Change for Indy 500 victory lane

The Indy 500 winner won’t be lifted in victory lane now that the platform on which his car rests has been grounded.

IMS officials decided to discontinue the raising of the car to make additional room for team members to celebrate with their driver. The lift, which debuted in 2000, wasn’t large enough to accommodate more than the car and a few people. It was meant to raise the top-3 finishers (i.e. the podium).

The top-3 are applauded at all other races with a podium celebration but apparently finishing 2nd or 3rd at Indy means nothing.