The Indianapolis 500 is this weekend, but how much do you know about the historic race? Here are 26 things connected to this year’s Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
A
A.J. Foyt IV. This is Foyt’s sixth Indy. He’s never finished higher than XIV.
B
Buddy deficit. For the first time in 15 years, there will be no Buddy in the race.
C
Castroneves, Helio. He won the pole for the race. Note to the IRS: The pole prize was $100,000.
D
Danica Patrick. Danica. Danica. Danica. Danica. Danica.
E
Earhart, Amelia. She once visited Indy as a “celebrity,” then disappeared. Literally.
F
Franchitti, Mrs. Dario. Also known as Ashley Judd.
G
Graham Rahal. He’s young, he’s handsome, he’s a favorite to win.
H
Hideki Mutoh. A driver, not a fancy drink.
I
International. Drivers come from all sorts of places, such as Brazil (Castroneves), Australia (Ryan Briscoe) and Idaho (Davey Hamilton).
J
Junqueira, Bruno. He’s been replaced by Alex Tagliani.
K
Kanaan, Tony. Can the former series champ turn around his bad luck at Indy?
L
Lloyd, Pink. Alex Lloyd drives a pink car, wears a pink fire suit and lets people call him Pink Lloyd.
M
Moraes and Matos. Not a law firm. Mario Moraes starts seventh, Raphael Matos 12th.
N
NASCAR. NASCAR has nothing to do with the Indy 500. Note it.
O
“Oh, no.” The reaction every time a TV announcer reveals an “interesting” fact about Patrick.
P
Penske Racing. Roger Penske’s drivers have won the 500 so many times, it ought to be called the Penske 500.
Q
Qualifying. Apparently, the new qualifying format is designed to give every possible Andretti a chance to make the field.
R
Robert Doornbos. He speaks Dutch, English, Italian and German. If he bumps into Danica, he can respond to her tantrum with words that won’t get him in trouble on TV.
S
Stewart, Tony. The NASCAR owner-driver got his start in Indy cars.
T
The King. Richard Petty is at Indy for the first time, as co-owner of John Andretti’s car.
U
Unicycle. According to his bio, driver E.J. Viso rides a unicycle to relax.
V
Viso, E.J. He has no chance of winning this race, especially on a unicycle.
W
Women drivers. Three this year: Sarah Fisher, Milka Duno and that other one.
X
Xavier University, Butler University’s rival, which is Ed Carpenter’s alma mater, which is good enough for this letter.
Y
Yellow flag. Part of a recurring nightmare Paul Tracy’s been having since 2002.
Z
Zealand, New. The home of defending race champ Scott Dixon.
