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2016 Indy 500: Why the 100th running is so significant

By The Sports Xchange
Josef Newgarden displays the American flag during the traditional front row photo session for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Newgarden will start second on the starting grid. Photo by Ed Locke/UPI
1 of 7 | Josef Newgarden displays the American flag during the traditional front row photo session for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Newgarden will start second on the starting grid. Photo by Ed Locke/UPI | License Photo

INDIANAPOLIS -- IndyCar Series drivers Josef Newgarden, who starts second in Sunday's Indianapolis 500, was recently asked about the hype surrounding the 100th running of the event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Newgarden politely offered to allow another driver to win this 500.

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"If," he said with stipulation, "you can guarantee me an Indy 500 win sometime in my career, I'll take that. Just give me one. It can be the 105th if that's what it takes."

Of course, Newgarden and the other 32 drivers in Sunday's field are stoked to win this event like few others, and the chance to win this one is on everyone's mind.

IMS officials have announced a complete sellout, a first in the history of the event. Eighteen temporary suites have been built, the infield crowd could swell to 100,000, and the historic venue figures to have a record-setting spotlight on it.

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With a full house approaching 350,000 people, IMS has even gone to the extent of allowing ABC's live television broadcast to air live throughout Central Indiana, something that hasn't happened since 1950.

The storylines abound, too.

James Hinchcliffe

James Hinchcliffe will start in the Pole Position in the 100th Indianapolis 500, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 23, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI
A year ago, driver James Hinchcliffe was battling life-threatening blood loss from a crash in Turn 3 during post-qualifying practice - a broken suspension piece was driven through his upper left thigh.

Now, the Canadian is the pole sitter for this significant race, something he hopes will keep him from answering questions about his injury -- at least for a while.

"I get it, (the crash) was a big deal; it was a big deal to me, too, and I understand that and really appreciate that people wanted to hear the story, wanted to tell the story for me," he said. "But then you're coming back to this place and you want to focus on the here and now and not remember or focus on hitting the wall at 125 Gs.

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"So there was definitely a point where it's like, 'Hey, is there anything else you want to talk about? Let's lead with that and kind of see where we go from there.'"

Had Hinchcliffe not delivered a stirring run on pole day last weekend, the field's front row would have been red, white and blue for the first time since 2001. Newgarden hails from Hendersonville, Tenn., a Nashville suburb. Starting on the outside of the row is 2014 race winner Ryan Hunter-Reay of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In fourth is Townsend Bell of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Team Penske

Roger Penske congratulates his driver 3 time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves after qualifying forth fastest during round 1 qualifications for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Photo by Ed Locke/UPI after
Normally, the 500's attention starts on Team Penske, which has won a record 16 500s, including last year's race with Juan Pablo Montoya holding off teammate Will Power by a final margin of 0.1046 seconds. This year, none of Roger Penske's drivers start higher than sixth, but they're still among the favorites to win.
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Helio Castroneves could join Rick Mears as a Team Penske driver with four wins in the 500, and he starts ninth. Alongside the Brazilian is Penske's fourth driver, Simon Pagenaud, who has won the past three IndyCar Series races for a commanding 83-point series lead heading into this double-points race.

Chip Ganassi Racing

Scott Dixon 2008 Indy 500 winner exits the third turn during practice for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Dixon was 5th quick at 226.835 MPH. Photo by Bill Coons/UPI
Chip Ganassi Racing also is a race favorite, with five Indy wins to its credit. But its drivers have struggled even more than Penske's, and the common denominator is Chevrolet, which at a minimum has lost much of its advantage over rival Honda on this track. A Honda won the pole here for the first time since 2011 when it powered all the cars.

Ganassi's foursome -- Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Charlie Kimball and rookie Max Chilton -- have mostly been second-tier in practice, although they occupied the second, third and sixth positions in Monday's final full-scale session.

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The Andretti family

Marco Andretti awaits the green light to start practice for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 16, 2016. Andretti set fastest time of 228.978 MPH Photo by Ed Locke/UPI
Marco Andretti is one of several sons of former drivers in this race. His grandfather, Mario, won in 1969, but that isn't the only significant historical connection. Graham Rahal's father, Bobby, won the 500 in 1986 -- 30 years ago. Rookie Matthew Brabham is following his father (Geoff) and grandfather (Sir Jack) into this race. Brabham will start 27th, one position behind Rahal.

Racers to Watch

Pippa Mann suits up to begin day 3 practice on May 18, 2016. Photo by Ed Locke/UPI
Alexander Rossi is the highest-starting rookie in the 11th spot, and he's had a good month with Andretti Autosport, which has Hunter-Reay starting third, Bell fourth, Carlos Munoz fifth and Marco Andretti 14th.

Rookie Stefan Wilson has the 30th spot, but he had hoped to make his 500 debut with his brother, Justin, who died last August after being struck by debris in IndyCar's race at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. Spencer Pigot is the other rookie in this field, Rahal's teammate starting in the 29th position.

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Pippa Mann is the lone woman in this race, and she will start 25th.

One of her three Dale Coyne Racing teammates is Conor Daly, whose father (Derek) and stepfather (Doug Boles) have significant IMS connections. Derek is a former driver; Boles is the track president.

Mikhail Aleshin (starting seventh) adds a Russian flair to this race -- he is one of Hinchcliffe's teammates -- but from all parts of the world are desires to win the 500.

This year, next year or even the 105th.

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