With the 2012 Indianapolis 500 being one of the biggest events of the auto racing year, it’s time to break down which stars will be trying to steal the spotlight in Indy.

Certain stars didn’t have the best qualifying effort, but they are far too talented to be held back by where they start the race. As the old adage goes, the cream rises to the top.

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Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Ind.

When: Sunday, May 27 at 12 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC

Listen: IMS Radio Network 

 

Lineup

1. Ryan Briscoe

2. James Hinchcliffe

3. Ryan Hunter-Reay

4. Marco Andretti

5. Will Power

6. Helio Castroneves

7. Josef Newgarden

8. Tony Kanaan

9. E.J. Viso

10. Rubens Barrichello

11. Alex Tagliani

12. Graham Rahal

13. Ana Beatriz

14. Charlie Kimball

15. Scott Dixon

16. Dario Franchitti

17. James Jakes

18. J.R. Hildebrand

19. Takuma Sato

20. Townsend Bell

21. Justin Wilson

22. Michel Jourdain

23. Simon Pagenaud

24. Sebastian Saavedra

25. Sebastien Bourdais

26. Wade Cunningham

27. Oriol Servia

28. Ed Carpenter

29. Mike Conway

30. Katherine Legge

31. Bryan Clauson

32. Simona De Silvestro

33. Jean Alesi

 

Sleepers That Will Shine

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J.R. Hildebrand

At only 24 years old, J.R. Hildebrand is one of the brightest stars the IndyCar series has amongst its ranks.

Despite crashing on the last lap of this race last year to cost himself a win, there is no doubt amongst the teams and the drivers that Hildebrand is a favorite to win the race Sunday.

 

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Dario Franchitti

With two previous Indy 500 wins, Dario Franchitti may be one of the best racers to have a poor qualifying effort.

Despite starting in the middle of the pack, Franchitti has more than enough talent behind the wheel and power beneath the hood to make Sunday tougher for anyone trying to steal the win form him.

 

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Charlie Kimball

In only his second Indy 500 of his life, the young Charlie Kimball has shown that he has the talent to get his IndyCar into a good position at the end of races, but he has yet to prove he has the closer mentality to win a race.

There is no better place to make your mark than the hallowed track at Indianapolis.