Inevitable. That's how George Hornedo describes winning a seat in Indiana's 7th Congressional District.

Why it matters: Democrats nationwide are preparing themselves for what they expect to be a wave of insurgents who'll try to harness grassroots fury to unseat some of House Democrats' longest-serving members, including nine-term incumbent André Carson, whom 34-year-old Hornedo is challenging in next year's primary.

State of play: Hornedo is riding that wave, but the circumstances of the 7th District race are a little different.

• Hornedo doesn't label himself a progressive, like some upstart candidates do, and Carson isn't a septuagenarian, like some incumbents facing primary challenges. He's a progressive 50-year-old Black Muslim who sits on the House Intelligence Committee.
• Still, Hornedo lumps Carson in with the "do-nothing Democrats" that voters are frustrated with, pointing to a report from the Center for Effective Lawmaking that ranks Carson as one of the least effective Democrats in the House.

What he's saying: "The win is inevitable because the community is clearly yearning for change," Hornedo told Axios. "It's not about me, it's not about Carson. It's about the change."

Reality check: Carson has a strong base of support that goes back decades to his grandmother, Julia Carson, whose seat he took over in 2008 after her death the previous year.

• He hasn't faced serious primary threats and has handily won every reelection campaign.

"The Center for Effective Lawmaking is just one institution, and it doesn't take into account grant funding secured for the district and community project funding — which is funding that goes directly to Indianapolis projects," said Caroline Ellert, spokesperson for the campaign. "The congressman listens to his constituents on the job he's doing, not a website."

What we're watching

We've got the need for speed. Lucky for us, it's Fast Friday.

Driving the news: It's qualifying weekend for the Indianapolis 500.

Vibe check: Quals are a lower key way to get a taste of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

• You get all the speed — we're talking 230-plus miles per hour — without the race day crowd.

How it works: Qualifying starts at 11am Saturday and by 6pm spots 13-30 will be set.

• Drivers who qualified in the top 12 on Saturday will be back on track Sunday to secure their starting position.
• During top 12 qualifying, those who finish 7-12 get those spots for race day.
• The fastest six advance to the Firestone Fast Six later in the day to determine positions 1-6.

The intrigue: Bumping is back.

• 34 drivers are competing for 33 spots in the field.
• Drivers who finished in the bottom four on Saturday come back on Sunday for a last chance to qualify.

If you go

🏆 Back-to-back defending Indy 500 champ Josef Newgarden led the third day of practice and looked comfortable, turning just 35 laps ahead of Fast Friday when drivers will dial in their qualifying setups. (Via IndyCar)

🚌 IndyGo is proposing a fare increase for the first time since 2009, planning to raise rates from $1.75 to $2.75 per ride. (IBJ)

🏈 The Indianapolis Colts released their 2025 schedule, which starts Aug. 8 with a preseason matchup at Baltimore. The regular season starts Sept. 7 at home against the Miami Dolphins. (Via Colts.com)

• Check out the Colts' (and every other team's) creative schedule release video. (Axios)

🥤 MilkShake Factory is opening several Indy-area shops, starting with Nora in June. (IndyStar)

Saturday afternoon will mark the start of an Indiana Fever season that feels like it's championship or bust.

Why it matters: Millions of others will be tuning in to watch as the Fever have become proven draws with the power to relocate games and shatter longstanding ratings records.

The intrigue: Even more eyes than usual may be on the opening game against the Chicago Sky because it provides another chapter in a Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry that has taken on a life of its own.

Driving the news: The Fever's first game of the year in Gainbridge Fieldhouse is one of 41 to be featured on national television this season — a franchise and league high.

• Yesterday, the Fever launched their first direct-to-consumer streaming service — Fever Direct — that will broadcast 18 games this season. The service costs $29.99 annually. The first game available to subscribers will be Tuesday's matchup against the Atlanta Dream.

State of play: Indiana is coming in hot after going undefeated during the league's first-ever fully broadcast preseason.

• Ticket sales — which have increased for all 12 returning teams — are up 145% from last season, according to StubHub, and first-time WNBA ticket buyers jumped 28% compared to the same time last year.
• Fever games were the league's hottest ticket, seeing a 497% increase in sales over last season.

What's next: Tip-off is 3pm Saturday.

If you go

There are busy weekends in Indianapolis, and then there are really busy weekends in Indianapolis.

Why it matters: This upcoming one is the latter.

🌸 Celebrate the state flower with food, vendors and live music during the 5th annual Indiana Peony Festival in Noblesville's historic Seminary Park.

🎨 Discover something that moves you at the 53rd OneAmerica Financial Broad Ripple Art Fair, 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday at the Indy Art Center.

The vibe: More than 150 artists will sell their work, and Indy Jazz Fest will curate live music.

• Tickets start at $22 for adults/$12 for kids.

🎭 See Broadway star Patti Murin put on a show when she does a pair of performances at The Cabaret, 8pm Friday and Saturday.

• Tickets start at $85.

🏎️ Visit the graves of racing royalty during the Racing Legends driving tour at Crown Hill Cemetery, 1pm Saturday.

• Tickets start at $10.

More weekend picks