Fernando Alonso's Indy Performance Is Exceeding All Expectations Last year’s Indy 500—the 100th running of the iconic event—was huge in every way, but its hook was of the general kind, the number 100. The centennial celebration drew immense attention; fans flocked to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to be part of the big number 100, and yet, until the drama unfolded late in the race as rookie Alexander Rossi scored a major upset, the two-week contest lacked a specific rallying point within the field of 33 drivers. Beyond the 100 angle, what else was on offer? With the 101st, we have a true international star to follow, and so far, through the first week of on-track activity, the two-time Formula 1 champion has been anything but hype. If running competitively through five days of practice wasn’t enough of a statement, Fernando Alonso went out in pre-qualifying on Saturday and locked himself into a shot at the pole on Sunday. He followed it up by taking fifth on the grid …18 ...