The early laps of the 104th Indianapolis 500 turned into a high-speed science experiment as the boiling point of magnesium was reconfirmed to be 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. The unintended timing of the experiment, as produced by James Davison’s No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing Byrd Belardi Honda, made for spectacular viewing as the right-front brake and wheel on the Australian’s car exploded as he whistled down the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s back stretch. Captured as the remnants of the magnesium wheel and Firestone tire burned bright shades of yellow and orange, the No. 51 entry triggered the first caution period on Lap 4 as emergency crews raced to extinguish the...
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