Chicagoland looks like it will be a thriller this evening-the entire field, one through twenty-nine, is separated by just over a second.  Ryan Briscoe will be defending his title from the pole when the green flag drops at 8pm EST.

Here’s what I’ll be looking for during the race:

Traffic, Traffic, Traffic

With 29 cars on this 1.5 mile oval traffic will be a major issue.  The hardest thing will be trying to keep up with all of the action around the track.  Plus, with only one second separating the field, there won’t be many gaps until there is a significant green flag run (which I don’t expect many).  What we’ll likely see is two packs form.  A lead pack with about 10 drivers, followed by a pack of about 12-15 drivers.  Then there will be the stragglers that are having mechanical, or some other issue.  Point is, at 200+ mph with no time gap, it will be chaotic out there.  All I’m really hoping for is that we avoid "the big one".  Which leads me to

Will there be a crazy, spectacularly bad accident?

Ask Ryan Briscoe how crazy this place can be?  With so much wheel-to-wheel action it is a minor (major?) miracle IndyCar has walked away from this place without more tragedy.  Every time they take to this track it seems like we are on small move away from disaster.  I expect that we’ll make it through the race without anything other than the "normal" accidents that happen on ovals, but I will be watching.  Especially on the first lap or two.

The First Turn

29 cars sweeping into the first turn at different rates of accelerationsounds like a recipe for disaster.  I will be AMAZED if there isn’t a first lap incident.  As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, my real hope is that IndyCar, and its drivers,  are able to escape Chicago one last time.  There will be such a mix of experience out on the track today with very little practice time.  If you haven’t gathered yet, I’m nervous.

Pit Stops

Pit crews are never under more pressure than they are on the 1.5 mile ovals, especially during green flag stops.  Think about it, on road and street circuits track position is definitely vital.  But it is easier to create some space between yourself and those behind you.  Will Power came into the pits last week in Sonoma leading by something like 10 seconds.  His pit crew had a small margin for error.  I can pretty much guarantee there will not be a ten second gap between the leader and second place at Chicago.  It will more likely be tenths of a second, which means any error in the pits can cost a driver the race. 

On top of all of that pressure, the pits will be extremely crowded this weekend with the expanded 29 car field.  Yellow flags are going to create havoc down pit lane, and like Mid-Ohio, I will be shocked if there are no incidents on pit lane.  The pits aren’t as tight as Mid-Ohio, but anytime there are this many cars coming in and out of the pits, something is bound to happen.

The Finish

Every knows that Chicago consistently brings a thrilling finish, and it seems like this year will be no different.  The real questions are: how close will it be? And, who will it be between?  It’s likely going to come down to Penske and Ganassi drivers, but it would be nice if someone like Dan Wheldon or Graham Rahal could sneak in there and make it interesting, ala Ed Carpenter at Kentucky last year.  Either way, hang on to your seat, this is likely the last time we see IndyCars at Chicago, and I expect it to seem more regrettable than ever after this year’s race.