Practice for the 84th running of the Indianapolis 500 begins this weekend.

This year’s spectacle has 93 cars entered, but only 33 will fill the grid of the greatest race in sports. Three rows of 11, setting paces in excess of 200 MPH. Of those entries, three previous 500 winners are attempting to qualify: Al Unser Jr. (1992&1994), Buddy Lazier (1996), and Eddie Cheever (1998). If qualified, Unser will be making his first 500 appearance since 1994, when IRL and CART split.

1999 CART champion Juan Montoya will be among the 11 rookies attempting to qualify. Montoya will be joined by fellow teammate Jimmy Vasser, also a former CART champion.

1999 IRL champion Greg Ray will attempt to be the next recipient of the Borg-Warner Trophy. Ray will drive the same Team Menard/Glidden entry with which he won the ’99 IRL title. Tony Stewart drove the same car to two Indy poles.

19-year old rookie Sarah Fisher will attempt to become the first female to win in motorsports greatest race.

Joining the rookie parade also are: Sam Hornish Jr., Ronnie Johncox, Jacques Lazier, Doug Didero, Guy Smith, Andy Hillenburg, Memo Gidley, and open-wheel ace Dan Drinan.

Robby Gordon, who was leading the 83rd annual 500 until running out of fuel on the last lap is slated to attempt a run for the pole as well.

Indy veterans Billy Boat, Davey Hamilton, Scott Goodyear, and Mark Dismore are hoping to sip milk in the winner’s circle.

The 84th running of the Indianapolis 500 is sure to be one of the most exciting in the illustrious history of the race.