Drivers' pre-race rituals are as varied as their driving styles. Some, like Kanaan, like to minimize superstitious behavior and maximize relaxation. Others, like Buddy Lazier, have a more rigid approach, using visualization techniques, eye exercises, and stretching to prepare for the race.  Some sleep; others stay wired. Some join the pageantry; others avoid it at all cost. Some chill alone in their motorcoaches; others surround themselves with people. Some follow a regimented pre-race warmup; others just shut up and drive.

When it comes to the Indianapolis 500, it's all about the approach.

What drivers do in the hours before Sunday's race says something about how they might finish. Nerves are as unwelcome as oil on asphalt, so the trick is to be prepared without being overly prepared, to be relaxed without being too relaxed.

"I really don’t do anything different," said Tony Kanaan, who will start from the pole position when the green flag waves shortly after 1 p.m. ET Sunday. "I'm me. If you come talk to me a few hours before the race, I'll talk to you. I'll talk to anybody. I just take it like it's a normal day and I've got to go to work in a couple of hours."

"There's a way for me to visualize the racetrack and actually race in my mind before the event begins," said Lazier, who closes his eyes and imagines race laps as part of his pre-race routine. "I have a friend who did a lot of eye training for the special forces back in the '90s, so he and I worked on fusion and fission, a way of increasing your depth perception. I do the eye exercise and the visualization and stretching, and I'm ready to go."

While some drivers like to hide out in peace before the race, others -- like Kanaan -- have been known to chat, tell jokes and generally clown around before getting in the car. "The only time I do anything is right before I hop in the car," he said. "If you're around me, you'll notice that I have my eyes closed for a few minutes before the race. I'm just concentrating. Before that, I live my life pretty normally. I eat the same food that I always do. I don't change anything. I don't think I have to do anything differently."

Most drivers like to have the details completed so the final hours before driver introductions can be quiet and calm. Then they'll focus on the task at hand.

"You like to think about how the start of the race will go," said Ed Carpenter, who will start his second Indy 500. "You try to have a plan or a couple of plans. Usually they don't work out, but just thinking about everything and how your car is going to do always helps. I try not to think too much about it or plan too much, because I think that can turn around and bite you. Just race your race and race your car and deal with what you've got. If you think about it too much, it can almost hurt you more than not thinking about it at all."

Indianapolis, though, is different than any other race. The scene before the race is crowded, loud and seemingly endless. When it comes to Jim Nabors and Florence Henderson and marching bands and balloons, rookies like Ryan Briscoe are in for a challenge of the senses before the race.

"It's important to stay flexible," Briscoe said. "Things might pop up at the last minute. I don’t really like to have something to live by before a race. If, by chance, I can’t do that thing, I don’t want to feel like I’m not going to be able to perform well."

Eating well before the race also is important. Most drivers eat about three hours before the race -- "It's important to have fully digested your food before you start racing," Briscoe says -- in order to assist with concentration and energy. Being hungry or full during a race is detrimental.

A full night of sleep beforehand ranks near the top of drivers' lists, too. A short night or intermittent sleep leads to eye fatigue, muscle strain and fading concentration.

"The thing I need most before a long race is to sleep well," said Vitor Meira, who will start in the third row. "I need a deep sleep of at least eight or nine hours. With the long straights, Indianapolis doesn't require great physical strength, but it is very demanding mentally. That's how I get prepared. I try to get as much quality sleep as I can and be cool and hydrate, but the most important thing to get prepared is my mind. I try to come into every race with a healthy mind."

Whether it's hiding out or joining in the fun or visualizing or exercising, drivers agree on one approach: If it works for you, do it.

"Everybody has their own way," Kanaan said. "If you feel good about it, do it. If you want to jump up and down, hit your head on the wall -- whatever feels good. I do stretch a bit, but you're not going to get prepared for a race on the morning of a race. You have to do that weeks and months before a race."

Tomas Enge smiles when asked about his plan for the hours leading up to Sunday's race. The Czech rookie is taking a tip from his new teammate, Lazier. Don't drink too much water before the race.

"Many a veteran has made that mistake," Lazier said with a laugh. "It makes for a very painful race."  

Carb Day At Indianapolis

May 27th, Speedway - Traditionally, Carb Day was always the Thursday before the 500 . Until this year when a change was made and the final practice before the 500, along with pit stop competition, is being held today. Along with that is the traditional Carb Day Concert on the Speedway grounds. This year's featured artist is the Black Crows.

Downtown the party continues with a block party at 5pm and then appearances by Bob and Tom from the nationally-known Bob and Tom Radio Show and the Bob and Tom Band.

Saturday, all is quiet here at the track with all eyes turning to the Indy 500 Memorial Day Parade.

No matter who wins on Sunday, the darling of the weekend will be Danica Patrick, the 23-year-old female driver from the Rahal/Letterman stable. Danica qualified on the inside of the second row (4th) on pole day two weeks ago, since then she has been the most sought out interview at the track. This is one confident lady now; we know that pre-race jitters will set in. This is the Indy 500 after all. However, if Danica gets through the traffic at the first of the 500 miles, we think she will have a shot.

Another shot belongs to former Indy winner, Kenny Brack. The 1999 race winner will be in another Rahal Car replacing Buddy Rice who was hurt during a practice session earlier this month. Brack actually qualified his car with a 'faster than Pole time,' however he did not qualify on the first day of qualifying and therefore will be in the middle of the 33-car field on Sunday.

The weather here is currently partly cloudy skies with some very scattered showers mixed in just for grins. Rain chance for race day looks like 20 percent.

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