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Behind the scenes at the Indy 500 (pictures)

While there was plenty of excitement on the track at this year's 99th running of the Indy 500, there was certainly no shortage of things going on in the pits and around it.

Tim Stevens
Tim Stevens got his start writing professionally while still in school in the mid '90s, and since then has covered topics ranging from business process management to video game development to automotive technology.
Tim Stevens
Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
1 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500

Welcome to the Indy 500, arguably the most historic car race in the world.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
2 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

David Letterman

Before the race kicked off on Sunday, VIPs and celebrities got the chance to walk the pits at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and see the cars up close. Here, a recently-retired David Letterman is seen surveying the action.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
3 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

In the pits

Cars are pushed out to their pit spots for final tweaks before being rolled out onto to race course for a rolling start.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
4 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Car 26

Carlos Munoz's Andretti Autosport sits in the pits, waiting for the race to begin.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
5 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Shell pit

The atmosphere is somewhat relaxed before the race, but there's still plenty going on.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
6 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Remove Before Flight

Some final checks are flagged to make sure they take place before the cars roll out for the final time.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
7 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Steering wheel

A look inside the cockpit of a modern Indy car. Carbon fiber and buttons galore.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
8 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

The front straight

A view from the grandstands of the starting lineup, just before they roll out.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
9 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Mario Andretti in the two-seater

One lucky fan got a very privileged ride in a two-seater Indy car, with legend Mario Andretti at the wheel.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
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Pretty in pink

Sponsors came from all walks of business, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
11 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Tires

A set of tires getting ready for a pit stop.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
12 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Fuel rig

This is the fuel rig, used multiple times throughout the race to fill up the tanks in the cars. All Indy cars burn ethanol, not gasoline.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
13 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Used slicks

A set of tires pulled from Tony Kanaan's car after seeing about 35 laps of action. They were swapped for a full new set in seconds.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
14 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Finish line

A shot of the finish, where Juan Pablo Montoya crossed the line to take his second Indy 500 victory.

Behind the scenes at the 2015 Indy 500
15 of 15 Tim Stevens/CNET

Montoya

Montoya piled into the back of a Chevrolet Camaro with his entire family to take his victory lap after winning the race.

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