Celebrity Indy 500 Picks

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 28, 2010

Celebrity Indy 500 Picks

Jason Priestley

"Dude, who do you think I'm going to root for? Alex Tagliani!" Priestly happens to be the co-owner of the FAZZT Race Team that has Tagliani as its driver. Tagliani qualified fifth for the Indianapolis 500.

Kim Kardashian

Graham Rahal. "Quick Trim is going to win the Indy 500 because Graham Rahal from the Quick/TRIM Rahal Letterman team is the hottest driver."

Mario Lopez

Danica Patrick

Ashley Judd

Dario Franchitti. "I enjoy being here and the qualifying format was scintillating. It's a long race and anything can happen. The extent to which there is a favorite in this race, I think Dario has a very, very good chance of being a repeat winner of the 500." -- The famed actress is married to Franchitti.

Mark Wahlberg

Ryan Hunter-Reay. "He's got style and skills behind the wheel. It would be nice for an All-American guy to win."

Brad Stevens

"Ed Carpenter -- Butler grad. He's been a great person to get to know. He is a 2003 Butler graduate. I know him the best. He is somebody we are definitely rooting for. This will be my fifth Indianapolis 500 and it's one of my favorite weekends of the year. When we are not here we have the radio on. It's one of the few events we spend time listening on the radio rather than watching on TV."

Larry Bird

Helio Castroneves. "Because I want to see him climb the fence again."

Dan Fouts

Danica Patrick "Because I like her first name."

Dara Torres

Helio Castroneves

Tamika Catchings

"Sarah Fisher! I've gotten to know her a little and worked with her a couple of times. She's been great to me and, of course, I'm sticking with "lady power!" I'd love to see one of the ladies bring it home!"

Katie Douglas

"You can't go wrong with three-time winner Helio Castroneves or any of the five female drivers entered this year. I was born and raised in Indianapolis and you always know that May in Indy is filled with racing!"

Parnelli Jones

Helio Castroneves. "Right now I can see a lot of confidence in Helio Castroneves. I think he might be the latest four-time winner. I think he has that in mind. He is really quick and has been real happy the whole month here. I have to go along with him although there are several other drivers like Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti that have a great opportunity to win with depth, experience and good equipment. But I have to go with Helio Castroneves."

Bobby Unser

Helio Castroneves. "I really think the most logical guy that will win this race is Helio Castroneves. It's not because he is the fastest but he really knows how to win. He knows how to not tear up the car, how to make it last, how to not get in problems with traffic and how to not screw up on pit stops. Pit stops have become so important. But Scott Dixon is going to be awfully quick, too."

Diana Taurasi

"I'm going to have to go with the Italian-American, Marco Andretti. My father's Italian so it's in my blood."

Mario Andretti

Marco Andretti. "I have to go with Marco not just because he is my grandson but I really believe that he now has the experience and the ability to win the Indianapolis 500. He nearly won the race as a rookie in 2006 and he has been able to adapt to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I now believe he knows what it takes to win the Indy 500."

Tom Sneva

Will Power. "He's driving for Roger Penske. He uses his head real well and is really a smart guy. And, Helio Castroneves is not ready to win his fourth Indianapolis 500 yet."