Dateline: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
In the last edition of our starting field analysis, we look at some of the drivers who have raced here before, but have not tasted the milk after 800 perfect left turns and 500 miles of racing. In previous posts we looked at the rookies, the previous winners, and the women that will make up part of the starting grid come Sunday. Let’s now take a look at some of the other drivers in the field who should be fun to watch…for various reasons.
Pos. 29
EJ Viso
Car # 13
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.164/2:42.7753
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.164/2:42.7753
EJ Viso is flat out fun to watch. He’s fast, he has almost no fear, and one of the bravest/craziest on the track. Nerves of steel make EJ a fierce competitor. Of the drivers in the field we haven’t discussed, why would I pick someone who qualified on the middle of row ten? Because, I expect him to fight his way up through the pack. Don’t be surprised if EJ works his way into the top ten. If he can keep his car in one piece, he will be fun to watch all day. And, if he cant, he will be fun to watch while he is out there. Keep an eye on the PDVSA entry, car #13.
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Pos. 28
John Andretti
Car # 43
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.316/2:42.6635
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 221.316/2:42.6635
John Andretti comes to Indianapolis to run the 500 for his 10th time. His best finish came in 1991 when he finished 7th. After a dramatic bump day last Sunday, which saw him fighting all day long just to make the show, he now switches focus to race day. He is very experienced behind the wheel of race car and starting from the inside of row ten should pose no problem for the Indy 500 veteran. His entry in the 500 carries a paint scheme and number of someone in all form of motor sports should recognize. “The King”, Richard Petty, has teamed with Dreyer and Reinbold to make his first entry into the world of open wheel racing. Dreyer and Reinbold is a solid IndyCar shop with several cars in this years field, so The King went to the right people to get in the show. Unfortunately, due to the trouble he had getting up to speed all month, I do not expect much out of this Andretti in 2009.
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Pos. 20
Scott Sharp
Car # 16
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 222.162/2:42.0441
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 222.162/2:42.0441
Scott Sharp comes to the 500 briefly leaving the ALMS for his return to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. This former pole sitter will be driving his 15th 500. His best finish was in 2008 in 6th place with Rahal Letterman Racing. This year he teams up with the Panther Racing team (team mate of Dan Wheldon) to try to top the 6th place finish of last year. I think Scott could be one to watch on Sunday as he is comfortable here, and probably has better equipment than he did last year. I would definitely expect a solid top ten from Scott Sharp and the Patron sponsored #16 machine.
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Pos. 13
Paul Tracy
Car # 15
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.111/2:41.3545
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.111/2:41.3545
Paul Tracy has a storied past at the speedway. PT comes into this years May Classic after a 7 year absence from the race. He last ran the race in 2002 where he finished 2nd in a controversial finish with Helio Castroneves. The two were battling for 1st when a yellow flag came out with just laps to go. The field reset based on the positions of the cars when the track went yellow. IndyCar officials ruled that Helio Castroneves was in the lead at that time, therefore being put in P1 and winiing the race. PT’s camp has always disagreed wit that ruling, andthis 7 year absence is as much about the bad taste left in his mouth, as it is about the CART/IRL split that shattered the open wheel racing fan base in 1996. Interesting to note here is that although this is his 6th Indianapolis 500, it is only his second in 14 years. Prior to the 2002 race, he last ran the 500 in 1995. He is fast, gutsy, and has a big chip on his shoulder from the 2002 race. Look for PT to be a contender on race day. If there is a dark horse in the race, my money would be on PT. Panther is a great team…and PT can flat out drive.
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Pos. 6
Tony Kanaan
Car # 11T
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.612/2:40.9934
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.612/2:40.9934
TK is one of those drivers who regardless of what happens, is always at the front. Though I wouldn’t call him a dark horse, I would say of all the non-winners, he is the most likely to walk away with the 500 crown. He is deserving of the win and has a personality as big as can be. He is a classy guy and always comes across in a very educated manner. Though my pick this year is Helio Castroneves, I would be very happy to see his fellow Brazilian win the world’s largest single day sporting event. TK is a deserving 500 champion. If you don’t yet know who to pull for in Sunday’s race…it might as well be TK.
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Tomorrow: MidwestSportsFans.com will have our last post before the madness of the weekend ensues. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our final preview of the 93rd Running of the Indianapolis 500. Very very soon, we will all be singing, “Back home again, in Indiana”
