Then again, the driver who is threatening to be the true gimmick of IndyCar is Patrick. She was a great story in the 2005 Indianapolis 500, becoming the first woman to lead the race, and finishing higher (fourth) than any woman ever had. Plus, as her photo layouts showed, she could get motors running in more ways than one.

Unfortunately, Patrick has proven to be a middle-of-the-pack driver. Fourth place is as close to the checkered flag as she has gotten. Switching to Andretti Green Racing — the same team featuring Marco — this year after two seasons with Rahal Letterman has done Patrick no favors so far. Her best finish was seventh, at Kansas. For a while, Patrick was an inspiring story, but if you’re not winning races, the novelty wears off.

Certainly, there are other drivers who could be star material in the IndyCar circuit. Tony Kanaan, with eight career wins, including a victory this year at Motegi, is willing to take that role. He has met with IndyCar officials about promoting up-front drivers such as himself, and old rival (and two-time Indy 500 winner) Helio Castroneves. The unfortunate reality for both is that selling Brazilians to the American public is, pardon the pun, a nonstarter.

So who can capture the American imagination for the IndyCar series? Right now, that driver doesn’t exist, which is why the biggest news out of Indy is that three women qualified: Patrick, Sarah Fisher and (barely) Duno.

Perhaps Marco fulfills his familial destiny to win everywhere — but Indy. Perhaps Patrick, still only 25, will begin proving she can will a car to victory. Perhaps Hornish never goes anywhere, and becomes the face of IndyCar racing for the long term.

Perhaps Wheldon sheds his English accent and starts saying things like "rubbin’ is racin’."

Something radical has to happen. The Indianapolis 500 is still the biggest race in the world, but open-wheel racing needs more than the fumes of past 500s to keep its relevance in America. Maybe this year’s Indy 500 pace-car driver, Patrick "Dr. McDreamy" Dempsey, should drive in the actual race. OK, he would be a gimmick. But at least he’s already a star.

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