Indianapolis 500 preview: Will there be another four-time winner?

INDIANAPOLIS -- As 200,000 spectators poured into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday morning, the question was whether they’ll see history at this year’s Indianapolis 500.

Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti are trying to become four-time winners of the legendary race, joining A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears as the only drivers to do so. No driver has won it five times.

Castroneves starts eighth and Franchitti starts 17th.

Ed Carpenter is the pole-sitter after qualifying at 228.762 mph, and San Francisco 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh will drive the pace car that leads the 33-car field to the green flag.

It’s a gray, cool day in central Indiana and there’s a threat of rain, although speedway officials said they were hopeful the rain would hold off until the late afternoon.

The 200-lap race at the 2.5-mile track starts at 9 a.m. PDT. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway does not have lights.

As part of the pre-race festivities, about 35 runners who were unable to finish the Boston Marathon last month because of the deadly bombings were scheduled to ceremoniously finish their run on the speedway’s front straightaway.

The participants were to run about a half-mile from Turn 4 on the speedway to the finish line.

“The tragedy last month in Boston still resonates with everyone, so we wanted to give runners the chance to finish the race in front of thousands of fans who will appreciate their persistence and determination,� said Doug Boles, the track’s chief operating officer.

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