The Indy Racing League (IRL) is the sanctioning body of open-wheel racing in the United States. The league consists of the IndyCar Series and the developmental Indy Pro Series. The biggest event for the IRL is the Indianapolis 500.
History
Originally founded as a lower cost alternative to CART in 1994, the IRL raced for the first time in 1996.
Primarily a male sport, Danica Patrick entered the IRL in 2005. On April 20, 2008, she became the first female to win an Indy Car race.
Season
Each IRL season consists of 18 races around the world, plus one additional race that does not count on the points standings. Each driver is awarded points following each race, based on how they place. The points are totaled at the end of the season, and a champion is selected.
Indianapolis 500
The premier race in the IRL is the Indianapolis 500, or Indy 500 for short. Dubbed the "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the Indy 500 brings in over 270,000 spectators with millions more watching on television from home.
