The Borg-Warner Trophy hangs in the balance this Sunday as IndyCar drivers race in the 106th Indianapolis 500. With so much information over the course of May, it can be hard to know what to pay attention to – here’s a list of Notable stories and information for casual and hardcore Indy 500 fans.

Pole position

Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon, often referred to by commentators and fans as “The Iceman”, due to his calm and cool demeanor, claimed his fifth Indianapolis 500 pole with the fastest pole time ever. story.

His four-lap average came in at 234.046 mph, surpassing Scott Brayton’s previous pole record of 233.718 mph from 1996. Dixon’s other poles at the Indianapolis 500 came in 2021, 2017, 2015 and 2008 – which is the year he won the Indy 500.

Favorites to win

Whether you like to bet on the Indianapolis 500, compete with family and friends, or just know who has a shot this weekend, there are two favorites to know, according to Caesars Sportsbook: Dixon and Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou, who will start second behind the poleman.

Picking one of Chip Ganassi Racing’s drivers to win, however, is still a safe bet. The team’s five drivers – Dixon, Palou, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Kanaan and Marcus Ericsson – made the Fast 12. All but Johnson then made it to the Fast Six, which is the group of drivers who went through all the laps of previous qualifications. Only Fast Six drivers can compete for pole.

Recruits to watch

Johnson and Andretti Autosport driver Romain Grosjean took the top qualifying spots in this year’s rookie pool. Grosjean will start ninth and Johnson will start twelfth.

Other Indianapolis 500 rookies include Juncos Holliger Racing driver Callum Ilott, AJ Foyt Enterprises driver Kyle Kirkwood, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Christian Lundgaard, Dale Coyne Racing with HMO Motorsports driver David Malukas and Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport driver Devlin DeFrancesco.

Pre-race festivities and start time

Coverage of the 106th Indianapolis 500 race will begin at 11 a.m. ET on NBC. Pre-race coverage will lead into the race itself, which is scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Before the start of the race, actor and recording artist Jordan Fisher will sing the national anthem. Girl Named Tom, who won season 21 of “The Voice,” will perform “America The Beautiful” and Jim Corenlison will return for his sixth year as singer of “Back Home Again in Indiana.”

Country singer Blake Shelton will serve as the grand marshal of the event and give command to the pilots. Actor Miles Teller will wave the green flag as the honorary starter, and former IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher will lead the field to green as the lead car driver.