Indy 500 Lineup: Drivers Primed to Steal Spotlight in Marquee Race

For drivers looking to make a statement on the IndyCar circuit, there's no bigger prize than winning the Indy 500.

While NASCAR is the main racing attraction in the United States, the Indy 500 steals the show every Memorial Day weekend. Winning the race means etching your name on the Borg-Warner trophy and receiving a fairly handsome paycheck. 

The 2013 version of the race figures to be an entertaining one. With the presence of defending Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti and all of the biggest names on the IndyCar circuit the competition will be fierce.

Here's all the information you need to know heading into Sunday's marquee race.

Race Information

When: Sunday, May 26, at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Watch: ABC

Qualifying Results

Pos.	Driver	Car No.
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	Carlos Munoz	26
3	Marco Andretti	25
4	E.J. Viso	5
5	A.J. Allmendinger	2
6	Will Power	12
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1
8	Helio Castroneves	3
9	James Hinchcliffe	27
10	J.R. Hildebrand	4
11	Alex Tagliani	98
12	Tony Kanaan	11
13	Oriol Servia	22
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Sebastien Bourdais	7
16	Scott Dixon	9
17	Dario Franchitti	10
18	Takuma Sato	14
19	Charlie Kimball	83
20	James Jakes	16
21	Simon Pagenaud	77
22	Townsend Bell	60
23	Ryan Briscoe	8
24	Simona de Silvestro	78
25	Josef Newgarden	21
26	Graham Rahal	15
27	Sebastian Saavedra	6
28	Tristan Vautier	55
29	Ana Beatriz	18
30	Pippa Mann	63
31	Conor Daly	41
32	Buddy Lazier	91
33	Katherine Legge	81

Carlos Munoz

Carlos Munoz is definitely the most intriguing rookie in the Indy 500 field. The 21-year-old Colombian has dominated the Indy Lights circuit. He already has two victories in 2013 and has run the fastest lap in every race.

Munoz comes in with a serious opportunity to become the first rookie to win the race since Helio Castroneves won in 2001—just a year after Juan Pablo Montoya also achieved the feat.

Montoya came in as a little-known Colombian who made waves by finishing second in qualifying and taking the checkered flag. There's a good chance that his countryman repeats history. He's also starting the race in second and is a true threat to take the checkered flag.

A.J. Allmendinger

Former NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendiner will be making his first appearance at the Indy 500 and figures to be a serious contender. Although he hasn't been involved in open wheel racing since 2006, he told Bill Huneke of NJ.com that he feels like he's getting comfortable thanks to his teammates:

"

I had to get used to it again and what the car likes and how very hard you have to drive it to be fast, especially on the road courses. But Will and Helio have really helped me feel like actually a member of the team, and I hope I’ve added something of my own — my energy level, my excitement, my charm and good looks.

"

Helio, of course refers to three-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves. Former IndyCar great A.J. Foyt also likes Allmendinger's skills behind the wheel according to USA Today's Nate Ryan's Twitter feed.

With backers like that, you know Allmendinger has what it takes to surprise fans after qualifying fifth.

Scott Dixon

Only four drivers in the 33-car field can say that they have an Indy 500 win on their resumes. Dixon happens to be one of them.

The Chip Ganassi driver has one of the best resumes of anyone at Indianapolis outside of Dario Franchitti and Castroneves who have each won the race three times.

Dixon has finished the race in top-six every year since 2006. While qualifying 16th has put him a little under the radar, he finished in second place last year after qualifying 15th.

Dixon is more than capable of working his way through the field and challenging for the win.