[13] Franchitti's win represented the ninth consecutive Indy victory for Honda, despite the presence of multiple engine manufacturers for the first time since 2005.

In the penultimate race of the 2013 IndyCar Series in Houston, Franchitti would be involved in a multi-car accident that would prematurely end his career.

Defending race winner Dan Wheldon[14] was killed in a horrific crash during the 2011 season finale, the 2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Jim Nabors, who has traditionally sung "Back Home Again in Indiana" during the pre-race ceremonies in most years since 1972, was not able to attend the race for health reasons.

This was due in part to the struggles of Lotus, and lease issues in the first year of the new engine package, namely involving Dragon Racing.

* Includes days where track activitywas significantly limited due to rain ROP — denotes Rookie Orientation Program Comm.

In an unusual move, Chip Ganassi Racing sponsor Target changed Franchitti's car number for the month.

Former Formula One driver Jean Alesi was listed as an entry for Newman Haas Racing,[17] but the car was later withdrawn.

With the introduction of the new chassis and engine package, testing was conducted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the offseason.

[23] Test results were mixed at the Speedway,[23][24] with drivers complaining of weight imbalance issues,[23][24] and speeds (208–216 mph[23][24]) were down from what was expected.

Indianapolis and Fontana, home of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar World Championship, used the same superspeedway aero and rules package.

Chip Ganassi Racing won the pit stop competition for the first time, with driver Scott Dixon.

[36] Ryan Hunter-Reay overtook Marco Andretti before Bryan Clauson spun exiting turn one, akin to Danny Sullivan's spin in 1985, and brought out a caution period.

2007 and 2010 winner Dario Franchitti spun at his pit box, due to being hit from behind by E. J. Viso, but like Newgarden lost less time as the safety car was deployed.

[36] Jean Alesi and Simona de Silvestro were black flagged for failing to run within 105% of the front pace and duly retired.

[36] On lap 79 Mike Conway was given a drive through penalty for hitting a crew member in the pits and breaking his front wing.

[36] Ana Beatriz spun on the exit of turn one and hit the wall, bringing out another full course caution with her car stopping in the middle of the track.

[36] At the half distance point the leaderboard was Dixon, Franchitti, Hunter-Reay, Rahal, Wilson, Sato, Kimball, Hildebrand, Bell.

This left all of the top six runners being Honda powered, in contrast to pre-race predictions on relative engine performance and economy.

[36] Starting lap 147 under caution the majority of the lead drivers stopped including Sato, Franchitti, Dixon, Rahal, Hinchcliffe and more.

Following such pitstops, by lap 150 Sato led followed by Franchitti, Dixon, Hinchcliffe, Wilson, Kimball, Briscoe, Kanaan and Castroneves.

On lap 163 Josef Newgarden stopped due to engine problems, pulling over to the left hand area of grass on the inside of the track on the backstraight between turns two and three, bringing out the safety car and another full course caution.

[36] The leading Ganassi pair of Franchitti and Dixon appeared to express concern over fuel consumption and speed.

On lap 180 Carpenter spun but did not hit the wall, spinning across the track and coming to a halt, then gesticulating at marshals to help turn the car around.

[36] Tony Kanaan led the race during the caution, but when the green flag waved he soon fell to fourth behind Franchitti, Dixon and Sato.

Time trials and Carb Day were covered live in the United States on NBC Sports Network.

Pit reporters included Marty Snider, Kevin Lee, Derek Daly, and Townsend Bell (who also qualified for the race).

Host: Brent Musburger Announcer: Marty Reid Color: Scott Goodyear Color: Eddie Cheever The IMS Radio Network broadcast the race live on approximately 400 affiliates, as well as AFN, the LeSEA broadcasting network, and World Harvest Radio.

Davey Hamilton, who did not secure a ride for the race (the first time since 2006), returned to the booth and served as "driver expert".

1070 The Fan broadcast nightly with Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee, followed by Donald Davidson's The Talk of Gasoline Alley.