I was asked by a couple of people recently if I was going to post anything regarding the Indy 500? Certainly. In a perfect world, I would've posted a lot more throughout the month since so much has been going on @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I just haven't had much of a chance until now. Here ya go Mike & Jim!
2-time Indy 500 Helio Castroneves will start from the pole. His 3rd Indy pole and taking the annual pit stop contest. His Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe will start next to him in the middle of the front row. That 1-2 punch gives team owner Roger Penske a good shot at his 15th Indy win. Sam Hornish Jr scored the last Indy 500 win for Penske in '06.
“We’ve got a good chance this year with two cars on the front row,” said Penske. “But, to win here, everything has to work perfectly, everything.”
Penske will have 3 cars in the Indianapolis 500 for the 1st time since '94. Even though Castroneves is back in, Will Power was rewarded with his own ride. He had been subbing for Castroneves until his legal issues were resolved. It was announced on Friday that federal prosecutors dropped the remaining tax evasion conspiracy charge against Castroneves and his sister.
“I feel very lucky,” Castroneves said. “My life is starting all over again. I’m having fun doing what I love doing best, and I’m going to try to win Indy again. It is definitely going to be an interesting race.”
Castroneves might be the favorite to win. It could come down to Penske vs. Ganassi. Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti are the past 2 Indanapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champions.
Andretti Green Racing's Tony Kanaan is another driver to mention. In 7 starts, he has yet to win even though he's led laps in each of his Indy 500 races - a record. He was runner-up in the '04 race - his best Indy 500 finish.
Look for Paul Tracy on Sunday. He'll start from the inside of the 5th row. He leads all active drivers with 31 career wins. “I’m not here just to race and have a good day,” Tracy said. “I want to win.”
We can't forget the confrontation between Tracy and Castroneves after their "controversial" side by side finish under caution in 2002's Indy 500. Tracy insisted he passed Castroneves coming to the checkered flag. It took 6 weeks for race officials to analyze video and announce Castroneves was the legit winner. Whew.
33 cars to start on Sunday. An estimated 250,000 is expected to attend.
There's also a slight chance for thunderstorms in the forecast.
2009 Indianapolis 500 starting line-up, click here.
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