The biggest and richest single race for open wheeled cars is officially underway, this weekend will decide which of the 39 drivers will take up the first 11 guaranteed spots (in what is the first of 4 qualifying sessions) on the grid for (along with NASCAR's Daytona 500) one of the USA's 2 big motorsport events, with it being the first 11 to qualify, this will also mean we will know who will occupy the coveted pole position in what is known as the Pole Day Time Trials and with a pole prize of $100'000 on offer, it is sure to be well fought out.The qualifying process itself may seem complicated but it is realtively simple, The first day of qualifying (May 9th) sees the first 11 spots on the grid as well as the lucky polesitter, each timed run is an aggregate of 4 laps (covering a distance of 10 miles) and this is in force for all 4 days. May 10th sees the 2nd session where positions 12 to 22 are decided, these are also locked down giving 22 lucky people guaranteed spots in the race. Then after a further 3 days of practice sees day 3 of qualifying (May 16th) where positions 23-33 are decided but only provisionally as the next day (May 17th) sees the highlight of qualifying known as "Bump Day" where the drivers outside the 33 car grid are given one last chance to get themselves into the race and anyone from 23rd spot downwards will be on tentahooks as they hope and pray that come the end of the day, they'll be in the top 33 and with it comes qualification for the race.
Here though I will look through the 39 driver entry list and assess each ones chances of winning, doing well or even just managing to get in the show, the leading entries get more of a mention of course.
ANDRETTI GREEN RACING - 7. Danica Patrick (USA), 11. Tony Kanaan (Brazil), 26. Marco Andretti (USA), 27. Hideki Mutoh (Japan)
The joint effort of Indycar legend Michael Andretti and team owner Kim Green are arguably the biggest of the teams in the Indycar Series with a strong 4 car effort. The experienced Tony Kanaan is their strongest hope of success and should challenge. Danica Patrick dreams of winning this one race and has a good chance of doing so after strong recent performances. The lineup is completed by Marco Andretti (who has gone off the boil recently but should do well in a race where the Andretti's are famous) and Hideki Mutoh who performed admirably last year as a rookie.
TEAM PENSKE - 3. Helio Castroneves (Brazil), 6. Ryan Briscoe (Australia), 12. Will Power (Australia)
Penske, the most famous name in American open wheel racing and also one of only 2 American teams to ever win an Formula 1 Grand Prix (Austria 1976.) But unusualy for them this year they have expanded their efforts in this race to a 3 car operation mainly due to Helio Castroneves's recent tax evasion trial, his replacement's (Will Power) performances in his absence were so impressive that Roger Penske decided to give him a chance for the 500. AGR may have the biggest lineup but Penske have a stronger mix which should do well and live up to their early season promise
TARGET CHIP GANASSI RACING - 9. Scott Dixon (New Zealand), 10. Dario Franchitti (Great Britain), 99. Alex Lloyd (Great Britain)
A driver lineup to even make Penske jealous, 2 cars, both piloted by the 2 previous winners and also for this years race, they are also the 2 favourites to win again. Scott Dixon did the magic double by winning this race as well as the Indycar Championship which it counts towards and after an excellent recent win in Kansas City, he will be tough to beat as he defends his 500 crown. Dario Franchitti, a regular in the american motorsport scene, returns after a less than successful year in NASCAR returning to where he feels he belings and his win at Long Beach certainly proves he has not lost any of his talent. Joining them both in a one off entry run in conjunction with Sam Schmit Motorsport is the 2007 Indy Lights champion Alex Lloyd who ran well last year before breaking down.
NEWMAN-HAAS-LANIGAN RACING - 02. Graham Rahal (USA), 06. Robert Doornbos (Netherlands)
Another one of American racing's most famous names returned last year after the merger of the IRL and the ChampCar racing championships and performed well on their return. Now they are a much more stronger force on the ovals this year, proved after locking out the front row in Kansas City. Graham Rahal should use his first year's experience well to hopefully for his sake compete for a top 5 while Robert Doornbos gets his first taste of the 500.
PANTHER RACING - 4. Dan Wheldon (Great Britain), 16. Scott Sharp (USA)
The Panther team look better prepared then they have ever been for a 500 with a strong 2 car lineup which includes 2005 winner Dan Wheldon who returns to the team that gave him his big break in the USA, he has started strongly this season and will hope to challenge for a victory which would be Panther's first at the 500. Joining him in a one-off entry is Scott Sharp who returns after a 2 year absence after racing for Rahal-Letterman.
--- OTHER ENTRIES ---
DREYER & REINBOLD RACING - 23. Milka Duno (Venezuela), 24. Mike Conway (Great Britain), 44. Davey Hamilton (USA). A blend of experience and rookie drivers here with the very wealthy pay driver Milka Duno thrown in, expected to struggle as Conway continues to learn the oval racing scene.
KV RACING - 5. Mario Moraes (Brazil), 8. Townsend Bell (USA), 15. Paul Tracy (Canada). It looks like another average 3 car entry but that only changes when you see the man who makes his return after his heartbraking 2002 attempt, the ever popular veteran Paul Tracy.
VISION RACING - 20. Ed Carpenter (USA), 21. Ryan Hunter-Reay (USA). Tony George's Vision squad could spring a suprise after an encouraging start to the year for both drivers, Hunter-Reay is their best hope for glory.
HVM RACING - 13. EJ Viso (Venezuela), 00. Nelson Philippe (France). Technically the only British team in the race as it is run by former F1 team owner Keith Wiggins. EJ Viso gets another chance after a difficult 1st year where he was criticised for his over-zealous style while Nelson Philippe is reunited with his old champcar squad
FOYT ENTERPRISES - 14. Vitor Meira (Brazil), 41. AJ Foyt IV (USA), 48. t.b.a. The team run by Indy 500 legend AJ Foyt comes with a 2 car (possibly 3) lineup with perennial underachiever Vitor Meira joining AJ's grandson.
LUCZO DRAGON RACING - 2. Raphael Matos (Brazil). An entry run by Roger Penske's son Jay with the former Indy lights star Matos driving in his first 500.
DALE COYNE RACING - 18. Justin Wilson (Great Britain), 19. t.b.a. Dale Coyne's popular little team returns with Justin Wilson who should do well after a promising start to the season. A 2nd car could follow too.
RAHAL-LETTERMAN RACING - 17. Oriol Servia (Spain). A lack of funds has prevented Bobby Rahal from running a full season but the 2004 winners will be at the 500 fielding a car for the popular spaniard Oriol Servia.
SARAH FISHER RACING - 67. Sarah Fisher (USA), 68. t.b.a. A one car effort for another popular female driver Sarah Fisher, now with her own family run team, a 2nd car could be fielded if backing can be found in time.
RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS - 43. John Andretti (USA). The famous STP colours of NASCAR legend Richard Petty makes its first appearance at the 500 as "The King" (as he is known) has his first crack at the 500 as a team owner, racing for him is another sibling of the Andretti dynasty in the form of Mario's nephew John Andretti.
HEMELGARN RACING - 91. Buddy Lazier (USA). Veteran Buddy Lazier returns to reunite the partnership that won the 500 back in 1996, they will struggle to qualify though
ROTH RACING - 25. t.b.a., 52. t.b.a. No drivers confirmed yet for Marty Roth's team but its expected Roth himself will fill one of the seats.
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