INDIANAPOLIS — Welcome to our annual ESPN.com Motorsports public service, after we provide the data it’s worthwhile to arm your self as an professional on the Indianapolis 500, the Best Spectacle in Racing held on the Racing Capital of the World for the 106th time this Sunday afternoon in Speedway, Indiana.

We completely acknowledge that the Indy 500 is a kind of occasions just like the Kentucky Derby or X Video games, or particularly the Olympics, when most of the people watches sporting occasions that they do not repeatedly observe. In these instances, information is energy. And right here is the information to provide the energy to inform from the sofa, “I knew this man was going to do this as a result of I simply learn this!”

Benefit from the race. You are welcome.

The right way to watch
When: Sunday, midday ET
TV: NBC

Row 1

Scott Dixon
2008 Indy 500 winner
No. 9
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
Workforce: Chip Ganassi Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Burnt orange and blue
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: He is the best IndyCar racer of this century, and with 51 wins a half dozen championships, he has a stable argument to be within the G.O.A.T. debate alongside the likes of A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. What’s holding him again? He has “solely” one Indy 500 win, and that got here method again in 2008. He is on the pole for the fifth time, and his four-lap common velocity of 234.046 is the second-fastest qualifying run within the 106-year historical past of the race. “That is improbable,” he mentioned Thursday. “However historical past would not care should you lead the primary lap. The one lap that issues is the final one.”

Alex Palou
No. 10
Hometown: Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Spain
Workforce: Chip Ganassi Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: White with mild blue nostril and wing
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

2 Associated

Why you must care about him: A yr in the past on this preview we wrote that he had “shocked” the sector together with his first profession IndyCar win on April 18, 2021. Then he gained twice extra, completed second at Indy and went on to win the season championship on the ripe previous age of 24. His days of surprising individuals by way of wins are over.

Rinus Veekay
No. 21
Hometown: Hoofddorp, Netherlands
Workforce: Ed Carpenter Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Orange with crimson, white and blue Dutch flag painted on the entrance wing
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: The Netherlands’ best export is not tulips. It is race automotive drivers. Max Verstappen is the reigning F1 champ and Veekay (quick for Van Kalmthout) spent the primary day of qualifying posting the third-fastest run in Indy 500 historical past. Who’s first? The unique “Flying Dutchman” himself, two-Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, who set the report again in 1996.

Row 2

Ed Carpenter
No. 20
Hometown: Indianapolis
Workforce: Ed Carpenter Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Purple with mild blue trim
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire, however he has lengthy mentioned that he needs buttermilk, a tribute to the primary milk gulped in Victory Lane by Louis Meyer in 1936, nevertheless it’s not an possibility.

Why you must care about him: A profession qualifying ace, Carpenter was raised in Speedway, Indiana, because the stepson of former Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar boss Tony George, and step-grandson of Tony Hulman, the person who saved the racetrack after it had fallen into horrible disrepair throughout World Battle II.

Marcus Ericsson
No. 8
Hometown: Kumla, Sweden
Workforce: Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Pink prime half, white backside half, with alpine mountains painted on the nostril
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: He gained twice in 2021, however extra importantly, he’s sponsored by a Swedish chocolate drink, and it’s tremendous scrumptious. American Diary Affiliation Indiana Inc., the suppliers of the Victory Lane milk, do not make chocolate an possibility, to the chagrin of a number of drivers. Would Ericsson sneak some sponsor product into the normal milk jug? Indy traditionalists are nonetheless mad at Emerson Fittipaldi, who famously introduced a jug of orange juice into Victory Lane in 1993 to advertise his Brazilian juice enterprise.

Tony Kanaan
2013 Indy 500 winner
No. 1
Hometown: Salvador, Brazil
Workforce: Chip Ganassi Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Pink, white and blue with American Legion sponsorship for Memorial Day
Milk alternative if he wins: 2%

Why you must care about him: He was going to retire two years in the past, however modified his thoughts when Jimmie Johnson requested to share a automotive in 2021. Kanaan talked Johnson into operating the five hundred this yr after which recruited sufficient sponsorship so he may run it, too. When requested about retirement Thursday, the beloved 47-year-old Brazilian mentioned, “I do not know. I believed I already was retired. However clearly I am not, so I believe I’ll maintain going for a short while but.”

Row 3

Pato O’Ward
No. 5
Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Workforce: Arrow McLaren SP
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Darkish McLaren racing orange sidepods, with black nostril and prime and lightweight blue rear
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: Patricio O’Ward was born in Monterrey and raised in Mexico Metropolis. When he gained his IndyCar first pole place, he wore a customized sombrero that featured a brand created from his initials. Now Pato Sombreros are among the many greatest promoting souvenirs on IndyCar’s merchandise halfway.

Felix Rosenqvist
No. 7
Hometown: Vamamo, Sweden
Workforce: Arrow McLaren SP
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: McLaren racing orange sidepods, with inexperienced nostril and prime and lightweight blue rear
Milk alternative if he wins: 2%

Why you must care about him: If his identify did not tip you off to his Swedish-ness, maybe this can. He lists his interest as “competing in opposition to the clock when placing collectively furnishings from IKEA.”

Romain Grosjean
Indy 500 rookie
No. 28
Hometown: Geneva, Switzerland
Workforce: Andretti Autosport
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Yellow with rainbow trim
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: When you’re pondering, “Hey, is not that the man who crashed within the 2020 F1 seasons’ finale and got here strolling out of a raging inferno like a superhero?” then you definately could be right. He is that man, now nicknamed “The Phoenix.” After practically 200 F1 begins, he is now in IndyCar and making his Indy 500 debut. And sure, should you ask to see the scars from that fireside he’ll completely present them to you.

Row 4

Takuma Sato
2017, 2020 Indy 500 winner
No. 51
Hometown: Tokyo
Workforce: Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: White prime, purple and yellow sidepods
Milk alternative if he wins: 2%

Why you must care about him: His motto is “No assault, no probability.” He is making an attempt to change into the primary driver to win this race driving for 3 totally different groups.

Will Energy
2018 Indy 500 winner
No. 12
Hometown: Toowoomba, Australia
Workforce: Workforce Penske
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Orange nostril, crimson physique, purple rear finish
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire. He used to say “no choice” however acquired uninterested in the flak he caught for being noncommittal and at last made a decide.

Why you must care about him: His profession could be extra extensively heralded as one of many best ever seen — 40 wins (fifth all-time), 64 poles (2nd all-time), 2014 IndyCar champ and 2018 Indy 500 winner — however he has all the time suffered from a critical Scott Dixon overshadowing problem. A victory Sunday would give him one thing Dixon would not have, a second face on the Borg-Warner Trophy.

Jimmie Johnson
Indy 500 rookie
No. 48
Hometown: El Cajon, California
Workforce: Chip Ganassi Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Gentle blue with a yellow stripe down the backbone
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire, with the added notice: “Please be certain it is chilly.”

Why you must care about him: Sure, that is the man from NASCAR. A number of IndyCar legends have gained on NASCAR’s greatest phases — A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti and Johnny Rutherford come to thoughts — however no inventory automotive champ has ever crossed over the opposite method and gained IndyCar’s greatest race. Johnson is a 46-year-old rookie. You’ll be able to learn extra about his highway to Indy on this wonderful story written by a extremely good-looking ESPN senior author.

Row 5

David Malukas
Indy 500 rookie
No. 18
Hometown: Chicago
Workforce: Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: White with crimson and black middle stripes and sidepods
Milk alternative if he wins: 2%

Why you must care about him: As a result of he’s the American Dream. This Indy 500 rookie races underneath the flags of the USA and Lithuania. His dad and mom, Henry and Daiva, grew up underneath the flag of the Soviet Union, secretly watching films like “Karate Child” on a VCR and dreaming of shifting to America. As quickly the Iron Curtain fell, the newlyweds moved to the USA with out realizing a phrase of English. Henry grew to become a truck driver, ultimately shopping for his personal rig with money and now HMD (Henry, Malukas, Daiva) Trucking is a multimillion greenback enterprise.

Josef Newgarden
No. 2
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Workforce: Workforce Penske
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: White with thick gold stripes
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: He’s essentially the most profitable American-born IndyCar racer of the final decade, incomes 22 wins and a pair of sequence championships. The one lacking piece of his r´sum´ is a win within the 500. His greatest end was a third-place run in 2016, the yr earlier than he joined the Penske juggernaut.

Santino Ferrucci
No. 23
Hometown: Woodbury, Connecticut
Workforce: Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: A 3-layer paint scheme, black on prime, white within the center, and orange on the underside, like a Halloween Oreo
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire with an added request of “ice chilly”

Why you must care about him: Do you want edgy dudes? Do you know he as soon as acquired a wonderful for texting whereas driving a racecar? Do you know he acquired into hassle in F2 for wrecking a teammate throughout a postrace lap? He was parked by IndyCar officers for the final 20 minutes of Carb Day follow for inflicting an enormous crash. Additionally, have you ever seen his haircut?

Row 6

Simon Pagenaud
No. 60
Hometown: Montmorillon, France
Workforce: Meyer Shank Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Pink and black
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: The person is humorous. He and his spouse dwell in Charlotte the place they hang around with the NASCAR drivers who dwell round them. So, naturally he likes to cite Jean Girard, the French dangerous man from “Talladega Nights.”

JR Hildebrand
No. 11
Hometown: Sausalito, California
Workforce: A.J. Foyt Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Full-on American flag stars and stripes
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: We write this yearly, and it’s nonetheless very true. Do an online seek for “2011 Indy 500 end” and inform me you don’t need this man to win this race.

Conor Daly
No. 20
Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana
Workforce: Ed Carpenter Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Royal blue with gold trim
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: So many causes, from his mullet to his lineage because the son of longtime racer and motorsports broadcaster Derek Daly. However you may by no means love him as a lot as he loves EDM music. He is likely to be distracted by the happenings within the Flip 3 Snake Pit, the place DeadMaus, Steve Aoki and Galantis will probably be rocking throughout the race.

Row 7

Callum Ilott
Indy 500 rookie
No. 77
Hometown: Cambridge, England
Workforce: Juncos Hollinger Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: White with inexperienced cockpit and nostril trim, black rear quarter panels
Milk alternative if he wins: 2%

Why you must care about him: As a result of his identify is tremendous enjoyable to say, pronounced “CAL-um EYE-lot.”

Alexander Rossi
2016 Indy 500 winner
No. 27
Hometown: Nevada Metropolis, California
Workforce: Andretti Autosport
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Royal blue and gold
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: You would possibly acknowledge him because the surprising rookie winner of the 2016 Indy 500… or because the wild man who has been essentially the most thrilling loser of the race the previous few years… or from his stint on “The Wonderful Race” with fellow IndyCar racer Conor Daly.

Graham Rahal
No. 15
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
Workforce: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Darkish crimson backbone, blue sides, white nostril
Milk alternative if he wins: 2%

Why you must care about him: The son of 1986 winner Bobby Rahal is now a father himself. Daughter Harlan Ann was born to Graham and spouse, NHRA drag racing star Courtney Power, on Nov. 2, 2020.

Row 8

Sage Karam
No. 24
Hometown: Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Workforce: Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Gentle blue with white up the backbone and inside sidepods
Milk alternative if he wins: 2%

Why you must care about him: He has modeled for Saks fifth Avenue and Specific for Males. The blue of his automotive matches the colour of his eyes. For actual.

Marco Andretti
No. 98
Hometown: Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Workforce: Andretti Autosport
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Purple with mild blue nostril and white rear quarter panels
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire, with the added notice of “No orange juice.” See: What we taught you earlier about Emerson Fittipaldi.

Why you must care about him: The Andretti Curse. Grandfather Mario gained the 1969 Indy 500, and the household has been 0-for-ever since, together with numerous heartbreaks for Marco’s father, Michael. Marco is sick of listening to concerning the curse and, truthfully, we within the media corps are sick of writing about it. If he have been to win Sunday the grandstand celebration could be unhinged.

Devlin DeFrancesco
Indy 500 rookie
No. 29
Hometown: Toronto
Workforce: Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Yellow with orange trim
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire with an added request for chocolate (they do not try this, sadly)

Why you must care about him: Sure, that Steinbrenner identify is the Steinbrenner household who owns the New York Yankees, co-owed by the grandson of legendary MLB proprietor George. This yr George IV has been on the racetrack much less as he has began to maneuver right into a entrance workplace job with the Yankees.

Row 9

Colton Herta
No. 26
Hometown: Valencia, California
Workforce: Andretti Autosport
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Black and gold with blue trim
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire, once more with a request for chocolate, however once more, they do not try this

Why you must care about him: He is extensively considered the face and way forward for American-born open wheel racers, a lot in order that on the F1 Miami GP earlier this month his identify was talked about in paddock practically as a lot as those that have been within the race. Mentioned Mario Andretti in Miami: “If an American goes to make it work in Method One, I imagine will probably be him.”

Scott McLaughlin
No. 3
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
Workforce: Workforce Penske
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Tremendous-bright yellow
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: His experience is essentially the most legendary within the discipline. The old-fashioned Pennzoil “Yellow Submarine” paint job was first made well-known within the 1970’s by three-time Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford, and was then piloted by four-time victors Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves. So, no stress, proper? A minimum of he has Mears as his mentor.

Helio Castroneves
2001, 2002, 2009, 2021 Indy 500 winner
No. 06
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Workforce: Meyer Shank Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Black prime, darkish pink (or is darkish purple?) sidepods
Milk alternative if he wins: 2% plus “pink powder, please”

Why you must care about him: After spending a dozen years caught on three Indy 500 wins, @H3lio lastly joined the Speedway’s most prestigious membership to face alongside A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears as four-time winners. One other win and he’ll begin an much more unique membership, of 1.

Row 10

Kyle Kirkwood
Indy 500 rookie
No. 14
Hometown: Jupiter, Florida
Workforce: A.J. Foyt Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: Black
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire with an added “ice chilly, please”

Why you must care about him: Are you pissed off as a result of social media firms will not provide you with a blue checkmark? Effectively, Kirkwood is the reigning Indy Lights champion, drives A.J. Foyt’s legendary No. 14 and is making his first Indy 500 begin and simply this week was rejected for verification. He responded: “I believe Twitter and Instagram are simply teaming up in opposition to me.”

Dalton Kellett
No. 4
Hometown: Toronto
Workforce: A.J. Foyt Racing
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: White with mild aqua blue nostril and black rear wing
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire with notice “recent, chilly milk”

Why you must care about him: He’s donating each single greenback he makes from merchandise gross sales to assist the households of the varsity taking pictures in Uvalde, Texas.

Juan Pablo Montoya
No. 6
2000, 2015 Indy 500 winner
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Workforce: Arrow McLaren SP
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: White fading into mild blue with grey rear quarters
Milk alternative if he wins: No choice, however wrote in “chocolate” as he does yearly (he says it pictures higher)

Why you must care about him: By no means one for lots of emotion (until it is anger), he was brazenly emotional when he gained his second Indy 500 in 2015, admitting that he hadn’t appreciated his first win in 2000 like he ought to have. A victory this weekend would make him simply the sixth member of the Three-Timers membership.

Row 11

Christian Lundgaard
Indy 500 rookie
No. 30
Hometown: Hendensted, Denmark
Workforce: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: White with mild gold and royal blue trim
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: He is the primary Denmark-born racer to run the Indy 500. Additionally, he makes lasagna from scratch, like makes the noodles and every part, which truthfully is likely to be simply as spectacular as driving a racecar 230 mph.

Jack Harvey
No. 45
Hometown: Bassingham, England
Workforce: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Engine: Honda
Automobile coloration: Black with shiny orange lettering
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: This man is a Star Wars geek of the very best order, even unveiling a Star Wars-themed helmet for Sunday’s race as he famous “This week was the forty fifth anniversary of Star Wars being launched and I am driving automotive quantity 45, so I am simply saying…” And sure, he acquired up early on Carb Day to observe the primary two episodes of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” on Disney Plus.

Stefan Wilson
No. 25
Hometown: Sheffield, UK
Workforce: DragonSpeed/Cusick Motorsports
Engine: Chevy
Automobile coloration: White midsection, black sidepods, crimson center stripe
Milk alternative if he wins: Entire

Why you must care about him: Barely made the sector and did so by way of some epic monetary and political scrambling, placing collectively his experience earlier this month. It was very old style and in addition very demanding. Defined the 32-year-old Brit: “It was like being on ‘Survivor.’ However if you wish to make your desires come true, you’ve do the work.”