The Race Is On

The pole has been set. Qualifying is over. It's only a matter of a few more hours. The tension is high..as are expectations. This year's Indianapolis 500 promises to be the best ever and, of course, the stakes are high. As we count down the hours until the green flag drops, the amount of air-time, hype and attention that media outlets will devote to discussion of the event is nearly immeasurable. If you live in the United States, you know that Memorial Day is nearly synonymous with the Indy 500.





There are many important factors in determining what makes for a potential winner at Indianapolis, and past performance is certainly one of those. Heading up the top 5 pole positions this year is a significant roster of talented drivers and teams.

Team Target / Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon has the pole. With one win under his belt this season and three poles, both he and his team are the stuff of winners. Scott's teammate, Dan Weldon is right there alongside him, and he, too, is one who has the skills.

Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe, a potential dark horse, rounds out Row 1.

Row 2 is the one to watch. Team Penske's Helio Castroneves is likely the fastest driver from Brazil since the likes of Ayrton Senna's legacy ( and that was in Formula One ). Although he has most recently been heralded for his win on Dancing with the Stars, we'll see if his moves can hold up at Indy.

Sitting pretty in the rocking chair of the second row, is Danica Patrick. Danica is just the type of driver to take this race very seriously and, potentially, win. She is currently fifth in series points and has a win from Motegi, Japan in the Indy 300 to bolster her already high level of confidence.

Another very talented driver, Tony Kanaan, rounds out the second row. Like Danica, he is hungry for his first Indy 500 win.

Whatever the outcome, the Indy 500 will provide an incomparable afternoon of excitement and fun. With three women, who have qualified for the field, driving in Sunday's race, this 500 is one for the history books. Perhaps, it's time to change those immortal words, that Kristi Yamaguchi will this year announce, to ; "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines !"