What’s magic? For Danica Patrick, it’s that 2005 May afternoon when she buckled into an open-wheel car and made history. Just a few months ago, Rahal Letterman Racing announced her addition to their IndyCar lineup, and it was time for her to make her debut at the historic Indy 500. As practice and time trials ended, Patrick had shocked fans! Qualifying in fourth place, she had done something incredible, and by the time the checkered flag waved, the driver was writing history. “The greatest memory for me was my first Indy 500 in 2005, 13 years ago,” Patrick told CBS. Cut to 2025, and in just under a week’s time, one of the biggest races in America will kick off, marking a special event for Danica Patrick.

The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is almost here, and people could not be any more excited. It will be the 20th anniversary of not just Danica Patrick entering the Indy 500, but also becoming the first female to lead laps in the race!

And Patrick felt that she could have done better. As she explained just a few years ago, “My first Indy 500 comes to mind a little bit, just because I don’t race Indy cars anymore and I don’t have any more chances. That was a tough one. There were some things about that first Indy 500 that could have been different – a little more fuel left than I thought. I probably would have just led no matter what (she gave up the lead with seven laps to go), even if it meant running out of fuel, as opposed to just finishing.” 

It was the beginning of a massive racing career, one that has inspired others. Although the 43-year-old has one win to her name, which was at Motegi in 2008, drivers like Hailie Deegan have followed in her footsteps.

Now, 7 years after she has retired, Patrick is back in the IndyCar arena. Except, she is taking on the role of a presenter for ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’. In a way, the Indy 500 holds a special place in her heart because of all the memories from the iconic race.

She wrote on Instagram, “Always a blast and an honor to help cover the Indy 500! Qualifying was exciting with a rookie on the pole for next Sunday! Tune in to @indycaronfox for the 109th running of the greatest spectacle in racing!!! Song choice is a nostalgic throw back to my first Indy 500 in 2005. This song was live as we walked out to the grid for the race, I finished 4th. Then in 2009, 3 Doors Down was the big concert on Friday night inside the track and I met them all… I finished 3rd that year.”

The song playing was Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down. Now, why does Patrick remember this of all things? Well, the band performed at the track in 2005 and then later in 2009. It seems their presence might have been the lucky charm Patrick needed because when they performed for the second time, she recorded her career best finish of third place at the Indy 500.

Despite this, there was some degree of regret about missing out on a win. She explained, back in 2018, “I think all of my life I’ve kind of felt like you’re only as good as your last race. And it’s fine to live by that when you’re in the middle of it, because it drives you and pushes you. But for that to really be the reality of your entire career is really silly. People are going to remember … 20-some years of racing, the 13 years professionally at IndyCar and NASCAR level … not necessarily how I did at the Indy 500 in my very last year. Unless I win.” 

After retiring in 2018, it was time for Patrick to move on to a different role. She’s done driving, but that doesn’t mean the racing bug has left her. As FOX Sports handles the broadcasting responsibilities for the Indy 500, Patrick, alongside former Cup Series champ Tony Stewart, will be joined by Chris Myers for the event.

For now, let’s see what NASCAR driver Kyle Larson is up to.

What to expect from Kyle Larson during the 109th edition of the race

Danica Patrick is not going to be the only NASCAR representation on the Indy 500 field. Kyle Larson is making his second consecutive appearance in the iconic race, as he attempts the double again. Last year, everything was squandered thanks to adverse weather conditions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That meant that by the time Larson flew back to the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, the race was underway.

Now, the driver will be hoping that nothing goes wrong this time around, and he is able to achieve all 1100 miles. But Larson doesn’t look like he’s gotten off to the best of starts this time. As fans may already know, drivers get runs each to make their attempt in qualifying, and the average speed across these laps determines the starting position.

Just a little while ago, Larson was in 17th, and at the time, he said, “I mean, we will definitely get back out there. I think we’re pretty slow. Good to finally get the qualifying run, that’s the first of our month we’ve gotten, it’s just been hectic in qualifying. So good to get those four laps in and now we’re trying to maintain that balance and trying to find some speed. Qualifying last year was pretty simple, but I think my car balance was good and we had the speed to go along with it.” However, Larson hasn’t been able to improve.

Although Larson ran clean laps, he was only able to clock in 231.326 mph, currently putting him in 19th position. And while a race win might be difficult, Larson isn’t concerned. He explained, “Right now, I don’t really think about the legacy side of it. I just love to race, and I want to do both races and try to do a good job and have fun with everything.” 

One thing’s for certain. We have an incredible race on our hands at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!