2007 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race

91^st Official Running

May 27, 2007

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis, Indiana

2007 Indianapolis 500 Winner: Dario Franchitti

Andretti Green Racing driver Dario Franchitti reigned triumphant even though inclement weather dominated the field at this 91^st Official Running of the Indianapolis 500. Heavy rains interrupted the race after 113 Laps. According to the rules the race can be declared official after 101 Laps. At that standing Andretti Green was riding high with three AGR drivers; Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick leading the race thus far in the 1^st-2^nd and 3^rd place track positions when the red flag came out.

When race restarted more than 300,000 drenched spectators got to see several laps of green flag racing before a hard rainstorm ended the race prematurely. AGR driver Dario Franchitti; who drove Car No. 27 was declared the winner after the 166^th Lap.

Due to the inclement weather conditions the victory celebration took place under the Bombardier Learjet Pagoda.

For me summer officially begins at the same time each year on Memorial Weekend when Speedway chairperson Mari Hulman-George gives the command to the 33 drivers in the field, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.” When those engines start revving and the green flag is thrown you know summer, the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and those family backyard barbeques all across America are underway.

For most sports fans, the Indianapolis 500 is the fastest, most exciting race of the year. For devout racing fans, Indianapolis is the Mecca of motor-sports. Each of the 33 drivers have only one goal in mind: to stand in Victory Lane, wear the winner’s wreath, drink from the traditional winner’s bottle of milk and join racing immortality on the Borg-Warner Trophy.

The Indianapolis pit badge first debuted back on May 30, 1938 to commemorate the 26^th official running. The old Japanese style pagoda is depicted on this badge. The pagoda is an important Indianapolis 500 landmark. The new modern Bombardier Pagoda was architecturally designed to somewhat resemble the old pagoda. 

Indianapolis 500 pit badges are aesthetically pleasing. The detailed and intricate pit badge designs from years past and present showcase auto racing’s illustrious checkered history at the Brickyard.

In 1947 the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began issuing a silver pit badge and a bronze pit badge. For pit badge collectors

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