Indy 500 2014: Race Schedule, Live Stream Info and Drivers to Watch

There are plenty of things that define Memorial Day weekend, but perhaps no sporting event does so more than the prestigious Indianapolis 500.

It can be argued that IndyCar racing isn't as popular as it once was, but even non-sports fans still go out of their way to catch the Indy 500. It is a true piece of Americana that generates a ton of interest and essentially signals the beginning of summer for many.

In addition to all of that, it is difficult to remember a time when there were so many legitimate candidates to take the checkered flag. At least half the field could realistically win this race, so there should be plenty of excitement from start to finish.

Here is all the information you need to watch the 98th Indy 500 on television or via live stream, along with a closer look at top drivers to watch.

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis

When: Sunday, May 25 at 12 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC

Live Stream: IndianapolisMotorSpeedway.com and Watch ABC

Starting Grid

Starting Position	Driver	Car No.
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	James Hinchcliffe	27
3	Will Power	12
4	Helio Castroneves	3
5	Simon Pagenaud	77
6	Marco Andretti	25
7	Carlos Munoz	34
8	Josef Newgarden	67
9	J.R. Hildebrand	21
10	Juan Pablo Montoya	2
11	Scott Dixon	9
12	Kurt Busch	26
13	Jack Hawksworth	98
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Mikhail Aleshin	7
16	Tony Kanaan	10
17	Sebastien Bourdais	11
18	Oriol Servia	16
19	Ryan Hunter-Reay	28
20	Graham Rahal	15
21	Carlos Huertas	18
22	Pippa Mann	63
23	Takuma Sato	14
24	Alex Tagliani	68
25	Townsend Bell	6
26	Charlie Kimball	83
27	Jacques Villeneuve	5
28	James Davison	33
29	Martin Plowman	41
30	Ryan Briscoe	8
31	Sage Karam	22
32	Sebastian Saavedra	17
33	Buddy Lazier	91

Drivers to Watch

Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch is one of the most successful NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers of the past decade. He has pretty much accomplished everything over the course of his career with wins galore and a points title to boot, but the volatile racing star is still hungry for more.

The Indy 500 has appealed to many stock car drivers in the past, but competing in it is problematic due to the fact that the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway takes place on the same day. Despite that, Busch will become the first driver to attempt "the double" since 10 years ago, according to NASCAR's official Twitter account:

Running one race is difficult enough, especially the 400-lap Coca-Cola 600. Pulling double duty is a true iron-man test for any driver, though. There is no doubt that it will push Busch to the limits, but he is very much looking forward to the challenge, per David Caraviello of NASCAR.com.

"It's just so exciting to talk about it," Busch said. "It's just hard to put it all into words."

There are plenty of IndyCar drivers who have been on the circuit for years without even sniffing an Indy 500 win, so it may be tough to imagine Busch stepping right in and kissing the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Busch did manage to qualify 12th, though, so he obviously has a good feel for the track. He has run at Indianapolis many times with NASCAR, so the track isn't foreign to him by any means.

Since Busch isn't racing for points he will almost certainly do everything in his power to win. If he does, it will make for the most interesting IndyCar story in a very long time.

Marco Andretti

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Perhaps no driver in the history of the Indy 500 has come as close to winning without actually doing so on as many occasions than Marco Andretti. Although he is just 27 years of age, this will be Andretti's ninth Indianapolis 500. His four top-five finishes include a second-place result in 2006, but a win has constantly eluded him.

Andretti is often in the mix, but something always seems to go wrong. One can only assume that it's a matter of when rather than if he will win the Indy 500. Andretti believes his car is good enough to do it this year, but he is cautiously optimistic with good reason, according to the Associated Press (h/t LehighValleyLive.com):

"

This is the biggest race in the world and I have so much respect for it and I want nothing more in my life than to add my name to the list of champions. I feel like I have the car and the team and the crew to do it, but being the ninth year in it and seeing everything under the sun go wrong, I can't be overconfident.

"

Andretti will start the race in the second row at No. 6, so he has already put himself in position to be competitive. The biggest key will be avoiding disaster, such as a wreck or some type of mechanical issue. Skill will play a role in that, but it is largely based on luck as well.

Luck has never been on Andretti's side in Indianapolis, but his fortune is bound to change for the better at some point.

Tony Kanaan

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Much like Andretti, the Indianapolis 500 used to be a symbol of frustration for Tony Kanaan. The Brazilian star has been among the best IndyCar drivers in the world for a very long time, but the Indy 500 was rarely kind to him. That changed in a big way last year when he finally prevailed and conquered his demons.

Kanaan will start in the middle of the field this year at No. 16, so he has his work cut out for him. Kanaan is optimistic that he'll be able to contend, though, as he doesn't see anyone running away with the race, according to Nate Ryan of USA Today:

It's tough to argue with Kanaan's inkling since much of the field is so evenly matched. Helio Castroneves is the only current driver to win the Indianapolis 500 more than once, but Kanaan has a golden opportunity to enter that elite group.

The fact that he has a win under his belt should eliminate much of the pressure and give him an edge if he is near the front in the latter stages. Kanaan is a savvy veteran and a major threat now that he has confidence on his side.

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