IndyCar: Top 5 Races in St. Pete Grand Prix History
Above: Highlights of the late, great Dan Wheldon
2005 – The Return of Left and Right
The 2005 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is historic for the IndyCar Series. It was the previously oval-centric series’ first official venture away from an oval-only schedule. IndyCar also held races that year at Sonoma Raceway and Watkins Glen International. It turned out to be the start of a trend toward road and street courses that is evident today with the schedule’s slant away from ovals. There are eleven road and street courses and five ovals on the current schedule.
In 2005, Dan Wheldon came away with the win in what was a solid showing for Michael Andretti’s armada. His drivers, Wheldon, Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti, and Bryan Herta swept the top four spots. Herta was also the pole winner for the race. Wheldon picked up his second of six wins, which included the 89th Indianapolis 500, on the way to the series title. The St. Petersburg course now includes a stretch named in honor of the late Wheldon with Dan Wheldon Way.
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