INDIANAPOLIS — We all hoped that we’d get to Sunday and set the field for next weeks 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 (11 a.m. ET, NBC, INDYCAR Radio Network) and at least 1 of Jimmie Johnson and Romain Grosjean would be in the running still for the pole. Well, not only do we get both, we also have some big storylines for fans to witness at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.

We just saw the quickest speeds in nearly three decades on Saturday with the 3rd and 5th fastest qualifying laps turned. Now, you get cooler conditions on Sunday for what could possibly see them go a tick higher.

On top of that, just look at who’s vying to earn the honors of pole winner for the Indy 500. You get Johnson and Grosjean but also a fan favorite in Tony Kanaan. So is local hero Ed Carpenter. He’s 1 pole shy of being in a tie for 2nd ever here for Indy 500 poles. Pato O’Ward will make a run at it. Both Grosjean and O’Ward were among the favorites on the fan poll and here they are.

Scott Dixon is in it. If he can earn the top starting spot it would be his 5th all-time here now at that. That would break a tie with Rex Mays, AJ Foyt and Helio Castroneves currently for 2nd. Rick Mears leads everyone with 6. Takuma Sato is always a thrill. Then you have Will Power. He’s won 64 career NTT INDYCAR Series poles but among them are none in the biggest race of the year.

This group of 12 will certainly thrill the fans who come out to witness a fun show on Sunday afternoon in Central Indiana.