Five drivers to compete for Sunoco Rookie award

Fastest rookie – Alexander Rossi

From Jim Clark to Rick Mears and Helio Castroneves to Ryan Hunter-Reay, just to name a few, some of the best drivers in Indianapolis 500 history have been named Sunoco Rookie of the Year.

After the historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil this Sunday, one driver from a field of five "500" newcomers will become the 63rd winner of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award, along with its new trophy and $50,000 prize.

"We are thrilled to continue our sponsorship of the Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award in 2016. The list of previous award winners is filled with iconic names like Andretti and Donohue, and we look forward to seeing another talented driver add their name to the history books this weekend," said Cynthia Archer, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Sunoco. "This year's rookies have shown their skill and strengths throughout the Month of May, and we look forward to recognizing one of them as the 2016 Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year following the 100th Running of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing' on Sunday afternoon."

Alexander Rossi qualified highest of the five rookies, landing in 11th on the grid in the No. 98 NAPA Auto Parts/Curb Honda. The native Californian, now an Indianapolis resident, made five starts in Formula One in 2015. This year, he's 17th in points in the Verizon IndyCar Series with a season-best 10th-place finish earlier this month at the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on the IMS road course.

The next rookie on the grid is Max Chilton, starting 22nd in the No. 8 Gallagher Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. The Englishman finished fifth in points in the 2015 Indy Lights season and is 16th this year in the Verizon IndyCar Series with top finish of seventh on the other oval race of the season to date, at Phoenix.

Matt Brabham will make history on Sunday when the Australian becomes the third third-generation driver at the Indianapolis 500, piloting the No. 61 PIRTEK Team Murray Chevrolet from the 27th starting spot. His grandfather, Jack Brabham, made four Indy starts with a high finish of ninth as a rookie in 1961, while father Geoff Brabham was a popular competitor with 10 starts including a high of fourth in 1983.

Spencer Pigot, starting 29th in the No. 16 Rahal Letterman Lanigan/Mi-Jack/Manitowoc Honda, won the Indy Lights title last year behind six wins, four poles and 10 podium finishes. The Florida native, now living in Indianapolis, finished 11th earlier this month at the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis.

A fan favorite on Sunday is sure to be Englishman Stefan Wilson, starting 30th in the No. 25 Driven2SaveLives-KV Racing Technology Chevrolet. Stefan's late older brother, Justin, made eight "500" starts with three top-10 finishes.

The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil will be Sunday, May 29. With a crowd traveling to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that has not been seen in recent years, longtime fans are encouraged to begin their Race Day routines at least two hours earlier than previous years.