For the second consecutive year, the start of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 has been delayed due to light rain around the track. It was originally scheduled to start a 12:45pm EST, but sprinkles forced IMS officials to pause the action, placing the command to start engines on hold. The rest of the pre-race ceremonies have already taken place. There have been overcast conditions all morning but there should be no trouble getting the entirety of the race in today.
UPDATE: The command to start engines finally came at 1:21pm EST with Roger Penske saying the famous words.
Any delay like this could seriously jeopardize Kyle Larson's attempt to successfully complete the Indy 500/Coke 600 Double, running all 1,100 miles on the same day. Only four drivers have ever ran both races on the same day and only -- Tony Stewart -- has managed to complete 1,100 miles. He has a very small window (about 45 minutes of delays) that will allow him to both run the 500 and still make it to Charlotte in time for the NASCAR race. Driver introductions are set to begin at 5:25pm EST. with the race beginning at 6pm EST.
Larson's 2024 attempt at 'The Double' was derailed by weather as well with rain delaying the start of the Indy 500. He missed the start of the Coca-Cola 600 and same weather system arrived at Charlotte mid-race, ending the event early just as Larson arrived. This year, he has to start the Coke 600 or risk forfeiting all of his playoff points due to an updated playoff waiver policy implemented by NASCAR.
2013 Indy 500 winner and Arrow McLaren team principal Tony Kanaan is on standby for Larson at Indianapolis, should he need to get behind the wheel of the No. 17 Chevrolet. Kanaan told IndyCar on FOX that Larson has to leave the track between 4pm and 4:30pm EST at the latest.
When the 2025 Indy 500 does get underway, rookie Robert Shwartzman will lead the field to the green flag in the No. 83 Prema Racing Chevrolet. He will share the front row with Takuma Sato and Pato O'Ward.
The race has only been completely postponed to Monday three times in its history and that hasn't happened since 1997. The event hasn't been rain-shortened since 2007, which has happened a total of seven times. However, current situation is unlikely to result in a full postponement or a rain-shortened race.
