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With all the comings and goings surrounding the 2005-2006 IRL IndyCar Series off-season, one thought has kept bouncing around the deep crevices of my mind......will there be a 33-car field for the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 this year? Right now, the odds are not that good, as they have been for the past couple of years......

If you look at last year's 33-car grid, it becomes obivious why the concern. After removing all the field-fillers(11 cars), then the 2 cars fielded by Newman-Haas Racing and the third cars run by Panther Racing and Rahal-Letterman, and you end up with a total of 18 cars remaining. With the addition of Andretti-Green Racing co-owner Michael Andretti in a one-off this year, the total becomes 19. Then remove the second car Panther fielded this year, and the total returns to 18. (Note:And you the off-season silly season was bad, hmm....?) In essence, it's a potentially embarrassing situation for the Brickyard.

How could the grid be filled this year? By some inventive strategies. Go back to the 18-car figure above. If assumptions are correct, and the supposed Yellow Ribbon Racing does come through, add 2 cars to the above no. If, as reports in late 2005 are correct, and A1GP's Team USA fields a 2-car entry, then you have 22 cars.....11 short, but not as bad as before. And, if you assume that some of the larger teams outside of AGR(Rahal-Letterman, Penske and Ganassi) field one extra car......you have 25 cars, just 8 short of the 33 needed.


So I ask the F1 community......do you think that there will be a 33-car field for this year's Indianapolis 500? All comments will be appreciated, all points of view respected.....just keep the remarks clean, okay?

According to a recent story from autoracing1.com, during the recent auction for most of Panther Racing's equipment, team officials from ChampCar's Newman-Haas Racing team purchased enough equipment to field at least a one-car effort in a one-off at Indy. No additional details were noted, but the Indianapolis Star's Curt Cavin, quoted in the ar1.com item, sarcastically noted that "they didn't buy the equipment to auction off at the annual ICS benefit"(the reference is to the annual banquet and charity auction held by the Indianapolis branch of the American Cancer Society). If this rumor pans out.....it would also explain why they tried to sign former Rahal-Letterman driver Vitor Meira a few weeks ago.

Every year, there seems to be a never-ending spiel of rumor, counter-rumor, rumor-upon-rumor....you name it, it's probably on a rumor mill listing somewhere around 16th and Georgetown. This year's no exception. Here now are some of the rumors floating around Gasoline Alley......

1}Tony George to bankroll a chunk of the teams at the 500 this year......With btwn. 18-20 regular starters this year, the IRL is hurtin' to make a thirty-three car grid, and Tony George knows it. Bottom line on this......if he doesn't pony up the money, there isn't a 33-car field for the 500. Pure and simple.

2}Al Unser, Jr. to make a return one-off at Indy......As reported over on the silly season(IRL) thread, "Little Al" has been working out with his son, "Just" Al Unser, III, over the winter is reportedly in better shape than ever, so he might just make a run at the Brickyard this year. Whether it turns into anything else remains to be seen.

3}Sarah Fisher to return to Indy.........prior to Danica Patrick, Sarah Fisher was the first woman to win an Indy-style pole(Kentucky, 2002) and lead laps in an IRL-sanctioned race(but not at Indy). Problem, though, was that the series essentially abandoned Fisher at the end of the 2003 season. When Fisher, who lost her Winston West ride over the '05-'06 off-season, was asked about Indy, she remarked, "I'm still working on a Busch East ride for this season but the month of May is still open. I don't know at this point because I haven't had any conversations with any teams. But if the right opportunity came along, I'd love to run (at) Indy and I hope it happens." Bottom line.....even the geniuses in the IRL marketing office(if one exists!! ) couldn't pass the opportunity to market this storyline......Danica Patrick vs. Sarah Fisher. Fisher will be back.

4}What about Tony Stewart....will he make a return visit? Nope, for two reasons. First, the 1 PM start time makes it impossible to do the Memorial Day Sunday Double(Indy/Charlotte), and second, Smoke's the reigning Nextel Cup champion.....there's no way he'll return this year.

5}Will the son of the Flying Dutchman make a visit to the 500 this year....Possibly; in 2005, Arie Luyendyk, Jr. did qualify on the third day of qual. only to see Felipe Giaffone turn that dream into ashes on bump day. Unlike A.J. Foyt, IV, who IMHO had absolutely zero business being in the 500, Luyendyk, Jr. does. And if they can find him a ride for qual. he might just qualify.

Here are the current entries as of 14 March 2006(according to motorsport.com)........

Aguri-Fernandez Racing(2):#8, #8T--Scott Sharp; #55, #55T--Kosuke Matsurra


2 down, 31(at least) to go..................

Here are the current entries as of 15 March 2006(according to motorsport.com)........

1}Aguri-Fernandez Racing(2):#8(D/H), #8T(P/H)--Scott Sharp; #55(D/H), #55T(D/H)--Kosuke Matsurra
2}Hemelgarn Racing(1):#91(D/H), #91T(D/H)--P.J. Chesson(R)

3 entries now, only 30 to go.......

I hope it will reach 33, It will be more enjoyable to watch, the competition will be tighter, and after all, Shekter will be able to brag that he won against all 32 other drivers

Here are the current entries for the Indy 500(according to motorsport.com)........

1}Aguri-Fernandez Racing(2):#8(D/H), #8T(P/H)--Scott Sharp; #55(D/H), #55T(D/H)--Kosuke Matsurra
2}Hemelgarn Racing(1):#91(D/H), #91T(D/H)--P.J. Chesson(R)
3}Rahal-Letterman Racing(3):#15(P/H), #15T(P/H)--Buddy Rice; #16(P/H), #16T(P/H)--Danica Patrick; #17(P/H), #17T(P/H)--Paul Dana(R)

Summary......
1}Race winners.....1(Buddy Rice-2004)
2}Pole winners......2(Scott Sharp-2001, Buddy Rice-2004)
3}Rookie entrants..2(P.J. Chesson, Paul Dana)
NOTE-(R) designates rookie entrant for Indy 500
4}Oldest & youngest driver........Scott Sharp, 38/Danica Patrick, 24
5}Indy 500 ROY winners......2(Kosuke Matsurra-2004, Danica Patrick-2005)


6 entries.......27 to go........

Here are the current filed entries for the 90th Indianapolis 500.......

1}Aguri-Fernandez Racing(2):#8(D/H), #8T(P/H)--Scott Sharp; #55(D/H), #55T(D/H)--Kosuke Matsurra
2}Hemelgarn Racing(1):#91(D/H), #91T(D/H)--P.J. Chesson(R)
3}Rahal-Letterman Racing(3):#15(P/H), #15T(P/H)--Buddy Rice; #16(P/H), #16T(P/H)--Danica Patrick; #17(P/H), #17T(P/H)--driver tba
4}Roth/PDM Racing(1):#25(D/H), #25T(D/H)--Marty Roth

Summary....
1}Race winners(1)-Buddy Rice, 2004
2}Pole winners(2)-Scott Sharp, 2001 and Buddy Rice, 2004
3}Rookie entrants(1)-P.J. Chesson
4}Oldest and youngest driver....Marty Roth, 47/Danica Patrick, 24
5}Indy 500 ROY winners(2)-Kosuke Matsurra, 2004 and Danica Patrick, 2005


7 entries......26 to go.....

Here are the current filed entries for the 90th Indianapolis 500........

1}Aguri-Fernandez Racing(2):#8(D/H), #8T(P/H)--Scott Sharp; #55(D/H), #55T(D/H)--Kosuke Matsurra

2}Hemelgarn Racing(1):#91(D/H), #91T(D/H)--P.J. Chesson(R)

3}Rahal-Letterman Racing(3):#15(P/H), #15T(P/H)--Buddy Rice; #16(P/H), #16T(P/H)--Danica Patrick; #17(P/H), #17T(P/H)--driver tba

4}Roth/PDM Racing(1):#25(D/H), #25T(D/H)--Marty Roth

5}Dreyer & Reinbold Racing(2):#5(D/H), #5T(D/H)--Buddy Lazier; #31(D/H), #31T(D/H)--Al Unser, Jr.

Summary as of 30 March 2006:
1}Race winners(3)--Al Unser, Jr., 1992 and 1994; Buddy Lazier, 1996 and Buddy Rice, 2004
2}Pole winners(3)--Al Unser, Jr., 1994; Scott Sharp, 2001 and Buddy Rice, 2004
3)Rookie entrants(1)--P.J. Chesson
4}Oldest and youngest driver entered: Marty Roth, 47/Danica Patrick, 24
5}Indy 500 ROY entrants(2): Kosuke Matsurra, 2004; Danica Patrick, 2005

9 entries......24 more left to fill..........

2 more teams have filed entries for the 90th Indy 500, as both A.J. Foyt Racing and PDM Racing have sent their entries to IMS officials for this year's 500.....here are the current entries as of 3 April 2006.....

1}Aguri-Fernandez Racing(2):#8(D/H), #8T(P/H)--Scott Sharp; #55(D/H), #55T(D/H)--Kosuke Matsurra

2}Hemelgarn Racing(1):#91(D/H), #91T(D/H)--P.J. Chesson(R)

3}Rahal-Letterman Racing(3):#15(P/H), #15T(P/H)--Buddy Rice(W); #16(P/H), #16T(P/H)--Danica Patrick; #17(P/H), #17T(P/H)--Jeff Simmons

4}Roth/PDM Racing(1):#25(D/H), #25T(D/H)--Marty Roth

5}Dreyer & Reinbold Racing(2):#5(D/H), #5T(D/H)--Buddy Lazier(W); #31(D/H), #31T(D/H)--Al Unser, Jr.(W)

6}A.J. Foyt Racing(3):#14(D/H), #14T(D/H)--Felipe Giaffone; #41(P/H), #41T(D/H)--Larry Foyt; #48(D/H), #48T(D/H)--driver tba

7}PDM Racing(1):#18(P/H), #18T(D/H)--driver tba

Summary of current entries......
1}Race winners(3)--Al Unser, Jr.(1992, 1994), Buddy Lazier(1996) and Buddy Rice(2004)
2}Pole winners(3)--Al Unser, Jr.(1994), Scott Sharp(2001) and Buddy Rice(2004)
3}Rookie entrants(1)--P.J. Chesson
4}Oldest/youngest driver entrants--Marty Roth, 47/Danica Patrick, 24
5}Past Indy 500 ROY winners(2)--Kosuke Matsurra(2004), Danica Patrick(2005)


13 entries.....20 remaining....and the deadline for entries is midnight on April 5th....

Including current entries, three teams sent in entries for the 90th Indianapolis 500....Penske, Panther and Cheever......

1}Marlboro-Team Penske(3):#3(D/H), #3T(D/H)--Helio Castroneves(W); #6(D/H), #6T(D/H)--Sam Hornish, Jr.; third entry tba

2}Panther Racing(2):#4(D/H), #4T(D/H)--Vitor Meira; second entry tba

3}Cheever Racing(2):#51(D/H), #51T(D/H)--Eddie Cheever, Jr.(W); #52(D/H), #52T(D/H)--driver tba

Summary of all current entries.....
1}Race winners(5)--Al Unser, Jr.(1992, 1994), Buddy Lazier(1996), Eddie Cheever, Jr.(1998), Helio Castroneves(2001, 2002) and Buddy Rice(2004)
2}Pole winners(4)--Al Unser, Jr.(1994), Scott Sharp(2001), Helio Castroneves(2003) and Buddy Rice(2004)
3}Rookie entrants(1)--P.J. Chesson
4}Oldest and youngest driver entrant--Eddie Cheever, Jr., 48/Danica Patrick, 24
5}Past Indy 500 ROY winners(3)--Helio Castroneves(2001), Kosuke Matsurra(2004), Danica Patrick(2005)

20 entries, 13 to go....and just 24 hrs. left........

Target/Ganassi Racing confirmed to the media that they have filed entries for the 90th Indianapolis 500, as follows....

Scott Dixon, #9(D/H), #9T(D/H)
Dan Wheldon(W), #10(D/H), #10(D/H)


22 entries at present....where are all the rest.....?

Including current entries, four more teams submitted entries for the 90th Indianapolis 500 this afternoon.....Andretti-Green Racing(5), Playa del Pacing(1), Vision Racing(3) and, in a correction to the last posting, Target/Ganassi Racing added 1 entry to their list....

1}Target/Ganassi Racing(1):#33(D/H), #33T(D/H)--driver tba

2}Andretti-Green Racing(5):#1(D/H), #1T(D/H)--Michael Andretti; #7(D/H), #7T(D/H)--Bryan Herta; #11(D/H), #11T(D/H)--Tony Kanaan; #26(D/H), #26T(D/H)--Marco Andretti(R) and #27(D/H), #27T(D/H)--Dario Franchitti

3}Playa del Racing(1):#21(chassis and driver tba)

4}Vision Racing(3):#2(D/H), #2T(D/H)--Tomas Scheckter; #20(D/H), #20T(D/H)--Ed Carpenter and #22(D/H), #22T(D/H)--driver tba

32 entries.......1 short, but several more are expected to be announced by IMS officials throughout the week(the rule says the entries have to be postmarked by midnight, April 5, but that doesn't mean IMS has to report all of them on April 5th....

Summary of current entries..............
1}Race winners(6)--Al Unser, Jr.(1992, 1994), Buddy Lazier(1996), Eddie Cheever, Jr.(1998), Helio Castroneves(2001, 2002), Buddy Rice(2004) and Dan Wheldon(2005)
2}Pole winners(5)--Al Unser, Jr.(1994), Scott Sharp(2001), Helio Castroneves(2003), Buddy Rice(2004) and Tony Kanaan(20050
3}Rookie entries(2)--P.J. Chesson and Marco Andretti
4}Oldest and youngest driver entrant--Eddie Cheever, Jr., 48/Marco Andretti, 19
5}Past Indy 500 ROY entrants(4)--Helio Castroneves(2001), Tomas Scheckter(2002), Kosuke Matsurra(2004) and Danica Patrick(2005)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced the offical entry list for the 2006 running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing", and there are a total of 38 entries on the list. Here are some of the particulars of the 38 entries......

1}Race winners.......6 former/current winners of the Indy 500 are listed: Al Unser, Jr.(1992, 1994), Buddy Lazier(1996), Eddie Cheever, Jr.(1998), Helio Castroneves(2001, 2002), Buddy Rice(2004) and Dan Wheldon(2005).

2}Pole winners.........5 pole winners are listed: Al Unser, Jr.(1994), Scott Sharp(2001), Helio Castroneves(2003), Buddy Rice(2004) and Tony Kanaan(2005).

3}Past Indy 500 rookie-of-the-year winners.....there are 6 of them in the entry list: Michael Andretti(1984 co-ROY), Eddie Cheever, Jr(1990), Helio Castroneves(2001), Tomas Scheckter(2002 co-ROY), Kosuke Matsurra(2004) and Danica Patrick(2005).

4}There are three rookie entrants in this year's field: P.J. Chesson, Marco Andretti and Arie Luyendyk, Jr.

Here is the final entry list for the 90th Indianapolis 500................
#1 Michael Andretti, Jim Beam/Vonage(Andretti-Green Racing)
#2 Tomas Shrckter, Vision Racing(Vision Racing)
#3 Helio Castroneves, Marlboro-Team Penske(Marlboro-Team Penske)
#4 Vitor Meira, EcoNova/Pennzoil(Panther Racing)
#5 Buddy Lazier, RollCoater/Escort Radar Warning(Dreyer & Reinbold)
#6 Sam Hornish, Jr., Marlboro-Team Penske(Marlboro-Team Penske)
#7 Bryan Herta, XM Satellite Radio(Andretti-Green Racing)
#8 Scott Sharp, Delphi(Aguri-Fernandez Racing)
#9 Scott Dixon, Target(Target/Ganassi Racing)
#10 Dan Wheldon, Target(Target/Ganassi Racing)
#11 Tony Kanaan, Team 7-11(Andretti-Green Racing)
#14 Felipe Giaffone, ABC Supply Co.(A.J. Foyt Racing)
#15 Buddy Rice, Argent/Pioneer(Rahal-Letterman Racing)
#16 Danica Patrick, Argent/Pioneer(Rahal-Letterman Racing)
#17 Jeff Simmons, Ethanol(Rahal-Letterman Racing)
#20 Ed Carpenter, Vision Racing(Vision Racing)
#25 Marty Roth, sponsor tba(Roth/PDM Racing)
#26 Marco Andretti, NYSE(Andretti-Green Racing)
#27 Dario Franchitti, Jim Beam/Klein Tools(Andretti-Green Racing)
#31 Al Unser, Jr., sponsor tba(Dreyer & Reinbold)
#41 Larry Foyt, Texas State Bank(A.J. Foyt Racing)
#51 Eddie Cheever, Jr., Circle-K(Cheever Racing)
#55 Kosuke Matsurra, Panasonic/ARTA(Aguri-Fernandez Racing)
#61 Arie Luyendyk, Jr.(Luyendyk Racing)
#91 P.J. Cheeson, Car-Melo(Hemelgarn Racing)
#92 Jeff Bucknum, Investment Properties of America(Hemelgarn Racing)

The following entries have a designated car number but no driver and/or sponsor listed....
#18, PDM Racing(driver/sponsor tba)
#21, Playa del Racing(driver/sponsor tba)
#22, Vision Racing(driver/sponsor tba)
#33 Target, Target/Ganassi Racing(driver tba)
#36 C+S Mtrspts.(driver/sponsor tba)
#48 A.J. Foyt Racing(driver/sponsor tba)
#52 Cheever Racing(driver/sponsor tba)
#90 Vision Racing(driver/sponsor tba)
#93 Hemelgarn Racing(driver/sponsor tba)

Three teams, Sam Schmidt Mtrspts., Marlboro-Team Penske and Panther Racing, have one additional entry listed but said entry currently doesn't have a number, driver or sponsor listed.


And there you have it......the official entry list for the 90th running of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing"........the Indianapolis 500!

Good to see....Looking Forward to it........