INDIANAPOLIS 500 DAILY REPORT : A Tribute to Brayton--but What?

Speedway officials are planning a tribute before the running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday to Scott Brayton, the pole-sitter who lost his life in a crash while practicing last Friday. Not determined, however, is how do it.

Suggestions range from having one of John Menard’s team cars, carrying Brayton’s No. 32, in front of the field like a pace car for a parade lap to leaving the pole position vacant and having rookie Tony Stewart--Brayton’s teammate--lead the 33 cars into the first turn from the middle of the front row.

Chief steward Keith Ward said his first concern was not to create confusion for the field. Danny Ongais will drive Brayton’s car in the race, starting from the 33rd position.

The decision is expected to be made before today’s Carburetion Day, a final practice session for drivers and crews before Sunday’s 9 a.m. PDT start.

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Garages and conference rooms in Gasoline Alley were virtually deserted Wednesday because drivers, crewmen and officials from most of the teams were in Coldwater, Mich., for Brayton’s funeral service.

An estimated 5,700 friends and associates of the 37-year-old driver were at a visitation for Brayton on Tuesday night. Lines extended a block and a half around the Gillespie Funeral Home most of the evening.

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Crews from the five top starters will shoot for $60,000 today in the Coors Pit Stop Challenge, after practice. Winners will receive $35,000--and 10 cases of Coors beer.

The crew for Jacques Villeneuve won last year. Villeneuve went on to win the 500.

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The 33 drivers in the Indianapolis 500 starting field this year have a total of 75 years of experience in the race, the lowest since 1931.

Take away the 11 starts apiece by Arie Luyendyk, Roberto Guerrero and Johnny Parsons and the 10 starts by Danny Ongais, and the other 29 drivers average 1.1 starts each.

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The Wildlife Rescue and Control Commission was called by Speedway authorities to remove the family of ducks that has been waddling from the infield creek to the first turn--even when cars were running. The ducks are now in a quieter environment.

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A rundown of equipment for the 500 reveals that there will be 21 Lolas and 12 Reynards, 19 on Goodyear tires and 14 on Firestones, with 24 using Ford Cosworth engines, seven with Menards, one with a Buick and one with a Mercedes Ilmor.