Indy 500 Preview

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(NETWORK INDIANA)   “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is almost here. The 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 is set for Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Following the century running last year, this year’s race has some big shoes to fill. Last year was a sellout, which meant the lift of the regional TV blackout for the first time in decades. IMS President Doug Boles says that there will be no “sophomore slump” at the speedway this year when it comes to attendance.

“I’ve said for the last several weeks that with the exception of last year, I think this will be the largest attended 500 in at least the last 15 years,”Boles said to Tony Katz.

Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon secured the pole in qualifying last weekend with a four-lap average of 232.164. He says his main competition will be the six drivers from Andretti Autosport, including this year’s top rookie in the field, Fernando Alonso.

“He’s one of the greats of motor racing in the world,” Dixon said of Alonso. “I think he’s done a hell of a job so far, and to win on Sunday, you’re going to have to beat him or one of his other teammates.”

Alonso, a two-time Formula One world champion, is racing with McLaren. McLaren is back at the Indy 500 for the first time since 1979, and is partnering with Andretti Autosport to field the McLaren-orange racing machine powered by Honda. They will roll off 5th on race day.

Alonso regularly races for McLaren’s Formula One team and is skipping this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. He says he’s done all he can to learn about IndyCar in such a short amount of time.

“Lack of experience for sure,” said Alonso. “Because it’s my first time in everything that’s going to happen, the rolling starts and all these things. I’ve worked very hard this past month, so I cannot be better prepared than what I am.”

Alexander Rossi, the defending 500 champion, says their team is ready. He starts on the outside of the front row.

“We’ve had a strong car all month. Andretti Autosport has done a really good job with the preparation,” Rossi said of his team. “So now we just have to capitalize on that.”

Ed Carpenter will be between Dixon and Rossi on the front row.

“I think we have the car to do it. It just comes down to execution and making good decisions,” said Carpenter. “If we can do that, I think we can be in the mix late in the race.”

It’s been a “ho-hum” month on the oval for Team Penske. The top Penske driver is Will Power, who starts 9th after winning the IndyCar Grand Prix at IMS earlier this month. 2000 Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya is next for Penske, starting 18th. Starting right next to Montoya in 19th is three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves; it’s the worst starting position he’s ever had in the 500. Penske teammates Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud start 22nd and 23rd, respectively.

The green flag drops at noon Sunday after the traditional pre-race pageantry. Chicago Blackhawks anthem singer and IU School of Music grad Jim Cornelison will sing “Back Home Again In Indiana”, followed by the national anthem, sung by pop star Bebe Rexha. The pace car will be driven by Jeffrey Dean Morgan from “The Walking Dead”.