It's almost May, the month that finally brings summer weather, Mother's Day, and … the Indianapolis 500. Expect the mainstream media to take a greater interest in The Greatest Spectacle in Racing this year.
The reason? Carryover from last year's race and the strong showing of Danica Patrick. Patrick became the first woman to lead the race, but, because of concerns about having enough fuel, had to settle for a fourth place finish, the same spot from where she started. Englishman Dan Wheldon was the winner. Patrick's starting and finishing spots were best ever for a woman.
The hoopla over Patrick's performance led to an ironic T-shirt worn by Wheldon at a race later in the season. The shirt said "I really did win the Indy 500." That, I'm sure, was news to a lot of people.
Since then, Patrick has gotten married and written her autobiography, called "Danica Patrick: Crossing the Line." It's due for release during preparations for the 500.
In an Associated Press story this week, she recognizes the irony of completing an autobiography at the tender age of 23. But, as they say, you have to "Make hay while the sun shines."
How will she do in this year's race? ESPN commentator Rusty Wallace, the former NASCAR star, thinks she has a good chance of doing well. However, his expectation for the winner is a man.
Wallace is basing his prediction on results of the Indy Racing League race held last weekend in Japan.
Wallace's pick is Helio Castroneves. He said the event at Motegi, Japan is the best indicator for the coming race in Indianapolis. Wheldon won at Motegi last year, prior to his Indy 500 victory.
This year in the Land of the Rising Sun, Castroneves, driving for Marlboro Team Penske, dominated by recording fastest times in both practice sessions and leading 184 laps of the 200 lap race.
However, Wallace points out that Patrick's showing was impressive, too. There was rain in Motegi on qualifying day, so the cars' starting positions were based on points. That put Patrick 14th on the grid. Her Rahal-Letterman team had missed the Homestead season opener … withdrawing after the death of teammate Paul Dana in the race day morning practice session, so she already was down on points.
But she finished in eighth place and her lap speeds during the race, according to Wallace were close to 198 mph, almost the same as those of winner Castroneves.
The 500, taking place as it does on Memorial Day weekend, traditionally takes its history into account, with inductions into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame held during May.
This year the inductees are former 500 winner Pat Flaherty and former team owner Al Dean. The induction ceremony is set for May 20th during the annual Oldtimers Club banquet.
Flaherty drove in six 500's. He started and finished first in 1956. He also set one-lap and four-lap qualifying records.
He won the 100 mile race at Milwaukee the June after his 500 win. In August of that year, he badly injured his arm in a racing crash and was out of racing until 1959.
He came back to Indianapolis that year and led a few laps, finishing 19th. That was his last race and he died in 2002.
Al Dean's Dean Van Lines Specials won 38 races from 1953 to 1967. Not all Indy 500's. In fact he never won The 500, despite being a fixture at the event. His drivers did finish second two times, Jimmy Bryan in 1954 and Eddie Sachs in 1961.
Dean died in 1967.
Others who drove for Dean include Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Jr. and Bob Sweikert.