We mentioned some of these predictions during our race show, this morning.  But, since we didn’t get to all of them on the air, here’s the list of predicted winners courtesy of some local dignitaries:

Sen. Evan Bayh                 Ryan Briscoe

Sen. Richard Lugar            Helio Castroneves

Rep. Andre Carson            Rooting for Danica.  Believes Marco Andretti will win

Rep. Mike Pence                Dan Wheldon

Rep. Steve Buyer               Dan Wheldon

Rep. Dan Burton                Dan Wheldon

Coach Jim O’Brien, Indiana Pacers:              Dan Wheldon

Gerry Dick, Inside Indiana Business               Tony Kanaan

Scott theFace, MyINDY TV                    Helio Castroneves   (or Marco Andretti)

Dave Smiley/Z-99.5            Scott Dixon

Ed Wank/Hank 97.1           Tony Kanaan

Dave O’Brien/Hank 97.1     Scott Dixon

Scotty Davis/Radio Now     Al Unser, Jr.

Shy/Radio Now                  Danica Patrick

McKinzie/Radio Now          Danica Patrick

I performed my now annual role as auctioneer at the Indianapolis Press Club Last Row Party this evening. 

We raised thousands of dollars for journalism scholarships through the Club’s Foundation and had maybe more fun than usual.  The 3 slowest drivers in the Indy 500 were honored (as usual) and they had better than usual senses of humor.  #Nelson Philippe, #Ryan Hunter-Reay, and #Alex Tagliani accepted their checks of 31. 32, and 33 cents with aplomb.  Pilippe, in particular, wowed the crowd at the Brickyard Crossing with his enthusiasm for a spot in the 500 field, no matter where.

Host #Bob Jenkins also honored the late #Larry Rice. former 500 driver and racing broadcaster who passed away this week.

I know I shouldn’t have favorites, I should remain unbiased, but Sarah Fisher Racing is pretty high on my list. If you have never met Sarah, you should.

But don’t worry, she’s been making the rounds on national TV, so you can see her personality on display.  Monday night she was on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart  (watch her interview) and on Friday, she’s on The Price is Right.

Her garage is always open and you are always greeted with a smile. She’s a great person, a great driver and a great owner. That’s some seriously positive girl power!

Usually, after a person passes away, there are nice things said about him or her.

In Lloyd Ruby’s case, they’re deserved. Lloyd Ruby was a nice guy.

There are some that call Ruby, the greatest driver to never have won the Indy 500.

I don’t know how it’s possible to decide that honor. You couldn’t go wrong picking any of Ted Horn, Rex Mays, Ruby, or Michael Andretti, among others.

I do know this, his nickname, Hard Luck Lloyd, was well deserved.

The guy led the 500 in 1966, 68, 69, 70, and 71, and always seemed to have some little problem put him out of contention. Other years, he never even got to show his stuff.

Take 1975 for example, a year that most people don’t mention when Rube’s name comes up.

He qualified 6th in one of the powerful Team McLaren cars, the same Team McLaren who won with Johnny Rutherford in 1974 and ‘76, and would get 2nd with JR in ‘75.

Ruby only lasted 7 laps before a burned piston sidelined him.

Of course, most people remember the 1969 pit stop, which may have cost Ruby his long-awaited Indy win. Ruby started to pull out of the pits, with the fuel hose still attached. That ripped the side of the car out, and ended his day.

Despite never having won the 500, and perhaps because of it, Ruby was extremely popular with fans, even more than some of the 66 men who have won the race.

I was fortunate to meet him in 2007, he was very cordial, and seemed genuinely pleased that people still remembered him 30 years after his retirement.

RIP Rube, and thanks.

Because racing is such a big part of Hoosier culture, we always do predictions on Indiana Week in Review prior to the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400.

Maybe you noticed that I picked eventual winner Jimmie Johnson on Friday while everyone else on the panel picked Jeff Gordon.   I just thought I would make note of that.

So much for the dog days of summer!! 

Lets see, just this week, racing bad boy Paul Tracy makes a comeback with Tony George’s team of all people, the man who Tracy said took his Indy 500 title away in a controversial finish with Helio in 2002.   Also, IRL driver Sarah Fisher finds a major sponsor to keep her team alive for races in Kentucky and Chicago

The Pacers introduce six of seven of their new players, completely changing the face and direction of the franchise, while the Fever prepare for the WNBA’s first-ever outdoor basketball game at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

Two-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning has Colts fans talking after undergoing surgery for an infected bursa sac in his left knee, and the NASCAR boys are ready to roll into the Brickyard for their annual event.

Finally, James Blake and the tennis championships are also in town. 

Whew, gotta catch my breath…THIS is why our wonderful city is the sports capital of the country.  Can’t imagine a better sports town ANYWHERE.