by Lynne Huntting


The precipitation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway stopped around 10 am and the track began to dry, helped by the warm weather, breezes and multiple vehicles making laps and sweeping the circuit prior to the 1:10 pm start of the 91st Indianapolis 500. The sun came out and played hide and seek. It was definitely slickers off and on with the sun-block and shades.

The pit lane was jammed, mostly with fans who had bought the necessary credentials to get them to this hallowed area. All the 33 cars had cleared Technical Inspection and were busy setting up, practicing pit stops and generally making ready. The drivers were all at the track. Despite many helicopters flying in and out of the track behind the Infield Medical Centre, many of the drivers stayed overnight at the track in their own motor homes, even those who live in town. Others drove themselves to the track, some with a police escort, some braving traffic on their own. The choppers were mostly bringing VIP's.

Pace cars took various celebrities around the track, the most popular being the Honorary Starter, PEYTON MANNING 2007 Super Bowl MVP, wearing #18 for the Indianapolis Colts. Everyone who watched him as guest host on Saturday Night Live, including PATRICK DEMPSEY, said he was one of the best and funniest hosts ever. Dempsey liked him so much he'd like to put Manning in his latest film. Dempsey admitted to being intimidated by Manning, because 'he's so tall'.

Manning got the biggest roar during driver introductions, more than any driver. The most popular drivers, based on my subjective, albeit hearing-deprived listening to the crowd, were SARAH FISHER/#5 AAMCO/Dreyer & Reinbold Dallara and DAVEY HAMILTON/#02 Vision Racing Dallara. Also garnering large cheers were father and son Andretti, MICHAEL and MARCO-Andretti Green Racing Dallara; pole sitter HELIO CASTRONEVES/#3 Team Penske Dallara, last year's Indy 500 winner, SAM HORNISH Jr/#6 Team Penske Dallara and DANICA PATRICK/#7 Andretti Green Racing Dallara.

Manning was also remembered in the invocation when all the drivers and Manning were blessed. The Reverend must be an Indy Colts fan.

Everyone was good to go, except the polesitter - Castroneves. He had a hiccup on the pre-grid and the field left without him. He started and played catch-up, quickly driving down the pitlane and resuming his pole position behind Corvette Pace Car driven by PATRICK DEMPSEY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... START YOUR ENGINES!