2007 Indianapolis 500 Preview

After last year's amazing finish between Sam Hornish Jr. and Marco Andretti, this year's Indianapolis 500 looks to match the same excitement.

This much will hold true in this year's running, there will be drama. Drama on the track and without a doubt there will be drama in the pits. Countless drivers have lost this race in the pits, despite having the car to beat.

Everyone is picking Target/Chip Ganassi driver Dan Wheldon to win on Sunday. There is no doubt that he is the man to beat this season thus far. However, Indy is a whole other animal entirely. If a driver does not respect the track, chances are the track is going to remind the driver of who he or she is.

The Contenders

Starting on the pole is Team Penske driver Helio Castroneves. Castroneves has won this race twice before and seems more determined than ever to bring home a championship this season. Combine Castroneves' skill with Roger Penske's stellar Indy pedigree, don't be surprised if Helio will be climbing the fences at Indy for the third time.

Starting alongside Castroneves is his childhood friend and rival, Andretti Green Racing driver Tony Kanaan. Kanaan is fast no matter where the race is held. He is a born speed demon. If he gets out front and his car holds up underneath him, it could be a long day for the rest of the field.

Of course there is Team Penske driver Sam Hornish Jr., who is the defending champion of this year's race. Despite winning this race last year, there has not been much buzz surrounding his chances to repeat as champion. Never count a Penske car out of any running of the Indianapolis 500. Roger Penske has won this race more than any other car owner in the history of open wheel racing. He will put his cars in a position to win every time out.

The two Target/Chip Ganassi cars of Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon should be counted on to be a threat come race day. They have both been fast each and every practice session in the month of May. Wheldon is the odds on favorite to win this race for the second time. Dixon is the sleeper of the two. He won't dominate a race, but he is a formidable driver and a fierce competitor.

The Dark Horse

Ryan Briscoe in the number 12 Norton 360 car was surprisingly quick on Pole Day and will start seventh on the grid. Do not be surprised if he is hanging around towards the front near the end of the race. He is technically running a Penske car, but the car is owned by Roger's son Jay. Maybe a little Penske luck will rub off on Briscoe?

The Sentimental Favorites

There are two sentimental favorites in this year's field that come to mind. Michael Andretti, for one, has had the worst luck at this track. He has come out of semi-retirement for another chance to win the one race that has alluded him for his entire career. With three laps to go in last year's race, Andretti led the race, but was then passed by his son, Marco, who then suffered the Andretti luck at Indy when he was nipped at the finish line by Sam Hornish Jr. Michael Andretti finally winning this race after years of futility would make for a great finish to a successful racing career.

The second is Al Unser Jr. Unser has won this race twice before, but has suffered some off the track problems recently. Unser was arrested on DUI charges in January and has since resolved to clean himself up. Unser has been a likable character and it would be redeeming to see him cross the finish line first, despite his personal problems.

The Winner Is...

As was stated earlier, never bet against a Penske car at Indianapolis. My pick is for Helio Castroneves to win his third Indianapolis 500. Whenever it has ever seemed to be lost for a Penske car, some twist of fate turned its fortunes around for the better at this track. That is why I say Castroneves will win this race.