IndyCar: Top 5 Races in St. Pete Grand Prix History

2012 – History Honors History

The 2012 St. Petersburg Grand Prix is not memorable because it made history, but because it ended up celebrating history. The race marked engine manufacturer Chevrolet’s return to IndyCar racing after a six year absence from the sport. It was also the on-track competition debut of the new Dallara chassis, affectionately called the DW-12 in honor of the late Dan Wheldon. Wheldon, who had served as the test driver while racing a partial schedule in 2011, died in a tragic crash at the season finale in Las Vegas. He was also the 2011 Indianapolis 500 winner.

In 2012, the IndyCar Series brought the DW-12 to the track that now carried the stretch known as Dan Wheldon Way. That is where history was made.

Pole-sitter Will Power led from the start, but a strategic fuel gamble ended up backfiring and shuffling him back in the pack. The race ended up being a battle between Team Penske’s Helio Castroneves and Target Chip Ganassi’s Scott Dixon. Castroneves was able to stretch his fuel a lap longer, make an essential pass over Dixon, and took the lead after a final round of pit stops. On his victory lap, Castroneves stopped in Turn 10, the site of the Dan Wheldon Way road sign, and climbed the fence paying homage to the late Brit.

Next: Fixing IndyCar's Phoenix Downforce Issue

The 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season opener is set for St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 13. The race will air on the ABC network. You can find ticket and other information at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg website.