Who's the boss? At Indy 500, women play large role at IMS
by Dan Gelston, The Associated Press
Posted May 27, 2021 2:53 pm EDT
Last Updated May 27, 2021 at 2:59 pm EDT
Simona De Silvestro of Switzerland, left, consoles Charlie Kimball after he failed to make the field during the last row qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Simona de Silvestro was still in her helmet when her race team owner threw her arms around the driver who had just qualified for the Indianapolis 500 by the narrowest of margins.
De Silvestro’s pony-tailed crew members stopped by to congratulate her, as did 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power. Surviving the make-or-break seconds and breakneck speeds needed to make the 33-car field is cause enough for a celebration at Indy, especially after sweating out a 75-minute, five-car shootout for one of the final three spots in Sunday’s race.