But will one of these drivers “Not look Like the
Others” following this Sunday?
Here’s what’s hopefully a Quick look at the
seven “Extras” comprising this year’s Indianapolis 500’s 34 Car field.
As will it be one of these seven drivers, or
somebody else Not making the 107th Running on Sunday, May 28th?
Marco Andretti
Age: 36, DOB: 3/13/87
#98, Andretti Herta Autosport
with Marco Andretti and Curb-Agajanian
2006 Indianapolis 500 and Indy
Racing League Rookie Of the Year
2020 Indianapolis 500 Pole Winner
Although Marco’s become the proverbial “Fifth
Wheel” at Andretti Autosport, having switched to “One Off” IndyCar status in
2021. Nonetheless, you’d have to Arse-sume that Marco will once again safely
Qualify for His 18th Indy 500. Especially since theoretically He’s got six
other drivers Data to rely upon.
Whilst Marco’s
definitely vaulted to P1 for longest Team Name, ahead of Dale Coyne and His
various Alphabet Soup Brigades, Hya!
Ed Carpenter
Age: 42, DOB: 3/3/81
#33, Ed Carpenter Racing
Three times Indianapolis 500 Pole
winner: 2013-14, 2018
Like many, I tend to believe that Fast Eddie’s
better days of driving are behind Him. Yet who am I to tell Ed Carpenter what
to do? Especially since He’s the Team Owner. And I believe Ed will be making
His 20th start this May, as He continues His Ovals Only racing program.
Pretty certain that Ed made the Top-12 Shootout
for Pole last year, and the ECR cars are always fast at Mother Speedway, albeit
it’s been ECR teammate Rinus VeeKay who’s been the top starter of the team
recently.
R. C. Enerson
Age: 26, DOB: 3/6/97
#50, Abel Motorsports
Richard Clayton “R. C.” Enerson is the only
rookie of these seven drivers, hoping to be one of potentially four rookies in
this year’s field. As R. C. has made a total of five IndyCar starts overall,
and attempted making His first Indianapolis 500 in 2021 with Top gun Racing. Which
unfortunately was an uphill struggle for this Minnowesqe, underfunded race team
that ultimately saw Enerson as the slowest driver all of that May.
Yet I feel much more confident about this year’s
entry with Abel Motorsports who seem to be putting together a quality entry. And
expect R. C. to qualify this year, meaning somebody else’s going Home…
http://www.nofenders.net/2023/04/indy-500-can-abel-motorsports-bump-its.html
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Age: 42, DOB: 12/17/80
#23, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
2008 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar
Series Rookie Of the Year
2014 Indianapolis 500 Winner
When I think of whom I called Bully-Ray’ for
many years, before becoming simply “the Dude!” For Mwah, Hunter-Reay’s synonymous
with the No. 28 Andretti Autosport Banana
yellow DHL car, which we know is now occupied by Romain Grosjean…
Hunter-Reay’s not raced an IndyCar since the
2021 Long Beach season finale, His 239th IndyCar start. And I’ve got
Zero clue of what colour scheme or sponsorship livery He’s running this year at
DRR. Yet ryan didn’t have any troubles with His IMS refresher course, and
finished P14 on the time sheets during this year’s IMS Open test.
As I’ll expect Hunter-Reay to make His 16th
Indy 500 start, but don’t expect Him to win, while I’d Ars-sume a Top-10 finish
is possible.
Tony Kanaan
Age: 48, DOB: 12/31/74
#66, Arrow McLaren
2005 Indianapolis 500 Pole Winner
13 Indianapolis 500 Winner
What can I scribble about TK’ that hasn’t
already been said? Other than I do like the symmetry of TK’ retiring ten years
after His Indy 500 victory.
As Tony
promises this is His last, last, last Indianapolis 500 race! And His last
IndyCar start, Honest! For which I’ll Hope that the Fan favourite Brazilian
goes out on top! Although it’ll be hard to replicate last year’s third place
finish. Since after all, Kanaan’s the fourth “Arrow” in Arrow McLaren’s “Quiver”.
But it will be interesting to see who comes out P1 for the team this May. And
it sounds like Tony’s at least got a very good looking racecar for His 22nd and
final outing at Mother Speedway, where Tony says He’ll be Crying like a Baby
come race day!
Katherine Legge
Age: 42, DOB: 7/12/80
#44, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Seems like a really, really long time since I
got whom I affectionately call thy Leggy Juan’s autograph as a Champ car rookie
at Portland International raceway Wayback’ in Gory 2006!
As I guess one could stay that Katherine’s had
a star crossed career, having driven a multitude of racing cars over the
decades. Having made Her first Indianapolis 500 start in 2012 for Jay Penske’s
Dragonspeed outfit before being unceremoniously Dumped by Jay! And then Her
second and final Indy 500 start to date came a decade ago when driving for
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, with finishes of 22nd and 26th respectively.
And although Katherine finished towards the
bottom of the Time sheets during the Open test. I’ve got no idea what She or
the team were working on that day? As Katherine and Linus Lundqvist tested at Texas
Motor Speedway the day following this year’s race in order to help RLLR get “sorted”
for Indy this May. As I’d like to Arse-sume that as RLLR’s fourth entry She’ll get
similar equipment to the team’s three primary drivers. And I’d like to believe
that Legge will qualify and make Her third start at Mother Speedway later this
month.
Stefan Wilson
Age: 33, DOB: 9/20/89
#24, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick
Motorsports
As we All know, Stefan Stork’ Wilson is the
younger brother of the late, Justin Big Unit’ Wilson. Whose struggled to find
the necessary “Backing” to enable a Fulltime IndyCar career.
Stefan will be attempting to make His fifth
Indianapolis 500 start, having found an enthusiastic “Backer” in don Cusick,
who’s funded Stefan’s last few years Indy 500 rides.
Stefan finished sixth during this April’s IMS Open test, and hopefully these results will carry over for this year’s event. Although I Don’t expect Stefan to win. His best finish to date is 15th in 2018. When needing to Pit for Fuel with four laps remaining while leading the race. As I’ll expect Stefan to safely make the field this weekend…
