Indy 500 Live Results: Scott Dixon, Alex Tagliani Lead Through 40 Laps

Through the first 40 laps of the 2011 Indy 500, the running order closely resembles the starting grid: pole-sitter Alex Tagliani and Scott Dixon, who started second, have shared the lead thus far.

Tagliani consistently had the fastest car in practice, but was passed by Dixon on the first lap after a miscue at the green flag. Since, though, Dixon and Tagliani have traded off roles as the hunter and the hunted, leading every lap of the Indy 500 so far; after Lap 40, it was Dixon on top, with Tagliani second, Dario Franchitti third, Dan Wheldon fourth, and Townsend Bell fifth.

Early accidents haven’t done much to disrupt the front of the pack. Simona de Silvestro, the highest-qualified woman in this year’s Indy 500, came off the track early and went down a lap, and a wreck by Takuma Sato ended the Japanese racer’s chances of victory, but the highest-profile name to go down a lap or more is Paul Tracy, who went into the pits on Lap 19 and has not returned to the track.

The first double-file restart in Indy 500 history happened on Lap 27, and nearly went off without a hitch, but an attempt to go three-wide in Turn 1 sparked an accident that sent E.J. Viso into the wall.

A second double-file restart on Lap 34 produced no accidents, but gave Franchitti a chance to move up to third.

For more on the race, stay with our 2011 Indy 500 StoryStream. Be sure to head over to Pop Off Valve for all things IndyCar, including the three excellent Indy 500 resources: The Indy 500 experience, Indy 500 traditions and the history of the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.