Danica Patrick not only has captured the smiles of her fellow drivers, but also has grabbed the attention of racing fans everywhere. Jonathan Fickies/Getty Images Related Links More prestigious -- Indy 500 or Coca-Cola 600? EXPERTS: Castroneves, Danica set to battle REACT: Which Memorial Day race is bigger? JAMES: Indy and the Derby, two May traditions ERWIN: Female drivers still searching for equality

This year's Indianapolis 500 on Sunday afternoon could be the most intriguing in years. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why.

Five drivers to watch

1. Danica Patrick

She'll be in the spotlight for the entire 500 miles, the first woman driver with a legitimate chance to win Indy. It's been her best track in four years in the IndyCar Series. Finishing fourth and leading laps in 2005 made her famous, and she backed that up with an eighth with a bad car -- the Panoz --in '06 and an unlucky eighth -- due to the rain -- last year.

Patrick returns this year with the powerful Andretti Green team and excellent pit strategist Kyle Moyer, who made the calls that took her to victory in Japan five weeks ago. Patrick has been fast and consistent in practice and starts in the middle of the second row. She's ready to go after the greatest prize in international open-wheel racing.

2. Scott Dixon

He has seven wins in the last 37 IndyCar Series races, including at Homestead-Miami Speedway this season. Known as the "Iceman" for keeping cool under pressure, Dixon has developed into a force, smooth and consistently fast like Rick Mears. He's shown front-running speed in qualifying, taking the pole at 226.366 mph, and in race preparation in practice. Ganassi Racing began working on Indianapolis in January -- something they've never done before -- and it shows. Dixon, 27, finished second at Indy last year, sixth in '06 and eighth in '04. In his sixth 500, he's the driver everyone else has to beat.

3. Dan Wheldon

The 29-year-old Englishman has been overshadowed by teammate Dixon this May, but he's certainly capable of shining in the race. Wheldon starts in the middle of the front row and he likes to run in the lead, so an early challenge for it is expected. Wheldon won Indy from the 16th starting spot in '05 and finished third in '04. His greatest disappointment was a fourth at Indy in '06 after leading 148 laps and having a cut tire with 17 laps to go deny him a chance at a second win. Wheldon is fast and brave and has 14 IndyCar Series wins since the start of the '04 season.

4. Helio Castroneves

The popular Brazilian can't be overlooked for two reasons: He's won the race twice and finished second and third in seven starts at Indianapolis. Second, he drives for Penske Racing, which has 14 victories at Indianapolis. Last year Castroneves had the fastest car on the track and was running third when crashes followed by rain ended the race with 34 laps remaining. He may be more famous for winning Dancing With The Stars, but his greatest desire is to become a three-time winner at Indy.

5. Tony Kanaan

He's always a contender at Indy, but hasn't made it to Victory Lane in six previous races and seems overdue. Kanaan led 83 laps at Indy last year, but lost his chance when he spun to avoid Jaques Lazier's spinning car with 44 laps to go. He was second in '04, third in '03 and fifth in '06. The Brazilian is the most experienced of the Andretti Green drivers and has shown the speed necessary to be a contender again this May. He starts on the outside of the second row.

Five intriguing storylines

1. What happens if Danica Patrick wins?

It would be so monumental an accomplishment that it's hard to calculate the impact, but the worldwide reaction would be at least 10 times more than what happened after her win in Japan. Patrick has become a different type of role model for women, carving out her own space with her sex appeal and ability to drive fast and compete with men. Men like her, too. Patrick's popularity would soar to mega rock star status with a victory.

2. Can Helio Castroneves win his third Indy?

He's got his own expanded fan base, from Dancing With The Stars, and, combined with his Spider-Man celebration of climbing the fence, Castroneves would generate a level of excitement from the general public that would power the rebuilding of IndyCar racing at a much faster pace. Castroneves would also become the sixth three-time Indy winner and the first since Rick Mears in 1988.

3. Can Marco Andretti put his face on the Borg-Warner Trophy?

It's been 39 years since Mario Andretti won at Indianapolis. He drove in 24 more races at the Brickyard without getting a second win while son Michael went 0-for-16. They came frustratingly close, of course, and it has led to the "Andretti Curse" at Indianapolis. Marco putting his face on the Borg-Warner along with his grandfather's would stamp out the curse and elevate him to superstar status in racing.