After reading boss Phil Burgess’ note that this will be his 27th straight year going to Indy, it seems a little odd for me to be marveling over the fact that this is nine in a row for me, but I am nonetheless surprised. So in honor of my ninth journey to the Hoosier State, I am beginning my Indy blogging adventures with the nine things I am most looking forward to seeing/doing in Indy. Without further ado, here they are in no particular order:

1. The battle for the final playoffs spot: After 17 other events and seven months, it all comes down to this. Just one race left to determine who will make up the 10-driver playoffs in each class, and boy did the drivers near the cutoff keep things interesting. Entering Indy, only three points separate Clay Millican and Joe Hartley in the battle for the final spot in Top Fuel. Only 38 points separate Cruz Pedregon, Matt Hagan, and Robert Hight in Funny Car. Johnny Gray is just nine points behind Warren Johnson in the fight for 10th in Pro Stock, and Steve Johnson sits a mere two markers behind 10th-place Karen Stoffer in Pro Stock Motorcycle. That means it’s going to be interesting all weekend in Indy with seesaw battles that can change during qualifying and then change again in eliminations. I’m glad I’ll have a front-row seat to watch it all unfold.

2. The Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle: Can the Vance & Hines Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson team continue its recent domination of this special event and win a sixth straight? Or will Hector Arana continue his strong performance and dethrone the Harleys? What about Matt Smith — could this be his turnaround point for the year? And Craig Treble certainly hasn’t been a slouch this year … could a second Ringers win be in his future? So many questions, and I can’t wait to get the answers!

3. The large Sportsman fields: Everybody knows Indy is the place to be, and that is reflected in the entry lists for the Lucas Oil Sportsman classes, which are at their peak for the U.S. Nationals. Every class will be featured, and with alcohol fields of 24 racers or more, a 64-car Comp show, the Mopar Hemi Challenge, and enormous, filled-to-capacity fields in the other classes, the action is certain to be intense and exciting to watch. And, who could forget “Big Daddy” entering Stock?

4. Seeing old friends: Indy is the place to be, and that means it’s a great chance to catch up with old friends. Sure, we get to see people at various races throughout the year, but Indy is definitely a one-stop shop for catching up with everyone. Walking through the pits or staging lanes, you never know who you will run into, and that’s a big part of what makes Indy fun.

5. Special visitors: Indy always seems to attract high-profile visitors to check out the action (think Peyton Manning, Jesse James and Sandra Bullock, and NASCAR’s Kurt Busch), and though I haven’t heard any names bantered about so far, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more special visitors again this year.

6. Turning the corner from Raceway Road onto 30th Street: There’s just something about making that final turn to head toward the track. When you get around the corner, the track is finally in full view; you know it’s been there all along, but now you see it, and your heart gets racing. I also find the contrast between the bustling track on one side of the street and the calm of the cornfields on the other to be particularly intriguing. Not sure why, it just fascinates me every time.

7. The roundabout on Raceway Road: While on the subject of driving, I can’t forget the roundabout and our annual ritual of going around it at least once. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about it!

8. Corn dogs and lemon shakeups: What Labor Day weekend would be complete without the official lunch of the U.S. Nationals?

9. Who will win: Last, but certainly not least, who will win the Big Go? Can Tony Schumacher make it four in a row and tie “Big Daddy” for the most Top Fuel wins at the prestigious event? Can Robert Hight make it to the final for the fourth straight year and pick up a third win? Will we have a first-time Indy champ? Will there be any big surprises? Once again, many questions, and I can’t wait to find out the answers! When does our plane leave again?