 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT

General admission for those interested in visiting for Sunday's festivities and activities is $15, while children 12 years old or younger will be admitted for free.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indy 500 2012 Qualifying Results, Pole Day: Briscoe Finishes With Narrow Lead

The Indianapolis 500 gets ready for 96th running after the final results from Pole Day have come down. Australian Ryan Briscoe of the IZOD Team Penske car finished top in the qualifying results with James Hinchcliffe finishing just 0.003 behind the leader.

Here is a look at the Indy 500 qualifying results for the top seven, courtesy of Indy Star:

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indy 500 Qualifying, Pole Day: Start Time, TV Schedule, Radio And More

The 2012 Indy 500 isn't until next Sunday, May 27, but the race's pole positions will be set at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the winner taking home a cool $100,000 along with the top pole position in Sunday's race.

The pole races start at 10 a.m. CT, with the winer ultimately being decided somewhere around 5 p.m. CT. Here SB Nation's Bill Potter on how things will play out today:

Qualifications start at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, with the top 24 spots in the field of 33 being filled by 4 p.m. ET. At 4:30, the top nine speeds will compete for the pole. By 6, the pole will be won; the prediction here is that Castroneves will once again be the driver sitting on the inside of Row 1 by the end of the day.

Qualifying date/time: Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m. CT

Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, Ind.

TV: NBC Sports Network

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indianapolis 500 Schedule 2012: Fast Friday Is Upon Us

The 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 is Sunday, May 27, and the field of drivers continues to work towards tomorrow's Pole Day qualifying. Today is Fast Friday at Indy, a yearly tradition that acts as the third and final day of preparing for qualifying.

Related: 2012 Indy 500: Josef Newgarden With Early Top Speed Results

After practicing Wednesday and Thursday, this is the last time the drivers will be able to test their cars on the track before pole position is determined. Fast Friday is open to the public, with children 12 and under getting in for free. Everyone else will be asked to pay a $10 admission fee.

Practice goes from noon-6 p.m. today, which is followed by qualification draw. The qualification draw will determine the starting grid for Saturday's "Pole Day" of qualifying.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

Indy 500 2012 Qualifying: Who Will Take Pole Position?

Qualifying for the 2012 Indianapolis 500 begins this weekend and is split over two days. Each driver will drive four laps (10 miles) to determine his or her qualifying time. This first day of qualifying is known as Pole Day, while the second is referred to as Bump Day. The format can be a bit confusing, so here is a pretty straightforward explanation of how the two days of qualifying break down:

On Pole day, positions 1-24 are open for qualifying. At the end of the day the top nine drivers return to the track for a 90-minute "shootout" competition to re-qualify for the top nine spots - including the pole position.

On Bump day, positions 25-33 are filled. Once the field is filled to 33 cars, bumping commences. The slowest car in the field, regardless of the day it qualified, is "on the bubble."

Additionally, the drivers are ordered according to the day on which they qualified. So drivers who qualify on Sunday will be slotted behind all the drivers who qualified on Saturday, even if they end up with faster times than some of the drivers who qualified Saturday.

Additonal information on qualifying, including the schedule and television details, can be found here.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 Indy 500, head over to Indy racing blog Pop Off Valve.

2012 Indy 500: Josef Newgarden With Early Top Speed Results

With opening day around the corner, the drivers hit the track for the first time and get some practice.