New format brings back Indy thrills
Friday, May 16, 2008
The other 22 starting positions for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 are up for grabs this weekend, and if Mother Nature decides to cooperate, one of the most competitive fields in more than a decade will be set.
If not, then there may be some scrambling for track time next week.
Extras
Had the old qualifying format been in place, chances are most of the 500 field would've been filled. That would've left just the back rows to fill this weekend.
But that wouldn't have made Pole Day as exciting as it was last Saturday. With drivers eschewing their spots in the top-11 fastest in order to try once again to unseat Scott Dixon as the fastest qualifier, the excitement that hasn't been felt during qualifying in several years was there once again.
On Sunday, Bump Day should be fun as well. My forecast for slowest qualifier is — drum roll, please — Roger Yasukawa!
Henderson on TV
Legends series driver Sloan Henderson of Franklin will be featured in a sports story on FOX 45 and ABC 22 on Monday, May 19. There's always the possibility that his story could get bumped for late-breaking news, but I'm told the story would still run sometime next week.
Dream tickets are hot
Tickets for the fourth annual Prelude to a Dream on June 4 at Eldora Speedway are going fast. Eldora officials report less than a few thousand general admission tickets remain.
Defending champ Carl Edwards will be joined by Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte, J.J. Yeley, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Dave Blaney, David Reutimann, Robby Gordon, Aric Almirola, Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon, Ray Evernham, Red Farmer, Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace.
Tri-State Sunday
Eight of the 11 scheduled Sunday events at Tri-State Dragway have been rained out this year. So, if it's washed out this week, don't be surprised.
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Qualifying starts at 10 with elimination rounds set for 1 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults and crew, kids under 11 get in free.
