Indy 500 Seeing Large Amount Of Buzz For First Time In Long Time

The 92nd Indianapolis 500 will be run Sunday, and some of the "sizzle seems to be returning to the venerable Brickyard," according to Bill Coats of the ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. The race will mark the first time since '95 that "all of the top teams and drivers in American open-wheel racing" will participate in the event. Wins earlier this season by IRL drivers Danica Patrick and Graham Rahal "are fueling increased interest" in the sport, and TV ratings are up compared to previous seasons. Penske Racing Owner Roger Penske: "A lot of people have been bruised because of the split, and now I'm seeing some momentum. I don't think this is going to be a rocket going off overnight, but I think there's a lot of positive comments." Patrick said, "I see no reason to not expect continued growth. I think that you would be cheating yourself if you didn't think that it was going to be bigger" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/22). In Detroit, Angelique Chengelis wrote under the header, "Indy 500 Gains Momentum With Open-Wheel Merger." The event "has its edge back" (DETROIT NEWS, 5/22). Chicagoland Speedway President Matt Alexander: "It seems like momentum is going in the right direction and hopefully, the (Indy) 500 can get back to where it was 10, 15 years ago" ("Chicago Tribune Live," CSN Chicago, 5/22). Patrick: "This is the biggest race in the world, the Indy 500, so it's natural that there's a lot of attention on it and there's a lot of stories" (CNBC, 5/22).

Many Feel Rahal Can Help Rejuvenate Buzz Around Indy 500

THREE FOR THE MONEY: In Toronto, Dean McNulty wrote if there "ever was a 'perfect storm' to bring back Indy car racing to the mainstream North American sports consciousness," it is with IRL drivers Patrick, Rahal and Marco Andretti. Rahal Letterman Racing co-Owner Bobby Rahal said that the IRL "has to seize the moment if it wants to get back to the top." Rahal: "The series, the sponsors, have to promote the drivers for it to get back to the place that it once was and perhaps hopefully go beyond" (TORONTO SUN, 5/18). NBCSPORTS.com's David Sweet wrote the Indy 500 is "starting to recoup its lost greatness." It is the "new breed of race-car drivers like" Graham Rahal who "many believe will put the Indy 500 back on track, rejuvenating the nearly century-old event." If Patrick, Rahal or Andretti wins Sunday's race, there is "no doubt that the Indy 500 ... will be on its way to recapturing the glory that never should have been tossed aside" (NBCSPORTS.com, 5/22). In Edmonton, Terry Jones wrote if there is "one driver, other than Danica Patrick, perhaps, who would do the most good for the future of the merged Champ Car-IRL series ... Graham Rahal would be it." He has the "magic last name," and auto racing fans "love family traditions" (EDMONTON SUN, 5/22).

Patrick Winning At Indy Would Be Watershed Moment For IRL

DANICA IN REAL LIFE: In L.A., Larry Stewart writes of Patrick's performance at Sunday's race, "It's like Big Brown in the June 7 Belmont [Stakes]. It's just about all that matters to the average viewer" (L.A. TIMES, 5/23). FOXSPORTS.com's Ian O'Connor wrote if Patrick already is a "big, big star, a triumph in one of America's signature sporting events will send her celebrity soaring at the speed of sound." A win would give Patrick a "platform not enjoyed by a female athlete since Billie Jean King walked through the Astrodome door and reduced Bobby Riggs to a pathetic unforced error." If Patrick wins Sunday's race, it "would be as off-the-charts significant as Lorena Ochoa someday winning the Masters" (FOXSPORTS.com, 5/21). USA TODAY's Nate Ryan writes the current "positive headlines would be nothing, however, compared with the publicity if the sport's most popular driver were to take the traditional swig of milk as the winner of its most famous race" (USA TODAY, 5/23). In DC, Tarik El-Bashir writes a win "would not only benefit Patrick, it would also be a boon for the IndyCar Series." IRL Communications Division President Terry Angstadt: "To have a female win, that would be absolutely massive for us" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/23). CBSSPORTS.com's Pete Pistone: "An Indianapolis win by Danica would probably mean the world to the entire sport" (CBSSPORTS.com, 5/22). Patrick and IRL driver Helio Castroneves appeared Friday morning on ABC's "GMA" to promote the race ("GMA," ABC, 5/23).

Castroneves' "Dancing With The Stars" Appearance Still Helping Draw In New Fans To IRL

DANCE TO THE MUSIC: In Denver, Jim Benton wrote the Indy 500 is "hip" again in part because Castroneves "created more awareness for open-wheel racing" by winning ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 5/22). IRL Founder Tony George said of Castroneves' "DWTS" win, "There were a lot of people who don't watch IndyCar who might be tuning into us this year, not because of Danica but because of Helio." Meanwhile, USA TODAY's Ryan, in a separate piece, notes a "bevy of celebrities will attend Sunday's race because of Castroneves." Singer/dancer Julianne Hough, Castroneves' dance partner on the show, will perform the national anthem, while fellow "DWTS" competitor Wayne Newton will "cheer from the pits." Castroneves also invited Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner after meeting him at Super Bowl XLII (USA TODAY, 5/23). Meanwhile, gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, who earlier this week won this season's edition of "DWTS," will be the celebrity race starter. Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., who competed against Castroneves on "DWTS," was scheduled to start the race but pulled out due to a death in his family (L.A. TIMES, 5/23).

ONWARD & UPWARD: IMS will celebrate its Centennial Era from '09-2011 by recognizing 100 years of worldwide leadership in motorsports. A new Centennial Era logo will draw elements from 1909, '34 and '61 in a historic motif. IMS in February will host a Centennial Gala in downtown Indianapolis and a Balloon Festival next May will commemorate the speedway's first competitive event, a gas-filled balloon race (IMS). Meanwhile, George, who also owns the track, said that he "hopes the return of [F1] to the track can be part of the festivities." George: "If not next year then maybe in 2010. We haven't spent any time with it lately, but we've done some spade work identifying potential sponsors" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 5/23).

NOT SO FAST: In N.Y., Richard Huff wrote there is "not much reason to care about the Indianapolis 500. Fact is, there hasn't been much reason to care about the race for years." The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 will be the "best race Sunday." Without Patrick, there "would be no nationwide story in the Indianapolis 500" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 5/21).