Indianapolis 500 rookies and French drivers Simon Pagenaud and Jean Alesi previously crossed paths. Pagenaud, who leads the IZOD IndyCar Series’ Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings, was one of several drivers mentored by Alesi nearly 10 years ago.

Click it: Rookie classes through the years

"He trained me when I was a kid," said Pagenaud, who turns 28 on May 18. "I was part of a young French team of drivers and Jean was the captain. He took us to Dubai to train with his trainer and that's how I got to know him. He's a very nice guy and always has a good sense of humor. I'm glad to see him here.

"It's surprising to see him here and I hope he has a good month."

Alesi, who at 47 is the oldest rookie in the history of the Indy 500, successfully completed the Rookie Orientation Program on May 12. He’s driving the No. 64 Lotus-FP Journe-Fan Force United car.

"It's fast," he said of the 2.5-mile oval. "But it's extremely important to concentrate all the time. You can't go on the track and be relaxed. I respect very much the Indianapolis racetrack now."

Will Coyne ‘Have Another’ at Indy?

Dale Coyne Racing and driver James Jakes may be the beneficiary of I'll Have Another's win in the 138th Kentucky Derby. I'll Have Another became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby with the No. 19 -- the number as Jakes' Boy Scouts of America car in the Indianapolis 500.

A car using No. 19 has never won the Indy 500. Since 1911 the Derby and Indianapolis 500 winners have shared the same number eight times -- the most recently in 2004 (Smarty Jones as the Derby winner and Buddy Rice as the Indy 500 champion).

Rahal, this Bud's for you

This will be Graham Rahal’s fifth start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” after posting a career-best finish of third in 2011.  His father, Bobby Rahal, three-time CART champion, won the 1986 Indianapolis 500 on his fifth attempt.

Coincidentally, Rahal won in a Budweiser-sponsored car. Budweiser announced a partnership that will see the King of Beers’ logo on Graham Rahal’s No.38 Service Central car during the Month of May. Budweiser will have billboards throughout the greater Indianapolis area to activate the partnership, as we all as point of sale and personal appearances by Rahal.

Donate the ‘sunnies’

Pagenaud is asking for fans to bring gently-used sunglasses (‘‘sunnies’’ as he calls them) to him at the Speedway. While Pagenaud will wear some of the sunglasses, all of the pairs collected will be donated to Goodwill of Indianapolis at the end of the month. … The two Dragon Racing cars are listed as "TBD" in the engine column on the latest Indy 500 entrant list. ... T.J. and Bev Patrick, parents of Danica Patrick, were at the Speedway for Opening Day. ... Team owner Sarah Fisher was spotting for rookie Bryan Clauson. ... Townsend Bell was competing in the American Le Mans Series race in California and will arrive at the Speedway on May 13 to open his program with Schmidt Pelfrey Motorsports. ... Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard was the honorary starter. ... The 500 Festival announced hat Olivia Newton-John will be the grand marshal of the IPL 500 Festival Parade on May 26.