Grand Marshall Tyler Hansbrough waves the green flag to kick off the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

There’s something about the Brickyard. I don’t know what it is, but there is just something about it. Something about it that makes me feel so excited (and sunburned!) that I can’t contain myself, yet so solemn (and sleepy!) that I feel there’s some respect that needs to be paid. I can’t put my finger on that one “something”, so I came up with five “somethings” that might contribute to the goose bumps on my arms.

There’s something about… the racetrack. Hardly a racetrack on the NASCAR circuit is as flat as the Brickyard. Watching all 43 cars barrel into turn 1 is the equivalent to watching the drivers bump draft at Talladega. Add to that the drag strip atmosphere you get on the frontstretch and it’s an experience that will forever take your breath away.

This weekend is the 93rd Indianapolis (Indy) 500. The 33 car field and huge prize ($2,988,065 in 2008) for top spot is sure to keep the event entertaining.

The Indy 500 includes 200 laps over a 2.500 mile (4.023 km) circuit for a total race distance of 500 miles (804 km). The fast lap (race) record holder is Eddie Cheever in 1996 with a speed of 236.103 mph (379.971 km/h).

To make the race extra challenging, there are four former Indy 500 winners in the starting field (Castroneves, Dixon, Franchitti, and Wheldon). Franchitti is starting in position three and will be nipping at the heels of Castroneves from the first wave of the green flag. Back from the top three positions are some other drivers to watch, including: Dixon (starting in position 5), Kanaan (starting in position 6), Marco Andretti (starting in position 8), and Tracy (starting in position 13). Also adding to the importance of this race is the fact that over the past four years the Indy 500 winner has gone on to win the IndyCar season.

This coming weekend is one of the top IRL events of the year. With preliminary activities starting in late April, the 92nd Indianapolis 500 is taking shape quite nicely. The starting lineup is turning out to hold and number of solid racers and a whole lot of teammates. In positions one and two is Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon both touting the Target Chip Ganassi Racing colours. Positions three and four are held by Ryan Briscoe and Helio Castroneves from the highly competitive Team Penske. With a huge representation and holding positions five, six and seven is Andretti Green Racing with drivers Danica Patrick, Tony Kanaan, and Marco Andretti.

Within the top seven positions is a number of past Indy 500 winners (Wheldon and Castroneves) and Indy 500 fastest lap drivers (Dixon and Kanaan). For more information on the complete grid be sure to check out the 92nd Indianapolis 500 Starting Line-up.

Past winners of the Indianapolis 500 include: Dario Franchitti (2007), Sam Hornish Jr. (2006), Dan Wheldon (2005), Buddy Rice (2004), Gil de Ferran (2003), Helio Castroneves (2002), Helio Castroneves (2001) and Juan Montoya (2000).

My call for the race is Dixon, Castroneves, and Kanaan as the top three. What's you're call (or hopes and wishes) for the checkered flag?