Firestone Freedom 100

Indycar race infobox
Name=Freedom 100
Track_

Venue=Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Sponsor=Firestone
First race=2003
First IRL race=2003
Distance=100 miles
Laps=40
Previous names=Freedom 100 (2003)
Futaba Freedom 100 (2004-2005)
Freedom 100 (2006-2007)

The Firestone Freedom 100 is a Firestone Indy Lights Series auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is currently held the Friday before the Indianapolis 500. It is the biggest race for the Indy Lights Series and has much higher participation than many of the series' other races.

The race also holds a similar time trial to that of the Indy 500 in which qualifying times are determined by an average of two laps.

For the first two years, the race was held during the second weekend of Indianapolis 500 Time Trials, scheduled for Saturday, which was, at the time, used only for Indy 500 practice. The date proved to be unpopular and saw small crowds. In 2005, Carb Day, the final day of practice for the Indy 500, was moved from Thursday before the Indy 500 to Friday. Series officials moved the Freedom 100 to Carb Day, immediately following the Indy 500 practice session. The move proved popular with fans and competitors.

In 2008, in the wake of the merger between IRL and Champ Car, the series was renamed from Indy Pro Series to the Firestone Indy Lights Series. The new sponsorship extended to this race, renaming it the Firestone Freedom 100.cite news
url =http://www.indy500.com/news/story.php?story_id=10766
title =Firestone Freedom 100 To Feature Firestone Indy Lights May 23 At IMS
publisher =name
date = 2008-03-26
accessdate = 2008-03-31]

Race History

:¹In 2003 the race started on Saturday May 17, but was halted by rain. It was completed the following day.:²The 2008 race was scheduled for Friday May 23 but postponed one day due to rain.

Event Records

ee also

*2008 Indy Lights season
*Firestone Indy Lights Series
*Indy Racing League

References