Indy 500 preview

Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 9:09 pm

Indy 500 preview, Graham Rahal’s first Indy 500 last year didn’t end well.

Rahal started 13th and ran just 36 laps before smacking the wall hard in Turn 4. He finished 33rd and learned some valuable lessons about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Today, Rahal, 20, will start the race from fourth spot. He’s a lot smarter now, perhaps faster and could emulate his father, Bobby, who won the 500 in 1986.

Rahal is in good company in Row 2. On his outside are Scott Dixon, last year’s race winner, and Tony Kanaan, who is always a threat at Indy. They’re veterans and won’t make mistakes.

If Rahal keeps out of trouble early, watch for a strong performance from the young man from New Albany, Ohio.

Australian Will Power, who starts ninth, is another who will put pressure on more-favored drivers like teammates Helio Castroneves, who is on pole, and Ryan Briscoe, who starts second.

Power finished a tidy 13th in the 500 in 2008. He is a laid-back individual who lets his driving do the talking. He subbed early in the year for Castroneves and has impressed Penske Racing brass with his work ethic and skill.

Though Castroneves and Danica Patrick will be today’s crowd favorites, Rahal and Power could sneak in the back door and finish up front.

Of course, a Patrick victory would be the biggest story of the day, with Castroneves, fresh from his win in court, a close second.

Dixon and Dario Franchitti, who starts third, will be tough, and Marco Andretti and Dan Wheldon are also strong contenders.

But, at the end of the day, don’t be surprised to see baby-faced Rahal drinking the milk.

Source www.freep.com

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Indy 500 preview

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