Indy 500 Schedule: When to Watch Premier Racing Event of Season

    Rob GoldbergFeatured ColumnistMay 23, 2013

    INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 19: Dario Franchitti of Scotland, driver of the #10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, practices ahead of Bump Day qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 19, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
    Jamie Squire/Getty Images

    If there is one racing event you do not want to miss a second of, it's the Indianapolis 500.

    This year's race features a few rookies making their first appearance in the field attempting to compete with experienced veterans. Among those veterans is Dario Franchitti, who is looking to defend his title after winning this event last year.

    Still, any of the 33 competitors in this race are capable of getting the checkered flag and earning their spot in history.

    It is certain to be a fantastic event, so check out this guide to make sure you are completely prepared for the action.

     

    Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    When: Sunday, May 26

    Watch: ABC

    TV Coverage Start Time: 11 a.m. ET

    Race Start Time: 12:12 p.m. ET

    Total Laps: 200

     

    Lineup (via Indycar.com)

    Pos. Driver Car No.
    1 Ed Carpenter 20
    2 Carlos Munoz 26
    3 Marco Andretti 25
    4 E.J. Viso 5
    5 A.J. Allmendinger 2
    6 Will Power 12
    7 Ryan Hunter-Reay 1
    8 Helio Castroneves 3
    9 James Hinchcliffe 27
    10 J.R. Hildebrand 4
    11 Alex Tagliani 98
    12 Tony Kanaan 11
    13 Oriol Servia 22
    14 Justin Wilson 19
    15 Sebastien Bourdais 7
    16 Scott Dixon 9
    17 Dario Franchitti 10
    18 Takuma Sato 14
    19 Charlie Kimball 83
    20 James Jakes 16
    21 Simon Pagenaud 77
    22 Townsend Bell 60
    23 Ryan Briscoe 8
    24 Simona de Silvestro 78
    25 Josef Newgarden 21
    26 Graham Rahal 15
    27 Sebastian Saavedra 6
    28 Tristian Vautier 55
    29 Ana Beatriz 18
    30 Pippa Mann 63
    31 Conor Daly 41
    32 Buddy Lazier 91
    33 Katherine Legge 81

     

    Top Storylines

    Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti Go for Four

    Only three drivers in history have ever won the Indy 500 four times in their careers. This exclusive club includes only Rick Mears, Al Unser and A.J. Foyt.

    Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti each have a chance to join this group with three wins already on their resumes. Franchitti has won the event in two of the past three years.

    However, neither has a good starting position, which could end up being a problem in this race. Still, these men have proved the ability to overcome an average start to win the long race.

     

    Ed Carpenter Tries to Make a Name for Himself

    Very rarely has Ed Carpenter made headlines as a driver. He has only two wins in his entire career and only a handful of top-five finishes.

    However, he has a great opportunity ahead of him after winning pole position in the race. The qualifying winner has gone on to win the Indy 500 an impressive 20 times in 96 years, which is almost twice as often as any other spot.

    Good things happen from that starting position, so Carpenter needs to make sure he takes advantage of this and stays ahead of the pack for as long as possible.

     

    Marco Andretti Carries on the Family Name

    Virtually every racing fan knows about Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti, but it is now Marco's time to shine on the race track.

    So far this season, he is second in points behind Takuma Sato. A win at the Indianapolis 500 will go a long way toward putting him to the top of the standings.

    Andretti starts in the first row as the No. 3 qualifier and he has an excellent chance to turn that into a win. With his skill on the track, he is clearly one of the favorites entering this race.