Watching the return of past winners

Saturday, May 13, 2006 | 7:09 a.m.

If having names such as Unser, Andretti (times two) and Patrick don't get you excited for the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," you need to get your pulse checked.

That's right, they're all here and on the track with hopes of qualifying for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 today.

One of the biggest stories of the month is the return of the veteran drivers Al Unser Jr., Eddie Cheever and Michael Andretti.

"Little Al," who now makes his home in Henderson, last competed in the Indy 500 in 2004 for Patrick Racing where he started and finished 17th. He went on to race two more times before announcing his retirement on June 30, 2004, in Indianapolis. Al said he watched the race from his home last May and after shouting at the TV, his wife simply said, "Get back in a car!" That was all he needed to get the juices flowing and contemplate a ride for the 2006 Indianapolis 500.

The two-time Indy 500 winner ('92, '94) met with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing and decided on a deal to run the No. 31 Honda-powered Dallara. He ran his top speed of 218.058 mph during Wednesday's practice, putting him 21st out of 23 cars for the day. He did not practice on Thursday.

There are not one but two Andrettis hoping to qualify for the Indy 500 today. Michael Andretti has suited up and returned to the storied track as a driver for the first time since 2003. At 43 years old, Michael says he wanted to return as a driver to help his 19-year-old son, Marco Andretti, learn the ropes of Indy. This is Marco's fourth start in an IndyCar and first at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Michael has indeed been helping his son, going as far as putting him behind the wheel of his No. 1 Jim Beam / Vonage / Honda-powered car on Wednesday so Marco could feel how a car should feel on the track. As a result, both have been running practice times consistently in the top 10. Michael's best start at the Indy 500 is third in 1986 and his best finish is second in 1991. He has led 426 laps - more than any nonwinner at Indianapolis. If Michael and Marco qualify, Marco will become the third son to race against his father in the Indy 500.

Also making a comeback is 1998 Indy 500 winner Cheever. After stepping out of the car at the end of the 2002 season, Cheever is back behind the wheel hoping to win his second Indy 500. At 48, Cheever says he never officially announced his retirement and is simply doing this for himself. Cheever will attempt to qualify for his 14th Indy 500.

So far Sam Hornish Jr. is the man to beat in practice. He has topped the speed charts every day this week and was the first driver to turn a lap of more than 226 mph this month.

Hornish has two IndyCar championships under his belt, but has really never run well at Indy. His best finish in six starts is 14th in 2001.

Danica Patrick has yet to get up to the speed she maintained last year during practice, as she has been out of the top 10.

Her teammate Buddy Rice hit the wall in turn 4 Thursday, suffering bruises on both knees. Although he walked away and was cleared at the medical center, he must be re-evaluated before being cleared to drive on Pole Day. Rice, the 2004 Indy 500 winner, suffered a torn ligament in his neck and a concussion during practice last May that denied him the opportunity to defend his title.

The weather has been cold in Indianapolis, in the 50s the last couple of days, with multiple rain showers.

But the speeds should be sizzling today.