| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Race 5 of 16 in the 1996 IndyCar season | |
Map of Nazareth Speedway
| |
| Date | April 28, 1996 |
| Official name | Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix |
| Location | Nazareth, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Course | Oval 1.000 mi / 1.609 km |
| Distance | 200 laps 200.000 mi / 321.869 km |
| Pole position | |
| Driver | Paul Tracy (Penske Racing) |
| Time | 18.874 |
| Fastest lap | |
| Driver | Emerson Fittipaldi (Hogan Penske Racing) |
| Time | 20.388 (on lap 2 of 200) |
| Podium | |
| First | Michael Andretti (Newman/Haas Racing) |
| Second | Greg Moore (Forsythe Racing) |
| Third | Al Unser Jr. (Penske Racing) |
The 1996 Bosch Spark Plug Grand Prix was a CART race which happened at the Nazareth Speedway on April 28, 1996. It was the 5th round of the 1996 IndyCar season.
Penske Racing driver Paul Tracy set the a mph speed of 190.737 mph, and also, the pole. It was a New Track Record.
At lap 15, the first caution came out as Hiro Matsushita collided with Juan Manuel Fangio II. The restart came out at lap 22. The top ten at lap 25 were: Paul Tracy, Emerson Fittipaldi, Scott Pruett, Michael Andretti, Jimmy Vasser, Al Unser Jr., Bobby Rahal, Robby Gordon, Greg Moore and Christian Fittipaldi. At lap 53, Hiro Matsushita was the first driver to retire. At lap 79, Andretti stalled his car after a 13.4 pitstop. He continued in the race. At the following lap, the race leader Paul Tracy hit three mechanics in one move then after that he was able to stop his car in his pit stall. The mechanics were not badly injured, but were taken to the hospital. At lap 89, Paul Tracy received a black flag penalty because of the incident with his mechanics. The top six at lap 95 was: Michael Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Greg Moore, Emerson Fittipaldi, Bobby Rahal and Christian Fittipaldi.
At lap 115, the second caution came out, as Roberto Moreno lost one of his rear wheels. At the following lap, Gil de Ferran retired after having suspension problems due to colliding with Adrian Fernandez in the pits. The restart came out at lap 128. At lap 141, the top twelve was: Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Al Unser Jr., Greg Moore, Bobby Rahal, Jimmy Vasser, Paul Tracy, Scott Pruett, Christian Fittipaldi, Raul Boesel, Robby Gordon and Adrian Fernandez.
With 33 laps to go, the third caution came out as Robby Gordon hit the wall at turn one. He retired. When the restart would come out, Raul Boesel's engine blew up. The restart came out with 23 laps to go. Andretti's lead was growing and no problems happened to him as he won the race.
21. Raul Boesel engine
22. Robby Gordon contact
23. Gil de Ferran suspension
24. Roberto Moreno lost wheel
25. Juan Manuel Fangio II engine
26. Hiro Matsushita suspension
