1996 Indianapolis 500

Did You Know?

• The first entry list, published April 15, included 27 cars that had run the first two IRL rounds.
• Dan Drinan, attempting to improve his best lap of 215 mph during practice for the second qualifying weekend, crashed heavily in turn 1 and was hospitalized with a concussion, fractures, and a bruised lung.
• Carburetion Day was delayed by rain and saw multiple incidents, including a crash by Johnny Unser in turn 4.

Background

The IRL/CART split originated from earlier disputes between USAC and CART dating to the 1970s. In 1979, a group of owners formed CART after dissatisfaction with USAC's management, and USAC retaliated by rejecting entries from six key CART teams for that year's Indianapolis 500; a court injunction allowed them to compete. Two separate championships were run in 1979, one by each body. A brief truce under the Championship Racing League in 1980 ended mid-season. USAC unsuccessfully tried to revive its own championship, and the Indianapolis 500 did not award CART points in 1981 or 1982. From 1983 onward, the race was on the CART schedule but sanctioned by USAC, with similar rules used by both bodies, leading to stability through 1995.

Time trials (weekend 1)

Pole day started cold and rainy. After a morning practice session, qualifying began at 2 p.m. Lyn St. James made the first attempt, posting a 224.594 mph average. Buddy Lazier briefly held the top spot at 231.468 mph before Davy Jones shattered the one- and four-lap track records with a 232.882 mph run. Tony Stewart then knocked Jones off the pole with a new record of 233.100 mph, making him the first rookie since Teo Fabi in 1983 to own both records. His Menard teammates Eddie Cheever and Scott Brayton turned in slower laps, while Eliseo Salazar fell just short of the front row at 232.684 mph. By 5 p.m., twenty cars had qualified. After battling engine trouble, Arie Luyendyk finally took to the track, averaging 233.390 mph with a best lap of 234.742 mph to claim the pole. Stewart and Jones rounded out the front row.

Practice (week 2)

Tony Stewart led the speed chart at 235.837 mph. Johnny O'Connell passed his rookie test at 216.024 mph, and Tyce Carlson joined the field. Brad Murphey led non-qualified cars at 228.612 mph. Arie Luyendyk ran 238.493 mph, the second-fastest practice lap in Indy history. Fermín Vélez completed his rookie test; Billy Boat and Andy Michner took first laps. Rain washed out the next day, the third full day lost to weather. On a busy day, Luyendyk again led at 234.540 mph, with Murphey fastest among non-qualified cars. Rob Wilson took his first laps. Scott Harrington and Billy Boat passed rookie tests, but Harrington crashed in turn 3 and his team could not repair the car. Justin Bell did not attempt to qualify, having failed his rookie test. Joe Gosek switched rides but managed only 203 mph.

Race summary

Morning rain cleared, and Mary Fendrich Hulman gave the command to start engines prematurely; USAC had not finished inspection, so engines were briefly stopped. Hideshi Matsuda's car had to be push-started. During the first parade lap, Danny Ongais drove a solo lap in memory of Scott Brayton. Johnny Unser dropped out with transmission failure before the green. Tony Stewart led at the start, with Eliseo Salazar second. Mark Dismore spun on lap 3, bringing a yellow. Under yellow, Scott Harrington nearly hit three cars and spun. Paul Durant blew an engine on lap 11, causing another caution. The first extended green period began on lap 21. Arie Luyendyk, who started 20th, had climbed to 11th before the first caution and to 8th before the second, passing Alessandro Zampedri.