IndyCar racing is a thrilling form of motorsports that traces its origins back over 100 years. Fans love the incredible speeds, daring maneuvers, and regular close finishes that characterize IndyCar action. To truly test your knowledge of this beloved sport, see if you can solve these 41 IndyCar riddles!
History Riddles
Let’s start with some riddles about the history and origins of IndyCar racing:
Riddle #1
I’m an early racing event that took place in the midwest USA around the start of the 20th century. I directly led to the creation of the Indy 500. What historic race am I?
Answer: The Vanderbilt Cup
Riddle #2
I’m a famous oval track in Indiana that hosts the biggest annual IndyCar event. What track am I?
Answer: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Riddle #3
We’re a fiery crash and scandal that brought major safety improvements and rule changes to IndyCar racing in the 1960s. What incident are we?
Answer: The 1964 Sachs/MacDonald Crash
Driver Riddles
How well do you know some of the greatest IndyCar drivers of all time? Try these driver-themed brain teasers:
Riddle #4
I’m an Australian driver who won the Indy 500 twice in the 1990s. I also raced in Formula One. Who am I?
Answer: Emerson Fittipaldi
Riddle #5
We’re a father and son who both won the Indianapolis 500, the only family pairing to do so. Who are we?
Answer: Al Unser Sr. and Al Unser Jr.
Riddle #6
I’m one of the greatest IndyCar drivers of all time, with 4 Indy 500 wins and an amazing 67 total race victories. I was known for my daring moves. Who am I?
Answer: A.J. Foyt
Team Riddles
IndyCar wouldn’t be as exciting without the teams and manufacturers that build the incredible cars. Test your knowledge with these team and constructor brain teasers:
Riddle #7
I’m an English racing team that found great success in IndyCar in the 1960s and 1970s with drivers like Graham Hill and Mario Andretti. What team am I?
Answer: Team Lotus
Riddle #8
We’re a present-day IndyCar racing team that has won the last two Indy 500s along with many other races. We’re known for our speed and consistency. What team are we?
Answer: Chip Ganassi Racing
Riddle #9
I’m a Japanese auto manufacturer who has powered many Indy 500 winning cars. My engines are known for their reliability and fuel efficiency. What company am I?
Answer: Honda
Event Riddles
Let’s move on to some riddles focused on the races and events that make up the exciting IndyCar calendar:
Riddle #10
I’m a dangerous temporary street course race that takes place every year in St. Petersburg, Florida. What event am I?
Answer: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Riddle #11
We’re a grueling 500 mile race that takes place every May in Speedway, Indiana and represents the pinnacle of IndyCar racing. What historic event are we?
Answer: Indianapolis 500
Riddle #12
I’m an exciting nighttime oval track race taking place every June in Fort Worth, Texas. What event am I?
Answer: Texas Indy 600
Rule and Format Riddles
The rules, formats, and procedures of IndyCar racing can get quite complex. Take a shot at these brain teasers focused on the intricacies of the sport:
Riddle #13
I’m a special red tire compound that IndyCar drivers are required to use during certain parts of some races. What am I called?
Answer: Alternate tires
Riddle #14
We’re a type of competition caution that requires drivers to enter pit road during certain oval track races to check tire wear and vehicle safety. What are we?
Answer: Competition yellows
Riddle #15
I’m a controversial rule that can randomly shuffle the lead lap running order following a race caution period. IndyCar fans have mixed opinions on me. What rule am I?
Answer: Lucky Dog rule / Free Pass
Track Riddles
The race tracks themselves play a huge role in IndyCar’s nonstop excitement. Test your knowledge of these celebrated circuits and layouts with the following riddles:
Riddle #16
I’m a 2.5 mile oval speedway known as one of the fastest tracks in IndyCar. I host the season finale every year. What track am I?
Answer: Auto Club Speedway
Riddle #17
We’re a set of four turn angles that make up most oval track layouts. We enable close drafting and plenty of passing zones for IndyCars. What turns are we?
Answer: Four 90° turns
Riddle #18
I’m a tricky balloon-shaped oval turn that challenges IndyCar drivers with my sharply changing radii. What famous turn configuration am I?
Answer: D shaped oval turn
Flags and Safety Riddles
Let’s move on to some brain teasers focused on the flags and safety protocols that allow IndyCar racing to thrill fans while keeping drivers as protected as possible:
Riddle #19
I’m a yellow and red striped flag that signals oil, debris, or other slipperiness on the track. IndyCar drivers proceed with caution when they see me. What flag am I?
Answer: Slippery track flag
Riddle #20
We’re flame-retardant racing suits and other apparel that help keep IndyCar drivers safe in the event of crashes and fires. What protective gear are we?
Answer: Fire suits, gloves, shoes, and underwear
Riddle #21
I’m a reinforced crash barrier filled with foam that absorbs dangerous impact forces. You’ll find me lining the walls at oval tracks. What energy-dissipating safety feature am I?
Answer: SAFER barrier
Strategy and Competition Riddles
The strategies IndyCar teams use during races and over full seasons of competition can get extremely complex. These riddles test your grasp of key strategic decisions that can make or break race outcomes:
Riddle #22
I’m a decision about how many pit stops to make and when. Teams try to time me to gain track position without wearing out tires. What key strategic choice am I?
Answer: Pit stop timing/strategy
Riddle #23
We’re ultra-sticky specialty tires that teams save for the very end of races. We help drivers charge through the field at the last moment. What race-winning tires are we?
Answer: Red alternate “sticker” tires
Riddle #24
I’m a risky maneuver where drivers dive below the yellow line on the inside apron to complete critical passes. I’m controversial but also thrilling when pulled off. What daring move am I?
Answer: Below the yellow line pass
Aero, Chassis, and Mechanics Riddles
Let’s try out some brain teasers focused on the incredible technology and engineering that allows IndyCars to achieve such breathtaking performance:
Riddle #25
I’m an adjustable flap on the back of IndyCars that helps control rear downforce levels for ideal cornering and top speed. What component am I?
Answer: Rear wing adjuster flap/wicker bill
Riddle #26
We’re specially-designed undertrays and splitters that manipulate airflow under IndyCars to provide additional downforce. What are we called?
Answer: Underwing/undertray/splitter
Riddle #27
I’m the minimum weight requirements for IndyCars along with their drivers. Staying above me is critical for traction and avoiding disqualification. What regulations am I?
Answer: Minimum total weight requirements
Careers and Positions Riddles
From drivers to crew members to off-track staff, it takes entire teams of dedicated professionals to make IndyCar racing happen. Test your knowledge of racing roles and occupations with these riddles:
Riddle #28
We’re the helmet and head restraint device worn by IndyCar drivers to protect them in the case of impacts. What are we called?
Answer: HANS (Head and Neck Support device)
Riddle #29
I’m responsible for fueling, changing tires, and carrying out repairs during lightning fast pit stops. Speed and precision are vital for me. What high-pressure job do I have?
Answer: Pit crew member
Riddle #30
We’re former professional racers who provide commentary, expert analysis, and insider knowledge to TV broadcasts. Racing fans love our unique insights. What broadcasting role do we fill?
Answer: Racing analysts/commentators
Memorable Moments Riddles
Over more than 100 years of daredevil action, IndyCar racing has produced countless unforgettable highlights. These riddles cover some of the most iconic moments and stories in the history of the sport:
Riddle #31
I’m the first female driver to ever win an IndyCar race, capturing the Japan 300 in 2008. Who am I?
Answer: Danica Patrick
Riddle #32
We’re a series of historic Indianapolis 500 victories by legendary driver Rick Mears, including wins in 1979, 1984, 1988 and 1991. What record do we represent?
Answer: Most Indy 500 wins (4)
Riddle #33
I’m the closest ever finish at the Indy 500, with Al Unser Jr. defeating Scott Goodyear by just 0.043 seconds in 1992. What legendary race am I?
Answer: 1992 Indianapolis 500 / Indy 500
Crashes and Dangers Riddles
While safety measures have increased greatly over the years, IndyCar racing still carries inherent risks that sometimes lead to spectacular crashes. Test your grasp of the dangers faced by drivers with these riddles:
Riddle #34
I’m an infamous 2011 IndyCar crash that sent debris, including a wheel assembly, into the stands and injured fans. What incident am I?
Answer: The 2011 Las Vegas Crash / Dan Wheldon crash
Riddle #35
We’re reinforced carbon fiber shells built into the sides of the IndyCar chassis to add protection for drivers in side impacts. What are we called?
Answer: Side impact safety pods
Riddle #36
I’m the disturbing phenomenon where wheels become detached at high speeds, often causing severe crashes. What troubling defect am I?
Answer: Wheel tethers failing/wheels flying off
Stats, Records and Trivia Riddles
IndyCar history is full of incredible statistics, streaks, and pieces of racing lore passed between generations of enthusiastic fans. Try your hand at these trivia-based brain teasers:
Riddle #37
I’m the current record for most consecutive Indy 500 starts held by Al Unser Jr. What astonishing feat of longevity am I?
Answer: Starting 27 consecutive Indy 500s
Riddle #38
We’re the fastest pace average ever recorded at the Indianapolis 500, set by Tony Kanaan in 2013. Over 100 years of daredevil records, we’ve proven impossible to beat so far. What blistering speed did Tony maintain?
Answer: Average speed of 187.433 mph
Riddle #39
I’m a rule that limits teams to carrying a maximum of 22 gallons of methanol fuel during races. Fuel saving innovations often play a key role under this limitation. What regulation am I?
Answer: 22 gallon fuel limit rule
Pop Culture Connections
From movies to video games and more, IndyCar racing has made its mark across popular culture. See if you know the roles this high-speed sport has played with these pop culture brain teasers:
Riddle #40
I’m a 1990s arcade game featuring draft-heavy Indy 500 racing action. I enabled racing fans to virtually experience breakneck speeds from home. What classic game am I?
Answer: Indy 500 Arcade Game
Riddle #41
We’re a series of virtual IndyCar video games released in the 2000s under an exclusive license. Gamers loved our realistic graphics and driving physics engines modeled on real IndyCars. What best-selling games were we?
Answer: IndyCar Series video games
Conclusion
How’d you do with these IndyCar puzzles? From historical moments to tracks, drivers, strategies and more, this high-speed motorsport offers no shortage of head-scratchers for even the most knowledgeable fans. As these riddles prove, the thrill and complexity of American open wheel racing continues to challenge the mind as much as it does the drivers themselves!
