Beyond the Flag
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Which Drivers Stand To Gain or Lose the Most at the Indy 500?

By Asher Fair

May 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Overall view of the front stretch of Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Overall view of the front stretch of Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Avondale, AZ, USA; IndyCar Series driver Ed Jones during practice for the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Avondale, AZ, USA; IndyCar Series driver Ed Jones during practice for the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Gain – Rookie Drivers*

Ed Jones, Zach Veach, and Jack Harvey are all looking to make their first career Indianapolis 500 starts this May. Last season, the race was won by rookie Alexander Rossi, making it the first time the race was won by a rookie since Helio Castroneves won it in 2001.

Assuming everything stays as it looks right now entry-wise with the Grand Prix of Indy, Ed Jones will have five career IndyCar starts under his belt before the Indy 500, Zach Veach will have one, and Jack Harvey will have none. With a combined six career IndyCar starts coming into the race, a great finish or perhaps even a win for any one of these young drivers would be huge confidence booster and a huge jump-start to their careers. Just ask Rossi.

*=includes those who have aspirations to race in the Verizon IndyCar Series full-time; does not include two-time Formula One champions