The List
By Andrew Cutler
April 23 2009
Earlier this week the Indianapolis Motor Speedway released the official entrant list for the 93rd Indianapolis 500, to be run on May 24. In all there are potentially forty cars that could try to make the field of thirty-three over the two weekends of qualifications. Here is how the list breaks down:
There are twenty two driver & car combinations that can be viewed as being for the "regulars" on the full IndyCar circut. This list does not include Alex Tagliani, who has driven the past two races for the Conquest squad, but does include Sarah Fisher, who's limited 2009 schedule will begin this weekend at Kansas.
In addition, the "regular" teams on the circut have entered a further thirteen cars, five of which already have drivers assigned to them. I have already reported on Paul Tracy's deal with KVRT. The others are: Scott Sharp (KVRT), Alex Lloyd (Ganassi), AJ Foyt IV (Foyt) and Davey Hamilton (D&R). KVRT, Foyt, Dale Coyne Racing, Vison, D&R, & Sarah Fisher Racing all have cars entered that are currently without a driver: Conquest has two.
Then there are the "one-off" squads, that will (likey) only be competing this year at Indy. NASCAR driver/team owner legend Richard Petty will field a car at the 500 for the first time ever, with John Andretti behind the wheel. Rahal-Letterman Racing will also bring a car, but currently lacks a driver. The same goes for former driver/team owner Marty Roth, who will pull his cars out of mothballs and try to get them into the show (it is not yet known whether he will attempt to drive one himself). And, finally, there is a crowd favorite among the "minows"; Hemelgarn Racing, the squad that fielded 1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier in the early years of the AOWR schism.
That currently gives us a total of twenty-eight drivers. Look for further posts by me in the thread linked to this story, where I will keep everyone apprised as I hear of deals being struck to fill the open seats.
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Nelson Philippe to try Indy
autosport.com
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:28:16:31:36 by IndyAndy.
sessions
It will be his first time here, so he becomes the sixth (potential) rookie & begins his orientation (see my story; "The Schedule") on Tuesday.
It's a little difficult to swallow that we may have seen the last of Jacques talents for the last time.
sessions
KVRT will pull out their 3rd car next Wednesday & give it to Townsend Bell, who used to split seat time with Milka Duno over at D&R last year.
For the past two days the rumour mill has been saying that Rahal-Letterman Racing will do a similar deal with Oriol Servia, but I haven't seen any official announcement about that one yet. If true, then we have a reason for Bump Day.
Of course, there are STILL six other cars parked back in the IMS garages just waiting for the right driver (with a big enough bank account) to come along, so Bump Day could REALLY prove to be exciting - if a couple more deals can be struck.
Word is that Tomas Scheckter & Bruno Junqueria are still talking to teams, trying to put a deal togeather (I saw Bruno in the garages last Saturday during Pole Day), so we could still have a real interesting time of it come Sunday.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:14:13:08:34 by IndyAndy.