Rookies and rusty veterans to hit Indy track today

Robert Doornbos, a two-time Champ Car winner who raced last year in the A1 Grand Prix circuit, is one of six Indy rookies with varied backgrounds in other series who will be paired with past Indy 500 winners for a two-day primer on the 2.5-mile track starting today ahead of official practice opening later this week. Other first-timers include:

• Conquest Racing's Alex Tagliani, another former Champ Car veteran who made two IRL starts last year.

• Curb/Agajanian/Team 3G's Stanton Barrett, a NASCAR driver.

Also participating are Raphael Matos, Mike Conway and former Champ Car driver Nelson Philippe.

Paul Tracy, who hasn't run at Indy since he finished second in 2002 (most say he was robbed, but the race was awarded to an IRL team – Penske, rather than give it to a Champ Car driver even though he had passed Castroneves before the caution light came on), also will be hitting the track Tuesday.

Others taking a refresher course: John Andretti, A.J. Foyt IV, Davey Hamilton, former winner Buddy Lazier, Alex Lloyd and Scott Sharp.