Untimely Yellow Plagues Rossi’s Promising Start at 105th Running of Indianapolis 500
The tradition and excitement returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as fans were welcomed back to the Indianapolis 500, but an unfortunate early yellow hindered Alexander Rossi and the NAPA AUTO PARTS team’s chances of coming away with another Indianapolis 500 victory.
The month of May for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES culminated in Indianapolis as the field of 33 took the green flag for the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
After a full week of practice and a nail-biting qualifying weekend, Alexander Rossi and the No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda started the 500-mile race just outside of the Firestone Fast Nine in tenth, on the inside of the fourth row.
As the green flag waved, Rossi held his ground in tenth and slowly worked his way forward during the first stint of the race, climbing as high as sixth. An untimely yellow for an incident in pit lane came out right before Rossi was meant to make his first pit stop, pushing the No. 27 to the limit on available fuel. Unfortunately, the vapor lock issue on the first pit stop cost the team valuable track time, putting Rossi down a lap. With a record low number of caution periods throughout the race, strategy did not allow for the No. 27 to regain the lost ground. Rossi and the No. 27 NAPA AUTO PARTS Honda would ultimately take the checkered flag in 29th.
“Nothing at all went our way,” said Rossi. “Couldn’t catch a break with anything. Just driving around waiting for some luck. Congrats to Honda for another 500 win and to our friends at AutoNation.”
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take a weekend off before heading to Detroit’s Belle Isle for a doubleheader on June 12 – 13.
Start / Finish: 10 / 29
Points Earned: 10
Points Standing / Total: 15th / 101 pts.
Next Race: June 12-13, Detroit Grand Prix Doubleheader
How to Watch or Listen: NBC, PeacockTV and INDYCAR RADIO Sirius 205
NAPA: @NAPARacing
Alexander Rossi: @AlexanderRossi
Andretti Autosport: @FollowAndretti
Andretti Autosport View All
Andretti Autosport, led by racing legend Michael Andretti, boasts a wide racing portfolio rooted in tradition and designed for success.
Under the banners of Andretti Autosport and Avalanche Andretti Formula E, the Indianapolis-based team fields multiple entries across the INDYCAR SERIES, Indy Lights, the FIA Formula E World Championship and the IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 division. The team also competes as Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Australian Supercars category through partnership with Walkinshaw Racing and United Autosports additionally the team fields an entry in the Extreme E championship via Andretti United Extreme E.
The global racing enterprise boasts four INDYCAR SERIES championships, five Indy Light titles, one Pro Mazda championship, a Silver Class GT4 Championship and has captured victory five times at the famed Indianapolis 500. The team also holds two X Games Gold Medals and five U.S. rallycross championships.