There is rarely a shortage of high-octane drama on the sprawling four-kilometre oval.
But the 102nd edition of the Indy 500 hints of something truly memorable, with Danica Patrick contesting her final race, charismatic Brazilian Hélio Castroneves seeking a record-equalling fourth win, and local hero Ed Carpenter chasing glory from pole.
For a time, girl power was all the rage at the Brickyard, with four women sprinkled through the 33-car starting grids in 2010, 2011, and 2013.
But this year, Patrick will carry the flag alone in what will be the final race of a ground-breaking career.
The only woman to win an IndyCar race and start from pole at the Daytona 500, Patrick announced her retirement last November.
As far as swansongs go, February’s Daytona 500 was a bust ending in a wreck, but the Indy offers the 36-year-old a chance of something special.
As ‘Queen of the Brickyard’, the race has produced most of Patrick’s career highlights and made her one of North America’s most recognisable athletes.
Her third-place finish in 2009 remains the best ever result by a woman, and her Speedway resume also includes a fourth on debut in 2005 and sixth in 2006.
“What I will remember most will be my first Indy 500. I hope I will remember my last one even more,” Patrick said. “That would be my goal.”
“But the first Indy 500 is what I will remember most, the most defining time in my career and the most fond memories.”
Castroneves, who has moved over to race sports cars for Roger Penske and no longer competes full-time on the IndyCar series, also made his name at the Brickyard.
In more than a century of racing at the famed speedway, only three men — A. J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr, and Rick Mears — have finished the 500 on Victory Lane four times and with a win on Sunday, Castroneves would become the first non-American to join that exclusive club.
As much joy as the Indy 500 has brought him, it has also produced plenty of heartbreak, with three runner-up finishes, including last year when he crossed 0.201 seconds behind Japan’s Takuma Sato.
“You can see people want to be part of history, their wish is my wish, it would be a dream come true,” said Castroneves.
“To have an opportunity to race the Indy 500 it could not be better it would be great to get another one and give the fans number four as well.”
Castroneves is part of the powerhouse Team Penske stable which boasts an all-star lineup of IndyCar Series champions.
American Josef Newgarden (2017) Frenchman Simon Pagenaud (2016), and Australian Will Power (2014) will all be trying to give ‘The Captain’ Roger Penske a 17th trip to Victory Lane.
Pagenaud, Power, and Newgarden will line up behind Carpenter, while Castroneves qualified eighth and will launch his bid from the middle of row three, sandwiched between Patrick and 2008 winner Scott Dixon.
Carpenter has started from pole three times, but there has been no hometown magic. He has cracked the top 10 only three times in 14 races.
“It is a career defining race and something that changes your life forever,” said Carpenter.
“It would certainly be fun to be able to be do it and celebrate with the hometown fans.”