Posted by Terry Blount
Twenty-two of the 33 drivers have qualified for the Indy 500, with the final 11 spots up for grabs this weekend. But none of those last 11, whoever they end up being, have a shot at winning the race.
So let's look at the drivers who can win it. At least 10 drivers have a legitimate chance to take the checkered flag on May 27, and all of them are starting in the first four rows.
The three top teams -- Penske Racing, Target Ganassi Racing and Andretti Green Racing -- dominated Pole Day. They have the best cars and best drivers.
And don't count out Ryan Briscoe, who essentially is a third Penske driver. Briscoe is using Penske equipment for Roger Penske's son, Jay, on the Luczo Dragon Racing team.
Tomas Scheckter of Vision Racing was the only driver who qualified on the first day who isn't part of the top three teams.
Here's a five-level scale (excellent, good, so-so, slim and none) for the chances of winning among the drivers already in the field:
Excellent: Dan Wheldon (Ganassi), Helio Castroneves (Penske), Sam Hornish Jr. (Penske), Tony Kanaan (Andretti)
Good: Scott Dixon (Ganassi), Dario Franchitti (Andretti), Michael Andretti (Andretti).
So-so: Marco Andretti (Andretti), Danica Patrick (Andretti), Tomas Scheckter (Vision), Ryan Briscoe (Luczo Dragon Racing), Vitor Meira (Panther Racing).
Slim: Scott Sharp (Rahal Letterman Racing), Buddy Rice (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing), Ed Carpenter (Vision).
None: Sarah Fisher (Dreyer & Reinbold), A.J. Foyt IV (Vision), Buddy Lazier (Sam Schmidt Motorsports), Davey Hamilton (Vision), Darren Manning (A.J. Foyt Racing), Jeff Simmons (Rahal Letterman), Kosuke Matsuura (Super Aguri Panther Racing).
