2004 Indy Preview

Tomorrow is the 88th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Who will win, who won’t and what is going to happen from the drop of the green flag until the checkers wave? It’s one of the most wide open races in some time, but I’ll try to make some sense of what may occur. Here’s what we do know. Buddy Rice in a G-Force/Honda is on the pole. The Rahal/Letterman entry pulled it all together on Pole Day to surprise most everyone and grab the top spot. We also know that Honda dominated qualifying and really most of the month as far as he speed charts go. Julio is the top qualifying Toyota. As far as chassis are concerned both G-Force and Dallara were about even with each placing 3 in the top 6 and 4 in the top 8. Carb Day failed to produce any revelations. Some people think that Toyota is setting up for the race, but I believe Honda is just ahead of them right now. Seems like they were a little embarrassed last year and have come out this year with a vengeance. For what it is worth, Tomas Scheckter is the top qualifying Chevrolet engine in 10th. The bow tie just isn’t able to compete with the Japanese. All of that aside there are about 13 or 14 drivers who could win the race. First of all Buddy Rice is a good driver and he does get that first shot at the lead in turn 1. Dario Franchitti and Dan Weldon will both be giving hard chase. Of course the other Andretti Green guys have a solid shot to win. Tony Kanaan is just so solid and Bryan Herta is a good one too. Penske drivers Julio and Horny both know how to win and Penske is always ready for Indy; well except for 1995. But they have been a bit down on speed after leading the way in the April open test. Don’t count them out though. Probably the biggest disappointment in qualifying was Target Chip Ganassi. Drivers Scott Dixon and Darren Manning start 13th and 15th respectively. I still like their chances in the long race though. Bruno Junqueira from the Newman Haas team qualified a solid 4th and will be a real threat to win. Also Adrian Fernandez seems to have reconciled his IRL existence and has been very fast this month. Further back in the pack there are a couple of drivers who could surprise. Lot of people really like Robby Gordon’s chances, but I don’t think he is smart enough to win it. Greg Ray didn’t get much track time, but he knows his way around the track and has a very fast car. So with these guys having chance to win, who will? I think it will be one of the Andretti Green guys and in fact I look for Tony Kanaan to win it. Let’s just hope we have a good race and get it in before the weather turns ugly!