View source for 2001 Indianapolis 500

{{short description|85th running of the Indianapolis 500}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox Indy500
| race_name      = 85th Indianapolis 500
| race_logo      = Indy500winningcar2001.JPG
| sanction       = [[IndyCar|Indy Racing League]]
| season         =[[2001 Indy Racing League season|2001 IRL season]]
| team           =[[Penske Racing]]
| date           = May 27, 2001
| winner         = {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Hélio Castroneves]]
| mph            = {{convert|141.574|mph|0|abbr=on}}
| pole           = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Sharp]]
| pole_speed     = {{convert|226.037|mph|0|abbr=on}}
| fast_time      = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Sharp]]
| rookie         = {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Hélio Castroneves]]
| leader         = {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Hélio Castroneves]] (52)
| anthem         = [[Steven Tyler]]
| back_home      = [[Jim Nabors]]
| start_engines  = [[Mari Hulman George]]
| pace_car       = [[Oldsmobile Bravada]]
| pace_driver    = [[Elaine Irwin Mellencamp]]
| starter        = Bryan Howard
| honorary_start = 
| attendance     = 400,000
| network        = [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]]
| race start     = 11:00 a.m. EST
| announcers     = [[Bob Jenkins]], [[Larry Rice]], [[Jason Priestley]]
| rating         = 5.8
| share          = 17 
| previous       = [[2000 Indianapolis 500|2000]]
| next           = [[2002 Indianapolis 500|2002]]
}}
The '''85th Indianapolis 500''' was held at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] in [[Speedway, Indiana]] on Sunday, May 27, 2001. Race rookie [[Hélio Castroneves]], a three-year veteran of the [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] series, led the final 52 laps and won his first of four Indy 500 victories. [[Team Penske]] swept 1st-2nd with [[Gil de Ferran]] finishing as the runner-up. Winning car owner [[Roger Penske]] scored his record-extending eleventh victory at the Indianapolis 500, and notched his first-ever 1-2 finish in the race. It was a redemption from the team's previous attempt at Indy ([[1995 Indianapolis 500|1995]]) in which both of his cars failed to qualify. [[Team Penske]] did not compete at Indianapolis from 1996 to 2000 due to the ongoing [[American open-wheel car racing|open wheel]] "[[1996 Indianapolis 500#IRL/CART split|Split]]".

The race was sanctioned by the [[IndyCar|Indy Racing League]], and was part of the [[2001 Indy Racing League season|2001 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series season]]. The 2001 race was notable in that several top [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] teams returned to Indy for the first time since [[1995 Indianapolis 500|1995]]. [[IndyCar|IRL]]-based teams excelled in time trials, taking the front row, and the top four starting positions overall. However, the CART-based teams swept the top six finishing positions on race day. Former IRL champion [[Tony Stewart]] (who was competing full-time in NASCAR), returned to Indy after missing the 2000 race. Stewart raced "[[Double Duty]]", becoming the first driver in history to complete all 1,100 miles. He finished 6th at Indy, and 3rd at the [[2001 Coca-Cola 600|Coca-Cola 600]].

The race experienced two rain delays, one lengthy yellow flag around the midway point, and one brief red flag period later in the day. The race, however, was run to its full 500-mile distance.

This race marked the final IndyCar start for the previous year's championship runner-up, and two-time Indy 500 runner-up [[Scott Goodyear]]. Goodyear suffered an injury in a crash, and retired from racing. He would move to color commentary duties for [[ESPN]] the following season.

==Race background==
In the seventh year of the ongoing [[Indy Racing League|IRL]]/[[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] split, [[Team Penske]] and [[Andretti Autosport|Team Green]] purchased IRL-type machines, and returned to race at Indianapolis. [[Chip Ganassi Racing|Ganassi]], who had returned (and won) in [[2000 Indianapolis 500|2000]], entered as well. For the first time during the open wheel split, the CART series did not schedule any races for the weekend of the Indy 500, nor for the weekend of pole qualifying, allowing their teams the opportunity to participate at Indianapolis without interference.<ref name="CART 2001 schedule">{{cite news|url=http://www.wnew.com/2008/04/the-star-spangl.html |title=CART 2001 schedule announcement |publisher=Motorsport.com |date=2000-08-04 |access-date=2008-08-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628170456/http://www.wnew.com/2008/04/the-star-spangl.html |archive-date=2009-06-28 }}</ref>

Because of his move to [[Formula One]] for the [[2001 Formula One season|2001 season]], reigning Indianapolis 500 champion [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] did not return to defend his title. Montoya would not race in the Indy 500 again until 2014. After one year of retirement, two-time Indy 500 winner [[Arie Luyendyk]] returned to the cockpit.

After an experimental two-week schedule was used for the Indy 500 from 1998 to 2000, the Speedway reverted to a more traditional three-week schedule for practice, time trials, and the race. Rookie orientation was held April 13–14. Time trials were set at three days, however, instead of the original four. The week-long open test held in April from 1998 to 2000 was also eliminated, essentially replaced by the reinstatement of the second week of May practice.

Due to the [[Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement|MSA]], tobacco brand sponsorship became an issue during the month of May. [[Team Penske]] drivers [[Hélio Castroneves]] and [[Gil de Ferran]] were sponsored by [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]] full-time in the [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] series. The MSA, however, allowed brand sponsorship in only one sport per season. To skirt the regulations, CART sanctioned the participation of its teams in the race.<ref name="CART 2001 schedule"/><ref name="Team Penske interview">{{cite news| url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=64165&FS=INDYCAR| title=Team Penske interview| publisher=Motorsport.com| date=2001-05-11| access-date=2008-08-05| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606180705/http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=64165&FS=INDYCAR| archive-date=2011-06-06| url-status=dead}}</ref> The Penske cars practiced and qualified with Marlboro logos during the first week of activity. By mid-month, however, they were required to remove the logos when the [[State attorney general|state attorney general's]] office objected to their use.<ref name="Live Daily">{{cite news| url =http://www.indy500.com/images/stats/pdfs/dtr/2001.pdf| title =2001 Indianapolis 500 Live daily Report| publisher =Indy500.com| year =2001| access-date =2008-08-05| archive-date =2008-06-25| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080625230259/http://www.indy500.com/images/stats/pdfs/dtr/2001.pdf| url-status =dead}}</ref> Rather than repaint the liveries, or add generic logos (such as the familiar Marlboro "barcode" insignia), the sidepods were simply left blank; the familiar white/red Marlboro paint scheme was maintained.

===Rule changes===
During yellow flag caution periods, the "[[Beneficiary rule|wave around]]" rule would now be employed. When the field is one lap away from going back to green flag conditions, all lapped cars behind the pace car that happen to be ahead of the actual race leader would be ''waved around'' the pace car, get their lap back, and be permitted to catch up to the tail end of the line of cars. This would continue until the race leader became the first car behind the pace car. Following the precedent set in [[2000 Indianapolis 500|2000]], the pace car would then drop off the track in turn one, and the race leader would pace the field back to the green flag and the ensuring restart.

The new restart rules were an attempt to ensure the leaders would get back to green flag racing without interference from lapped cars. It also created a strategy for lapped cars to earn one lap back (ostensibly by not pitting under a caution flag while all of the leader do), since Indy car racing had never allowed "[[racing back to the caution]]", nor did they want to implement a hard rule like the "[[Beneficiary rule|Lucky Dog]]" in [[NASCAR]].

==Race schedule==
{|
|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
|- valign="top"
!colspan=7|Race schedule — April 2001
|-
!scope="col" width="70"|Sun
!scope="col" width="70"|Mon
!scope="col" width="70"|Tue
!scope="col" width="70"|Wed
!scope="col" width="70"|Thu
!scope="col" width="70"|Fri
!scope="col" width="70"|Sat
|-
| 8<br />&nbsp;
| 9<br />&nbsp;
|10<br />&nbsp;
|11<br />&nbsp;
|12<br />&nbsp;
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|13<br /><small>ROP</small>
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|14<br /><small>ROP</small>
|- valign="top"
!colspan=7|Race schedule — May 2001
|-
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
| 1<br />&nbsp;
| 2<br />&nbsp;
| 3<br />&nbsp;
| 4<br />&nbsp;
| 5<br /><small>[[OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon|Mini-Marathon]]</small>
|-
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 6<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#FFCFCF;"| 7<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 8<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 9<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|10<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|11<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|12<br /><small>Pole Day</small>
|-
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|13<br /><small>Time Trials</small>
|14<br />&nbsp;
|15<br />&nbsp;
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|16<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|17<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#FFCFCF;"|18<br /><small>Practice</small>
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|19<br /><small>Practice</small>
|-
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"|20<br /><small>Bump Day</small>
|21<br />&nbsp;
|22<br />&nbsp;
|23<br />&nbsp;
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"|24<br /><small>Carb Day</small>
|25<br />&nbsp;
|26<br /><small>[[Indianapolis 500 traditions#500 Festival Parade|Parade]]</small>
|-
|style="background:#DFDFDF;"|27<br /><small>Indy 500</small>
|28<br /><small>Memorial Day</small>
|29<br />&nbsp;
|30<br />&nbsp;
|31<br />&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|}
|valign="top"|
{|
|
{| style="margin-right:0; font-size:85%; text-align:center;" class="wikitable"
! Color
! Notes
|- style="background:#DFFFDF;"
| Green
| Practice
|- style="background:#CFCFFF;"
| Dark Blue
| Time trials
|- style="background:#DFDFDF;"
| Silver
| Race day
|- style="background:#FFCFCF;"
| Red
| Rained out<nowiki>*</nowiki>
|-
| Blank
| No track activity
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> <small>Includes days where track activity<br />was significantly limited due to rain</small>

<small>ROP — denotes Rookie Orientation Program</small>

|}
|}

==Practice and Time Trials==
[[Indy Racing League|IRL]] regular [[Greg Ray]] led the practice speeds for four of the first six days. [[Casey Mears]], [[Eliseo Salazar]], and [[Stan Wattles]] suffered crashes during the week. On Fast Friday, Indy 500 rookie [[Hélio Castroneves]] brushed the wall in turn one, but continued. The car suffered minor damage. Later that evening, Castroneves joked around with track workers, and helped them repaint the retaining wall which he had hit.

===Pole Day - Saturday May 12===
During the morning practice session, [[Tony Stewart]] turned the fastest practice lap of the month at 226.996&nbsp;mph. However, the session was later halted when [[Eliseo Salazar]] blew an engine and crashed in turn one.

IRL regular [[Scott Sharp]] won the pole position with a four-lap average of 226.037&nbsp;mph. [[Greg Ray]], who had been among the fastest cars all week, waved off during his first attempt qualified, then returned later in the day to qualify second. [[Robby Gordon]], driving an Indy-only entry for [[A.J. Foyt Racing]], rounded out the front row. The highest of the [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] regulars was [[Gil de Ferran]], who qualified 5th. Former Indy 500 winners [[Arie Luyendyk]], [[Buddy Lazier]], [[Al Unser Jr.]], and [[Eddie Cheever]] also made the field. At the end of the day, the field was filled to 27 cars.<ref name="doctorindy.com">{{Cite web|url=https://doctorindy.com/daily-trackside-report-archive-1967-2014/|title = Daily Trackside Report Archive|date = 10 November 2015}}</ref>

===Second Day - Sunday May 13===
On the second day of qualifying, veterans [[Michael Andretti]], [[Eddie Cheever]], and [[Buzz Calkins]] withdrew their slow times from Saturday and re-qualified with better speeds. Rookie [[Bruno Junqueira]] was the fastest of the afternoon. At the end of the first weekend of qualifying, the field was filled to 32 cars in the field.<ref name="doctorindy.com"/>

===Bump Day - Sunday May 20===
On Bump Day, [[Billy Boat]] was the first car to complete a qualifying attempt, and the field was subsequently filled to 33 cars. Six cars were bumped during the afternoon, and Boat dropped to the bubble spot as of 5:07&nbsp;p.m. Over the final 53 minutes Boat survived twelve attempts to be bumped from the field. Eight cars waved off, and four were too slow. With ten seconds left before the 6 o'clock gun, [[Memo Gidley]] was the final driver to make a qualifying attempt. He failed to bump his way into the field by only 0.242 seconds.

==Carb Day==
The final practice was scheduled for Thursday May 24. All 33 cars plus the first alternate took laps. No serious incidents were reported. [[Jeret Schroeder]] required a tow-in due to his car being stuck in gear. [[Hélio Castroneves]]'s car was seen on pit lane with its engine cover removed, but the crew reported they were simply draining excess motor oil. Scott Sharp (223.678 mph) was the fastest of the day.

===Pit Stop Challenge===
The 25th annual [[Coors Brewing Company|Coors]] [[Pit Stop Challenge]] was held Thursday May 24. Twelve teams competed in a single-elimination bracket. Seven teams earned berths based on pit stop performance at Indy Racing League events since the previous year's Indianapolis 500. Three spots would be filled by the three highest race qualifiers not already in the contest. The last two spots would be filled by a last-chance qualifying session on May 9.

On Wednesday May 9, the last chance competition trials were held. The results were as follows: Michael Andretti (10.38 seconds), [[Hélio Castroneves]] (12.44 seconds), [[Buddy Lazier]] (19.22 seconds), [[Jeff Ward (motorsports)|Jeff Ward]] (no time), [[Didier André]] (no time), [[Gil de Ferran]] (no time). Pole position winner [[Scott Sharp]], outside front row starter [[Robby Gordon]], and [[Gil de Ferran]] each earned spots based on race qualifying results. Gordon, however, withdrew from the contest and he was replaced by [[Buddy Lazier]].

The bracket was determined by a blind draw. Four teams received byes for the first round. During the semifinal match between [[Gil de Ferran]] and race polesitter [[Scott Sharp]], de Ferran stalled his engine and never left the pit box. The finals pitted Kelley Racing versus Galles Racing, with the crew of [[Scott Sharp]] defeating [[Al Unser Jr.]] It was the first and only win in the event for Kelley Racing. After three previous wins in the pit stop contest, it marked Al Unser Jr.'s first defeat in the championship round.

{{4RoundBracket-Byes
 | RD1=First Round
 | RD2=Quarterfinals
 | RD3=Semifinals
 | RD4=Finals

 | RD1-seed03=28
 | RD1-team03='''[[Mark Dismore]]'''<br />''([[Kelley Racing]])''
 | RD1-score03='''10.14'''
 | RD1-seed04=39
 | RD1-team04=[[Michael Andretti]]<br />''([[Andretti Global|Andretti Green]])''
 | RD1-score04=10.66

 | RD1-seed07=68
 | RD1-team07='''[[Hélio Castroneves]]'''<br />''([[Penske Racing|Team Penske]])''
 | RD1-score07='''9.61'''
 | RD1-seed08=4
 | RD1-team08=[[Sam Hornish Jr.]]<br />''([[Panther Racing]])''
 | RD1-score08=10.42

 | RD1-seed11=8
 | RD1-team11='''[[Scott Sharp]]'''<br />''([[Kelley Racing]])''
 | RD1-score11='''10.32'''
 | RD1-seed12=91
 | RD1-team12=[[Buddy Lazier]]<br />''([[Hemelgarn Racing]])''
 | RD1-score12=11.91

 | RD1-seed15=66
 | RD1-team15='''[[Gil de Ferran]]'''<br />''([[Penske Racing|Team Penske]])''
 | RD1-score15='''11.10'''
 | RD1-seed16=5
 | RD1-team16=[[Arie Luyendyk]]<br />''([[Treadway Racing]])''
 | RD1-score16=11.63

 | RD2-seed01=3
 | RD2-team01='''[[Al Unser Jr.]]'''<br />''([[Galles Racing]])''
 | RD2-score01='''10.13'''
 | RD2-seed02=28
 | RD2-team02='''[[Mark Dismore]]'''<br />''([[Kelley Racing]])''
 | RD2-score02=10.24
 
 | RD2-seed03=68
 | RD2-team03='''[[Hélio Castroneves]]'''<br />''([[Penske Racing|Team Penske]])''
 | RD2-score03='''9.46'''
 | RD2-seed04=12
 | RD2-team04=[[Buzz Calkins]]<br />''([[Bradley Motorsports]])''
 | RD2-score04=27.18

 | RD2-seed05=8
 | RD2-team05='''[[Scott Sharp]]'''<br />''([[Kelley Racing]])''
 | RD2-score05='''9.53'''
 | RD2-seed06=14
 | RD2-team06=[[Eliseo Salazar]]<br />''([[A. J. Foyt Racing|Foyt Racing]])''
 | RD2-score06=10.65
 
 | RD2-seed07=66
 | RD2-team07='''[[Gil de Ferran]]'''<br />''([[Penske Racing|Team Penske]])''
 | RD2-score07='''9.88'''
 | RD2-seed08=2
 | RD2-team08=[[Greg Ray]]<br />''([[Team Menard]])''
 | RD2-score08=11.00

 | RD3-seed01=3
 | RD3-team01='''[[Al Unser Jr.]]'''<br />''([[Galles Racing]])''
 | RD3-score01='''9.47'''
 | RD3-seed02=68
 | RD3-team02=[[Hélio Castroneves]]<br />''([[Penske Racing|Team Penske]])''
 | RD3-score02=9.74

 | RD3-seed03=8
 | RD3-team03='''[[Scott Sharp]]'''<br />''([[Kelley Racing]])''
 | RD3-score03='''9.31'''
 | RD3-seed04=66
 | RD3-team04=[[Gil de Ferran]]<br />''([[Penske Racing|Team Penske]])''
 | RD3-score04=no time

 | RD4-seed01=8
 | RD4-team01='''[[Scott Sharp]]'''<br />''([[Kelley Racing]])''
 | RD4-score01='''9.20'''
 | RD4-seed02=3
 | RD4-team02=[[Al Unser Jr.]]<br />''([[Galles Racing]])''
 | RD4-score02=12.67
}}

==Starting grid==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
!Row
!Inside
!Middle
!Outside
|-
!1
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''8''' - [[Scott Sharp]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''2''' - [[Greg Ray]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''41''' - [[Robby Gordon]]
|-
!2
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''28''' - [[Mark Dismore]]
|{{flagicon|BRA}} '''66''' - [[Gil de Ferran]] 
|{{flagicon|NED}} '''5''' - [[Arie Luyendyk]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' 
|-
!3
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''33''' - [[Tony Stewart]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''35''' - [[Jeff Ward (motorsports)|Jeff Ward]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''24''' - [[Robbie Buhl]]
|-
!4
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''91''' - [[Buddy Lazier]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' 
|{{flagicon|BRA}} '''68''' - [[Hélio Castroneves]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' 
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''44''' - [[Jimmy Vasser]]
|-
!5
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''4''' - [[Sam Hornish Jr.]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''10''' - [[Robby McGehee]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''15''' - [[Sarah Fisher]]
|-
!6
|{{flagicon|CAN}} '''52''' - [[Scott Goodyear]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''77''' - [[Jaques Lazier]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''6''' - [[Jon Herb]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' 
|-
!7
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''3''' - [[Al Unser Jr.]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' 
|{{flagicon|BRA}} '''50''' - [[Bruno Junqueira]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' 
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''39''' - [[Michael Andretti]]
|-
!8
|{{flagicon|FRA}} '''49''' - [[Nicolas Minassian]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' 
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''9''' - [[Jeret Schroeder]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''12''' - [[Buzz Calkins]]
|-
!9
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''51''' - [[Eddie Cheever]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' 
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''99''' - [[Davey Hamilton]]
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''84''' - [[Donnie Beechler]]
|-
!10
|{{flagicon|CHI}} '''14''' - [[Eliseo Salazar]]
|{{flagicon|FRA}} '''36''' - [[Stéphan Grégoire]]
|{{flagicon|BRA}} '''88''' - [[Airton Daré]]
|-
!11
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''16''' - [[Cory Witherill]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' 
|{{flagicon|USA}} '''98''' - [[Billy Boat]]
|{{flagicon|BRA}} '''21''' - [[Felipe Giaffone]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' 
|}

===Alternates===
*First alternate: {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Shigeaki Hattori]] (#55) – Bumped
*Second alternate: {{flagicon|USA}} [[Memo Gidley]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''  (#37) – Too slow

===Failed to qualify===
* #07 {{flagicon|COL}} [[Roberto Guerrero]] – Bumped
* #32 {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Didier André]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' – Bumped
* #60 {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tyce Carlson]] – Bumped; replaced by [[Richie Hearn]]
* #30 {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Kite]] – Wave off
* #31 {{flagicon|USA}} [[Casey Mears]] – Wave off
* #94 {{flagicon|USA}} [[Stan Wattles]] – Crash
* #30 {{flagicon|USA}} [[Brandon Erwin]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' - Replaced by Jimmy Kite

==Race recap==

===Start===
Race morning was overcast with rain in the forecast. Cool temperatures caused problems at the start, as pole sitter [[Scott Sharp]] crashed in the first turn on the first lap. [[Greg Ray]] and [[Robby Gordon]] barely avoided the crash, and slipped by the lead the field around for the first several laps.

On the 6th lap, the green came out, but less than 2 laps later, another crash occurred. [[Sarah Fisher]] spun in turn two, and collected [[Scott Goodyear]]. Both cars were heavily damaged, and Goodyear suffered a broken back. Goodyear would retire from IndyCar racing after the race due to the injury.

After a lengthy yellow, the green came out on lap 17. During the restart, however, cold tires caused yet another crash, as [[Sam Hornish Jr.]] spun in turn four. Hornish did not hit anything, but [[Al Unser Jr.]] moved high to avoid the crash, and brushed along the outside wall on the main stretch, ending his race.

===First half and first rain delay===
The race finally got going on lap 22, with [[Robby Gordon]] and [[Greg Ray]] dominating the early going. A long stretch of green flag racing saw the leaders cycle through two green flag pit stops.
On lap 107, [[Jon Herb]] crashed in turn 1. During the yellow, rain began to fall around the track, and the caution was extended until lap 119. [[Michael Andretti]] led when the rain fell, but pitted soon after. [[Gil de Ferran]] inherited the lead, [[Team Penske]] teammate [[Hélio Castroneves]] second.

===Second half and second rain delay===
On lap 134, [[Cory Witherill]] spun exiting turn four. The leaders all headed to the pits. 
[[Hélio Castroneves|Castroneves]] and [[Gil de Ferran|de Ferran]] were both penalized for exiting out of the pits incorrectly, giving [[Tony Stewart]] the lead for the first time of the day.
[[Tony Stewart|Stewart]] led until rain fell again on lap 149. After Stewart pitted, [[Hélio Castroneves]] retook the lead. Rain began falling harder on lap 155, and the red flag was displayed. After about 10 minutes, the sun came out, and the track quickly dried. After a 17-minute red flag, the cars were refired.

===Finish===
[[Hélio Castroneves]] led [[Robbie Buhl]] on the restart. Buhl attempted to take the lead on lap 159, but was blocked. Trailing by less than a half-second on lap 166, Buhl suddenly spun exiting turn 2, and tapped the inside wall.

The green came back out on lap 171, with [[Hélio Castroneves|Castroneves]] still leading, and [[Gil de Ferran|de Ferran]] back to second. Castroneves held off his teammate by 0.4838 seconds, and won his first Indy 500. The finish marked [[Roger Penske]]'s 11th Indy 500 triumph, and his first 1-2 finish. It was the second rookie winner in a row (following [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] in [[2000 Indianapolis 500|2000]]).

On the victory lap, Castroneves stopped at the finish line, climbed from his car, and proceeded to engage in his customary celebration of climbing the [[catch fence]], much to the delight of the fans. Several crew members from [[Team Penske]] joined him on the fence.

In a public relations setback for the IRL, the top six finishers were all visiting drivers from either the rival CART series or the NASCAR Cup series.  The first regular IRL series driver to finish was [[Eliseo Salazar]] in seventh place, running a lap down.

[[Scott Sharp|Scott Sharp's]] crash on the first lap meant for the second year in a row, the pole sitter finished 33rd and last.  In the previous year's race, the same fate had befallen [[Greg Ray]].

The 1-2 result for [[Team Penske]] provided a stunning comeback for the most successful team in Indianapolis 500 history after their failure to qualify for the [[1995 Indianapolis 500|1995 race]], the last Indy 500 entered by Team Penske due to the Indy 500 becoming an IRL race from [[1996 Indianapolis 500|1996]] onward.  "I think we redeemed ourselves for the lousy thing we did in 1995 ... this is the best day of my life coming back like this" said [[Roger Penske]] in pit lane immediately after Castroneves took the checkered flag.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miTM-5DS6Vk|title = - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==Tony Stewart does Double Duty==
[[Tony Stewart]] attempted the [[Indianapolis 500|Indy]]/[[Coca-Cola 600|Charlotte]] "[[Double Duty (auto racing)|Double Duty]]" for the second time in his racing career. Criticized by members of the media as being overweight and unfit for the grueling task, Stewart undertook a month-long fitness and dietary program with a personal trainer. Stewart, still driving the #20 [[The Home Depot]]-sponsored Pontiac for [[Joe Gibbs Racing]] in the [[NASCAR]] [[Sprint Cup Series|Winston Cup Series]], signed with [[Chip Ganassi Racing]], part of a four driver effort at Indy.

Stewart qualified in 7th at Indy and 12th at Charlotte. Due to the [[NASCAR on Fox|new television package on Fox]], the start of the [[Coca-Cola 600]] was moved up. A strict schedule was put into place, and regardless if the race was not over at Indy, Stewart was allegedly required to get out of the car at 4:00&nbsp;p.m. to fly to Charlotte on time. During a 17-minute red flag, he had to visit first aid for a cramping leg. Relief driver [[Richie Hearn]] almost took over, but Stewart got back in the car.

The race was eventually resumed, and Stewart continued. The race was completed, and he finished 6th, on the lead lap. Immediately he flew to [[Lowe's Motor Speedway]], and made the start of the race on time. He was moved to the back of the pack during the pace lap for missing the drivers' meeting. On the second lap, Stewart spun while running last, in an incident he claimed was unrelated to fatigue. As the race wore on, he steadily climbed the standings, and finished 3rd on the lead lap. He became the first and still only driver ever to complete all {{convert|1100|mi|km}}. Feeling that he proved his critics wrong, Stewart called them "idiots".

==Box score==
{| class="wikitable"
!Finish
!Start
!No
!Name
!Qual
!Chassis
!Engine
!Laps
!Status
!Entrant
|-
!1
|11
|68
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Hélio Castroneves]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' 
|224.142
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|200
|141.574 mph
|[[Team Penske]]
|-
!2
|5
|66
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Gil de Ferran]]
|224.406
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|200
| +1.7373
|[[Team Penske]]
|-
!3
|21
|39
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Michael Andretti]]
|223.441
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|200
| +5.7691
|[[Andretti Autosport|Team Green]]
|-
!4
|12
|44
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Vasser]]
|223.455
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|200
| +13.9541
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
!5
|20
|50
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Bruno Junqueira]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|224.209
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|200
| +27.2885
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
!6
|7
|33
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tony Stewart]]
|224.248
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|200
| +37.5787
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
!7
|28
|14
|{{flagicon|CHI}} [[Eliseo Salazar]]
|223.740
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|199
| -1 Lap
|[[A. J. Foyt Enterprises]]
|-
!8
|30
|88
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Airton Daré]]
|222.236
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|199
| -1 Lap
|[[TeamXtreme]]
|-
!9
|32
|98
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Boat]]
|221.528
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|199
| -1 Lap
|[[CURB/Agajanian/Beck Motorsports]]
|-
!10
|33
|21
|{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Felipe Giaffone]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|221.879
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|199
| -1 Lap
|[[Treadway Racing]]
|-
!11
|14
|10
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robby McGehee]]
|222.607
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|199
| -1 Lap
|[[Cahill Racing]]
|-
!12
|24
|12
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Buzz Calkins]]
|222.467
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|198
| -2 Laps
|[[Bradley Motorsports]]
|-
!13
|6
|5
|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Arie Luyendyk]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|224.257
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|198
| -2 Laps
|[[Treadway Racing]]
|-
!14
|13
|4
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sam Hornish Jr.]]
|223.333
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|196
| -4 Laps
|[[Panther Racing]]
|-
!15
|9
|24
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robbie Buhl]]
|224.213
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Nissan VRH engine|Infiniti]]
|196
| -4 Laps
|[[Dreyer & Reinbold Racing]]
|-
!16
|4
|28
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]]
|224.964
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|195
| -5 Laps
|[[Kelley Racing]]
|-
!17
|2
|2
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Greg Ray]]
|225.194
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|192
| -8 Laps
|[[Team Menard]]
|-
!18
|10
|91
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Buddy Lazier]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|224.190
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|192
| -8 Laps
|[[Hemelgarn Racing]]
|-
!19
|31
|16
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Cory Witherill]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|221.621
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|187
| -13 Laps
|[[Indy Regency Racing]]
|-
!20
|23
|9
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeret Schroeder]]
|222.785
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|187
| -13 Laps
|[[PDM Racing]]
|-
!21
|3
|41
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robby Gordon]]
|224.994
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|184
| -16 Laps
|[[A. J. Foyt Enterprises]]
|-
!22
|17
|77
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jaques Lazier]]
|222.145
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|183
| -17 Laps
|Jonathan Byrd/[[TeamXtreme]]
|-
!23
|26
|99
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Davey Hamilton]]
|221.696
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|182
|Engine
|[[Sam Schmidt Motorsports]]
|-
!24
|8
|35
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Ward (motorsports)|Jeff Ward]]
|224.222
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|168
|Running
|[[Heritage Motorsports]]
|-
!25
|27
|84
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Donnie Beechler]]
|224.449
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|160
|Running
|[[A. J. Foyt Enterprises]]
|-
!26
|25
|51
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Cheever]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|222.152
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Nissan VRH engine|Infiniti]]
|108
|Electrical
|[[Team Cheever]]
|-
!27
|18
|6
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Herb]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|222.015
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|104
|Accident
|[[Tri-Star Racing]]
|-
!28
|29
|36
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Stéphan Grégoire]]
|222.888
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|86
|Oil Leak
|[[Heritage Motorsports]]
|-
!29
|22
|49
|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Nicolas Minassian]] '''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}'''
|223.006
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|74
|Gearbox
|[[Chip Ganassi Racing]]
|-
!30
|19
|3
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Al Unser Jr.]] '''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}'''
|221.615
|[[G-Force GF05|G-Force]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|16
|Accident
|[[Galles Racing]]
|-
!31
|15
|15
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sarah Fisher]]
|222.548
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|7
|Accident
|[[Walker Racing]]
|-
!32
|16
|52
|{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Scott Goodyear]]
|222.529
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Nissan VRH engine|Infiniti]]
|7
|Accident
|[[Team Cheever]]
|-
!33
|1
|8
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Scott Sharp]]
|226.037
|[[Dallara]]
|[[Oldsmobile Aurora Indy V8 engine|Oldsmobile]]
|0
|Accident
|[[Kelley Racing]]
|}

'''{{Color box|gold|W|border=silver}}''' Former Indianapolis 500 winner

'''{{Color box|orange|R|border=silver}}''' Indianapolis 500 Rookie

All entrants utilized [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]] tires.

===Race statistics===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Lap Leaders
|-
! Laps
! Leader
|-
|1–22 || [[Robby Gordon]]
|-
|23–45 || [[Greg Ray]]
|-
|46 || [[Tony Stewart]]
|-
|47 || [[Arie Luyendyk]]
|-
|48–52 || [[Michael Andretti]]
|-
|53–74 || [[Mark Dismore]]
|-
|75–80 || [[Greg Ray]]
|-
|81–84 || [[Michael Andretti]]
|-
|85–91 || [[Mark Dismore]]
|-
|92–102 || [[Greg Ray]]
|-
|103–109 || [[Michael Andretti]]
|-
|110–136 || [[Gil de Ferran]]
|-
|137–148 || [[Tony Stewart]]
|-
|149–200 || [[Hélio Castroneves]]
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Total laps led
|-
! Driver
! Laps
|-
|[[Hélio Castroneves]] || 52
|-
|[[Greg Ray]] || 40
|-
|[[Mark Dismore]] || 29
|-
|[[Gil de Ferran]] || 27
|-
|[[Robby Gordon]] || 22
|-
|[[Michael Andretti]] || 16
|-
|[[Tony Stewart]] || 13
|-
|[[Arie Luyendyk]] || 1
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=2|Cautions: 8 for 56 laps
|-
!Laps
!Reason
|-
|1–5 || [[Scott Sharp]] crash in turn 1
|-
|8–16 || [[Sarah Fisher|Fisher]], [[Scott Goodyear|Goodyear]] crash in turn 2
|-
|18–21 || [[Sam Hornish Jr.|Hornish]] spin; [[Al Unser Jr.|Unser]] crash in turn 4
|-
|90–95 || Oil
|-
|107–118 || John Herb crash in turn 1, then extended by rain
|-
|134–138 || [[Cory Witherill]] spin in turn 4
|-
|148–157 || Oil; rain (red flag)
|-
|166–170 || [[Robbie Buhl]] crash in turn 2
|}
{{col-end}}

==National anthem controversy==
[[File:Steven Tyler performing.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Steven Tyler]]]]
For the pre-race ceremonies, the Speedway invited [[Steven Tyler]] of [[Aerosmith]] to perform "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]".<ref name="Aerosmith, the Car Racing Fans"/><ref name="Daily Trackside Report"/> At the time, Aerosmith was kicking off their [[Just Push Play Tour]], and earlier in the year had performed in the halftime show of [[Super Bowl XXXV]]. In the days leading up to the race, the band struck a deal with [[Heritage Motorsports]] to sponsor [[Jeff Ward (motorsports)|Jeff Ward]]'s car during the race.<ref name="Aerosmith, the Car Racing Fans">{{cite news|url=http://www.rockthisway.de/nascar.htm|title=Aerosmith, the Car Racing Fans|publisher=RockThisWay|year=2001|access-date=2008-06-13}}</ref><ref name="Daily Trackside Report">{{cite news|url=http://www.indy500.com/images/stats/pdfs/dtr/2001.pdf|title=2001 Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report|publisher=indy500.com|year=2001|access-date=2008-06-13|archive-date=2008-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625230259/http://www.indy500.com/images/stats/pdfs/dtr/2001.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The performance was widely regarded by observers as one of the worst and most controversial renditions of the [[The Star-Spangled Banner|U.S. national anthem]] ever.<ref name="Aerosmith, the Car Racing Fans"/><ref name="The Star-Mangled Banner">{{cite news|url=http://www.wnew.com/2008/04/the-star-spangl.html |title=The Star-Mangled Banner |publisher=wnew.com |date=2008-04-22 |access-date=2008-06-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628170456/http://www.wnew.com/2008/04/the-star-spangl.html |archive-date=2009-06-28 }}</ref><ref name="Oh say, can you sing">{{cite news|url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/07/02/sports/professional/21_33_287_1_06.txt|title=Oh say, can you sing|publisher=North County Times|date=2007-06-01 |access-date=2008-06-13}}</ref>

The national anthem performer at the Indianapolis 500 is normally backed-up by the [[Purdue All-American Marching Band]]; however, the band was only allowed to play the opening chorus.<ref name="Purdue Band connection">{{cite news|url=http://www.purdue.edu/BANDS/news/080503Indy500.html|title=Purdue Band connection to Indy 500 creeps towards 90|publisher=Purdue.edu|date=2008-05-03|access-date=2008-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517143923/http://www.purdue.edu/BANDS/news/080503Indy500.html|archive-date=2008-05-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tyler began the song with a [[harmonica]] solo, then tossed the instrument into the crowd. He finished the song [[a cappella]]. Tyler took [[artistic license]] to the extreme, and altered the last line of the song from ''"...the home of the brave"'' to ''"...the home of the Indianapolis 500."''<ref name="Aerosmith, the Car Racing Fans"/><ref name="The Star-Mangled Banner"/><ref name="Purdue Band connection"/><ref name="Steven Tyler's Indy Song Stirs Some">{{cite news|url=http://www.wnew.com/2008/04/the-star-spangl.html |title=Steven Tyler's Indy Song Stirs Some|newspaper=Washington Post|date=2001-05-28 |access-date=2008-06-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628170456/http://www.wnew.com/2008/04/the-star-spangl.html |archive-date=2009-06-28}}</ref> The crowd, television and radio commentators, along with military [[Medal of Honor]] recipients in attendance due to the [[Memorial Day]] holiday, had a largely negative response to the performance.<ref name="Aerosmith, the Car Racing Fans"/><ref name="Purdue Band connection"/><ref name="Steven Tyler's Indy Song Stirs Some"/> Tyler apologized and stated he meant no disrespect. Said Tyler, "I'm very proud to be an American, and live in the home of the brave."<ref name="Aerosmith, the Car Racing Fans"/><ref name="The Star-Mangled Banner"/><ref name="Steven Tyler's Indy Song Stirs Some"/>

Speedway president [[Tony George]] released a statement the following Tuesday citing "While we are certainly sorry that some were offended, it was neither our intention nor that of Mr. Tyler to be disrespectful. All of us have the utmost respect for the sacrifice our veterans have made for us."<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news|url =http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005MYX|title =Indy Chief Apologizes for Anthem|publisher =L.A. Times|date = 2001-05-31 |access-date = 2008-06-13}}</ref>

The harmonica Tyler threw into the crowd was reported to be retrieved by Purdue band member David Hornthal. On the February 20, 2012 episode of ''[[Pawn Stars]]'', a harmonica purported to be the one Tyler threw into the crowd was presented, but did not sell.<ref>[http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/pawn-stars/episode-25-season-5/pawnocchio/299236/] Pawn Stars - Season 5, Episode 25 Pawnocchio]</ref>

==Broadcasting==
===Radio===
The race was carried live on the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network|Indy Racing Radio Network]]. [[Mike King (radio announcer)|Mike King]] served as chief announcer. [[Johnny Rutherford]] served as "driver expert" along with newcomer [[Johnny Parsons]].

Several minor changes were made to the crew. [[Bob Lamey]], Ken Double, and [[Larry Rice]] all departed. Kevin Lee joined the crew, taking the turn two position, which was now atop the Southeast Vista grandstand (it was previously on the roof of the VIP Suites). Chris Denari moved from the pits to turn four, where he remains as of today with the exception of 2014 when he was in Miami calling an Indiana Pacers playoff game. Howdy Bell took the limited assignment of hospital reporter and interviews during the pre-race coverage. The job of on-air "statistician" was eliminated permanently. Newcomers [[Adam Alexander (sportscaster)|Adam Alexander]] and Kim Morris served as pit reporters along with Mike Lewis, who had debuted just one year earlier.

Starting in 2001, the flagship station for the network was changed back to its original home, [[WFNI|1070 WIBC-AM]] (now [[WFNI]]). Booth interviews were kept to a minimum in 2001. King interviewed Dr. Robert Hubbard, the 2001 co-recipient of the [[Louis Schwitzer Award]] for development of the [[HANS device]].

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
!colspan=3|[[Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network|Indy Racing Radio Network]] 
|-
!Booth Announcers!!Turn Reporters!![[Sideline reporter|Pit/garage reporters]]
|-
|valign="top" rowspan=2|
'''[[Play-by-play|Chief Announcer]]:''' [[Mike King (radio announcer)|Mike King]]<br />
'''Driver expert:''' [[Johnny Rutherford]]<br />
'''Driver expert:''' [[Johnny Parsons]]<br />
'''[[Historian]]:''' [[Donald Davidson (historian)|Donald Davidson]]<br />
'''Commentary:''' [[Chris Economaki]]<br />
|valign="top" rowspan=2|
'''Turn 1:''' [[Jerry Baker (announcer)|Jerry Baker]]<br />
'''Turn 2:''' Kevin Lee<br />
'''Turn 3:''' Mark Jaynes<br />
'''Turn 4:''' Chris Denari<br />
|align="center" valign="top"|[[Adam Alexander (sportscaster)|Adam Alexander]] (north pits)<br />Mike Lewis (center pits)<br />Kim Morris (south pits)<br />
|-
|align="center" valign="top"|Chuck Marlowe (garages)<br />Howdy Bell (hospital)<br />
|}

===Television===
The race was carried live flag-to-flag coverage in the United States on [[ESPN on ABC|ABC Sports]]. [[Al Michaels]] returned as host, with [[Bob Jenkins]] as announcer. Analyst [[Arie Luyendyk]] left television and returned to the cockpit. [[Tom Sneva]] left television as well. The new booth crew for 2001 included analysts [[Larry Rice]] and [[Jason Priestley]].

[[Gary Gerould]] was not part of the 2001 broadcast. Instead he was taking part in the [[Champ Car|CART]] telecasts for the season. Vince Welch took his place as pit reporter, Welch's first time on television at Indy.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
!colspan=3|[[ESPN on ABC|ABC]] [[List of Indianapolis 500 broadcasters|Television]]
|-
!Booth Announcers!![[Sideline reporter|Pit/garage reporters]]!!Pre-race analysts
|-
|valign="top"|
'''Host:''' [[Al Michaels]]<br />
'''[[Play-by-play|Announcer]]:''' [[Bob Jenkins]]<br />
'''[[Color commentator|Color]]:''' [[Larry Rice]]<br />
'''[[Color commentator|Color]]:''' [[Jason Priestley]]<br />
|align="center" valign="top"|[[Jack Arute]]<br />[[Vince Welch]]<br />[[Jerry Punch|Dr. Jerry Punch]]<br />[[Leslie Gudel]]
|align="center" valign="top"|[[Arie Luyendyk]]<br />[[Jason Priestley]]<br />
|}

==Notes==

===References===
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

===Works cited===
*''2001 Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report for the Media''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120427163136/https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/indy500/history/stats/ Indianapolis 500 History: Race & All-Time Stats] - Official Site

{{
Indy 500 Walker|
Previous_race = 2000|
Previous_winner = [[Juan Pablo Montoya]]|
This_race = 2001|
This_winner = [[Hélio Castroneves]]|
Next_race = 2002|
Next_winner = [[Hélio Castroneves]]|
}}

{{Indy 500}}
{{IndyCar Series Seasons}}
{{IndyCar Series on ABC}}

[[Category:Indianapolis 500 races]]
[[Category:2001 in motorsport|Indianapolis 500]]
[[Category:2001 in American motorsport|Indianapolis 500]]
[[Category:2001 in IndyCar|Indianapolis 500]]
[[Category:2001 in sports in Indiana|Indianapolis 500]]