Bleacher Report - IndyCar Series

Indy 500 2013: Power Ranking Former Winners' Chances of Repeating

Brian Leigh — Sat, 25 May 2013 21:07:01 -0400

The starting grid of Sunday's Indianapolis 500 features two rookies to the race—Carlos Muñoz and A.J. Allmendinger—among the top six, in addition to a man with the always-threatening surname Andretti.

Despite the looming threat of those three young guns, the most dangerous men in the field may just be the seasoned, grizzled vets.

Four past champions of the Indy 500 sit among the starting field: Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and Buddy Lazier. Between them (well, just Castroneves and Franchitti), they've won three of the past five races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Here's a look at which ones, in order, seem most poised to repeat that crown this weekend:

4. Buddy Lazier

Lazier's return to the track is a great story, one worth conferring about in the hours leading up to the race. But once the green flag flies, Buddy will return to the state his career has embodied since 2009:

Irrelevant.

That's the last year the 1996 champ tried to qualify at Indianapolis, but against a stiff field of younger, faster drivers, he found himself unsuccessful.

Buddy shocked the world this month by announcing his intention to race in this 500, and further amplified that shock by actually qualifying. But he still finds himself on the dreaded back line, and isn't enough in form to compensate for that start.

He has five career top-five finishes at Indy, but once the rubber hits the road, CVs become irrelevant—only MPHs and RPMs seem to matter.

Don't bank on the old guard stirring things up.

3. Scott Dixon

Dixon was named New Zealand's Sportsman of the Year in 2008, riding the momentum of his Indy 500 win to a prestigious national distinction. But in the grand, global scheme of motor sports, he's never been able to maintain that relevance.

Which isn't to say Dixon's been bad. In the years since his triumph at Indy, he's managed to win a few races every year, and often finds himself among the top-three Championship finishers.

He'll start on the inside of the sixth row come start time, exactly five rows behind where he started in his 2008 victory (the pole). That doesn't bode well for his chances of securing win No. 2.

2. Dario Franchitti

The perfectly coiffed 40-year-old from England is no stranger to winning from the sixth row—he did so just one year ago at Indy, albeit from the inside (where Scott Dixon will be racing from) instead of the middle.

His other two wins at the 500 came from the first row, but his success from the middle last year might presage things to come in 2013.

He hasn't shown the same regular season form as he has in the past—his age, perhaps, finally starting to take a toll after an illustrious career—but Super Dario always shows his best form at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Never count him out in Indianapolis.

1. Helio Castroneves

The only former champ starting above the sixth row, Castroneves will race from the middle of row three—a much more auspicious spot than his fellow veterans.

He's also, much like Dario Franchitti, accustomed to winning this race from all over the starting grid. His only win of the past 10 years came from the pole, but his two previous wins—2001 and 2002, respectively—both came from relatively the same position as this year. (The former was from the middle of the fourth row; the latter from the inside of row five).

He knows this track better than anybody in the field and that, combined with his better starting position and form so far this week, makes him a prohibitive favorite over the other past winners.

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Indy 500 2013: Underdogs with Best Chance to Steal IndyCar Spotlight

Tim Daniels — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:03:34 -0400

Winning the Indianapolis 500 is a career-defining moment. It's a chance for a driver to go down in racing history alongside some of the all-time greats while also potentially boosting his or her career to new heights. The race carries that much weight.

Most of the focus heading into the race has been on pole-sitter Ed Carpenter and former champions like Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves. At the same time, it's important not to lose focus on the long shots capable of stealing the spotlight.

With that in mind, let's examine some contenders who aren't getting much respect from the oddsmakers, but who could very well win the season's biggest race. All odds are courtesy of Bovada. For a complete look at the starting grid, visit the race's official site.

Takuma Sato (20-1)

Sato, who currently leads the IndyCar Series in points, isn't generating more attention for two reasons. Most importantly, he's starting from deep in the pack (18th). He's also struggled in this race, finishing no better than 17th in three prior starts.

Even though he wasn't able to contend in those prior appearances, Sato still gained valuable experience. That will come in handy this time around when he should be a much bigger threat. Learning how to handle Indianapolis Motor Speedway is often an overlooked factor.

That said, the main reason Sato can't be forgotten is how well he's been running recently. He's coming off a second-place showing in Sao Paulo after winning the Grand Prix of Long Beach. No driver enters the race with more momentum.

J.R. Hildebrand (25-1)

Two years ago, Hildebrand had an Indianapolis 500 victory within his grasp and let it slip away on the final turn. The aforementioned experience factor played a key role, as he struck the wall and couldn't recover to save the race.

After a disappointing performance last year, Hildebrand appears ready to make an impact once again. A very solid qualifying run will allow him to start inside the top 10. A few minor adjustments and his car will certainly be good enough to contend.

Unfortunately, that mistake in 2011 is going to stick with him until he wins the Indy 500. He needs to get redemption in order for that lowlight to fade away. It wouldn't be a surprise if the 25-year-old American got the monkey off his back on Sunday.

Graham Rahal (33-1)

Rahal had a poor qualifying run that will force him to start 26th. It may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, however, because it was made clear the car needed some adjustments to succeed. Luckily for him, 500 laps is plenty of time to make up ground.

He finished third in 2011 and hasn't finished outside of 13th over the past three years. So Rahal clearly knows how to handle the track. It simply comes down to getting the car to peak at the right time. It's a process that begins on the first lap.

The biggest obstacle for Rahal, at least early, will be avoiding any collisions. Drivers often get a little overzealous trying to make up ground right way. If he's patient, there will be chances for him to move up and get into the mix by the end.

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Indy 500 Schedule 2013: Start Time, TV Info, Weather Updates and More

Mike Chiari — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:28:29 -0400

With qualifying complete and everything in place, the only thing left to do is go racing at the Indianapolis 500. "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" is always exciting, but this year's edition could be especially interesting due to the fact that there are so many legitimate contenders.

Only four drivers in the field have won the Indy 500 before, so the odds of a first-time winner breaking through are quite good. Although the Daytona 500 is certainly in the argument, the Indianapolis 500 is still considered to be the biggest race in motorsports. This race could very well launch someone to superstardom on Sunday.

Here is all the information you need to know ahead of Sunday's Indy 500, including when and where to watch it, what type of weather you can expect and where every driver will be starting when the green flag waves.

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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

Watch: ABC

Live Stream: LiveStream.com

Weather Updates

Although heavy showers aren't expected to mar the Indy 500, it does appear as though rain could play a slight factor. According to Weather.com, the high temperature in Indianapolis on Sunday will be a comfortable 68 degrees. There is also a 30 percent chance of showers during the day, whereas the chances increase to 60 percent at night.

Since the weather promises to get worse as the day goes on, officials will likely have to find a way to finish the race before the evening. With the race starting at noon ET, they should have plenty of time even if the race is stalled for a period of time. As long as the showers aren't extended, there isn't much to worry about.

Race fans have actually gotten quite lucky weather-wise when it comes to the Indy 500 in recent years, as rain hasn't often been a factor. According to Jenny Anchondo of Fox 59 in Indianapolis, measurable rainfall has occurred at the Indy 500 just four times since 2000.

It seems like rain could very well fall for a fifth year since 2000 on Sunday, but unless the forecast changes drastically, it won't be a big deal. Look for the Indy 500 to run largely without a hitch.

Starting Grid

Grid Spot	Driver	Four-Lap Average (MPH)
1	Ed Carpenter	228.762
2	Carlos Munoz (R)	228.342
3	Marco Andretti	228.261
4	E.J. Viso	228.150
5	AJ Allmendinger (R)	228.099
6	Will Power	228.087
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	227.904
8	Helio Castroneves	227.762
9	James Hinchcliffe	227.070
10	JR Hildebrand	227.441
11	Alex Tagliani	227.386
12	Tony Kanaan	226.949
13	Oriol Servia	226.814
14	Justin Wilson	226.370
15	Sebastien Bourdais	226.196
16	Scott Dixon	226.158
17	Dario Franchitti	226.069
18	Takuma Sato	225.892
19	Charlie Kimball	225.880
20	James Jakes	225.809
21	Simon Pagenaud	225.674
22	Townsend Bell	225.643
23	Ryan Briscoe	225.265
24	Simona De Silvestro	225.226
25	Josef Newgarden	226.731
26	Graham Rahal	225.007
27	Sebastian Saavedra	224.929
28	Tristian Vautier (R)	224.873
29	Ana Beatriz	224.184
30	Pippa Mann	224.005
31	Conor Daly (R)	223.582
32	Buddy Lazier	223.442
33	Katherine Legge	223.176

* Qualifying results and starting grid via Indy 500's official website.

Sleepers to Watch

James Hinchcliffe

There is plenty of talk about the likes of Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves, as either of them can move into a tie as the all-time winningest Indy 500 driver with a victory on Sunday, but James Hinchcliffe may have something to say about that. The Canadian star is currently fourth in the IndyCar standings, and he has already won two races in this young season.

After winning the opening race of the season, Hinchcliffe took the checkered flag in the most recent race in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His fellow drivers, including Ryan Briscoe, showered him with praise after the race.

Hinchcliffe's daring style can backfire at times, but being conservative isn't an effective way to win the Indy 500. If Hinchcliffe is near the front in the closing laps, look for him to make a big move and go for the gusto as he seeks his first Indy 500 win.

Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon already knows how it feels to win the Indy 500, a feat he accomplished in 2008, but there is no doubt that the Kiwi from New Zealand would love to turn the trick again. Dixon has been very consistent this year and is fifth in points. He has yet to win a race, but he has been able to remain in the mix, which is something that will serve him well on Sunday.

Despite the fact that Dixon has won the race before, it doesn't seem like there is a lot of hype surrounding him. Most of the focus is on Franchitti and Castroneves, which may end up being a good thing for Dixon as he can fly under the radar.

With that said, oddsmakers understand that he is a threat to win. He is listed as the No. 2 favorite, according to Lewis Franck of ESPN the Magazine.

Dixon definitely has the tools necessary to win, and his winning experience could very well come into play during the latter stages. Don't be surprised if he is able to pull it off.

Takuma Sato

While avid followers of IndyCar racing are well aware, many viewers who tune in to the Indy 500 on Sunday will probably have no idea that Takuma Sato is the current points leader. He has been excellent through four races with one victory and two podium finishes.

No win would be sweeter than the Indianapolis 500, however.

Sato will starting in the middle of the field at No. 18, but that doesn't preclude him from winning the race. He has done a great job at staying out of trouble on the track this year, and that is something that should help him on Sunday. There aren't many people picking Sato to win, but he definitely deserves to be in the conversation.

History will be made if Sato is triumphant, as no Asian driver has even won the Indianapolis 500. Sato could inspire people across his home continent if he is able to win the biggest race in motorsports. He'll have some stiff competition, but it's certainly possible.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

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Indy 500 Schedule: Viewing Information and Predictions for Sunday's Race

Matt Fitzgerald — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The 2013 Indianapolis 500 will get underway on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in what will be the 97th running of the world-renowned race.

Defending champion Dario Franchitti has made the trip to Victory Lane three times in this prestigious IndyCar showcase, but other than last year's triumph, has struggled recently. Thus, there will be plenty of viable competitors putting heat on Franchitti, who will start in 17th position.

Pole-sitter Ed Carpenter has failed to crack the top 10 in four previous starts, but is in prime position to win The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Below is the viewing information you need to know to catch all the pulse-pounding action, as well as predictions for several drivers who should figure prominently into the outcome.

Note: Statistics and information, unless otherwise indicated, were obtained from the race's official website.

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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

Watch: ABC

Live Stream: LiveStream.com

Predictions

Simona de Silvestro Has Breakout Performance

Not only has de Silvestro transcended the gender barrier in a male-dominated sport, but she had to leave her native Switzerland growing up just to be allowed to race.

Formula One racing in Switzerland is banned, and her dad would take her to surrounding countries, such as Italy and France, to race go-karts from the time she was six, according to the New York Times' Naila-Jean Meyers.

After some inconsistency to kick off her IndyCar career, de Silvestro finds herself in ninth place in the points standings, per NBC Sports. Three top 10s in four starts show that the 24-year-old is applying what she's experienced in the past to improve herself on the track in 2013.

Beginning the race in 24th isn't exactly an ideal position to make a significant run, but she feels optimistic about the work her team at KV Racing Technology has put in (h/t Tim Tuttle of Sports Illustrated):

I definitely feel that I finally have the tools in my hands to be competitive. The team put a lot of work into the cars over the winter and I feel like we came here pretty prepared. I feel pretty confident. Every day (in practice) we've been running and doing more laps and the car feels pretty good underneath us. I'm taking each day one at a time. I think if we do our job right, the results will be good at the end.

There are four women in the 33-car field this week, but de Silvestro has the best odds of putting together a stellar run.

Dario Franchitti's Magic Continues

As hinted at before, other than his win here in 2012, Franchitti had an extremely difficult season, but he's starting to show signs of the form that has gotten him three previous wins at the Indy 500.

After two DNFs to start his 2013 campaign, the veteran driver grabbed the pole at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach and finished fourth, followed by a seventh-place effort at the Sao Paulo Indy 300 in Brazil.

Franchitti has his work cut out for him in the middle of the pack, but he did register a strong time at the final practice, as he mentioned on Twitter on Friday:

With the momentum he's generated in his past two starts and immense success and experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he should be among the top contenders once again.

Though he won't walk away with the checkered flag and annual shower of milk, it will be another admirable effort from Franchitti, who will manage a season-best third-place finish.

Winner: Tony Kanaan

The Indy 500 has produced a lot of heartbreak and close calls for Kanaan, as the 15-time IndyCar winner and 2004 circuit champion has five top fives in this race without a victory.

It's interesting how Kanaan's teammate, the previously analyzed de Silvestro, has the nickname, "Iron Lady." Kanaan is a bit of an iron man himself—beyond sharing the given name of the comic book superhero.

Sunday will mark Kanaan's 201st consecutive start, which is particularly impressive since he's dealing with torn ligaments in his right hand. That setback didn't stop him from getting to second place by lap 52 in Brazil his last time out, but he ran out of fuel at that point and finished 21st.

Given his familiarity with this track and clear determination to keep battling, this would be a fitting time for Indianapolis Motor Speedway to reward Kanaan's courageous efforts and give him an elusive win.

Tactics haven't been a problem for Kanaan in the past, except he just hasn't quite been able to close the deal. As he toughs it out through this painful injury, the racing gods have to be looking favorably upon him.

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

Alex Ballentine — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

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.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Indy 500 Lineup 2013: Breaking Down Each Driver's Starting Position and Odds

Jerry Bonkowski — Sat, 25 May 2013 02:06:11 -0400

The Indianapolis 500 isn't called "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" for nothing.

It's given racing fans some of the highest drama of any sport, including four-time winners and racing legends Rick Mears, A.J. Foyt and Al Unser.

Sadly, the 500 has also claimed 14 drivers on race day, the last being Swede Savage in 1973, and another 25 killed during testing, practice or qualifying in pursuit of racing's greatest prize.

This year's race is perhaps the most wide-open it's been in at least the last decade, with a number of compelling storylines, including pole-sitter Ed Carpenter, who qualified with a out-of-this-world speed of 228.762 mph.

Defending 500 winner Dario Franchitti, along with Helio Castroneves, are both hoping to finally join the exclusive four-win club that counts Foyt, Unser and Mears as its only members. Other past winners looking to repeat in victory lane are Scott Dixon and Buddy Lazier.

There's also a heavy Chevrolet contingent—which hasn't won a 500 since 2002—led by Marco Andretti, who has perhaps his best chance ever of doing something his father Michael never did, and something grandfather Mario did just once: win the 500. In fact, the first 10 starters in Sunday's race are driving Chevy-powered cars.

There are also four rookies in the field, including Carlos Munoz, who qualified in the middle of the front row, almost won Friday's thrilling four-car, side-by-side Indy Lights race at the finish line, and has shown an uncanny lack of fear around the 2.5-mile Brickyard.

As we prepare for Sunday's 97th running of perhaps the most famous auto race in the world, we break down the 33 drivers in the field, where they'll start, their odds of winning, prior 500 record and overall chances.

Speaking of odds, we've simplified things. Rather than going with outrageous predictions like 1,000 to 1, we're going to count down the odds of a driver winning from 33:1 on down to 2:1 (keep in mind there may be a few ties, as well).

Begin Slideshow

Indy 500 Lineup: Ranking Top Contenders in the Field

Joseph Zucker — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:19:38 -0400

The eyes of the motorsports world are descending upon the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday.

While there are 33 drivers in the field, there are a select few that have distanced themselves from the pack in terms of contention. Sure any driver could hypothetically win, but fans will be focusing on the drivers with the best chances to reign victorious at the Indy 500.

Here is the lineup for the Indy 500, followed by the top contenders based on current standings and history in the race.

Starting Lineup (via IndyCar.com)

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	Connor Daly	41
32	Buddy Lazier	91
33	Katherine Legge	81

4. Helio Castroneves

Helio Castroneves is one of two active drivers who have won the Indy 500 on three different occasions. The last one came in 2009. Since that win, Castroneves has been solid, if unspectacular at the Indy 500. He finished ninth in 2010, 17th in 2011 and 10th in 2012.

Regardless of that run, Castroneves is not a driver you want to count out at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Plus, he's had a nice start to 2013. He's third in the standings and has finished in the top five in half of his races.

With his recent history in Indianapolis, Castroneves shouldn't be considered the favorite, but he's definitely in the discussion.

3. Marco Andretti

Marco Andretti would be higher if it wasn't for the Andretti Curse. Only once has a member of the famed Andretti family has managed to win the Indy 500. Bad luck has hit any Andretti driver at the most inopportune occasions, and it's gotten to the point where you have to see an Andretti win the race before you can believe it can happen again.

Curses aside, Andretti is a very good driver. He's second in the points standings this year, only 13 behind Takuma Sato. He's finished in the top five twice and in the top 10 three times. If Andretti doesn't win, you should expect him to remain somewhere near the leading drivers.

Starting out at third lets Andretti get out to a fast start and near the top quickly without actually competing to be the leader.

2. Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon has remained one of the most consistent drivers in IndyCar over the last five or so seasons. He won the points title in 2008, and has since finished second in 2009 and third in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Dixon sits fifth through the first four races of 2013.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been kind to Dixon as well. He won in 2008 and has runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2012.

Having already conquered the race before, Dixon knows how to plan a winning strategy. At 16th, he can sit back and make a run for the lead at the most opportune time.

1. Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti is the other active driver along with Castroneves who has won the Indy 500 three times.

He hasn't had a great start to 2013. Franchitti is just 15th in the standings with two DNFs. It's an inauspicious beginning, and one he'll look to be atoning for in Indianapolis.

If there's one place where Franchitti can find his groove, it's at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He's been the winner there three of the last five years. It's a bit like when two rivals go against one another and the announcers say, "Throw the records out the window."

With Franchitti, forget about his poor start and focus just on the driver. He's already proven himself on multiple occasions and should be considered the favorite for the Indy 500.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Indy 500 2013: Top Drivers to Watch in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing

Alex Ballentine — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:43:49 -0400

The 2013 Indy 500 is the biggest event in the IndyCar racing season, and everyone in the 33-car field will be looking to make the best of the opportunity in the spotlight.

If last year's race was any indication, the 2013 version should be one of the highlights of the race season. 2012 race winner Dario Franchitti will be back to defend his crown, but he won't be the only talented driver angling for a championship.

The race features a loaded field that will provide fans with plenty of intense action on Sunday. Here's a full listing of the qualifiers for the race.

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

Here are the top contenders to watch on the 2.5-mile track:

Dario Franchitti

Franchitti may be having a mediocre season, but counting him out of this race would be a big mistake. He's only 15th in the point standings for the season, but he's won the race three times, including 2012's race.

Things won't be easy, though. Franchitti will have to rally from the middle of the pack. He'll start off in the 17th position and has plenty of skilled drivers ahead of him.

With three Indy 500 wins in his career, Franchitti will be chasing history Sunday. According to CBS Sports, a fourth victory would tie him for most Indy 500 wins in history. Only A.J. Hoyt (1961, '64, '67 and '77), Al Unser (1970-71, 78, 87) and Rick Mears (1979, 84, 88, 91) have accomplished the feat.

Aside from joining that prestigious club, he could become the sixth driver to win the race in back-to-back years.

The odds may not be in his favor, but history says that Franchitti will be a contender.

Marco Andretti

Marco Andretti certainly has the name for racing, but the Indy 500 hasn't always been kind for Andretti's. The family hasn't won the race since his grandfather, Mario Andretti, took the checkered flag in 1969.

However, Marco has the car and skills to end the streak of poor performances this time around.

In four starts this season, he's claimed two top-five finishes and four top-10's. Throw in the fact that he led the most laps in last year's race with 59, and he's more than capable of having success at Indianapolis.

According to the Indy Car 500 PR Twitter account, Andretti is among the fastest racers in practice:

This could be the year that Marco ends the Andretti Indy 500 curse.

Helio Castroneves

Dario Franchitti won't be the only one with an extensive history at Indianapolis. Castroneves' resume at the premier race is even more impressive than Franchitti's.

Castroneves is one of the few to have won the race three times. And he won it two years in a row in 2001 and 2002.

His last victory came in 2009, but he's been racing really well in early 2013 and should be a contender on Sunday. He has two top-five finishes in four starts this season.

With a much better qualifying position than Franchitti (eighth), Castroneves could be the one who cements his legacy with a win on Sunday.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Indy 500 2013: Breaking Down Dario Franchitti's Chances to Repeat

Jeremy Fuchs — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:03:59 -0400

Dario Franchitti won last year's Indy 500. What chance does he have to repeat as champion for the Indy 500 in 2013?

Franchitti already faces an uphill battle. He qualified 17th, meaning he will start the race from the middle of the pack. However, he did start last year's race from the 16th position. He's a veteran who can win from any position.

If Franchitti can emerge from the middle of the pack, he will face a number of tough competitors. Ed Carpenter, for example, is in a good position to knock him off, as he holds the pole position. But while that is an impressive feat, he finished 17th in practice. In contrast, Franchitti finished sixth in practice.

Carpenter knows he has work to do:

Perhaps Franchitti's biggest threat is Simon Pagenaud, who had the best practice time on Friday, posting a lap of 225.827 MPH. Starting in the seventh row, Pagenaud is pretty happy with his car.

"The engine feels really good here on Carb Day, and we'll see during the race," he said, via the Miami Herald. "I think the race car is pretty decent."

If Pagenaud can continue that kind of pace, it will be tough for Franchitti to keep up.

In addition, Franchitti will have to keep up with speedster E.J. Viso, who finished second in the final Indy 500 practice on Friday with a speed of 225.304 mph. However, Viso also recorded the fastest lap at the speedway since 2003 when he hit 229.537 mph last week, according to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's website.

“I think the car we have evolved from the team from last year has been really heading in the right direction," Viso said, via the IMS website. "We have been testing a number of pieces in the car and I think we have a stronger car than what we began with. It’s all about finding as much mechanical grip as possible and then when it comes time to trim it you should be in a good position if you did your homework.”

Thus, Franchitti has to find a way to stave off the speedsters. Pagenaud and Viso will come out flying, as will Marco Andretti, who came close to 230 mph in the practice rounds as well. Andretti is also confident, according to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's website.

"I think we would have been over 230 if we had a full day," he said. "As a team I think we're quite comfortable with our speeds, but obviously tomorrow is another day and it's just going to come down to having a good balance."

For his part, Franchitti has expressed confidence.

"The balance of the car is now good, and the Honda engine is a lot better," said Franchitti, via the Miami Herald. "So I'm feeling a lot more confident about it. We're at least in the fight now. I feel we can get up there and mix in."

The 40-year-old was candid about his preparation in this interview with Janine Brady of NBCUDirect.com:

Franchitti is a veteran who cannot be counted out. He's been here before and has won two of the last three Indy 500 races and three titles overall. He knows this track better than anyone.

But the odds are against him. Not only does he have to come from the middle of the field, but he has to deal with some really fast cars in front of him. He will need some help from his Chip Ganassi teammates and a few lucky breaks.

Franchitti doesn't have the best of chances. He has too many things working against him. Barring a wipeout by one of the speedsters, he will need to get all of the breaks in order to win. As of now, that makes it too hard for Franchitti to repeat as Indy 500 champ.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Freedom 100 Video: Watch Peter Dempsey Win Race in Wild Finish

Ethan Grant — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:50:44 -0400

Irishman Peter Dempsey had never won an Indy Lights race in his career before the green flag waved at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday afternoon for the 2013 Firestone Freedom 100.

His first win on the circuit couldn't have come in more dramatic fashion.

A four-wide finish at the most historic track in racing history transpired down the backstretch, with Dempsey hovering behind Gabby Chaves, Carlos Munoz and Sage Karam when things started to get heated.

Dempsey then made his own move to the outside as the racers approached the finish line, edging out Chaves at the checkered flag in what was the closest finish ever at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Better yet, four drivers crossed the line a fraction of a second apart.

The track's official Twitter account posted that Dempsey had won the race by the closest margin ever in an oval-track race at IMS:

The 4-wide finish of today's Firestone Freedom 100 is the closest oval finish in @ims history! @peterdempsey won with a margin of .0026!
— Indy Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 24, 2013

Dempsey's finish was one for the books, and one that racing fans everywhere will be talking about for years to come.

As Dempsey, who races for Belardi Auto Racing, put it, "It was unreal" (h/t Miami Herald). It was his third career race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one that will be hard to top when he returns to Indiana each racing season.

Dempsey took to Twitter after the race express his excitement and thank fans for their support:

Thanks everybody for all the awesome tweets! I can't believe how much support I have got! #lovethefans
— Peter Dempsey (@peterdempsey) May 25, 2013

Thanks again everyone for all the mentions! Glad I could entertain everyone today!
— Peter Dempsey (@peterdempsey) May 25, 2013

Make sure you watch the video above to see just how impressive Dempsey's late-race heroics were, and take a second to gander at the majesty that is the four-wide finish at this event on Friday afternoon. As the announcers note over and over again during the tape, you won't see anything quite like this on your run-of-the-mill afternoon at the track.

Especially not at IMS.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Helio Castroneves Would Gladly Give Up Sex Just to Win Indy 500 Again

Gabe Zaldivar — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:36:58 -0400

According to Helio Castroneves, winning the Indianapolis 500 is better than sex, which means we are now putting winning the Indy 500 on our bucket lists.

Fox Sports spotted an interview the three-time Indy winner gave to Detroit's 97.1 The Ticket's "Stoney and Bill" show.

The normal back and forth about the upcoming race devolved into a rather interesting topic when one of the hosts apparently asked, "If you had a choice… would you give up sex for a year with your wife to win Indy?"

Well, Castroneves is not married but he is dating the lovely Adriana Henao, and the two shared in the birth of their daughter, Mikaella, back in 2009.

Apparently, the IndyCar star tried his best to tiptoe around the question but ultimately made his decision on what is more enjoyable, winning Indy or sex, via Fox Sports.

At first, Castroneves responded with a joke — and looking for an out — asking, “So that means I can have sex someplace else?”

But when faced with a rephrased question of whether he’d give up lovemaking altogether, the former Dancing With the Stars champion responded: “I would not give up Indy, my friend, I’ll tell you that. I think I can handle one year without sex, because Indy is Indy.”

Again, this is a man who has taken the famed race three times, yet he is willing to to have a self-inflicted dry spell of one year.

It sort of puts things into perspective and makes you kick yourself for not becoming a famous driver, because it seems the greatest thrill in life is crossing the finish line first at the Indy 500.

Castroneves can do pretty much anything: winning at Indianapolis, taking the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars and being a rock of self-restraint with his beautiful girlfriend.

Of course, nobody is asking the 38-year-old to give up such things, because that would be ridiculous. Still, we have to think his answer now mandates a stop by the flower shop before retuning home.

The correct answer when asked whether there is anything better than sex with your significant other is always no. Just a tip to keep you all safe out there.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sage wisdom: Follow @gabezal

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

How the Indy 500 Became the Greatest Spectacle in Racing

Jonathan Snowden — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:48:22 -0400

The Indianapolis 500 has become the most famous race in motorsports over the last 102 years, combining speed and daring in a heady blend that makes for must-see television.

With speeds topping 220 miles per hour, the race can be a true thrill ride for viewers. But that much speed can also turn deadly in a heartbeat. The race is one of the most dangerous endeavors in all of sports. Fifteen men have died during the Indy 500, with an additional 25 suffering fatal wrecks during practice sessions.

It's a combination of modern technology and hoary tradition unlike any other in sports. The Indy 500 didn't become the greatest spectacle in racing, it's always been the greatest show on wheels—as the following signature moments and highlights illustrate so clearly.

1909: The Brickyard Is Born in the Wake of Tragedy

The inaugural race at the newly built Indianapolis Motor Speedway turned out to be a huge disaster. The track, made of crushed rock held together by tar, broke apart, killing two drivers and a spectator in the course of a race that lasted just two laps.

It was rebuilt that same year with 3.2 million bricks to create a safer environment for drivers and fans alike. The "Brickyard" was born.

1911: The First Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 was held for the first time and was a smashing success. Indianapolis all but shut down as legions of fans descended on the city, filling hotels for miles around. More than 80,000 turned out to see 37 drivers compete for a record-setting purse of $27,500. Ray Harroun won the race with an average speed of 74.602 miles per hour. After the race, the winner, whose car may have featured the first rear-view mirror in automobile history, didn't have much to say, but did have a favor to ask.

"I’m tired," he is reported to have said. "May I have some water, and perhaps a sandwich, please?”

1913: Popping Bottles

The Europeans arrived in force and Frenchman Jules Goux won the race in his first appearance. It's rumored that he drank six bottles of champagne during pit stops and told the press "Without the good wine, I could not have won." Historian Donald Davidson insists that Goux, while admittedly drinking some alcohol during the race, was not three sheets to the wind:

On four of their six stops, Goux and his riding mechanic, Emile Begin, were handed a chilled “half-bottle,” containing about four-fifths of one pint. While they may have consumed some of the content the first time, the later bottles probably served as little more than an expensive form of mouthwash, with the pair following up a small sip by swilling some around in the their mouths and then spitting it out.

1919: Death Stalks the Brickyard

After shutting down for two years while the track served as an airfield during World War I, the race returned with tragic results. Three men died during the running of the race, the first fatalities in Indianapolis 500 history. Arthur Thurman was killed instantly when his car turned over halfway through the race.

Louis Lecocq and his millionaire mechanic Robert Bandini were killed later in the race when their car caught fire after flipping over. It took authorities more than five minutes to extinguish the blaze and the two men, according to The New York Times, were burned beyond recognition.

1920: Pay Changes Enliven Racing

Change was brewing as race organizers offered a $100 payout for every lap led, according to the book The Indianapolis 500: A Century of Excitement by Ralph Kramer. The monetary incentive led to furious competition throughout the 500 miles, as there was suddenly a compelling reason to risk a delicate car's well-being in the early stages of the race. A driver who led every lap could double the winner's purse of $20,000.

1930: Chet Miller Borrows from the Crowd

Rules changes eliminate the super-charged monsters of the 1920s and replaced them with cars that had more in common with vehicles fans might find in manufacturer's showrooms. Although it wasn't intended as a response to the stock market crash of 1929, the changing nature of the race did open the field to more potential competitors and not just the super wealthy.

The less sophisticated cars came in handy for racer Chet Miller. When a pit stop at Lap 92 revealed a broken front spring, the part was replaced with a spring from a spectator's Model T.

Miller finished 13th, and after the race his pit crew put the spring back on the fan's car.

1936: Meyer's Milk Mustache Starts an Indy Tradition

Two traditions were born on a single day. Race winner Louis Meyer celebrated his victory with a bottle of buttermilk, and the Borg-Warner Trophy was awarded for the first time. The 110-pound trophy cost $10,000 and featured the face of every man who ever won the race:

Unveiled at a 1936 dinner hosted by then-Speedway owner Eddie Rickenbacker, the Borg-Warner Trophy was officially declared the annual prize for Indianapolis 500 victors. It was first presented that same year to champion Louis Meyer, who remarked, “Winning the Borg-Warner Trophy is like winning an Olympic medal.”

The trophy is now valued at more than $1 million.

1937: Oil-Soaked Shaw Wins His First 500

Leaking oil profusely, to the point his socks were soaked in it, Wilbur Shaw limped across the finish line just 2.16 seconds ahead of second-place Ralph Hepburn.

It was the most closely-contested finish in Indy 500 history and would remain so until 1982.

Shaw would go on to win the race in 1939 and 1940 as well, becoming the second three-time champion after Meyer. Later, as the general manager of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he would popularize the saying "Gentlemen, start your engines."

1949: Television Takes a Turn at Turn 1

Television attempted to capture the majesty of high-stakes racing for the first time as local station WFBM aired the race live. Three cameras were used to document the proceedings, including one at the top of the double-decker grandstand at Turn 1.

Among the action that thrilled home viewers was a fiery crash on Lap 23 that took leader and pole-sitter "Duke" Nalon out of the race. Nalon was lucky to survive and didn't race for two years after his close call.

1955: Vukovich Dies on the Road to History

Tragedy strikes Indy as Bill Vukovich, on his way to a historic third consecutive win, died on Lap 57 in a massive accident. Vukovich was leading the race when Roger Ward's axle broke, flipping his car into the air and creating havoc for everyone on the track.

Vukovich collided with Johnny Boyd and flipped end over end. According to historian Bob Laycock:

I think I'd be short when I say he flipped 20 to 25 feet into the air. He was almost as high up as the trees.

When he landed, he landed next to the Mobil gas tank (north of the bridge) and there was a guy sitting in a chair who just got out of the way. That roadster landed absolutely upside- down and ... there was not any space in those cars in that position for the driver. It almost sealed him in.

1967: Turbine Engine Falls $6 Short

After a rain delay forced the race to be postponed a day, A.J. Foyt shocked the racing world by upsetting the prohibitive favorite Parnelli Jones. Driving an innovative STP car with a helicopter turbine engine, Jones took a commanding lead and was out front for 171 laps.

The engine, smaller than those in every other car on the track, made Jones' car much lighter than the competition, giving him a significant edge.

“I had been certain he was going to break,” Foyt said. “But, when he got past the midway mark and kept on going, I figured I was finished. I figured all I could do was keep going, keep as much pressure on him as possible to keep him running as hard as possible, and hope for the best, but about the best I could do at that point was to stay in the same lap with him.”

With just four laps to go, a $6 ball bearing in the gear box failed, causing Jones to slip into neutral. As the STP's chagrined crew pushed the car into the garage, Foyt cruised to victory.

Foyt is one of just three men to win the race four times.

1973: Debris Rains From the Sky

Going into 1973, there were high hopes in Indianapolis. New engineering advancements had many expecting record speeds, perhaps even upwards of 200 miles per hour. The race, however, was cursed from the start.

Driver Art Pollard had been killed on Pole Day, so the mood was foul, even before the rain clouds parked themselves above the city. On Monday an eleven car wreck stopped the action almost immediately. Salt Walther suffered serious burns and debris rained into the stands, injuring 13 spectators.

Rain forced a delay that day and again on Tuesday. By the time it finally got started in earnest on Wednesday there was a real sense of foreboding in the air. On lap 57, everyone's worst fears were realized as Swede Savage's car, complete with a full tank of fuel, hit the inside wall. USA Today recounted what happened next:

His car exploded in an angry orange flash. Pieces tumbled down the track and Savage slid to a stop, still strapped in the cockpit amidst a pool of burning fuel, but fully conscious, somehow speaking to safety workers and medical officials.

Armondo Teran, a mechanic on Graham McRae's car, sprinted down pit lane to see if he could be of help to his injured teammate. A fire truck traveling at an estimate 60 mph in the wrong direction hit Teran, who suffered crushed ribs and a fractured skull.

Teran and Savage both died, Teran on the scene and Savage later when he contracted Hepatitis C after a blood transfusion. Major changes were implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future. Fuel loads were decreased, the angled inside wall was replaced and spectators were moved back a distance.

1977: Janet Guthrie Shows Women Can Be Fast Too

Aerospace engineer Janet Guthrie broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to qualify for the race. She finished just 29th out of 33 cars when her timing gear failed on just Lap 27 but secured a place in history nevertheless. The next year she would place in the top 10. Her helmet and race suit would later become a part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection.

She discussed the prevailing attitudes of the time in her memoir Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle,

Just a few years earlier, women had not even been allowed in the press box at Indianapolis, much less the garage area or the pits. A woman might be a reporter, a photographer, a timer/scorer, she might own the race car--but she couldn't get near it at any time for any reason. A woman on the track itself was unthinkable.

1981: Who Really Won the Most Controversial Race Yet?

Bobby Unser was reinstated as the race winner after contentious hearings that lasted for months. Unser took the checkered flag, but it was later decided that he had illegally passed cars while the yellow flag was waving, penalizing him and leaving Mario Andretti the winner.

Race fans were aghast, as was Sports Illustrated:

Even assuming Unser had violated the rules, the appropriate punishment would have been a one-lap penalty imposed during the race. By waiting until afterward, USAC deprived Unser of the opportunity to try to make up that lap...It was as though the officiating crew for the Super Bowl had decided to determine the game's outcome by waiting until after the final gun to view films of a disputed touchdown.

Making matters worse, as several racers testified, what Unser did was common practice at the time.

"When ABC sent us the tapes we saw Mario did exactly the same thing I did," Unser said years later. "Same lap, same turn, same place. Same everything."

The ugly piece of politics, played up by ABC television, which recorded its commentary after the race had already finished, lent more than a bit of theater to the proceedings and led a disillusioned Unser to retire from the sport.

1982: Mears Falls Short in Photo Finish

Rick Mears was 0.16 seconds away from standing alone as the greatest driver in Indy 500 history. That was Gordon Johncock's margin of victory in a photo finish, preventing Mears from becoming the only man to win the race five times.

It was a bittersweet win for Johncock, whose mother Frances passed away the next day. He had flown home to Michigan immediately after the race and was able to spend time at her bedside before returning to Indianapolis for a victory banquet where he learned of her passing.

1987: Old Man Unser Does It Again

Al Unser Sr. wasn't supposed to win the Indy 500 in 1987. He wasn't even supposed to be there. Five days before his 48th birthday he had no car and no hope. But, according to Sports Illustrated, he showed up anyway, hoping for a chance:

Even though Unser had raced successfully for Roger Penske the last four years, he had not so much as sat in an Indy Car this season. Penske dropped the 47-year-old champion in favor of two younger former winners, Danny Sullivan and Rick Mears. Unser was still out in the cold when Penske cut a deal with Ted Field, of the Marshall Field department store family, that made Field's protege, Danny Ongais, his third driver.

When Ongais wrecked his car in practice and doctors demanded he sit the race out, Unser got his chance—and made the most of it. He became the oldest winner in the race's history, taking home the Borg-Warner Trophy for the fourth time, tying A.J. Foyt's record and establishing himself as an all-time racing great.

1992: The Closest Race in Indy History

Al Unser Jr. became the first second-generation driver to win the Indy 500, holding off Scott Goodyear by just 0.043 seconds in the closest race in Indy history. Viewers at home initially missed the finish when ABC cut to a camera obscured by a track official.

An overhead shot soon showed just how close the finish was.

"I was trying to make that race car as wide as I could make it," Unser said of his attempts to block Goodyear, who wasn't upset by the maneuvering.

"I call it 'using the race track,'" Goodyear said. "And I'd be doing the same thing if I was Little Al."

1999: Stewart Does the Double

By the end of the day, Tony Stewart had driven 1,090 miles in pursuit of racing glory—and raced his way right into fans' hearts. He fell short in both the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Coca Cola 600 later that same evening, finishing ninth and fourth, respectively. But it was the effort and gumption to even try running both races in a single day that made Stewart a star.

"I want to win the Indianapolis 500 more than any other race there is," Stewart told the press. "If I could guarantee one race where I would win, it would be the Indy 500. I want a win in that really bad."

Stewart's dream, at least to this point, has gone unfulfilled.

2000: Pablo Montoya and the Scourge of Politics

Racing politics dominated the headlines as CART racing champion Juan Pablo Montoya came to Indy for the first time to challenge rivals at the Indy Racing League.

Montoya was a natural villain to fans used to more "down home" racing stars. He fueled the flames of the rivalry when he participated in a CART race the day before the event and slapped a John Deere sticker on his supercharged car.

On the day of the race, he went out and cruised to victory, leading 167 of 200 laps. He dug the knife in deeper when he proclaimed the Indy 500 was “just a race,” although he later admitted to The New York Times, ''I feel...happier than I was an hour ago."

2005: Danica Arrives on the Indy Scene

Rookie Danica Patrick became the first female driver to lead a lap during the race, eventually finishing fourth. More than a competent racer, Patrick was a media sensation. ABC's Jack Arute told USA Today she was the network's best hope to stop a persistent ratings slide, calling Patrick the "one person, one story, that'll catapult you exponentially into the consciousness of the American sporting public."

Arute was right. Powered by Patrick, ratings were back up to 1996 levels. Dan Wheldon, the race winner, was nearly a forgotten man as Danica mania was at its height. He credited his pit crew with the win in Popular Science:

With 30 laps to go, I’m sitting in the lead, with Danica pushing me pretty hard. We kind of went back and forth, but it was one of those races where my car was not bad to start with, but it wasn’t great. The changes we made not only made the car quicker and better and more comfortable through traffic, but when I got into the lead I was also able to stay in the lead.

2011: Hildebrand and the Most Shocking Loss Ever

Wheldon again went head-to-head with a rookie, but it looked like he was going to fall short. J.R. Hildebrand had a commanding lead as he approached Turn 4 but lost control of his car, crashing into the wall. Wheldon, who had finished second the two previous years, almost felt bad about winning the race that way, telling reporters afterwards:

"It's obviously unfortunate, but that's Indianapolis. That's why it's the greatest spectacle in racing. You never know what's going to happen."

Just four months later, Wheldon was killed in a crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was just 33 years old.

2013: Can Franchitti Join the Triumvirate?

Three-time winner Dario Franchitti will try to match A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears by becoming just the fourth man to win the race four times. It won't be easy, with both Helio Castroneves and A.J. Allmendinger expected to be fiercely competitive.

The race airs live at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

FYI WIRZ: IndyCar's Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear Talk Fast Minds

Dwight Drum — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:41:27 -0400

It’s an observation in the National Football League among players and especially Pro Bowlers that a fast brain develops a fast body.

In motorsports, it may take more than a fast brain and body. It takes a fast car, fast engine and fast parts as well.

But a fast brain and a superior mind, one that can quickly process the world—whether it’s on a football field or a racetrack—is essential to football and motorsports success.

ESPN and ABC IZOD IndyCar analysts Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear shared their thoughts on speedy brains when posed with a teleconference question.

Could you explain for a fan what hand-eye coordination and reaction time it takes for an open-wheel driver to race an IndyCar and especially to run an IndyCar at Indianapolis?

“I think the first thing when you're racing at IndyCar at those high speeds is you have to absorb and process a lot of information quickly, and you have to do it almost automatically,” Cheever said.

Both Cheever and Goodyear were accomplished open-wheel drivers. Their comments are enhanced by considerable experience.

“I hate to say it's as simple as this, but I found it automatic, almost easy to a point," Goodyear said. "When you are in the zone, I'm sure other players and other sports find this and other athletes I've talked to in other sports say this, the world is going by slow.”

Goodyear explained more about the feel of racing at Indianapolis.

“When you're running at Indy and you are in your prime of your career and the car is good and you are in the zone, you almost feel like you could step out of the car and run beside it," Goodyear said.

Cheever defined the urgency and reaction ability a driver needs to race in the Indianapolis 500.

“When you're the middle of the field and starting the race and turning into turn one and you're now 230 miles an hour, and the car isn't doing what it should be doing. Not only do you have to go through the process of keeping your car on the track and not spinning, you're also looking at 250, 300 yards ahead of yourself because you're going to be there shortly."

“And if something is wrong, you have to anticipate where you should place your car as all of this happens in front of you.”

Cheever summed up his analysis with his take on mental ability.

“So I don't really know if you can measure the physical attributes that are required, but I would say that eyesight is very good, very important. I would say that processing information that can be measured is very important. But above all, what I think you have to have is the mental endurance to keep putting up with abuse which will be thrown at you in the three-and-a-half hours that it takes to run the race."

“To do that and still be aware and angry and hungry and aggressive on those last 20 laps is not easy. It takes a lot of training.”

Goodyear expanded his thoughts about a helpful mental zone:

“As a race car driver when you're competing the rest of the world doesn't exist. You got up every day and all you thought of was your race car, and talking to your engineer and there wasn't a to-do list."

“When you get a little older, and there is a to-do list, and you put motor racing second, third, or fourth on your to-do list and you're going to take care of family issues, business issues or travel or something like that."

“That is when you need to not be driving a race car the length of a football field in less than a second.”

It seems that racing speed requires many facets of speed, human and mechanical.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained from personal interviews or official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Indy 500 2013: Breaking Down Female Drivers in Sunday's Field

Matt Fitzgerald — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The 2013 Indianapolis 500 will feature four women in the 33-car lineup for the IndyCar Series' marquee annual showcase on Sunday.

Danica Patrick set the bar with a third-place finish in 2009, and of all the female drivers that qualified, none is starting better than in 24th position. All have their work cut out for them, but which competitors have the best chance to make a legitimate run at the checkered flag?

Let's take a closer look at each driver and gauge their chances of success at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Note: Statistics and information, unless otherwise indicated, were obtained from the race's official website.

Simona de Silvestro

Now that Patrick has left the circuit for NASCAR full-time, the premier woman in IndyCar is De Silvestro, who qualified in 24th position at 225.226 miles per hour.

De Silvestro is nicknamed "The Iron Maiden" and is proving that she is worth the hype that surrounds her. Currently ranked ninth in the IndyCar point standings (h/t NBC Sports), the 24-year-old Swiss has plenty of time to develop even further at this infancy stage in her career.

Though she's starting in 24th in the Indy 500, it doesn't appear De Silvestro is short on confidence with regard to how her car is running. She elaborated on what went wrong during qualifying to push her near the back of the pack:

In nine of 15 starts a season ago, she failed to finish every lap, but a slightly more conservative approach and experience has inevitably made her better.

Being more consistent on the track was clearly a focus for her, because De Silvestro has yet to wreck in four starts this season, which include three top-10 finishes. If she can remain patient, it would not be a surprise to see her in the top 10 on Sunday yet again.

Ana Beatriz

As a member of the IndyCar-sanctioned Indy Firestone Lights Series back in 2008, Beatriz became the first woman to win when she found victory lane at Nashville Superspeedway in the Sunbelt Rentals 100.

Unfortunately, her transition to IndyCar hasn't been easy; it's been a slow, gradual process that has continued with more frustration in 2013. In three of four races this season, the talented Brazilian didn't finish all the laps.

Her cause isn't necessarily helped by her qualifying position of No. 29. It will be important for her not to press too much and careen into a possible wreck.

That doesn't exactly bode well for Beatriz's prospects at The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, but she does have a landmark winning achievement on her resume at the very least.

Pippa Mann

In 2010, Mann grabbed the pole position at the Indy Lights race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway—the first woman to do so. This will be Mann's first time behind the wheel of an Indy car since 2011, when she finished in 20th place in the Indy 500.

As Cliff Brunt of the AP points out though, that season ended in October when she badly burned her pinky finger in an accident. That was also the tragic collision that took the life of Dan Wheldon—a two-time Indy 500 winner.

Mann is excited to be back in action at a track where she has had past success, though, per Brunt:

It feels fantastic. I'm so thrilled to be behind the wheel of an IndyCar. It's an amazing experience to be back. So far, everything's been going fairly smoothly, and the nice thing about it is I feel like I've jumped right back in where I left off in 2011.

She will need that upbeat attitude after being saddled with a lackluster starting spot of 30th, along with overcoming the aforementioned injury.

If there is any woman that can make a run from the back of the pack other than De Silvestro, Mann has to be the favorite to do so. Perhaps most important is Mann's advocacy for females to get involved with the sport.

Regardless of how she fares, the fact that she's competing—and the possibility to improve her position significantly given her familiarity with the track—gives her the platform to spread her message. The fact that she's coming off a severe injury only makes her storyline more intriguing.

Katherine Legge

In the 33rd and final starting slot is Katherine Legge, who will have her work cut out for her just to register a respectable finish.

However, as a rookie in 2012, Legge began at No. 30 and wound up in 22nd when all was said and done, proving she could not only complete the race but also move up substantially in the field.

There has been turmoil off the track for Legge and her ex-employer, Dragon Racing. Owner Jay Penske hasn't provided Legge with any specific reasoning behind her termination, which has her threatening to take legal action.

Now that she has a fresh opportunity, it wouldn't be surprising to see her take full advantage of it.

With the prior positive experience under her belt at this venue, there is at least a reasonable chance she could replicate some of her 2012 success this time around.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Indy 500 Schedule: Complete Viewing Guide for Greatest Spectacle in Racing

Mike Chiari — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

As is tradition, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 will be run on the Sunday before Memorial Day and all racing fans will have their eyes on Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR may be king when it comes to auto racing in the United States, but the Indy 500 is still considered "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

With 33 of the best drivers in the world competing to reach victory lane, the Indy 500 is always one of the most exciting and unpredictable races on the IndyCar circuit. Perhaps IndyCar's popularity has waned to some degree over the past several years, but the Indy 500 simply transcends everything as it is an American tradition.

Here is everything you need to know about when and where to catch the 97th running of the Indy 500, as well as which drivers to keep an eye on.

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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

Watch: ABC

Live Stream: LiveStream.com

Top Contenders to Watch

Dario Franchitti

The 2013 season hasn't gotten off to a great start for Dario Franchitti as he currently sits 15th in the standings, but there is something about the Indy 500 that brings out the best in him. Franchitti is among the all-time best Indy 500 performers as he has won the race on three occasions, including last year's. In fact, Franchitti has won two out of the past three and three out of the past six at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Franchitti is the winningest current driver in the Indy 500, and he trails A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears on the all-time list as they have each won the race four times. With one more victory, the 40-year-old Franchitti will move into elite company. Although Franchitti will only be starting 17th, he had an extremely strong practice and was the fastest car on Indy or Bust Day, according to Indy Motor Speedway on Twitter.

Franchitti is always a threat to win the Indy 500, and this year is no different. He'll have to shake off an inconsistent start to the season if he wants to cross the finish line first, but he certainly has the ability to do it.

Helio Castroneves

Dario Franchitti isn't all alone atop the list of active Indy 500 winners as his good friend Helio Castroneves has won the race thrice as well. Castroneves hasn't had as much recent success as Franchitti as his last Indy 500 win came in 2009 with his other two coming in 2001 and 2002, but he is one of only four drivers in this year's field who has won the race in the past.

Like Franchitti, Castroneves has a chance to make history if he wins again this year. He would become one of the four winningest drivers in Indy 500 history and would take sole ownership of the title of winningest foreign racer ahead of Franchitti. Castroneves has a fairly advantageous starting position at No. 8 as well, so he figures to be running near the front.

Also, Castroneves has a lot of momentum heading into the race as he is third in the points standings and has two podium finishes through four races. If he continues to the race the way he has thus far, he will be a definite threat on Sunday.

A.J. Allmendinger

One of the most interesting drivers in the entire Indy 500 field is A.J. Allmendinger. While Allmendinger is technically an IndyCar rookie, he has more racing experience than many of the drivers in the field. He spent several years on NASCAR's Sprint Cup circuit and is running a limited schedule this year as well, but the true highlight of his racing season will likely be competing in the Indy 500.

Allmendinger certainly didn't show any rookie jitters as he managed to qualify fifth with a four-lap average speed of 228.099 mph. Allmendinger is in an interesting situation because he is running part time in two different series, so he can afford to take risks and go for the win. According to Bob Pockrass of Sporting News, it is unclear when Allmendinger's next Sprint Cup race will be, so he'll likely go all out in an attempt to win at Indy.

Allmendinger has been through a lot over the past couple years as he was suspended by NASCAR for violating its substance abuse policy. He is doing everything in his power to make a comeback, though, and an Indy 500 win would be the icing on the cake.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

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Indy 500 Lineup: Drivers Most Likely to Overcome Mediocre Qualifying Efforts

Tyler Conway — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

NASCAR's Daytona 500 may have emerged as the United States' most popular race in recent years, but there is none with a more hallowed history or richer tradition than the Indianapolis 500.

The Kentucky Derby of auto racing, each year the Indy 500 brings droves of intrigue to a sport that stands mostly on culture's fringes. IndyCar remains a thriving business thanks to its small but passionate fanbase, one that spans across the globe.

But on Sunday, the entire globe will be watching as the world's best open-wheel racers descend upon Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Qualifying festivities set the field of 33 drivers last week for this year's event, leaving practices as the only form of racing between now and Sunday.

Chances for history adorn the field of drivers, giving the 2013 festivities the highest intrigue in recent memory. Four women drivers will vie to become the first to ever win the Indianapolis 500, with Simona de Silvestro being the highest qualifier at 24th.

Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves will also have history on the line, as they can match the all-time record of four wins. Last year, it was again Franchitti taking home the checkered flag. Dominating for much of the final Sunday in May, Franchitti kissed the bricks for a third time.

However, he put himself in a bit of a hole in qualifying and will have to fight his way up from 17th. And Franchitti isn't the only favorite who put themselves behind the proverbial eight ball in qualifying, either.

Here is a breakdown of a few drivers most likely to storm back from disappointing qualifying runs to contend on Sunday.

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

Mid-Pack Drivers to Watch

Scott Dixon (No. 9)

Dixon heads into the Indy 500 fifth in points, but the season's first four races certainly haven't gone as well as he'd hope. The 32-year-old Dixon has finished in the top five just twice, languishing near the middle of the field as he struggles to make much headway toward the front of the field.

Among IndyCar's top-five drivers this season, he's the only one to not lead a lap yet. That's not exactly the way anyone wants to head into the sport's biggest race, and Dixon is coming off an 18th-place result at the Sao Paulo Indy 300.

Last week's qualifying effort is just more of the same struggles. While most of the focus has been on Dixon's mediocre finishes, the No. 9 car's difficulty qualifying has been more disconcerting. His qualifying average of 14th is pretty dreadful for a driver on Chip Ganassi Racing's monolithic payroll.

Luckily, Dixon might be able to get off the schneid on Sunday. He won the Indy 500 in 2008 and has always exhibited comfort on the sport's biggest spotlight. Only teammate Dario Franchitti kept Dixon from kissing the bricks a second time last season, and he led the most laps before finishing fourth in 2011.

Ganassi brings his best to the Indy 500, and Dixon's car should be raring to go on Sunday. Though the qualifying struggles put him in an untenable position to start, Dixon should be able to work his way up the pack as long as he avoids trouble early in the race.

Dario Franchitti (No. 10)

Speaking of drivers not living up to their expectations...yeesh, Dario Franchitti. Heading into this year's race, the 40-year-old Franchitti is just 15th in the point standings and has major trouble staying on the track. Of drivers who have participated in each of the season's four races thus far, only Ana Beatriz has logged fewer laps, per NBC Sports.

It hasn't just been one problem, either. Franchitti had mechanical issues at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama but smacked hard against the wall at St. Petersburg. Both early-season finishes left Franchitti's chances at coming away with a championship gasping for a bit of air already.

Though a fourth-place and seventh-place finish in the seasons' last two races give him a little momentum heading into the Indy 500, qualifying again was ripe with troubles. Franchitti could not get his car to stick where he wanted it on the track and will now face starting in the 17th position.

Still, history says there's reason for hope for Franchitti. In his three previous Indy victories, he's only started inside the top-10 once. Last year, he started 16th and was on the inside of the sixth row. This year, he'll be one spot to the inside of where he was 12 months ago.

Of course, history doesn't automatically repeat itself. Franchitti will have to have the car to get things done, which didn't look to promising in qualifying. With teammate Scott Dixon also hanging toward the middle of the pack, one has to wonder about the strength of Chip Ganassi's cars this year.

Odds are Franchitti will be in contention. I just wouldn't bet on him winning, especially at Bovada's current 17-2 line.

Takuma Sato (No. 14)

While the two previously mentioned Ganassi drivers have had their fair share of frustrations, Sato cannot be too concerned with his 18th-place qualifying effort.

Driving for A.J. Foyt Enterprises this season, the Japanese racer is off to a fantastic start. He's leading the points standings through the first four races of 2013, having finished no worse than 14th in any event.

What's most notable about Sato is his aggressiveness on the track. The 36-year-old has a go-for-broke mentality straight out of Talladega Nights, driving his No. 14 car like a spider monkey all jacked up on Mountain Dew. It's that aggressive spirit that makes him a perfect fit to drive under Foyt, who is one of the legendary names in all of racing.

Last year at Indy, that aggressiveness didn't pay off. After leading 31 laps and being among the race's most dominant cars, Sato went for a risky pass on Franchitti in the 500's waning moments in a thrilling moment for all watching.

Unfortunately for Sato, he crashed and finished 18th. When asked whether he plans on being as aggressive this time around with the points lead at stake, Sato wasted no time telling Steve Keating of Reuters that fans can expect similar tactics this time around.

"The 500 last year gave a very clear idea for the fans if there is any chance I will attack for sure," Sato said. "This is the 500, you go for the win. Why not?"

Whether Sato will be able to make his way up the field from the sixth row remains to be seen. But we know that it won't be fore lack of trying.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Indy 500 Lineup: Highlighting Racers with Best Shot to Win Big Race

Jesse Reed — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:31:18 -0400

Billed as the "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," the Indianapolis 500 is one of the biggest events on the sports calendar, and the starting lineup for this year's race features some heavy hitters.

Ed Carpenter shocked everyone by winning the pole, and he becomes the first Indiana native to lead the field since 1951, according to KSTP-TV's Chris Long:

Last year's winner and three-time champ, Dario Franchitti, will be racing from the middle of the 33-car field, starting from the No. 17 spot. He's not the only three-time winner in the field, either. Helio Castroneves will also be attempting to win Indy 500 No. 4 from the No. 8 spot.

Here's the official start order for the big race, courtesy of the Indianapolis 500 official website:

Start Position	Driver	Car
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	Carlos Munoz	26
3	Marco Andretti	25
4	EJ Viso	5
5	AJ Allmendinger	2
6	Will Power	12
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1
8	Helio Castroneves	3
9	James Hinchcliffe	27
10	JR Hildebrand	4
11	Alex Tagliani	98
12	Tony Kanaan	11
13	Oriol Servia	22
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Sebastien Bordais	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

Now it's time to look at which drivers will have the best chance to win this year's race.

Marco Andretti

If anyone is due for a big win, it's Andretti.

He has stood on the podium twice with two third-place finishes, and two other seventh-place finishes this year prove that Andretti will be one of the drivers to beat at this year's Indy 500.

All week long heading up to and during qualifying, Andretti's car has run well. Furthermore, he has finished on the podium at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway three times in the past seven attempts.

It's time for Andretti to finally win one at Indianapolis and break the "Andretti Curse."

Dario Franchitti

Last year's winner and three-time champion, Franchitti, is still trying to find his groove this season on the IndyCar Series tour.

After a couple of disappointing races to start the year (two DNF), he's begun to come alive in the past couple of races, finishing in fourth place at Long Beach and in seventh place at Sau Paulo.

Franchitti and his crew struggled during qualifying, as his No. 17 start indicates, but he posted the top time on Day 5, according to Indy Motor Speedway:

By the time the race hits the halfway point, Franchitti's start from the middle of the pack won't even be a factor. Provided he doesn't run into any mechanical malfunctions, he's going to be one of the racers in the thick of it at the end.

James Hinchcliffe

Hinchcliffe is the hottest racer in the IndyCar Series tour right now.

He's won two of the four races thus far in 2013. Granted, Hinchcliffe hasn't finished the other two races, getting stranded in Birmingham and crashing out in Long Beach.

But as long as his car is running well and he avoids a crash, Hinchcliffe will be one of the top drivers to beat. A strong showing in qualifying has him starting the race in the No. 9 spot, and at this point it would be foolish to count him out of this race.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

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Indy 500 2013: Breaking Down Numbers You Must Know in Preparation of Major Race

Tim Keeney — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:55:55 -0400

If Count von Count from Sesame Street taught me anything, it's that numbers can tell a story.

Yes, even in IndyCar racing.

While it's true that factors such as the driver, sponsor, team, car and pit crew—among several other things—will determine the winner, numbers can help tell the history of a race, which in turn can be used to predict the outcome.

So, with the Super Bowl of racing quickly approaching, here are some important figures to know to get you ready for the 97th running of the Indy 500.

That would be career wins each for Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves, one short of the all-time record shared by legends A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears.

As the two drivers with undoubtedly the most eyes on them this Sunday, will one of them find a way to enter the prestigious group?

Franchitti, who kissed the bricks last year after edging out Scott Dixon, certainly hasn't had a promising start to his season. Despite an average starting position of 7.8 in the year's opening four races, he has a meager average finishing position of 15.2, thanks to various car problems. As a result, he is just 15th in the IZOD IndyCar Series standings.

Moreover, his starting position of No. 17 would be worse than any of his other three wins in Indianapolis (16, 3 and 3).

Castroneves, on the other hand, is third in the standings thanks to two podiums.

The Brazilian finished just 10th and 13th in his last two races but previously crossed the finish line second and third at St. Petersburg and Birmingham, respectively.

Throw in the No. 8 starting position, and Castroneves seems more likely to capture the vaunted fourth victory.

Four women will be at this year's Indy 500, tying the record set in both 2010 and 2011.

But simply starting the race is no longer a story for the females. It's now time for a woman to break through and drink some milk.

This year's candidates to enter the history books? Simona De Silvestro, Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann and Katherine Legge.

De Silvestro has unarguably the best chance to break Danica Patrick's record third-place finish. She has the highest career finish of any of this year's participants at 14th and is starting closest to the front at No. 24.

It's going to be an excruciatingly difficult task considering those aren't exactly promising numbers, but "The Iron Maiden" is ninth in this year's standings with three top-10 finishes in four races.

Since the turn of the century, there have (obviously) been 13 winners. Seven of them have started from the front line.

Juan Pablo Montoya won from the No. 2 position in 2000 before Buddy Rice won from the pole in 2004. After the late great Dan Wheldon won from No. 16 the next year, there were an astounding five straight victors from the front line.

The last two years, however, Wheldon and Franchitti won from No. 6 and No. 16, respectively.

Should that history serve as any indication, then it's Ed Carpenter, Carlos Munoz and Marco Andretti (here's a look at the entire lineup) who have a better-than-50-percent shot at winning.

Andretti, who is one of the most famous drivers without a win at Indianapolis, is second in the standings this year after two third-place finishes and two sevenths.

Moreover, if he or pole-sitter Carpenter race to victory, they will buck a trend of six straight non-American winners.

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Jim Harbaugh Will Drive the Pace Car in the Indy 500

Bleacher Report Productions — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:31:53 -0400

The 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 is approaching. Jim Harbaugh has been given the distinct honor of driving the pace car in this year's Indy 500.

The 49ers head coach is eagerly awaiting his "coaching" on how to drive the classic red Corvette that leads the competitors around the track. Hopefully he can keep his fiery attitude under control and his speed at the desired pace.

Check out the video to hear what Jim Harbaugh has to say about this exciting moment.

Will Harbaugh exceed the speed limits? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more IndyCar Series news on BleacherReport.com

Indy 500 Starting Grid: Top Qualifiers That Will Struggle Sunday

Donald Wood — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:59:22 -0400

The 97th Indy 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, and the excitement surrounding the race has shifted to the starting grid and which top qualifiers will struggle at the biggest IndyCar race of the year.

With 33 cars lining up to vie for the win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a car and driver qualifying well doesn’t mean they will be able to sustain that position with every other competitor breathing down their necks.

All of the following drivers performed well in qualifying—earning their way into the Fast Nine—but will be overtaken by better drivers behind them in the starting order.

Full Indy 500 Starting Grid

Grid Spot	Driver	Four-Lap Average (MPH)
1	Ed Carpenter	228.762
2	Carlos Munoz	228.342
3	Marco Andretti	228.261
4	E.J. Viso	228.150
5	A.J. Allmendinger	228.099
6	Will Power	228.087
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	227.904
8	Helio Castroneves	227.762
9	James Hinchcliffe	227.070
10	JR Hildebrand	227.441
11	Alex Tagliani	227.386
12	Tony Kanaan	226.949
13	Oriol Servia	226.814
14	Justin Wilson	226.370
15	Sebastien Bourdais	226.196
16	Scott Dixon	226.158
17	Dario Franchitti	226.069
18	Takuma Sato	225.892
19	Charlie Kimball	225.880
20	James Jakes	225.809
21	Simon Pagenaud	225.674
22	Townsend Bell	225.643
23	Ryan Briscoe	225.265
24	Simona De Silvestro	225.226
25	Josef Newgarden	226.731
26	Graham Rahal	225.007
27	Sebastian Saavedra	224.929
28	Tristian Vautier (R)	224.873
29	Ana Beatriz	224.184
30	Pippa Mann	224.005
31	Conor Daly (R)	223.582
32	Buddy Lazier	223.442
33	Katherine Legge	223.176

* Qualifying results and starting grid via Indy 500's official website.

Top Qualifiers That Will Struggle

Ed Carpenter

Despite qualifying on the pole, IndyCar veteran Ed Carpenter will not have the dream run that anyone starting from the front thinks about. There is a chance Carpenter finishes in the top 10, and driver and his team would consider that a success.

After just two top-10 finishes in nine career starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway—his best finish was fifth in 2008 with Vision Racing—there is no reason to expect a better finish from a racer that has finished 11th three times.

Carpenter is also racing for his own team now and likely put all of his eggs into the qualifying basket. When it comes to Sunday’s race, the veteran will be lucky to finish in the top 10.

E.J. Viso

While there is no discounting how exciting it is for E.J. Viso and the Andretti Autosport/HVM Racing teams that Viso was able to fun the fourth-fastest lap in qualifying, it's where he will finish that should have everyone worried.

Viso has started the Indy 500 five times—finishing 24th or worse in four of the five chances—and only managed his best finish last season, taking home 18th-place honors.

The hope from the driver and his team is that the lessons learned over the years will help him maintain throughout the race and have a solid finish, but the track record for Viso speaks volumes about where he’ll end up finishing.

Ryan Hunter-Reay

The excitement surrounding Ryan Hunter-Reay and his seventh-place starting position has the entire Andretti Autosport team and IndyCar fanbase at a fever pitch, but this grid spot comes with a caveat: This driver doesn't finish races well.

Hunter-Reay has been eligible to race the Indy 500 for five years since he left the Rahal Letterman Racing team, and he has never finished better than 18th in that time.

As great as his sixth-place finish was in 2008—Hunter-Reay’s first chance at the illustrious track—the lack of success since then is indicative of what race fans should expect this time around as well.

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Indy 500 Qualifying: Drivers in Best Position for Victory

Richard Langford — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:34:29 -0400

Ed Carpenter is in a fantastic position to blaze a trail to his first Indy 500 win. Of course, he is on the pole for the historic race, so it's not like that statement is going out on a limb.

He's not the only one. With a driver/owner of a single-car team earning the top qualifying position, this Indy 500 feels more wide open then ever.

Well, except for the cars running Honda engines. Chevrolet engines have dominated their competitors thus far at this year's trip to Indy, and there is no reason to think that will be any different come race day.

Have a look at the starting grid of the May 26 race, and then I'll break down three drivers in the best positions for glory. But first, I'll let this tweet from ESPN get us primed for the race:

Full Starting Lineup (via Indycar.com)

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	Connor Daly	41
32	Buddy Lazier	91
33	Katherine Legge	81

Marco Andretti (No. 3)

While six of the last seven winners of the Indy 500 have been from Target Chip Ganassi Racing or Penske Racing, Andretti Autosport destroyed them in qualifying.

As you might have guessed, Marco is part of Andretti Autosport, and he is one of five drivers from this team to start in the first three rows. His inclusion in the front row was no surprise. Marco excels on oval tracks, and he's been in good form this year.

He is third in the championship points standings, and he's also looked great while working at the famed track.

IndyCar points that out with this tweet:

Marco's highest finish at Indy is third, which he's done twice, and he's ready to improve upon that number this year.

Helio Castroneves (No. 8)

Helio Castroneves should always be considered a factor at this race.

The three-time winner often manages to put his best foot forward in Indianapolis, and he will be looking to join Rick Mears, A.J. Foyt and Al Unser as the only four-time winners of this race. It's been 22 years since anyone joined that exclusive list.

As a member of the powerhouse Penske team, we know Castroneves' car will be ready to fly.

He has had a strong May and has been fast while at Indy.

Castroneves hasn't won this race since 2009, and he stands an excellent chance at ending that drought this year.

Ed Carpenter (No. 1)

It was a pleasant surprise to see Ed Carpenter sneak away with the pole. As a one-car team, he is not supposed to be able to compete with the big boys.

Of course, Carpenter certainly knows the ins and outs of this track—his family owns it.

Carpenter has been competing in IndyCar for 11 years, and he has just two wins in over 132 starts. All of this would seem to spell doom for Carpenter in this race. However, the fact that he won the pole cannot be overlooked.

That kind of speed is often rewarded on race day. The pole winner has won four of the past nine Indy 500s.

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Indy 500 Schedule: When to Watch Premier Racing Event of Season

Rob Goldberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

If there is one racing event you do not want to miss a second of, it's the Indianapolis 500.

This year's race features a few rookies making their first appearance in the field attempting to compete with experienced veterans. Among those veterans is Dario Franchitti, who is looking to defend his title after winning this event last year.

Still, any of the 33 competitors in this race are capable of getting the checkered flag and earning their spot in history.

It is certain to be a fantastic event, so check out this guide to make sure you are completely prepared for the action.

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

When: Sunday, May 26

Watch: ABC

TV Coverage Start Time: 11 a.m. ET

Race Start Time: 12:12 p.m. ET

Total Laps: 200

Lineup (via Indycar.com)

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	Tristian Vautier	55
29	Ana Beatriz	18
30	Pippa Mann	63
31	Conor Daly	41
32	Buddy Lazier	91
33	Katherine Legge	81

Top Storylines

Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti Go for Four

Only three drivers in history have ever won the Indy 500 four times in their careers. This exclusive club includes only Rick Mears, Al Unser and A.J. Foyt.

Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti each have a chance to join this group with three wins already on their resumes. Franchitti has won the event in two of the past three years.

However, neither has a good starting position, which could end up being a problem in this race. Still, these men have proved the ability to overcome an average start to win the long race.

Ed Carpenter Tries to Make a Name for Himself

Very rarely has Ed Carpenter made headlines as a driver. He has only two wins in his entire career and only a handful of top-five finishes.

However, he has a great opportunity ahead of him after winning pole position in the race. The qualifying winner has gone on to win the Indy 500 an impressive 20 times in 96 years, which is almost twice as often as any other spot.

Good things happen from that starting position, so Carpenter needs to make sure he takes advantage of this and stays ahead of the pack for as long as possible.

Marco Andretti Carries on the Family Name

Virtually every racing fan knows about Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti, but it is now Marco's time to shine on the race track.

So far this season, he is second in points behind Takuma Sato. A win at the Indianapolis 500 will go a long way toward putting him to the top of the standings.

Andretti starts in the first row as the No. 3 qualifier and he has an excellent chance to turn that into a win. With his skill on the track, he is clearly one of the favorites entering this race.

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Indy 500 2013: Ranking Top Contenders in Biggest Race of IndyCar Season

Tim Daniels — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The Indianapolis 500 is IndyCar's moment in the spotlight. It's the one race of the year that attracts both diehard racing fans and casual viewers, who are tuning in not only to see who wins the prestigious race, but also to witness the entire spectacle.

For the drivers, the race represents a chance to set the tone for the rest of the season. It marks the fifth event on the schedule, so those off to a good start will want to build off it and those who are struggling can use it as a confidence and momentum builder.

More importantly, a victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ensures the driver will go down in history alongside giants of the sport like A.J. Foyt and Al Unser. Let's examine the drivers (full starting grid) with the best chance of kissing the bricks.

1. Marco Andretti

Andretti has never finished better than seventh in the IndyCar standings. He's off to a promising start in 2013, though. He ranks second in points, behind Takuma Sato, and has a pair of third-place finishes through four races.

He finished second in his debut Indianapolis 500, which came in 2006, but has never been able to match it. That said, after a strong qualifying run that saw him earn a spot on the front row, he finally looks prepared to break through on the big stage.

It also helps, at least in hindsight, that he started near the front (fourth) last year and didn't contend. It's those type of learning experiences that are helping him grow into a better driver. He will illustrate that on Sunday.

2. Helio Castroneves

Castroneves gets another chance to join the four-win club. Right now, only Rick Mears along with the aforementioned duo of Foyt and Unser have captured the Indy 500 checkered flag four times. The Brazilian star has a good chance to become No. 4.

He'll start eighth. Even though that's not the ideal situation, two of his qualifying laps were right in line with the front row drivers. So he should have the necessary speed to compete, it just comes down to avoiding any early wrecks as everybody jockeys for position.

Having gone through the race 12 times, he should have a good handle on when to make his move. Given the fact he's had a couple lackluster results after a good start to the season, he should have no shortage of motivation heading into big race.

3. Ed Carpenter

The only reason Carpenter, who won the pole with an average speed of nearly 229 mph, isn't higher on the list is his lack of success so far this season. His best finish in the first four races is 14th. Winning the Indianapolis 500 would be a major jump.

That said, it's impossible to ignore his terrific qualifying speeds. When a car is running that well, even an average driver is capable of getting into contention late in the race. It gives the 32-year-old American a chance to score the biggest win of his career.

The biggest key for Carpenter is overcoming adversity. He's not going to hold the lead for all 200 laps. So when he does fade into the pack for awhile, he must show patience and work his way back through the field. If he does that, the sport's biggest race will be within reach.

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Indy 500 2013: Complete Race Preview and Predictions

Geoffrey Miller — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:58:28 -0400

Sunday's 97th running of the Indianapolis 500—if it's anything like last year's race—figures to be one of the most competitive in the history of the 102-year-old race. Speeds are slightly up from last year's event, which was filled with close racing and lots of passing and wasn't decided until a daring last-lap move produced a crash in Turn 1.

Last year's winner, Dario Franchitti, is one of two three-time winners of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing trying Sunday to join the ranks of Indianapolis' all-time elite drivers with four wins.

Other drivers, like surprise pole-sitter Ed Carpenter or current NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger, will seek to take the checkered flag, drink the traditional celebratory glass of milk in Victory Lane and have their face etched forever on the famous Borg-Warner Trophy.

Ahead, we'll preview everything you need to know about this year's Indy 500.

Begin Slideshow

Indy 500 Lineup: Drivers Most Affected by Qualifying Results

Rob Goldberg — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:19:07 -0400

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the biggest events on the sports calendar, and this year's event features some of the best drivers in the world.

While a number of contenders have a chance to win the prestigious event, the recent qualifying will play a big role in the race. In the last nine years, the driver starting in pole position went on to win four times.

Last year was the first time in seven years that the eventual winner did not come from the first two rows at the start.

This is what makes the qualifying so important, and these top competitors were impacted the most heading into the Indy 500.

Marco Andretti (No. 3)

The Andretti name has a lot of prestige in the racing world, and Marco is the latest to try to make his mark on the sport.

Of course, the young driver has proved that he is more than just his name this season. He is currently third in the championship points standings thanks to a number of top-10 finishes this year.

His next step is to win the Indy 500, where he has finished in third place twice in his career. However, this will be the first time that he will start in the first row, which gives him an advantage over the field.

Getting a good start should give this talented driver as good a chance of winning as anyone in the competition.

Dario Franchitti (No. 17)

Only A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears have ever won the Indianapolis 500 four times in their careers. Franchitti is looking to join that group after winning for the third time last year.

His 2012 victory might have been the most impressive given that he started at the No. 16 spot. As surprising as this come-from-behind win was, he will try to do it again in 2013 after earning the No. 17 spot at the starting line.

Since World War II, only four drivers have ever won this race while starting from the No. 17 spot or worse. This does not bode well for Franchitti's chances of a repeat.

The British driver still has the skill and experience to be a contender in this race, but the lineup will make it difficult.

Ed Carpenter (No. 1)

Despite competing in IndyCar for parts of 11 years, Ed Carpenter has never been one of the top drivers. In 132 starts, he has two wins and only seven top-five finishes.

If he is ever going to make an impact, now is the time.

Carpenter earned the pole position in the upcoming race after reaching 228.762 mph during the qualifying. He needs to use this to his advantage and do his best to stay in front of the pack for the duration of the race.

The veteran likely would not have gotten a second look with an average qualifying, but this position puts him in the conversation for the top contenders. The Indianapolis native cannot afford to let this opportunity slip through the cracks.

Full Starting Lineup (via Indycar.com)

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	Connor Daly	41
32	Buddy Lazier	91
33	Katherine Legge	81

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Indy 500 2013: Breaking Down Top Contenders Who'll Shine at Indianapolis

Dan Talintyre — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:40:52 -0400

The most prestigious racing event of the year will take place this weekend when the world's top drivers battle it out for the 2013 Indianapolis 500 title.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or just another casual-onlooker, there's always plenty of action and interest to be found at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—and this year should be no different, with a talent-filled field and several strong title contenders.

Which big-name drivers are most likely to shine at the Indy 500 this year?

Read on and find out.

Dario Franchitti, Car No. 10

Three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti will come into this year's race as the defending champion, and will certainly fancy his chances of repeating that success.

The seasoned veteran has shown to be very strong in big races, and is looking to establish himself amongst racing's elite with the most victories at the Brickyard—something that he could do here with his fourth Indy 500 title.

It would also be his third title in four years.

The 40-year-old struggled in qualifying and couldn't finish any higher than 17th for the big race, which will no doubt affect his chances at taking the checkered flag.

However, keep in mind that Franchitti started in 16th last year and still won—so don't rule him out just yet.

James Hinchcliffe, Car No. 27

After qualifying inside the top 10, James Hinchcliffe will definitely be a big threat to watch out for on the track this year. He is arguably the hottest IndyCar racer going around at the moment having won two of the four IndyCar Series races in 2013, and while his season has also seen him chalk up two last-place finishes, he will definitely be a contender worth keeping an eye on.

Hinchcliffe is part of a great team and has a strong qualifying spot to start from, which, if he gets off to a good start, could be all he needs to clinch victory.

Ed Carpenter, Car No. 20

Ed Carpenter certainly wasn't on the radar coming into the Indy 500, but after a blistering qualifying time, he'll start from pole position.

And given that 20 drivers have previously won the Indy 500 starting from pole position, he must be considered a real chance here.

He won the IndyCar Series race held at Fontana last year, and could well find similar success on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's high-speed track.

The self-owned, single-car team driver won't have the advantages of having teammates on the track, which could cost him a chance at creating history here.

However, he has shown to be more than capable of handling the various threats from Andretti Autosport and Team Penske—beating whatever the two big teams had to offer in qualifying. He'll be looking to do the same again with a wire-to-wire victory here, and has to be considered a huge contender as a result.

Official Starting Order for the 2013 Indy 500

Start Position	Driver	Car No.
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	Carlos Munoz	26
3	Marco Andretti	25
4	EJ Viso	5
5	AJ Allmendinger	2
6	Will Power	12
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1
8	Helio Castroneves	3
9	James Hinchcliffe	27
10	JR Hildebrand	4
11	Alex Tagliani	98
12	Tony Kanaan	11
13	Oriol Servia	22
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Sebastien Bordais	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

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49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh Returns to Indianapolis to Drive Indy 500 Pace Car

Gabe Zaldivar — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:59:04 -0400

Jim Harbaugh will have the honor of driving the Indy 500 pace car.

The Indianapolis Star reports the current San Francisco 49ers head coach, who once played quarterback for the Colts, will be in Indy this weekend for a featured role on the track.

The report reminds us that Harbaugh is a co-owner of Panther Racing, which will send JR Hildebrand, Townsend Bell and Oriol Servia out to race this Sunday.

Harbaugh is, of course, thrilled to sit in the famed seat of the ceremonial pace car, so much so that he is even dreaming about the day.

I’ve already had a dream about it,” Harbaugh told the Star today. “I kept the car out on the track and won the Indy 500.”

Then reality hit. “I know my heart is going to be beating out of my chest,” he said.

When the coach heads out to lead the 33-car field, he will be driving a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, a car he mentions he will practice driving before the big day. Someone better break the news to coach that he has no shot of contending, though.

As the Star notes, Harbaugh became part of Panther Racing while playing for the Colts. That team will give Hildebrand the duty of driving the No. 4 car once numbered to honor the former quarterback.

As for his duties, the 49-year-old will be charged with leading the field in ceremonial fashion, because "IndyCar uses three-time 500 winner Johnny Rutherford as its pace car driver during races."

Recent news brings a pall on the week, at least for the coach who has to worry about the upcoming season. As ESPN reports, wide receiver Michael Crabtree may have torn his Achilles tendon, and he will undergo more tests to determine the severity of his injury.

With one eye on San Francisco and developments surrounding his star receiver, Harbaugh will keep the other on the road. Let's just hope he remembers to savor what has to be a very cool moment.

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Indy 500 2013: Serious Contenders with Porous Starting Positions

Donald Wood — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

The Indy 500 is arguably the most prestigious race in the world, and when the IndyCar Series invades the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend, the focus will be on serious contenders with porous starting positions and how they make it through the field.

All of the following racers had mediocre qualifying attempts, but will show why they are heralded as some of the best in the sport by overcoming the adversity and ending up toward the front of the pack.

All times and information via the Official Indy 500 website.

Takuma Sato

Starting Position: 18th

After running a few really strong practice laps, the rain hit Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday morning, delaying the start of qualifying and taking away the momentum IZOD IndyCar Series point leader Takuma Sato had been building.

Sato posted an impressive 226.6 MPH lap during the morning practice, but with the track undergoing changes with the added moisture from the rain and the heat of the jet dryers, the AJ Foyt Racing star only managed a four-lap average speed of 225.892 MPH.

That’s only good enough for 18th overall starting spot in the 2013 Indy 500.

While Sato will have to work his way through the field, the Japanese star knows what it takes to contend for the win at Indianapolis. Sato was in second place on the last lap of the 2012 race when he tried to make a pass on eventual winner Dario Franchitti and crashed.

After coming so close last year, expect Sato to be hungrier than ever.

Predicted Finish: Fourth

Graham Rahal

Starting Position: 26th

While Graham Rahal may only be 24 years old, his lineage of racers and his experience in the Indy 500 makes him a serious favorite. With five career starts in the race already—including a third-place finish in 2011—the young star is a favorite to win it all.

Despite starting all the way back in 26th, the IndyCar sensation has the skill, pit crew and equipment to maneuver through the field in the long race and eventually find himself in contention for the win by the end of the day.

Rahal was a favorite to contend on Sunday anyway, but with his father Bobby calling the shots as the team owner and crew chief Matt Swan making things happen on the track, racing fans are expecting to see the star fighting for the win on the last lap.

Predicted Finish: Eighth

Josef Newgarden

Starting Position: 25th

While the expectations for Josef Newgarden aren’t as high as many of the other drivers in the field, the 22-year-old American has taken the IndyCar series by storm since stepping into the major leagues last year.

Newgarden had a rough race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012, finishing in 25th after starting a very respectable seventh. The hope from the young driver and the entire Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing team is that the car is strong enough to work through traffic and be there at the end to contend for a top-10 finish.

If Newgarden can sneak out a 10th-place finish or better in just his second Indy 500 start, there is little doubt that this race would be deemed a success for the Tennessee native and his team.

Predicted Finish: 10th

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Indy 500 2013: Highlighting Hottest Racers Heading into Prestigious Event

Jesse Reed — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:02:51 -0400

The Indianapolis 500, also known as "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," is one of the most hallowed motorsports events in the world. Even the most casual of fans makes it a point to tune in when the world's best take to the starting grid every May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This year's field is loaded with top talent, from top to bottom.

Past champions, rising stars and veteran mainstays will compete for the right to chug a bottle of milk and take home the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Dario Franchitti won the event a year ago—his third career Indy 500 victory. He and Helio Castroneves will be seeking their fourth wins this upcoming Sunday, but there are a few hot drivers who will surely give them, and the rest of the field, a tough challenge.

Here's the official start order for the big race, courtesy of the official website of the Indianapolis 500:

Start Position	Driver	Car
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	Carlos Munoz	26
3	Marco Andretti	25
4	EJ Viso	5
5	AJ Allmendinger	2
6	Will Power	12
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1
8	Helio Castroneves	3
9	James Hinchcliffe	27
10	JR Hildebrand	4
11	Alex Tagliani	98
12	Tony Kanaan	11
13	Oriol Servia	22
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Sebastien Bordais	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

Now it's time to take a look at the hottest drivers of the 2013 season heading into the Indy 500.

James Hinchcliffe

There have been four IndyCar Series races thus far in 2013, and Hinchcliffe has won two of them.

He's simply the hottest IndyCar racer in the world right now. He won at St. Petersburg and at Sau Paulo, defeating a loaded field on both occasions.

Hinchcliffe was unable to complete the race in his other two appearances after getting stranded at Birmingham and crashing out at Long Beach. Basically, the way he's running right now, it's a good bet he'll either win the Indy 500 or fail to finish.

At least he swings for the fences, right?

Ryan Hunter-Reay

Last year's top racer, Hunter-Reay won the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama last month and has been smoking hot in qualifying this year.

He won the No. 1 starting spot at Birmingham and at Sao Paulo, while earning the No. 2 spot in Long Beach. While it's true Hunter-Reay wasn't able to capitalize on his excellent starting position in two of those races, it's clear he and his crew have a car they like.

Alden Woods, a beat writer for IDS Sports, was at the track for Hunter-Reay's Fast Nine run and posted a nice clip featuring the pure speed he gets while on the track:

In five previous attempts, Hunter-Reay has never finished on the podium at Indianapolis. You can bet he's gunning hard for the chance to immortalize himself as an Indy 500 champ this year.

Takuma Sato

Sato earned his first career victory earlier this year at Long Beach in impressive fashion. He built up a nice lead in the latter half of the race and never let up.

It was also an historic win, as Sato became the first Japanese racer to win an IndyCar series race, per ESPN Motorsports:

In addition to his big win, Sato earned a podium finish at Sao Paulo, finishing in second place behind Hinchcliffe.

Sato and his crew really have things dialed in right now, and it'll take everyone's best effort to win this year's Indy 500. Starting from the No. 18 spot on the grid means Sato will need to race smart and fast from start to finish to come away with his second victory this year.

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Indy 500 Qualifying: Anticlimactic Bump Day Is Calm Before Storm for Big Race

Jesse Reed — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

The field is set for the 2013 Indianapolis 500 after the final nine cars qualified for the race on Sunday.

Bump Day had compelling potential. With nine spots remaining and 10 drivers left in the field, it could have produced a war for that final spot in one of the world's most prestigious races.

Unfortunately, Michel Jourdain Jr.'s car didn't cooperate, and the Mexican racer finally called it quits with 20 minutes still left on the clock. Per Indy Motor Speedway, his pain was Katherine Legge's gain, as she made it in as the final contestant:

All in all, Bump Day was rather boring for fans watching at home and on the track. But don't worry, racing fans, this is just the calm before the storm.

Here's the official start order for the big race, courtesy of the official website of the Indianapolis 500:

Start Position	Driver	Car
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	Carlos Munoz	26
3	Marco Andretti	25
4	EJ Viso	5
5	AJ Allmendinger	2
6	Will Power	12
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1
8	Helio Castroneves	3
9	James Hinchcliffe	27
10	JR Hildebrand	4
11	Alex Tagliani	98
12	Tony Kanaan	11
13	Oriol Servia	22
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Sebastien Bordais	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

Taking a look at this list of names—the top IndyCar racers in the world—it's quite clear the 2013 Indy 500 will be an incredibly competitive race.

Ed Carpenter shocked the field by capturing the pole. He's only won two events in his career and hasn't finished higher than 14th place in 2013.

Lurking below him are IndyCar legends and rising stars Carlos Munoz, Marco Andretti, Will Power, Helio Castroneves and last year's IndyCar champ, Ryan Hunter-Reay.

James Hinchcliffe is the only racer to win twice in 2013, and he'll surely put up a good fight from the No. 9 spot, while Japanese sensation Takuma Sato will start in the middle of the pack.

Last year's Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti will come charging hard from the middle of the field, too.

From top to bottom, this grid is full of racers capable of winning the big event.

So, while the action on Bump Day may not have titillated your senses the way you hoped, the Indy 500 next Sunday will certainly give you what you desire.

The action will be intense from the first lap until the bitter end, and as we know from experience, anything can happen on the track when the drivers start pushing their cars and their senses to the limit.

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