2010 Silly Season Chart

[MDS]

I figured this would be a good time to just post a chart for next year based on all the rumors and announcements. At this point I count 22 full time teams, with a realistic shot at 23-26 depending on what happens with Gil de Ferren. If we could have one thread that doesn't really address Danica's behavior that would be nice.

Expected teams:

Penske Racing
3- Helio Castroneves* “Sponsor who must not be named”
6- Ryan Brisco* “Sponsor who must not be named”
12-Will Power Verizon?

Target Chip Ganassi
9-Scott Dixon* Target
10- Dario Franchitti* Target

Andretti Racing
7- Danica Patrick Boost Mobile
11- Helio Castroneves* 7-11
26- Marco Andretti* Conglomoration
27- Ryan Hunter-Reay Izod/Macy’s?

Newman Hass Lanigan Racing
02- Alex Lloyd HER energy drink
06- Graham Rahal McDonalds
08?- Hideki Mutoh?/Takumo Sato? Formula Dream?

KVRT
5- Mario Moraes

Dale Coye Racing
18- Justin Wilson Z-Line Designs

Vision Racing
20- Ed Carpenter* Menards

FASTT Racing
??-Alex Tagalini ??

Luczo-Dragon Racing
12- Rafa Matos
24?- Takumo Sato/Hediki Mutoh Formula Dream?

Conquest
00-Nelson Phillipe *

Panther racing
4- Dan Wheldon * National Guard

AJ Foyt Enterprises
14- Vitor Meria* ABC

HVM
33-Robert Doornbos *

Dryer and Rienbold racing
24-Mike Conway?

Expected Part time

Sarah Fisher Racing
67 Sarah Fisher Dollar General
76 Jay Howard Discount Tire

KVRT
15 Paul Tracy Gieco/Honda of Canada Indy, ABC races and Edmonton and Toronto

Potential full time operations either full time or part time

Dale Conye Racing
19 James Hinchcliff? David Martinez?

Newman Wachs Racing
34 John Edwards

HVM
13- James Hinhcliffe?

3G
98 Hinchcliffe?/David Martinez?

de Ferren Motorsports?
?-Simone Pagenuard?
?-???

DR&R
43-Thomas Shekter? Milka Dunno?

Free agents/ride buyers

James Hinchcliff has talked with a number of mid and low-tier teams. Supposedly he has fund, but I doubt that funding is in the form of sponsorship, and more than likely are “Backers.”

EJ Viso: I’ve heard he’s lost PDVSA support and could be out of the series. I’ve also heard he might land at KVRT or Conquest, so clearly the rumors haven’t settled at all

Townsend Bell: I haven’t heard anything. His Herbalife sponsorship went with Viso

John Andretti: Will probably buy his way into the 500 with a third-tier team again

Adam Carrol: Irish driver with some buzz around him, and the all but assured death of A1GP might end up in the ICS, I heard someone throw his name out for the 19 DCR car.

Oriol Servia: Great driver but no money. I haven’t heard anything about him landing anywhere, although there are a couple of teams that would run him if they had the money

Bruno Junquiera: I would expect him on the grid in Brazil in some fashion for a one-off and then again at Indy.

Paul Tracy: Geico is back for Indy and the American races on ABC. Honda of Canada is on board for Toronto and Edmonton. He’s actively searching for more money and is meeting with some of the VPs of Monster.

[EagleEye]

I figured this would be a good time to just post a chart for next year based on all the rumors and announcements. At this point I count 22 full time teams, with a realistic shot at 23-26 depending on what happens with Gil de Ferren. If we could have one thread that doesn't really address Danica's behavior that would be nice.

Expected teams:

Penske Racing
3- Helio Castroneves* “Sponsor who must not be named”
6- Ryan Brisco* “Sponsor who must not be named”
12-Will Power Verizon?

Target Chip Ganassi
9-Scott Dixon* Target
10- Dario Franchitti* Target

Andretti Racing
7- Danica Patrick Boost Mobile
11- Helio Castroneves* 7-11
26- Marco Andretti* Conglomoration
27- Ryan Hunter-Reay Izod/Macy’s?

Newman Hass Lanigan Racing
02- Alex Lloyd HER energy drink
06- Graham Rahal McDonalds
08?- Hideki Mutoh?/Takumo Sato? Formula Dream?

KVRT
5- Mario Moraes

Dale Coye Racing
18- Justin Wilson Z-Line Designs

Vision Racing
20- Ed Carpenter* Menards

FASTT Racing
??-Alex Tagalini ??

Luczo-Dragon Racing
12- Rafa Matos
24?- Takumo Sato/Hediki Mutoh Formula Dream?

Conquest
00-Nelson Phillipe *

Panther racing
4- Dan Wheldon * National Guard

AJ Foyt Enterprises
14- Vitor Meria* ABC

HVM
33-Robert Doornbos *

Dryer and Rienbold racing
24-Mike Conway?

Expected Part time

Sarah Fisher Racing
67 Sarah Fisher Dollar General
76 Jay Howard Discount Tire

KVRT
15 Paul Tracy Gieco/Honda of Canada Indy, ABC races and Edmonton and Toronto

Potential full time operations either full time or part time

Dale Conye Racing
19 James Hinchcliff? David Martinez?

Newman Wachs Racing
34 John Edwards

HVM
13- James Hinhcliffe?

3G
98 Hinchcliffe?/David Martinez?

de Ferren Motorsports?
?-Simone Pagenuard?
?-???

DR&R
43-Thomas Shekter? Milka Dunno?

Free agents/ride buyers

James Hinchcliff has talked with a number of mid and low-tier teams. Supposedly he has fund, but I doubt that funding is in the form of sponsorship, and more than likely are “Backers.”

EJ Viso: I’ve heard he’s lost PDVSA support and could be out of the series. I’ve also heard he might land at KVRT or Conquest, so clearly the rumors haven’t settled at all

Townsend Bell: I haven’t heard anything. His Herbalife sponsorship went with Viso

John Andretti: Will probably buy his way into the 500 with a third-tier team again

Adam Carrol: Irish driver with some buzz around him, and the all but assured death of A1GP might end up in the ICS, I heard someone throw his name out for the 19 DCR car.

Oriol Servia: Great driver but no money. I haven’t heard anything about him landing anywhere, although there are a couple of teams that would run him if they had the money

Bruno Junquiera: I would expect him on the grid in Brazil in some fashion for a one-off and then again at Indy.

Paul Tracy: Geico is back for Indy and the American races on ABC. Honda of Canada is on board for Toronto and Edmonton. He’s actively searching for more money and is meeting with some of the VPs of Monster.

Penske Racing
3- Helio Castroneves
6- Ryan Brisco
12-Will Power TBD

Target Chip Ganassi
9-Scott Dixon* Target
10- Dario Franchitti* Target
TBD- TBD

Chip is scrambling to get the funding for a third car. Rahal, Wilson and Moraes in the mix. Hearing TK might be as well, but at a greater cost...

Andretti Racing
7- Danica Patrick Boost Mobile
11- Tony Kanaan 7-11
26- Marco Andretti* Conglomoration
37- Ryan Hunter-Reay Izod

TK has a lot of personal issues, and might be granted a release if he wants to have a new start at Ganassi. If TK moves on look for Rahal, or Moraes.

Newman Hass Racing
02- Alex Lloyd HER energy drink
06- Graham Rahal McDonalds
TBD- Hideki Mutoh Formula Dream

FD was all set to go to GDR, but they ticked Honda off by asking for more dough. Not sure what happended with Sato as he was tabbed for FD for some time.

Rahal has yet to sign, but seems happy with the team's progress. Lloyd's side says they have a done deal, but nothing announced by the team..yet.

Could Edwards move up? Graham now becomes the second shoe that has to drop.

Lanigan might not be back. If he leaves, would someone else come in? NHW?

KVRT
5- TBD

Moraes should be back...which means he probably won't. His stock has risen, and the team is working to secure his services. Look for Wilson if Moraes moves on.

Dale Coye Racing
18- TBD Z-Line Designs
19- TBD

Justin will return, if nothing else presents itself and that is not a bad thing. Wilson and the team got on well. The win this year, was one of the best in years and was well earned. Two wins if not for a late yellow at St. Pete.

Hinchcliff has an inside edge if Wilson stays. If Wilson moves on look for Bruno or Servia.

Vision Racing
20- Ed Carpenter Menards

FAZZT Racing
77-Alex Tagalini

Luczo-Dragon Racing
2- Rafa Matos

Conquest
00-Nelson Phillipe

Hoping this is a full season effort. Eric has worked long and hard, and the team has done a great job.

Panther racing
4- Dan Wheldon National Guard

AJ Foyt Enterprises
14- Vitor Meria ABC

HVM
33-Robert Doornbos

Will Bobby D be in for the entire year? Team is hoping to run a second car, but time will tell.

Dryer and Rienbold racing
23- Milka Dunno
TBD-

Conway had an up and down year. More down at the start, but did well at times. The team could take on anyone that brings some funding, including Tomas, Hinch, or others.

Expected Part time

Sarah Fisher Racing
67 Sarah Fisher Dollar General
76 Jay Howard Discount Tire

KVRT
15 Paul Tracy Gieco/Honda of Canada Indy, ABC races and Edmonton and Toronto

3G
98 TBD

Needs money

de Ferren Motorsports
TBD- TBD

Will Gil and honda kiss and make up?

Rahal
17-TBD

Might be closer to something than they were a year ago. Probably the best bet of any new entry.

********************************

It is going to be a long offseason, with plenty of changes. The IZOD deal is outstanding. Thank you Terry, job well done.

[anthonyvop]

Conquest
00-Nelson Phillipe *

You heard something?

[NickFalzone]

After Nelson's wreck at Sonoma he or someone from Conquest was interviewed and they said that it was disappointing, but they were still on track for a full 2010 program with him driving. I think he brings the money.

As far as driver count, Curt Cavin said on trackside this week that Barnhart is expected "22-26" at the start of next season. My guess is it will be about even with 2009, with maybe an avg of 1 add'l car per race.

[indyracefan]

After Nelson's wreck at Sonoma he or someone from Conquest was interviewed and they said that it was disappointing, but they were still on track for a full 2010 program with him driving. I think he brings the money.

I had last heard something along those lines as well.

[Chamoo]

I had last heard something along those lines as well.

As did I.

[anthonyvop]

At Homestead nelson told me he was still looking for a ride for 2010. Of course his injuries isn't making it any easier.

[Chamoo]

What about Dan Clarke at HVM in the second car? Curt Cavin keeps bringing it up over and over as a "why not?".

[anthonyvop]

Why would anyone want such an erratic and crash prone driver in the series? We need a slightly higher caliber of driver to start coming to the series.

So why not Dan Clarke? he is of higher quality than 3/4 of the current field.

[Chamoo]

Why would anyone want such an erratic and crash prone driver in the series? We need a slightly higher caliber of driver to start coming to the series.

I've got to agree with Anthonyvop. Dan Clarke has a higher pedigree then half the series. And so what if he crashes, most people do at some point.

I remember a fast, dorky kid wearing corrective glasses who used to crash all the time, Pete Tracy or something like that? What did he ever end up doing?