How come all the Indy 500 winners aren't American any more?

Question

I wanted my kids to get into Indy racing, but ever since the 1990's all the drivers are english or south american

Answer 1

The annoucers talked about this last week on the television broadcast of the Indy race.

The American drivers started leaving Indy for NASCAR. It all started with Robbie Gordon and then Tony Stewart left. They liked the fact that you race more often, the bigger crowds, and of course the money.

The discussion started because they were talking about the rumor that Sam Hornish Jr. wanted to make the jump to NASCAR.

They did mention though that Tony Stewart still to this day claims that he will not be a complete driver until he wins the Indianiapolis 500.

Answer 2

first of all, dan wheldon was the first englishman to win at indy in several decades. secondly, as someone else pointed out there have been at least 2 maerican winners at indy in the past 10 years. and lastly, in answer to your question, it's because americans are not the most talented open wheel drivers. it is and has been for many years a sport dominated by europeans and south americans. i don't know what it is about them that makes them better. but it's why you never see any americans have success in formula 1.
maybe instead of forcing your kids to root for only american drivers you can just let them enjoy the racing and allow them to gravitate to whatever driver they like. after all, an american on the podium does not mean the race was good or bad.

Answer 3

Well since IRL and Cart split they have been paying a high price for being greety and wanting things their own way, so americans they dont bother looking at IRL nor cart anymore, they want to go Nascar or Bush or anywhere but open wheel race...I am not american but hey I miss the americans drivers and the IRL better be ready bcuz word is that Sam Hornish Jr is very much considering jumping to Nascar in 2008, so I dont know who will hold the U.S flag for IRL cuz Marco still young and maturing as a driver and Danica..well she's not going anywhere just like Sara Fisher.Is Scot Sharp american?Even so how old is he?92?

Answer 4

F1 is trying to be a worldwide sport by its traditional round-the-globe races and round-the-globe driver pool.
Conversely, if you (from anywhere in the world) can afford a car just for Indy 500 and can qualify then you've got a chance of winning - and your countrymen spectators egging you on.
Indy 500 is about the only IRL race that the world tunes into - with non-American drivers in the field then the spectators of the world have a better reason to watch.
If the Americans want to win Indy 500 then they must do one simple thing.... finish first!

Answer 5

1992 Al Unser Jr.
1994 Al Unser Jr.
1996 Buddy Lazier
1998 (I think) Eddie Cheever
I forget the next few
2004 Buddy Rice
2006 Sam Hornish Jr.

Not a majority by any means, but we still have the right stuff. It's just a host of drivers from all over the world want to race and win Indy.

Answer 6

It is all about the sponsors. Some of the sponsors would bend over backwards to have an American driver. I go to Meijer's and they have Danica's picture all over the place. Most just want winners and Europe is load with drivers that are well schooled in open wheeled racing.
Look at Graham Rahal in the Champ Cars -- Bobby had him overseas to learn his trade. The Andretti family learned a few things over there also.
I have been really disappointed that several American drivers like Casey Mears and A.J. Allmendinger never got a fair chance at open wheeled racing and went to NASCAR.

Answer 7

The tradition of drinking a bottle of milk after a race can be traced back to the 1933 Indianapolis 500 when race winner Louie Meyer made a beeline for his garage, where he had a bottle of buttermilk in an icebox. It was a very hot day and his mother had told him buttermilk would refresh him. As he drank, a photographer just happened to pass by, and the next morning, Meyer's picture - bottle to lips - was in the newspaper, so began the tradition.

Answer 8

because no americans are going into indy type cars anymore. the money is in nascar.

Answer 9

Because once again outsourcing is taking over.

Answer 10

Please don't tell Sam Hornish and Buddy Rice that they are no longer AMERICANS.