The initial entry list for the Indianapolis 500 features a total of 40 cars set to fight for the 33 grid positions. That tally is one more than the initial entry last year, despite the regular IndyCar Series field shrinking from 26 to 22 cars amid the financial downturn. Several of the full-time teams are adding extra cars for Indy, with the highest-profile being Paul Tracy's return to the 500 with KV Racing. The team has also submitted a third entry for an unidentified driver to join Tracy and regular driver Mario Moraes. Penske's #12 car will make what is currently its last scheduled appearance of 2009 with Will Power, who had to step down from the full-time #3 car when Helio Castroneves was acquitted in his tax evasion trial last weekend. Although it has been unable to fund a full-season programme, Rahal Letterman Racing will run one car for Indianapolis, with Roth Racing also making a comeback with a two-car Indy entry. Former driver Bryan Herta's new Bryan Herta Autosport Indy Lights team is to attempt to make its IndyCar debut at the 500, running a single car in conjunction with Vision Racing. Also running an additional car in collaboration with a well-known name is Dreyer & Reinbold, which is entering John Andretti in association with Richard Petty Motorsports. The D&R squad is set to bring four entries in total to Indianapolis, with Andretti, Davey Hamilton and one other - possibly Milka Duno - joining team regular Mike Conway. Ganassi protege Alex Lloyd will make a second attempt at Indy, this time run by 500 regular and Indy Lights front-runner Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Other teams adding additional cars for Indianapolis are Panther with former 500 pole-winner Scott Sharp, Conquest, AJ Foyt Enterprises - where AJ Foyt IV is returning after losing his Vision drive - and Dale Coyne Racing, while Hemelgarn Racing will make its usual Indy run and part-time owner/driver Sarah Fisher will enter a second car alongside her own. Provisional Indianapolis 500 entry list: No Driver Team 2 Raphael Matos Luczo Dragon Racing 3 Helio Castroneves Team Penske 4 Dan Wheldon Panther Racing 5 Mario Moraes KV Racing Technology 6 Ryan Briscoe Team Penske 7 Danica Patrick Andretti Green Racing 8 TBA KV Racing Technology 9 Scott Dixon Target Chip Ganassi Racing 10 Dario Franchitti Target Chip Ganassi Racing 11 Tony Kanaan Andretti Green Racing 12 Will Power Penske Racing 13 EJ Viso HVM Racing 14 Vitor Meira AJ Foyt Enterprises 15 Paul Tracy KV Racing Technology 16 Scott Sharp Panther Racing 17 TBA Rahal Letterman Racing 18 Justin Wilson Dale Coyne Racing 19 TBA Dale Coyne Racing 20 Ed Carpenter Vision Racing 21 Ryan Hunter-Reay Vision Racing 22 TBA Bryan Herta Autosport 23 TBA Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 24 Mike Conway Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 25 TBA Roth Racing 26 Marco Andretti Andretti Green Racing 27 Hideki Mutoh Andretti Green Racing 34 TBA Conquest Racing 36 TBA Conquest Racing 41 AJ Foyt IV AJ Foyt Enterprises 43 John Andretti Richard Petty Motorsports/Dreyer & Reinbold 44 Davey Hamilton Dreyer & Reinbold Racing 48 TBA AJ Foyt Enterprises 52 TBA Roth Racing 67 Sarah Fisher Sarah Fisher Racing 68 TBA Sarah Fisher Racing 91 TBA Hemelgarn Johnson 98 Stanton Barrett CURB/Agajanian/Team 3G 99 Alex Lloyd Chip Ganassi Racing/Sam Schmidt Motorsports 02 Graham Rahal Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing 06 Robert Doornbos Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing
Interesting, Sarah Fisher, two cars, and Richard Petty, a car for John Andretti. Maybe I will go after all.
+1, if nothing else some good story lines this year. any word on the Rahal/Letterman driver? I'd like to see Joey Hand back in open wheel (although its been a while, like 6 years?)
Looking forward to seeing who the mystery drivers will be filling in those TBA slots. I'm looking forward to being at the track through the month of May. Unfortunately, I have an event the whole bump day weekend. Ugh. I'll need to make the most of Pole Day then!
I wouldn't mind seeing Tagliani, Carpentier, Hearn ...I thought Franck Perera looked good whenever I saw him race. Nice to have a real bubble day return.
Anybody else think Will Power is a better choice than Ryan Briscoe ? OMG - I just saw this - STANTON BARRETT ? You've GOT to be kidding me !!
I'd say its a push on talent, but I would imagine right now there would be quite a discount on Power v. Briscoe!
I can't wait! Going to my first 500 this year and can't wait to soak it all in. Just a shame that Tracy is back in a car, I used to like them, then he got old and slow and went from being someone that speaks his mind to a total jag.
Get there early and wander around. Prior to the start of the race, head over to Turn 1. They let you walk out onto the track there. Pretty cool memories and photo op! Assorted parade stuff happening, people watching, etc. The place is HUGE, so make sure you allot enough time to move around. They will let you bring in a cooler with your own water, soda, beer and food. Plastic or cans only. Check the IMS site for restrictions on cooler size. If you aren't using a race scanner, places there do rent them, make sure you bring some ear plugs. Weather can be freezing to baking with everything inbetween. Watch the news and plan accordingly. Depending on when you get into town, there is also Carb Day on Friday. 3 Doors Down will be doing a concert. Saturday morning, we'll have the Indy Coffee & Cars on the northside of town. Plus some good restaurants in town. St Elmo's is THE steakhouse to hit. Make sure you get your reservations in ASAP. You are pretty much promised to see Teams there during the race weekend and if you like horseradish, get the shrimp cocktail. The sites, the sounds, the feelings of the 500...nothing else like it.
Wow, thanks for all the info! I've been to IMS on vacation and for the USGP and always go to the IRL at Milwaukee (used to go to IRL and Champ Car at Milwaukee and Road America, but that's a different matter) so I know some of what to expect but this is going to be awesome. I believe I'm getting in on Thursday night and would love to go to some of the happenings. What is the Coffee and Cars all about?
Futureowner... Friday the 22nd is Carb Day at IMS: assorted happenings at the track that includes a concert by 3 Doors down, Pit Stop Challenge, and other misc stuff. The IMS site is the best for getting the schedule of events. There's a group of us mixed marque guys & gals that are planning on being there to party in the infield and hang out. Hauling in grills, coolers and such to make a day of it. Saturday the 23rd, 10-noon, we'll have our weekly Cars & Coffee. Go here for location & information: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=240098. We're working to get a fun C&C going here in Indy. Trying to get the word out to the assrted car communities. Up until recent, it was a smaller, informal gathering. Sunday the 24th is the RACE! WoooHooo! While you are in Hoosierland, try a Breaded Tenderloin! Deep fried pork goodness on a bun. Excellent with fries or onion rings a cold beer or two. Feel free to holler at me with any questions.
Fantastic, thanks for the information! Maybe I'll check out the Cars & Coffee on Saturday as well as Carb day. Are there any F-Chat specific get togethers in Indy for the 500?
I'd love to see it. Doornbos is the only F1 name I recognize. Bryan Herta owns an Indy Lights team. No driver named. I wonder if he will use his driver Daniel Herrington from Indy Lights? No Milka this year?
A few shots to wet your appetite: (from last year's 500) Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Does anyone plan on driving their Ferrari to the 500? Do you know if they allow us to park at the American Legion as they did for the F1 Race or is there another place to park that is recommended?
Hate to miss the race this year - had a blast last year as a guest of the Andrettis - watched the race from their suite at turn 2. Be sure to go to carb day on Friday
Now I hear that she will drive the #23 car for Dreyer & Reinbold, with CITGO sponsorship (of course!).
I should be going to Spa with John & Carol but I have to be in Charlotte in the AM. Thought I would be til Friday but i get back to the airport in Ohio late afternoon. 40 miles east is home. 160 west is Indy. It's my birthday weekend and my beautiful wife said go west if I'm back for the suprise party Sat. afternoon. She's a Peach. Staying at Tifosiron's favorite place downtown. Fast Friday and part of Sat. Woo Hoo. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Today was a virtual washout due to rain which will continue for a couple more days. Looking forward to Pole Day on Saturday and Qualifications Sunday. Last weather report looks promising to get a good Pole Day in. WooHoo! Time to charge up the scanner and start updating frequencies. Due to another commitment, I'm missing Bump Day this year. Ugh. I'll have to toss in a parctice day or two to make up for missing that.
Yes, you should be meeting us in Brussels tomorrow morning!!! Glad Beck has a great party in the works for you. Great gal. H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ! ! ! ! Best to you... Carol & John
