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.