Weather impacts during past Indy 500 races

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)–The forecast at all times performs an necessary position within the days and hours main as much as the Indianapolis 500. There are a number of races within the a couple of hundred years the place climate made issues actually tough to finish the 200 laps across the oval.

Temperatures within the 90s will not be out of the query throughout the month of Could. It’s been 90 levels or hotter seven occasions on race day. The most popular temperature was 92 levels again in 1937. A number of years hit 91. Most lately in 2018. It’s fascinating to notice regardless of a number of rain delays and postponements the race has by no means happen in June. It has in August. Through the pandemic the race was moved to August 2020. The temperature bought as much as 87 levels which is within the prime 20 for warmest races.

Chilly temperatures have additionally been recorded in Could. Again in 1992, the mercury solely topped 58 levels. There have been so many points on the observe that yr because of observe temperatures. It was so chilly tires had a tough time on the observe. There have been quite a few accidents and within the first 43 laps the yellow flag flew six occasions. Al Unser Jr received that yr with the closest end in historical past. There was a niche of solely .043 seconds between Al Unser Jr. and Scott Goodyear.

Simply final yr on race day the temperature dropped to 42, which was the coldest morning low since 1961. The coldest low was 37 again 1947.

Rain is at all times an enormous issue in relation to race day. There have been a number of races shortened because of rain. The latest was in 2007. The race was stopped by rain and halted for two hours and 57 minutes. It began once more however after 166 laps it was referred to as because of rain with Dario Franchitti taking the checkered flag.

The wettest was again in 2004 when 3.80″ fell that day. The race was stopped early on lap 28 for an hour and 47 minutes. It was declared over after rain pressured it to cease at 180 laps with Buddy Rice taking the checkered flag.

Winds also can play an element. The strongest wind was 18 mph throughout the 1995 race.

It appears like this yr it will likely be dry with highs within the low to center 80s. Excellent for drivers to hit all 500 miles.