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She can make living in the limelight look so effortless that it's part of Danica Patrick's charm ... and curse. Winning the pole for the Daytona 500 was a landmark moment, and one she was more than prepared for.

Dario Franchitti knows so many great drivers never got the opportunity to win three Indianapolis 500s, especially in his generation. What does that make him? Humble, thankful and hungry.

A lap-15 spin on pit road didn't faze Dario Franchitti. Neither did a failed last-lap bump-and-wreck by Takuma Sato. Franchitti was flawless from beginning to end in winning his third Indianapolis 500.

It will happen Sunday. The echoes will resound through the most massive grandstands on the face of the earth and the Indianapolis 500 will be the most important race in history ... again.

Mario Andretti remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula One world championship. So when he talks racing, we listen.

The Indy 500 roared back to life Sunday after more than a dozen years in hibernation. The multitudes are back. So are the agony and the ecstasy that have distinguished this race for 100 years.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway was once the only place to be in all the world on Memorial Day weekend. On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the first race, there is real hope it will be that again.

A.J. Foyt is fond of saying the Indy 500 makes the drivers, the drivers don't make the race. He might be right about that in all but one case: his own.

Bill Vukovich and Frank Lockhart are timeless for their unrealized potential in the Indianapolis 500, but not so for the leader of our Field of the Century. A.J. Foyt still towers above all others in Indy lore.

Indy 500 Field of the Century: Row 1.

In 1991, A.J. Foyt was preparing for what he said was his last Indianapolis 500. He let Ed Hinton, then with The National Sports Daily, come along for the ride.

Indy 500 Field of the Century: Row 2.

Indy 500 Field of the Century: Row 3.

Indy 500 Field of the Century: Row 4.

Indy 500 Field of the Century: Row 5.

Indy 500 Field of the Century: Row 6.