Darrell Waltrip News

Television executives are hoping a robust bunch of story lines accompanying this year's Indianapolis 500 will help build interest in IndyCar beyond the signature race.

AJ Allmendinger's parents attended their first Indianapolis 500 in 1979, when they camped in a grassy lot and watched Rick Mears win his first 400.

After spending most of the week frustrated as he tried to find speed, Roger Penske's team finally came up with the answers the Australian needed to move into position for his first Indianapolis 500 pole.

Team Penske was able to record some fast laps - including its quickest of the week - during the abbreviated Fast Friday, the final full day of practice before Saturday's pole qualifying for the 97th Indianapolis 500.

Qualifying was set to begin at 11 a.m., but the track conditions must improve before Scott Dixon can make the first four-lap run.

The beautiful Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square area in vibrant downtown Detroit will come alive with the sights and sounds of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix on Wednesday, May 29 to start the regions race week engines.

Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway Event: Sprint Showdown and All-Star Race Date: Saturday, May 18 Time: 7:30 PM ET TV/Radio: FOX Sports SPEED / MRN Radio All-Star: Last year, Bobby Labonte transferred into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star race by the way of the Sprint Fan Vote.

The second day of practice for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500 started with a chill and ended with some thrill.

A little more than 24 hours after passing his rookie test, the Colombian narrowly averted a collision with teammate Marco Andretti in the first turn and posted the fastest lap in two practice sessions by going 223.023 mph on a cold, windy day.

Curt Cavin assesses each of the 33 Indy 500 drivers 1. Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport: Reigning series champion doesn't have a lot to show for past Indys, but he's rolling in '13. 2. A.J. Allmendinger, Team Penske: Former Champ Car driver has waited an awfully long time to race at track where his namesake excelled.

Team Penske today announced A.J. Allmendinger will continue to enhance his IZOD IndyCar Series experience as he competes for the team at the upcoming Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans, May 31-June 2. Allmendinger will drive the No.

Four-time Indianapolis 500 Mile Race champion Rick Mears, a Team Penske consultant, has some simple, yet proven, advice for A.J. Allmendinger as he participates in the Rookie Orientation Program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"There's nothing like the thrill of getting in the car and going 110 or 120 miles an hour," NASCAR driver and Philipsburg native Tim Bainey, Jr.

Every driver wants to race his or her way into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, but if a checkered flag isn't captured this weekend at Talladega or next at Darlington, those eligible will need to rely on the Sprint Fan Vote or finish first or second in the Sprint Showdown qualifying race.

Question: So the cars will be on the track at Indy in a little more than two weeks.

Kevin Harvick took advantage of four fresh tires on a green-white-checker restart in the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night to drive from seventh to the lead in a single lap and take the race win.