Over a quarter of a million screaming fans, speeds over 350km/h and taking part in one of the world's most iconic sporting events - Sunday will be a day to remember for James Davison.
The third generation racer will become the eighth Australian to compete in the Indianapolis 500 when he joins the field of 33 drivers chasing the greatest prize in American motorsport this weekend.
It's a dream come true for the 27-year-old from Melbourne, who is the cousin of V8 Supercars driver Will Davison and grandson of four time Australian Grand Prix champion Lex Davison.
After years of travelling all over the United States and competing in various championships, Davison was given the opportunity of a lifetime when he was offered the drive in KV Racing's fourth car for the legendary race.
"It's a lifelong childhood dream come true that I've had to work really hard to achieve," Davison said.
"Finally it's happened and so far it's been an incredible experience with the qualifying weekend and being a part of a number of the pre-race festivities and so on. I can't wait for the race."
Davison will start from 28th on the 33-car grid in Sunday's 500-mile epic, a long way off the lead but given the distance of the race and the treachery of oval racing anything is possible.
With a worldwide television audience and almost anyone who counts in motorsports looking on, Davison knows a good performance will go on to open plenty of doors.
Not that the competitive racer in him will let him be swayed by anything other than doing his job on the track.
"When you're in the racecar, in the heat of the moment, you certainly don't look at any of that kind of stuff," he said.
"It nearly doesn't exist because you're just so focused on your priorities which are getting the car around the track, racing competitively and not making mistakes."
A member of one of Australian motorsport's most distinguished families, Davison will honour other great name in Sunday's race with a tribute to Sir Jack Brabham on his car.
The triple Formula One world champion, who raced four times in the Indy 500, died aged 88 on the Gold Coast on Monday.
Davison will also carry a tribute to friend Roger Rodas, who died in the same crash which killed Hollywood actor Paul Walker last year.
He'll be one of three Australians on the starting line, with Will Power to start from third on the grid and 2012 pole position winner Ryan Briscoe to start from 30th position.
"It's gone well," Davison said.
"We've got the most out of our budget-restricted package and now it's all about the race."
The Indy 500 starts at 12.12pm local time (0212 Monday AEST).
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