Which Driver Winning Would Be Best For The Indianapolis 500?

Whoever wins the Indianapolis 500 deserves it. To be the first to complete 500 miles (as long as it goes the full distance) deserves the milk, the wreath around the shoulders and their face on the BorgWarner Trophy.

But... there are some drivers who would be covered better by the media than others if they were to win on Sunday. Best example being 2011. Had Bertrand Baguette held on for three more laps, I would have been happy for the Belgian because he was a really good driver in Europe (won the Formula Renault title) but could not keep up with the money needed to make it to Formula One and choose IndyCar and was one of the best drivers to come from Europe to IndyCar in a long time. However, the media wouldn't have given Bertrand Baguette the time of day. If anything they would have made more jokes about his last name being a type of bread than acknowledge he won the Indianapolis 500.

Same thing this year. There are drivers who if they were to win on Sunday would be better for IndyCar than others.

Would it be good if Helio Castroneves or Dario Franchitti won their fourth Indianapolis 500? While it would be a historic feat, the backlash from some fans trying to diminish their four wins wouldn't be good. Yes each driver won an Indianapolis 500 during the split, some still don't think Castroneves won in 2002, Franchitti won a rain shortened race, all of Franchitti's wins were under yellow flag conditions. Those are some of the comments you will hear if either of those two drivers won and none of those comments are false. I'd like to see history happen but I'm sure the arguments from some trying to put either of these two driver's possible four Indianapolis 500 in the back seat compared to Foyt, Unser and Mears would get old. It would have it's positives but would have it's draw backs as well.

What about an American Winning?
Wouldn't be a bad thing. I am sure Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal winning would draw more eyes than if Buddy Lazier were to win his second (Nothing against Lazier. His win in 1996 with broken back was impressive and if he were to win Sunday, it would probably be the biggest upset in racing history, let alone Indianapolis 500 history). Andretti and Rahal have the names to turn heads. Ryan Hunter-Reay is the defending series champion and what is a better way to prove you are the best than winning the Indianapolis 500? Josef Newgarden is a young kid who is energetic and I think that can draw a younger audience and he is confident though starting 25th. AJ Allmendinger has the sponsor (Izod) behind him to promote like crazy if he were to win. JR Hildebrand would be a great win for the National Guard and because the 2011 finish is still fresh. Conor Daly is a young and upcoming star. Ed Carpenter is the Hoosier-native looking to make history. Townsend Bell has the best thing to happen to IndyCar in a long-time, Turbo, as a sponsor. Charlie Kimball's story as a diabetic is interesting and has a good sponsor in Novo Nordisk.

I say any American winning is a plus. My worry is if Conor Daly were to win or Buddy Lazier were to win (much easier said than done), it would get people saying "oh, Daly won. He's only in GP3. Imagine if a Formula One driver came to Indianapolis." Or "Lazier won after never racing the DW12 and being out of racing for four years? How hard can IndyCar be?" It's bad enough those within NASCAR think the top twenty in NASCAR could walk in and would finish 1-20th in the Indianapolis 500. We don't need the F1 guys thinking that.

Any Female Winning Would Be Good. 
If Simona de Silvestro, Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann or Katherine Legge were to win it'd be a plus but they'd be compared to you-know-who and some from outside of racing may try to exploit them.

What Would-Be First Time Winners Not Yet Mention?
All the Americans and women would be first timers. Tony Kanaan winning may tear down the Speedway with the amount of joy people would feel for him. Sébastien Bourdais winning would be a positive for his legacy but he isn't as well known. Ryan Briscoe would be cool as a one-off and his wife, Nicole, who works for ESPN is in the best position to get him mentioned.

Who Has The Sponsor That Would Best Promote a Winner?
James Hinchcliffe. If he were to win, you'd think GoDaddy would be featuring Hinchcliffe more often. Bell winning with Turbo on the car would be great for the movie. Will Power has Verizon who could make it known Power won. I already mentioned Allmendinger and Izod.

Who'd Be The Best Sentimental Story?
Tony Kanaan would be it but Oriol Serviá and Dreyer & Reinbold would be a close second. Winning the Indianapolis 500 probably saves Serviá and D&R from closing it's doors for the near future. Who is not pulling for the team to save the rest of their 2013 season?

Who Would Not Be The Ideal Winner For the Indianapolis 500?
Someone with a small following. I hate to say it but Carlos Muñoz and Tristan Vautier are nobodies to average fans. Though Muñoz has been spot on all month, most wouldn't give a damn if he were to win.  James Jakes hasn't had a great month and is an unknown. Same for Sebastián Saavedra. Nothing against any of these drivers. I think all have potential going forward but aren't established enough to turn heads.

It isn't fair that winning the Indianapolis 500 isn't enough to get average fans to appreciate a driver but sadly it's the world we live in and the current state of IndyCar. Some would be better than others but whoever wins deserves it and the win cannot be taken away from them.