The Indy 500 starts this Sunday, May 29th at 11:00 am ET. The 33 car field will have eight drivers who have won the Indy 500 before. Helio Castroneves is the leading winner, having won four times previously. If he gets his fifth win this year, he will become the all-time leading winner of the Indy 500. Other drivers in this years race who have won before are: Montoya, Sato, Dixon, Kanaan, Alexander Rossi, Power and Pagenaud.

Last weekend, Scott Dixon posted the fastest four-lap qualifying run ever for a pole winner with an average speed of 234.046 mph. The previous record was 233.718 mph set by Scott Brayton in 1996.⁶

Because of the pandemic, attendance has been down in recent years. This year, based on advanced sales, attendance is expected to be over 300,000. 

You can root for Castroneves during this year's Indianapolis 500 wearing an officially-licensed Castroneves jersey or hoody from Lowsport. Other Castroneves merchandise found at Lowsport includes: signed replica helmets, signed bobbleheads, a signed die-cast replica car, and a signed set commemorating his four wins in the Indianapolis 500. 

Sources:

1. Michael Marot. "Castroneves starts record Indy 500 quest with 'perfect' car". The Washington Post. May 17, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/auto-racing/castroneves-starts-record-indy-500-quest-with-perfect-car/2022/05/17/900300a6-d633-11ec-be17-286164974c54_story.html 
2. Scott Horner. "What you need to know about 4-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves before the 2022 race". IndyStar. May 16, 2022. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/indy-500/2022/05/16/helio-castroneves-what-know-4-time-indy-500-champion/7373640001/
3. Jerry Bonkowsk. "Indy 500 Starting Lineup: Scott Dixon Shocks Field with Record 234.046 MPH Pole Effort". Autoweek. May 23, 2022. https://www.autoweek.com/racing/indycar/a40070952/indy-500-starting-lineup-scott-dixon-shocks-ifield-with-234-046-pole-effort/
4. Kevin Skiver. "Indy 500 qualifying results: Pole, starting lineup for 2022 race at Indianapolis". The Sporting News. May 23, 2022. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/motorsport/news/indy-500-qualifying-results-pole-lineup-2022/fypdvx40tcwsx9z2jhpze7cx
5. David Hepburn. "Indianapolis 500 2022: How can I watch the race in the UK, when does it start, who is favourite, and how much money do Indy 500 winners get?". The Scotsman. May 23, 2022. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/other-sport/indianapolis-500-2022-how-can-i-watch-the-race-in-the-uk-when-does-it-start-who-is-favourite-and-how-much-money-do-indy-500-winners-get-3705614
6. Curt Cavin. "Deep, fascinating field back home again for race to indy glory". IndyCar. May 26, 2022. https://www.indycar.com/news/2022/05/05-26-500-preview