Editor’s note: First, my condolences to the family of NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, who died yesterday at the age of 41. I don’t follow NASCAR, but I knew him and knew what a great driver he was. Rest in Peace.

When the green flag drops Sunday for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500, we will see one of two things- a complete Alex Palou beatdown, or a competitive, hard fought race where one of the first eight starters emerges as an Indianapolis 500 champion, perhaps for the second time in a couple of cases. I’m thinking the latter scenario is what we will see.

There are many storylines in this race:

Katherine Legge’s attempt at the double, heading to Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600 after she finishes at Indy. 110 miles of racing in one day is feat only Tony Stewart has accomplished. It will be fun seeing how many miles Legge completes.

Can Alexander Rossi win driving injured in a backup car? Buddy Lazier won in 1996 driving with a broken back. Rossi’s injury is minor by comparison.

How will Pato O’Ward’s backup car perform? O’Ward is driving the car he won in at Iowa and Toronto last season. It is obviously a versatile machine.

Will David Malukas’s first win be the Indianapolis 500? Rossi did this in 2016. It’s not impossible.

Can anyone beat Palou? Maybe.

I will be attending my 59th race, something I am struggling to wrap my head around. It seems like only five years ago I watched Rodger Ward win the first race I went to. Where did the time go?

This 500 will be determined by strategy altered by yellow flags and the possibility of a rain interruption. When the yellows fall, especially after lap 150, could determine the outcome. I hope there is no rain interruption, but if there is, may it be brief. Races in years ending in 6 have had some rain issues.

The 1926 race was called after 400 miles because of rain with Frank Lockhart leading, in 1976 the 500 ended right at the halfway mark, 101 laps. While the 1956 running ran to completion without issue, heavy rains in the days before the race caused concern about the track’s ability to be ready for race day.

Rough Day for Rookies

The four rookies will have difficulty making themselves known in this talented field. Mick Schumacher starts 27th, the highest starting spot among the first timers. Caio Collet is the fastest rookie, having made the Fast 12, but a post qualifying penalty has placed him 32nd on the grid. If Collet can move forward, he should get rookie of the year.

The Contenders

I said earlier that the winner will come from the first eight. Among the elite octet, some have a better chance than others. Palou, Alexander Rossi, Pato O’Ward, David Malukas, Conor Daly, Felix Rosenqvist have the best chances. My pick is in this group, and I will reveal who it is ate the end of this post.

The Winner

I am picking Alexander Rossi to get his second Borg-Warner trophy in what will be a great storyline. A driver injured on Monday, uncertain of whether he will be allowed to drive until Thursday, drivng a backup car after destroying a very good race car.

Like the 500 itself, it’s the stuff dreams are made of.