INDIAPOLIS 500 (INDIANAPOLIS) - 500 FIELD NOTES

• There are six former Indianapolis 500 winners in the starting field: Al Unser Jr. (1992 and 1994), Buddy Lazier (1996), Helio Castroneves (2001-02), Buddy Rice (2004), Dan Wheldon (2005) and Sam Hornish Jr. (2006). Between them, they have eight victories. The record for former winners in the field is 10, in 1992. The fewest, other than the inaugural race in 1911, is zero in 1912.

• There are two rookies in the field, the fewest since 1979, when Howdy Holmes was the only rookie in the field. This year’s rookies: Phil Giebler and Milka Duno.

• Al Unser Jr. is the most experienced driver in the field, with 18 previous Indianapolis 500 starts. The record is 35, set in consecutive years from 1958-92 by A.J. Foyt.

• Michael Andretti has led 430 career laps in the Indianapolis 500, more than any other driver in this year’s field.

• There are a combined 160 previous Indianapolis 500 starts among the 33 drivers in this year’s field. The record is 260 years of experience, set in 1987 and 1992. There were 138 years of combined experience in last year’s field.

• The oldest qualifier is Marty Roth, 48. The youngest qualifier is Marco Andretti, 20.

• There are 30 Dallara chassis and 3 Panoz chassis in the field

• There are seven graduates of the Indy Pro Series in the field, the most graduates in the field ever. The seven graduates are: Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, A.J. Foyt IV, Phil Giebler, Jon Herb, Marty Roth, Jeff Simmons.

• This is the seventh-closest matched field by time Indianapolis 500 history as 5.0207 seconds separate fastest qualifier Helio Castroneves and slowest qualifier Marty Roth. The record is 3.2422 seconds in 2001.

• Thirteen drivers who were not in the 90th Indianapolis 500 qualified for the 91st Indianapolis 500.