The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series was dominated by two teams, Andretti Green Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing. While there was great parity in 2003 between Honda and Toyota powered teams, in 2004 Honda began to outshine Toyota bringing their teams Penske Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing down with it, leaving Scott Dixon winless and in 10th place in his attempt to defend his 2003 championship.
Season champion Tony Kanaan set a record by completing all 3,305 possible laps, the first IndyCar driver in modern history to do so.
This season was the last to feature an all oval tracks schedule, which was part of the concept that led to the creation of the Indy Racing League. By 2005, road and street courses started to appear in the schedule by a mainstream scheduling method, and by 2015, there are more races run in road/street courses than in oval tracks.
Changes for 2004
The engine displacement for all IndyCar Series cars were reduced from to starting from the 2004 Indianapolis 500 in an effort to reduce speeds and ensure safer and exciting racing. The engine displacement were used at the first three races of the season but a 3-inch by 12-inch slot was cut into the airbox and engine cover, behind the driver's head. The slot decreased positive airflow to the engine, reducing horsepower as well as reducing overall speeds.
Confirmed entries
Season Summary
Schedule
Race results
BOLD indicates Superspeedways. Note: All races ran on Ovals/Speedways.
Race summaries
Toyota Indy 300
This race was held at Homestead-Miami Speedway on February 29. Buddy Rice won the pole.
Top ten results
6- Sam Hornish Jr. 3- Hélio Castroneves 26- Dan Wheldon 12- Tora Takagi 4- Tomas Scheckter 10- Darren Manning 15- Buddy Rice 11- Tony Kanaan 8- Scott Sharp 24- Robbie Buhl
Copper World Indy 200
This race was held at Phoenix International Raceway on March 21. Dan Wheldon won the pole.
Top ten results
11- Tony Kanaan
1- Scott Dixon
26- Dan Wheldon
51- Alex Barron
10- Darren Manning
3- Hélio Castroneves
7- Bryan Herta
12- Tora Takagi
15- Buddy Rice
13- Greg Ray
Indy Japan 300
This race was held at Twin Ring Motegi on April 17. This was Honda's first win in the annual oval race held at their own track. Dan Wheldon won the pole.
Top ten results
26- Dan Wheldon
11- Tony Kanaan
3- Hélio Castroneves
10- Darren Manning
1- Scott Dixon
15- Buddy Rice
27- Dario Franchitti
55- Kosuke Matsuura
8- Scott Sharp
12- Tora Takagi
88th Indianapolis 500
The 88th Indianapolis race was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 30. Buddy Rice sat on pole. The race was shortened to 180 laps (450 miles) due to rain.
Top ten results
15- Buddy Rice
11- Tony Kanaan
26- Dan Wheldon
7- Bryan Herta
36- Bruno Junqueira
17- Vítor Meira
5- Adrián Fernández
1- Scott Dixon
3- Hélio Castroneves
16- Roger Yasukawa
Bombardier 500
This race was held at Texas Motor Speedway on June 12. Dario Franchitti won the pole.
Top ten results
11- Tony Kanaan
27- Dario Franchitti
51- Alex Barron
6- Sam Hornish Jr. 5- Adrián Fernández 17- Vítor Meira 13- Greg Ray 10- Darren Manning 24- Felipe Giaffone 12- Tora Takagi
SunTrust Indy Challenge
This race was held at Richmond International Raceway on June 26. Hélio Castroneves won the pole.
Top ten results
26- Dan Wheldon
17- Vítor Meira
3- Hélio Castroneves
7- Bryan Herta
11- Tony Kanaan
15- Buddy Rice
5- Adrián Fernández
1- Scott Dixon
8- Scott Sharp
24- Felipe Giaffone
Argent Mortgage 300
This race was held at Kansas Speedway on July 4. Buddy Rice won the pole.
Top ten results
15- Buddy Rice
17- Vítor Meira
11- Tony Kanaan
27- Dario Franchitti
7- Bryan Herta
5- Adrián Fernández
3- Hélio Castroneves
6- Sam Hornish Jr. 26- Dan Wheldon 51- Alex Barron
Firestone Indy 200
This race was held at Nashville Superspeedway on July 17. Buddy Rice won the pole.
Top ten results
11- Tony Kanaan
6- Sam Hornish Jr. 3- Hélio Castroneves 10- Darren Manning 2- Townsend Bell 15- Buddy Rice 13- Mark Taylor 1- Scott Dixon 55- Kosuke Matsuura 5- Adrián Fernández
Menards A. J. Foyt 225
This race was held at the Milwaukee Mile on July 25. Vítor Meira won the pole.