2007 Indy 500 Entry List

[Tim Northcutt]

69 total cars (including backups)

38 separate entries (including some surprises)

25 drivers named thus far (including Ryan Briscoe!)

BTW...there is word here that Buddy Lazier might drive the third Panther entry.

Here is the link from the IMS website, and it has a link to the official list:

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway...?story_id=8581

[rustyfan]

SpeedTV.com has a story about Briscoe's entry. Really came out of the blue, didn't it? I hadn't seen anything about that one.

[Peno]

Vision's 4th car is entered as #02, is that a legitimate number in open wheel?

[cos]

It's Tony's team, Tony's series, guess he can do whatever!

[D.R.T.]

So are we expecting a bump or when the times come will the list morph into the perfect 33 ?

[climb]

similarly to thge regular season, Indy500 has a fairly complete grid earlier then in the past, a good point

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

So are we expecting a bump or when the times come will the list morph into the perfect 33 ?

I'd say that depends on whether or not the smaller entries can get through practice without tearing up their equipment.

[D.R.T.]

I was more thinking about the 13 TBA's

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

I was more thinking about the 13 TBA's

I doubt there will be much of a problem filling those seats as there are probably quite a few drivers out there who are scouting for a ride for the Indy 500 - not to mention the current entry list is just the first draft after the deadline.

In previous years there has even been at least one eventual winner that wasn't on the initial entry list, so several TBAs shouldn't be a cause for concern at this stage IMHO.

[climb]

Couldn't agree more rusty

Lets' not forget that filing an entry costs not less than 20,000 USD, therefore If some teams do that, you can be quite confident they just have to select among many options

[stradlin21]

this is what I have heard and guess

Panther's extra car - could be Buddy Lazier but PJ Chesson has been seen talking to the bosses

Playa Del Racing - Sure that J Lazier will have the #21 car and maybe Yasukawa again for the other

Foyt's other cars - Larry will have one surely and other will go to whoever is doing the food shopping on bump day

PDM - Mederois again?? maybe an IPS driver (hopefully)

Cabbie - who are they??? Charlie from Eastenders perhaps

Vision's extra car - i reckon Bell is a good bet for that one

Hemelgarn - Erm, perhaps B Lazier, he likes that team! Bucknum, Chesson, Giaffone??

Beck - Barron and Hamilton I reckon

[rustyfan]

Sounds like pretty solid speculation.

Another name I think might show up is Max Papis, given his previous interest in doing the Indy 500.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

I doubt there will be much of a problem filling those seats as there are probably quite a few drivers out there who are scouting for a ride for the Indy 500

Are these rides fully funded ? As I see some teams with no drivers mentioned at all, are they waiting and doing the dealing to get the driver with a budget ?

[rustyfan]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Are these rides fully funded ? As I see some teams with no drivers mentioned at all, are they waiting and doing the dealing to get the driver with a budget ?

If I could answer that I would most likely not be sitting behind my desk here in Sweden but rather have some job closely tied to IndyCar (which, to say the least, would be a lot more interesting than the job I currently have lol)

In any case, yes I'm sure there are several deals in the works right now that will be known during the next couple of weeks. Others will probably not be finalised and announced until right before practice is set to begin.

In terms of doing business, the time between now and when the gates at Indianapolis open is an eternity. Lots of things can, and probably will, happen.

[FIRE]

Luyendyk Jr is also searching for a drive. If he can't get it they run a car themself like last year.

[stradlin21]

just heard that Buddy Lazier will be driving for Sam Schmidt

not sure if thats correct but thats what i've just been told

[Peno]

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/indycar/36612/

Surprising to see that Schmidt didn't want to put Howard or Lloyd in his car

[cos]

Any word on Al Jr./A1 USA linking up with a team again?

[Hazza]

Dumb question:

Is it possible to do the double this year? Will Juan fn a Ganassi ride, or will Stewart fill in a Foyt drive?

[drdisque]

The timing is just as bad this year. There's no way Montoya is getting in a car at the 500 this year, slight chance with Gordon simply because he owns his team and can put someone else in the car to collect owner points if he misses the start.

[marcus]

thats a shame , would be great to see Montoya there

[climb]

Welll it depends on whether JPM aims at winning the Nextel Cup or not.
As we know the Nascar points system penalizes those who miss races, but if JPM has no interest in fighting for the title, well he can certainly earn more (money and image) driving at Indy than at Charlotte.

[D.R.T.]

Would he really want to though, he has a 100% winning record at Indy and has no interest in Open Wheel anymore. I know Indy is Indy but I cant see him changing his NASCAR focus, even for only one weekend

[climb]

That's a point of course, but money's another one!

[Hazza]

10 million to 6 and a bit million isn't that much of a difference.

It's not like Apples and Oranges, its like Apples and Quinces or something.