Profiles of the 33 drivers in Sunday's Indianapolis 500, in starting order with car number in parentheses, age, chassis, race team, four-lap qualification average and biographical information (w-former winner; r-rookie; all engines Honda):
| w-Helio Castroneves (3) | 225.817 mph | |
| Age: 32, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Team Penske | ||
 Won Indianapolis 500 as rookie in 2001 and again in 2002, the first to repeat since Al Unser in 1970-71. Finished second to former teammate Gil de Ferran in 2003 and ninth the next two years. Started second to teammate Sam Hornish Jr. last year, but crashed on 110th lap and finished 25th. Has won at least one race each season since 2001 and is third in series points so far this season, with a win at St. Petersburg, Fla., last month. Odds to win: 5/1
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| Tony Kanaan (11) | 225.757 mph | |
| Age: 32, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Andretti-Green | ||
 The 2004 IRL series champion, won at Japan last month and is fifth after four races this season. Best finish in five previous starts at Indy was runner-up to Buddy Rice in rain-shortened 2004 race. Started on pole and led 54 laps in 2005 but finished eighth; fifth at Indy last year. Holds IRL record with 25 straight races running at the finish. Odds to win: 4/1
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| Dario Franchitti (27) | 225.191 mph | |
| Age: 34, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Andretti-Green | ||
 CART series runner-up to Juan Montoya in 1999. Was 19th as Indy rookie in 2002. Missed race in 2003 after breaking his back in motorcycle accident. Sixth and seventh the past two years. Fourth in IRL points this season, improving finish in each of the first four races to runner-up at Kansas. Married to actress Ashley Judd. Odds to win: 8/1
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| Scott Dixon (9) | 225.122 mph | |
| Age: 26, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Ganassi Racing | ||
 CART rookie of the year in 2001, when victory at Nazareth, Pa., made him at 20 the youngest winner in major open-wheel racing. Moved to IRL with Ganassi and was series champion with three wins in 2003. Has won three other races since then, and is second in IRL points behind teammate Dan Wheldon with two seconds and two fourths in the first four races this season. Odds to win: 5/2 | ||
| w-Sam Hornish Jr. (6) | 225.109 mph | |
| Age: 27, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Team Penske | ||
 Defending Indy 500 and IRL series champion. Started from pole last year, made up a late penalty and passed Marco Andretti just before the finish to win by 0.0635 seconds, second closest in Indy history. Won three other races, tied Dan Wheldon in series points but earned his third IRL championship because he won more races. Sixth after four races this season. Making eighth start at Indy. Before winning last year, best previous finish was 14th. Holds IRL record with 18 career wins. Odds to win: 5/1
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| w-Dan Wheldon (10) | 224.641 mph | |
| Age: 28, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Ganassi Racing | ||
 Former Indy winner leads IRL points after wins in two of the first four races this season at Homestead and Kansas. Won 2005 Indy 500 after passing Danica Patrick with six laps to go and went on to IRL series championship. Third at Indy and runner-up to Tony Kanaan for IRL championship in 2004. Won two races last season and tied Sam Hornish Jr. in points, but Hornish earned series title because he had four race wins. Odds to win: 9/4
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| Ryan Briscoe (12) | 224.410 mph | |
| Age: 25, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Luczo Dragon Racing | ||
 Tenth in only previous start at Indy in 2005. Drove in four IndyCar races last year, with best finish third at Watkins Glen. Making first start this season. Won Formula Three Euroseries championship with eight wins in 2003 and was a test driver in Formula One in 2004. Odds to win: 20/1
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| Danica Patrick (7) | 224.076 mph | |
| Age: 25, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Andretti-Green | ||
 Indy and IRL rookie of the year in 2005, when she started and finished fourth and was the first woman to lead the 500. Eighth at Indy last year. Left Rahal Letterman Racing for Andretti Green this season, and eighth in series points after four races with best finish seventh at Kansas. Drove in developmental Toyota Atlantic series before moving to IndyCar series in 2005. Odds to win: 25/1
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| Marco Andretti (26) | 223.299 mph | |
| Age: 20, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Andretti-Green | ||
 Runner-up and rookie of the year in 2006, when he was passed by Sam Hornish Jr. just before the checkered flag in the second-closest finish in Indy history. Son of driver-owner Michael Andretti, grandson of 1969 Indy winner Mario Andretti. Youngest driver in the lineup. Drove in Indy Pro Series in 2005, including a win on Indy's road course during U.S. Grand Prix. Fourteenth in IRL season points, with best finish fourth at St. Petersburg. Odds to win: 12/1
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| Tomas Scheckter (2) | 222.877 mph | |
| Age: 26, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Vision Racing | ||
 Son of 1979 F1 champion Jody Scheckter. Led 85 laps and was co-rookie of the year at Indianapolis in 2002 and fourth in 2003. Crashed at Indy the past two years. Seventh in IRL points this season with top-10 finishes in all four races. Only wins in 79 IRL starts at Michigan in 2002 and Texas in 2005. Odds to win: 30/1 | ||
| Michael Andretti (39) | 222.789 mph | |
| Age: 44, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Andretti-Green | ||
 Team co-owner, came out of retirement to drive in son Marco's rookie race last year. Was leading with three laps to go before being passed by Marco and then by eventual winner Sam Hornish Jr. Best finish in 15 starts at Indy was second in 1991, when he was CART series champion. Has led 430 laps at Indy, the most by any non-winner. Father, Mario Andretti, won 1969 Indy 500. Odds to win: 16/1
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| Scott Sharp (8) | 223.875 mph | |
| Age: 39, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Rahal-Letterman | ||
 Holds IRL records with 133 career starts and current 125 consecutive starts. Series co-champion in 1996, joined Rahal Letterman this season and 10th in series points with best finish, sixth, at Japan. Started from pole at Indy in 2001 but finished 33rd after first-lap crash. Best finishes in 12 starts at Indy were seventh in 2005 and ninth last year. Odds to win: 70/1
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| Jeff Simmons(17) | 223.693 mph | |
| Age: 30, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Rahal-Letterman | ||
 Hired last year after death of rookie Paul Dana. Eleventh in IRL points this season with best finish at Japan -- eighth. Indy Pro Series runner-up in 2003 and 2005, made IndyCar debut with 16th place at Indianapolis in 2004. Only other Indy appearance was 23rd last year. Odds to win: 150/1
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| Ed Carpenter (20) | 223.945 mph | |
| Age: 26, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Vision Racing | ||
 Driving for team co-owned by his stepfather, Speedway boss Tony George. Finished third in Indy Pro Series in 2002 and '03, including win at Indianapolis in 2003. Was 31st as Indy rookie and 11th the past two years. Best finishes in 52 career starts were fifth at Chicago in 2006 and sixth at Homestead in the opener this season. Fifteenth in IRL standings this year. Butler University graduate. Odds to win: 150/1
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| Darren Manning (14) | 223.471 mph | |
| Age: 32, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Foyt Enterprises | ||
 Former Formula One test driver, was ninth in CART series for Walker Racing in 2003 and moved to IRL with Ganassi Racing in 2004. Was 25th and 29th in two previous starts at Indianapolis. Best finish in four races with Foyt this season was 11th at Kansas. Odds to win: 150/1 | ||
| w-Buddy Rice (15) | 222.826 mph | |
| Age: 31, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Dreyer & Reinbold | ||
 Won Indy from the pole in 2004 but unable to compete the next year after injuries in a crash during practice. Was 26th at Indy last year. Left Rahal Letterman Racing and is 12th in series points this season with 10th-place finishes in each of first three races and 20th in last race at Kansas. Toyota Atlantic champion in 2000. Odds to win: 100/1
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| Kosuke Matsuura (55) | 222.595 mph | |
| Age: 27, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Panther Racing | ||
 Crashed in two of the first four races this season and is 18th in IRL points. Career-best fourth at Kentucky in 2004. German F3 runner-up in 2002. Best finish in three previous starts at Indy was 11th in 2004, when he was the fastest rookie qualifier and the Indy and IRL series rookie of the year. Odds to win: 80/1 | ||
| A.J. Foyt IV (22) | 222.413 mph | |
| Age: 23, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Vision Racing | ||
 Grandson of four-time Indy winner A.J. Foyt. Won the IRL Infiniti Pro Series championship in 2002 and youngest starter in Indy 500 history in 2003, when he was 18th as a rookie. Was 33rd at Indy in 2004 and 28th in 2005. Drove in NASCAR Busch Series last year, with one IRL start in place of injured Dario Franchitti at Chicago. Sixteenth in IRL points this season, with best finish ninth at Kansas. Odds to win: 150/1
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| Vitor Meira (4) | 222.333 mph | |
| Age: 30, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Panther Racing | ||
 Indy runner-up in 2005 and 10th last year. Ninth in series points this season, with best of fourth in opener at Homestead. Joined IRL in 2002 after two seasons in European F3000 series. Won the South American F3 championship with eight wins in 2000. Holds IRL record with 63 career races without a win. Odds to win: 50/1
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| Davey Hamilton (02) | 222.327 mph | |
| Age: 44, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Vision Racing | ||
 Making first start since 2001, when he was seriously injured in a crash at Texas and underwent 21 operations on feet and legs. At the time, he was the only driver to compete in every IRL race since league began in 1998. Best finish in six starts at Indy was fourth in 1998. IRL series runner-up in 1997 and 1998 and fourth in 1999. Odds to win: 150/1
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| Sarah Fisher (5) | 221.960 mph | |
| Age: 25, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Dreyer & Reinbold | ||
 Third woman to race at Indianapolis, making first start at Indy since 2004. Drove in NASCAR West series in 2005 and returned to IRL in two starts late last season. At Kentucky in 2002, became first woman to start from pole in a major U.S. open-wheel race. Best finish in five starts at Indy was 21st in 2004. Seventeenth in IRL points this season, with best finish 11th in opener at Homestead. Odds to win: 250/1 | ||
| w-Buddy Lazier (99) | 221.380 mph | |
| Age: 39, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Sam Schmidt Motorsports | ||
 Indy 500 winner in 1996 and IRL series champion in 2000, when he was runner-up at Indy for the second time. Also runner-up in 1998. Making 15th start at Indy and first start this season. Was 12th at Indy last year, his best finish in eight races. Older brother of driver Jaques Lazier; father, Bob Lazier, was 19th in only start at Indy in 1981. Odds to win: 150/1
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| Roger Yasukawa (24) | 222.654 mph | |
| Age: 29, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Dreyer & Reinbold | ||
 Tenth in first two starts at Indianapolis and 18th and 16th the past two years. Making first IRL start this year. Best finish in 36 IndyCar races was seventh at Kansas in 2003. Came to Indy series after driving in Champ Car's developmental Toyota Atlantic series in 2002. Odds to win: 150/1 | ||
| John Andretti (33) | 221.756 mph | |
| Age: 44, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Panther Racing | ||
 Nephew of Mario Andretti and cousin of Michael and Marco Andretti. Making first start at Indy since 1994, when he was 10th. Spent most of last decade in NASCAR. Best finish in seven Indy 500s was fifth in 1991. Only IndyCar victory also in 1991 in Australia. Won two NASCAR Nextel Cup races and drove 10 times in Brickyard 400 at the Speedway. Odds to win: 150/1 | ||
| w-Al Unser Jr. (50) | 220.876 mph | |
| Age: 45, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Foyt Enterprises | ||
 Two-time Indy winner, making second IRL start, both at Indy, since 2004. Ninth place in 2003 was best finish at Indy since he won in 1994. Also won in 1992. Son of four-time Indy winner Al Unser Sr. and nephew of three-time winner Bobby Unser. Making 19th start at Indianapolis, where he is second in career winnings with $5.8 million. Was 24th last year. Odds to win: 250/1
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| Alex Barron (98) | 220.471 mph | |
| Age: 36, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Beck Racing | ||
 Only win in 59 IRL starts was at Michigan in 2003. Making first start since end of 2005 season. Best finishes in four races at Indy were fourth in 2002, when he was co-rookie of the year, and sixth in 2003. Drove in CART in 1998-2001. Odds to win: 250/1
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| Jon Herb (19) | 220.108 mph | |
| Age: 36, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Racing Professionals | ||
 Was 27th in only previous start at Indy in 2001. Unable to qualify after crashing twice in 2002. Drove in Indy Pro Series 2004-06 with one win and 14 top-10 finishes. Competed in U.S. Formula 2000 series in 1997-99, made IRL debut with 22nd at Orlando in 2000. Former high school wrestling champion, played college football at SMU. Odds to win: 250/1
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| Jaques Lazier (21) | 219.409 mph | |
| Age: 36, Chassis: Panoz, Owner: Playa Del Racing | ||
 Younger brother of 1996 winner Buddy Lazier. Best finish in five Indy starts 13th as rookie in 2000. Also, finished 29th in 2004 in relief of Robby Gordon, who left early to get to NASCAR race in North Carolina. Sixteenth and 17th at Indy the past two years. Making first start of this season. Odds to win: 250/1
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| r-Milka Duno (23) | 219.228 mph | |
| Age: 35, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: SAMAX Motorsport | ||
 Fourteenth in her IRL debut at Kansas. Fifth woman to qualify at Indianapolis, joins Sarah Fisher and Danica Patrick in first time three women have started same race at Indy. Raced sports cars for a decade, winning Panoz GT Series championship in 2000 and the first woman to win a major North American sports car race with 2004 victory at Homestead. An engineer, holds four master's degrees. Odds to win: 300/1 | ||
| Marty Roth (25) | 218.922 mph | |
| Age: 48, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Roth Racing | ||
 Owns his own team and was the first Infiniti Pro Series owner to move up to Indy cars. Oldest driver in the race for third time. Best previous finish at Indy was 24th as a rookie in 2004. Nineteenth in IRL points this season, with 15th in opener at Homestead his best finish in two races. Odds to win: 300/1
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| Roberto Moreno (77) | 220.299 mph | |
| Age: 48, Chassis: Panoz, Owner: Chastain Motorsports | ||
 Making third start at Indy and first since 1999, subbing for Stephan Gregoire, who broke his back in a crash during practice. New Zealand Formula Atlantic champion in 1982, runner-up to Michael Andretti in U.S. Formula Atlantic series in 1983. Best Indy finish was 19th as rookie in 1986. Drove Formula One in 1990-92, CART in 200-05. Odds to win: 300/1 | ||
| Richie Hearn (91) | 219.860 mph | |
| Age: 36, Chassis: Dallara, Owner: Hemelgarn Racing | ||
 Making first IRL start since Indianapolis in 2005, when he crashed and finished 25th. Best finishes in six previous Indy starts were third as rookie in 1996 and sixth in 2002. Only win in 24 IRL starts was at Las Vegas in 1996. Raced in CART from 1997-99. Odds to win: 300/1 | ||
| r-Phil Giebler (31) | 219.637 mph | |
| Age: 24, Chassis: Panoz, Owner: Playa Del Racing | ||
 Drove in the developmental Indy Pro Series, passed his IRL rookie test in April at Kentucky Speedway and making his first IRL career start. Began racing go-karts at age 10, won his Indy Pro Series debut at Homestead in 2004. Also has competed in F3000 and represented the United States in the A1 GP series. Odds to win: 300/1
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