Pole Day at Indy

Today was supposed to be Pole Day at Indianapolis, but they were rained out, so they’ll try again tomorrow.

Pole Day at Indy used to be a huge deal, but nothing about Indy is as big as it used to be since the split between the IRL and CART. Most of the bigger name drivers still in the series have come back to Indianapolis, but NASCAR now overwhelms Indy Car racing in the hearts and minds of American race fans.

That's a shame, not because there's anything wrong with NASCAR, but because it's tough to watch one of the great American traditions suffer so much. Indy Car racing is still great action, and that gives me hope that someday it will make a comeback.

I've always loved the 500 and I'm sure the fact that I grew up in the Midwest has something to do with it. Once I got to Purdue, it got even more personal for me because I got to participate in the pre-race ceremonies four times as a member of the Purdue band.

The big story at this year's race is rookie racer Danica Patrick. Patrick is trying to take the road that Lyn St. James and Sarah Fisher traveled and go much farther. She has a significant advantage over those previous female drivers in that she is part of a great team, Rahal-Letterman racing. That means she won't have to worry nearly as much about equipment and financing as St. James and Fisher did.

Patrick is a threat to not only win the pole, but the race as well. She qualified second at the last race in Japan and ended up finishing fourth. She also has the fastest time in practice this month.

And, how could I not root for a fellow Queen fan.

I also root for Scott Sharp. We got to meet him once at Disney World and his car is sponsored by the company my brother-in-law works for.