When Dario Franchitti won, a lot of people in the stands were disappointed.

Ashley Judd was not, in fact she went shoeless across the asphalt to meet her husband who won his second career Indy 500.

It could have been Dan Wheldon challenging Franchitti on the final lap, but Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mike Conway had a horrific wreck in between turns 3 and 4 putting the final lap under caution.

Franchitti drove his 10 Target Chip-Gannasi Machine ever so slow across the bricks for the victory with Dan Wheldon helpless not being able to pass under caution.

The fans wanted Tony Kanaan to win. They wanted the lovable racer, cast into the role of underdog this month to come from the 33rd starting position and by golly win the thing.

If not for a caution here or a pit stop there, Kanaan had a great shot to win it. He was right on Franchitti’s tail with five laps to go but had to make a dramatic late pit stop for fuel.  He’s got as much talent as anyone in IndyCar and as much personality too.

Franchitti is the San Antonio Spurs of Indy Car. He’s going to win but is not going to overwhelm you with personality the way a Kanaan an Helio Castoneves or Danica Patrick can.

Patrick who finished 6th and Kanaan who finished 11th, both proved detractors wrong Sunday. They can both compete for races even without perfect race cars.

It’s obvious Franchitti’s car was just about perfect this weekend.

Castroneves was the favorite to win before today’s race, and he could have become only the fourth four time winner of the race, but he was forced to pit for fuel with eight laps remaining. He finished ninth.

The drama was certainly there Sunday and well worth the 90-degree temps for all in attendance. The word around the track was it was 96-degrees, the hottest in the history of the race.

Franchitti was the fastest around the track most of the race and deserved to win.  He finished with 1.6 gallons in the tank. That’s not a lot. His team was incredibly smart and lucky.

The Winners:

Here, we continue our look into the starting field of the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500. In this edition we look at the four previous winners who will be fighting for another shot at immortality on the Borg Warner Trophy (pictured above) and a nice cool drink of milk in victory lane. The Indianapolis 500 is at 1pm this Sunday, May 24th. It’s on ABC and the pre-race starts at Noon Eastern, with the scheduled start of 1pm.

Pos. 5

Scott Dixon

Car # 9
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 223.867/2:40.8098

The 2008 Indy 500 winner and IndyCar series champion will find himself in a familiar place come race day. Rolling off from the 5th spot in the grid, this New Zealander will be a contender on race day and should definitely be one to watch. Scott Dixon has NEVER raced in a series where hasn’t wont the championship. When the pressure is on, this guy is the one you want behind the wheel. Starting from the middle of Row 2 he should have a clear view of Turn 1 on Lap 1. Barring any first turn disasters, keep your eye on the #9 Target entry piloted by Scott Dixon. He will more than likely be among the leaders all day.

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Pos. 3

Dario Franchitti

Car # 10
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 224.010/2:40.7068

Dario Franchitti comes to his 6th Indy 500, back from his single season running in NASCAR. His previous 500 starts have been with the Andretti Green organization, but it didn’t take the former Champion long to get comfortable to his new seat. He rolls off the grid on Sunday from the front row on the outside in P3. When he won the race in 2007, it was called by rain and was less than the 500 miles. Would he have been there at the end of those 500 miles? We will never know. Will he be there at the end of this years 500 miles? I don’t think so. Look for a strong start from the former champion but a pit issue or contact to keep him from taking his second 500 crown. Why? Because, Ashley Judd annoys me to death and I don’t want to see her talking on the monitors anymore than we have to.

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Pos. 1

Helio Castroneves

Car # 3
D/H/F
Speed/Time: 224.864/2:40.0967

The past six months have been absolute hell for the two-time Indy 500 winner. He spent months agonizing over a squabble with the IRS regarding a tax issue. It was resolved with a not guilty verdict, and he now finds himself back where he belongs. Helio won the 500 in 2001 and 2002 and has been in the top 5 for 5 of his 8 previous starts. He has been among the quickest all month long and was certainly the fastest on Pole Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With the drama behind him of the courtroom, and no one in front of him as he starts this years 500, look for a strong showing from the two time winner. How strong? Look for a three time champion come Sunday afternoon. Helio Castroneves is my pick for the 2009 race. Helio, go get ‘em!

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Stay tuned to MidwestSportsFans.com as we continue our in depth look into the starting field for the 93rd Indianapolis 500. Next we will take a look at the women in the 500. Danica Patrick, Sarah Fisher, and Milka Duno will be carrying the banner for female motor sports fans everywhere come race day. Check back soon for what to watch for from the three women who are the female faces of the 500.