INDY 500 notebook: Penske drivers like their chances

Going into Sunday's 100th Indianapolis 500, the two teammates that put on a dandy duel for the victory last year have almost been forgotten.

Juan Montoya, who beat Will Power by an eyelash (0.1046 seconds) after storming back from 30th following an early altercation, only qualified 17th last weekend, while Power led Team Penske by putting his Verizon Chevy in the sixth slot.

But be aware: The most successful team in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway history is lurking.

"I feel better, honestly, than even last year," said Power, who's racked up 22 of his 25 wins driving for Roger Penske. "This has felt like the most low-key month I've had and really haven't thought about it being the 100th.

"The only thing I've thought about is getting the car right in the practice sessions. And I feel my set-up is right there in the window."

Montoya struggled in qualifying and in Monday's lengthy practice period before finding the sweet spot on his Verizon Chevy.

"Eighty percent of the practice was awful but the last 20 percent was good," the two-time Indy champion said. "I ran 12-15 laps in a row without saying a word on the radio and I think that's a good indication."

Power led 23 laps in 2015 to Montoya's nine and thought he was in the perfect position after being passed on Lap 197.

"I was sitting there [in second] thinking this is the best spot," he recalled. "That I would pass him on the backstretch just like I'd done all day. I kind of lifted [in Turn 3] but still had a shot and if I could have run flat I would have been a lot closer to him at the line. It was frustrating."

Montoya isn't one of the pre-race favorites, but that hardly ruffles his 40-year-old feathers.

"I think my chances are good," he said. "I'm not going to come here and say that I'm going to win the race but just give me a shot."

Of course, teammates Simon Pagenaud (starting eighth in his Menard's Special) and Helio Castroneves (ninth in the Pennzoil Special) also figure to be right in the mix.

Pagenaud has reeled off three consecutive wins and was one of the fastest cars at Indy last year – leading 35 laps – but finished 10th after breaking his front wing.

"I don't see why we shouldn't be contending for the win," the winner of this month's Angie's List Grand Prix said. "We've got a lot of momentum."

Castroneves came close to joining A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears two years ago as the only four-time Indy 500 winners before being edged by Ryan Hunter-Reay in the closing laps.

"I love this place," Castroneves said. "And I like our chances."

BETTENHAUSEN BOOK

Gordon Kirby and Joe Freeman's Racemaker Press have delivered another winner with "Tony Bettenhausen & Sons: An American Racing Family Album."

With some classic, never-before-seen pictures spread over 216 pages, it's the history of this star-crossed family told through the eyes of the only remaining son, Merle.

Using his memories and anecdotes, the middle brother of Gary and Tony Jr. narrates what it was like growing up with and watching his father – the "The Tinley Park Express" – win races and championships but always get denied at Indianapolis.

And there was equal heartbreak for Gary as well, followed by an amazing comeback while Tony Jr. went from also-ran in USAC to a solid Indianapolis 500 veteran before moving into team ownership.

Merle, who lost his right arm in his IndyCar debut at Michigan in 1972, also gets some historical perspective from sister Susie.

Kirby and Bettenhausen will be signing books Friday night at the IMS Museum beginning at 5 p.m.