2008 Indianapolis 500 ... the number is 39 !!! minimum

[jwhite9185]

Doornbos's team, Minardi Team USA did convert under the HVM Racing banner.

Paul Stoddart said he didn't want to be an underdog just like he was in F1 so Keith Wiggins came to Indycar alone. They will be fielding 3 cars (Viso, Philippe and a TBA, maybe Doornbos) to the Long Beach G.P. as Minardi Team USA though.

Pretty sure Moreno is in at Minardi for Long Beach.

[NickFalzone]

I read it as 39-max as well, but Curt Cavin says otherwise:

"I don't think the "39" is a limit; it's just the number Brian Barnhart told Honda to expect. I can't imagine a 40th being denied if it comes before Honda's deadline for application (which surely is soon). As for excitement this month of May, well, it's going to be exceptional. Let's hope the weather cooperates."

Either way, 38, 39, 40 it should be a good # for bump day.

[garyshell]

I read it as 39-max as well, but Curt Cavin says otherwise:

"I don't think the "39" is a limit; it's just the number Brian Barnhart told Honda to expect. I can't imagine a 40th being denied if it comes before Honda's deadline for application (which surely is soon). As for excitement this month of May, well, it's going to be exceptional. Let's hope the weather cooperates."

Either way, 38, 39, 40 it should be a good # for bump day.

Remind me again what bump day is, it's been so long...

No, really this is GREAT to hear!!! I am pumped about Indy this year, I am happy to say.

Gary

[BenRoethig]

CONFIRMED - 30 Entrants

Andretti Green - Kanaan, Andretti, Patrick, Mutoh
Conquest - Bernoldi, Perera
Dale Coyne - Junqueira, Moraes?
Dreyer & Reinbold - Rice, Bell, Duno
Fisher - Fisher
Foyt - Manning
Ganasi - Dixon, Wheldon
HVM - E.J. Viso
KV - Servia, Power
Luczo Dragon - Scheckter
Newman Haas Lanigan - Wilson, Rahal
Panther - Meira
Penske - Castroneves, Briscoe
Rahal Letterman - Hunter-Reay, Lloyd*
Roth - Roth, Howard
Vision - Carpenter, Foyt IV

*In Conjunction w/ Ganassi

FIRM - 2 Entrants
Beck - Yasukawa? / Barron?
Rubicon / Sam Schmidt - Papis

SPECULATIVE - 8 Entrants
Andretti Green - Matos? / Tracy? / Mi. Andretti?
Foyt - Sharp? / L. Foyt? / Dare? / Simmons? / Chesson?
Hemelgarn - Hearn? / Chesson?
HVM - Tracy? / Dominguez? / Ranger? / Clarke?
Panther - B. Lazier? / Sharp? / Matsuura? / Boat? / Kite?
Playa del Racing - J. Lazier?
Vision - Tracy? / Hamilton? / Jo. Andretti?

That's 39 cars, although not all will materialize. PDM and Chastain are unlikely to make the trip, since there is no gaurentee they would make the show. Fisher isn't running a second car unless she puts her primary car solidly in the field on Day 1, which probably won't happen. Roth doesn't have the resources to run a third car, and could get bumped himself. Penske is still providing assistant to Luczo Dragon and son Jay Penske, so they probably won't run a third car either. I would like to see Hornish Jr. at the 500, but I haven't heard any indications that he will be. Tracy's manager contacted Vision about a ride, but it's also not beyond the realm of possibility to see him in a fifth Andretti Green car or at Dale Coyne in place of Moraes. Foyt could run three cars, at least he has in the past. Scott Sharp will also be around to sub for anybody that asks him to. I really hope Walker Racing fields a car, but he might focus on Atlantics. And has anybody seen or heard from Felipe Giaffone lately?

Bump Day will be awesome.

That doesn't take into account the T-cars either.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

I will be at Indy every weekend in May this year. First time I have ever had the motivation to do that.

39+ is music to my ears .

[ChicagocrewIRL]

Looks like Raybestos Brakes will be joining in and K & N Filters also will be using the IRL as a marketing platform . KEEP EM COMING TERRY !!!!

[pvtjoker]

39??? Maybe some real bumping this year...still not enough though.

[NickFalzone]

Cavin on his radio show just said he saw the entry list that comes out tomorrow and the number is above 40, but the likely final entries will be about 40 when it all shakes out.