89th INDY 500 EARNS ‘INSTANT CLASSIC’ STATUS JUNE 3 ON ESPN CLASSIC
ESPN Classic will rebroadcast the 89th Indianapolis 500, one of the most thrilling and competitive editions of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” as an “Instant Classic” at 9 p.m. (EDT) Friday, June 3.
Dan Wheldon earned a spot on the Borg-Warner Trophy for the first time with a stirring victory in the No. 26 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda/Firestone. He passed rookie sensation Danica Patrick for the lead on Lap 194 of the 200-lap race and stayed in front until the finish.
Wheldon’s winning pass was the 27th and final lead change of the race, just two short of the all-time record set in 1960. Wheldon and Patrick were two of the seven drivers to lead at least one lap.
Preceding the “Instant Classic” telecast of the 89th Indianapolis 500, ESPN Classic will re-broadcast the “SportsCenter at the Indy 500” from May that featured the history of women at the Indianapolis 500. Patrick finished fourth in the No. 16 Rahal Letterman Racing Argent Pioneer Panoz/Honda/Firestone, the best finish ever by a woman in the race’s history. She also led 19 laps to become the first woman to lead the race.
Overnight ratings for the ABC Sports live broadcast of the 89th Indianapolis 500 on May 29 were 40 percent higher than last year.
ESPN Classic, which reaches more than 55 million homes, is devoted to telecasting the greatest memories in the history of sports while adding a current perspective.
The 90th Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 28, 2006. Fans are encouraged to submit their ticket renewals, upgrades and orders for the race to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as soon as possible. The most convenient, fastest method is online at indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
The deadline for renewals, which give fans the opportunity to guarantee the same seating assignment, is Monday, June 13. Existing ticket customers who renew their seats online before June 13 will receive a free collector’s edition DVD of highlights from the 89th Indianapolis 500, including the dramatic late-race duel between Wheldon and Patrick.
