The first 2011 Silly Season driver/team thread

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Originally Posted by Enjun Pullr

SpeedTV reports indicate that FAZZT might be signing GP2 driver Ho-Ping Tung tomorrow.

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Who?

Seriously, not exactly the kind of resume that screams Indy Car star. But since he has a "relationship" with one of the big money guys on Tags team, we know why he is getting a seat.

He'll be driving #88 for AZZT Racing.

According to RMiller, it appears Rahal and Charlie Kimball to run a 2 car team as a satellite operation to Ganassi; likely owned by Don "The Snake" Prudhomme.

My guess, is that Kimball's Diabetes money aced out Jay Howard for the ride. Too bad Jay.

I have also heard Summerton is close to something as well.

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Originally Posted by Scotty G.

Who?

Seriously, not exactly the kind of resume that screams Indy Car star. But since he has a "relationship" with one of the big money guys on Tags team, we know why he is getting a seat.

He'll be driving #88 for AZZT Racing.

According to RMiller, it appears Rahal and Charlie Kimball to run a 2 car team as a satellite operation to Ganassi; likely owned by Don "The Snake" Prudhomme.

My guess, is that Kimball's Diabetes money aced out Jay Howard for the ride. Too bad Jay.

I have also heard Summerton is close to something as well.

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Not to nit-pick, but wasn't it Marshall Pruett who wrote that article on Kimball and Rahal?

Also, Scotty, I'm surprised! Unless you were being sarcastic in regards to Jay Howard being out of a ride due to Charlie Kimball bringing money, I thought you'd like a good young American who came through the ladder and got to the Izod Indycar Series over a Brit?

Also, if Summerton has does get something done, and JR gets the Panther seat, along with Rahal and Kimball, that is four full time American's on top of RHR and Danica from last season. Add in the potential for Ed Carpenter at select races, and a potential full time season from Hinchcliffe and a 99% sure full time season from Tags, toss in a couple PT races and we've got ourselves a good assortment of USA talent, with a nice side serving of Canadian talent for 2011.

Edit: You were right, it was RM.

Well, Ho-Ping Tung is a mixed blessing. Its great to see another car in the field, and the fact the contract is done before Thanksgiving is good, but we can't build a series around guys like Tung, unless this is part of a bigger deal. Like if he brings sponsorship and the ICS pulls off its ambition to pair Motegi with a Chinese race and he's around for two years then it's a wonderful thing, if not then he's just another guy who couldn't find a place in Formula 1.

While he hasn't been stellar in the feeder series he has been capable and breifly held a Super License and that means he can compete. He's done well in the Superleague against a pretty stiff field. Tung is quality of drivers the league should be getting, and FAZZT is an appropriate quality team for him to land at. So I wish him luck, I just wish Hinchcliff or Wickens had claimed this seat.

I wonder how much role the league played? If they're going to go to China now it would play a hell of a lot better to the fans in that country if their banner carrier was an established driver and not some token rookie.

It struck me as funny that deals like this happen all the time, and making silly season lists is just that. Nobody had Sato or Baguette on a list last year either.

You can add Marco and Townsend Bell to the American contingent though. It's hard to see why this is such a big issue to so many people: there were nine U.S. drivers at Indy last year and five in most other events.

IndyCar needs personalities, it shouldn't matter a bit where they were born in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Enjun Pullr

It's hard to see why this is such a big issue to so many people: there were nine U.S. drivers at Indy last year and five in most other events.

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9 Americans at Indy was the worst % in the Indy 500 ever.

From 1950 to 1990 or so, it never dipped below 20 and there were many, many years where over 30 starters were from America.

The Indy 500 needs to get back to the point where at least half the field is American again. Like it was for about the first 100 years of its existance. ;)

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Originally Posted by Chamoo

Also, Scotty, I'm surprised! Unless you were being sarcastic in regards to Jay Howard being out of a ride due to Charlie Kimball bringing money, I thought you'd like a good young American who came through the ladder and got to the Izod Indycar Series over a Brit?

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I'd much rather have Kimball over Howard. Howard has not endeared himself to most folks in the ICS. And we are not even talking about his driving.

Kimball didn't exactly light it up in Lights, but he's still only 25 and he did well before he got to Lights. Plus his diabetes story, would be a good one to follow.

I am sure, that this was the ride Howard was alluding to a while ago, when he said he might be "teammates" with Graham. I think he thought his relationship with Service Central, would help him. I guess it didn't.

As Bernard has said, he wants THE BEST guys. With that in mind, I'd rather see John Edwards and Robert Wickens and Andrew Ranger in the series over Ho Tung Pin, Jay Howard and Mario Moraes. Maybe by 2012, more of "the best" will get to Indy Cars and these other jokers have to look elsewhere.

Scotty I don't disagree with your "desire" for more Americans at Indy. Saying we "need" to get back to a particular percentage of Americans at Indy though I think is not going to produce the product we all want either. You eluded yourself to the need for the BEST drivers. The talent pool of Americans isn't as deep as it used to be. Sure I want Americans but I want the best drivers. I don't want a field of Americans like Marco and Danica just because their Americans but without the ability to push the limits of a car and create excitement. I realize Vettel and Alonso aren't heading this way but to me, field filling is field filling whether they're ride buyers or in a ride because of where they're from.

I continue to believe that the majority of the buying/paying public prefer a "winner" with personality to a generic "american" that is neither. All else being equal, I am sure the American audience would prefer an American winner But I think we are sophisticated enough to put personality and talent above nationality....

Also, (please play as though you do not already know who these people are) pick the American from the following list:

Scott Dixon
Justin Wilson
Roger Yasukawa
Paul Tracy

Unless you are a hard core fan, you have no idea where the driver came from until and unless you hear them speak and even then you could be mightily confused (Dario Franchitti). So, I do not see how a lack of Americans is a deterrent to the casual fan.... It may upset the mid-west core fanbase and it is certainly a good thing to aspire to (to have a greater number of excellent American drivers in the Indy 500)... but I think it is very wide of the mark to focus on that as a key issue in the failure of the sport to thrive since the split....

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Originally Posted by TURN3

The talent pool of Americans isn't as deep as it used to be. Sure I want Americans but I want the best drivers. I don't want a field of Americans like Marco and Danica just because their Americans but without the ability to push the limits of a car and create excitement.

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(I can't believe I am about to defend Princess and Marco....)


But those two, have proven, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that they are capable American drivers. At other places? No. But at Indy (which is what I am talking about)? Yes.

I think there are just as many talented, capable American drivers who could do good things at Indy, as there ever have been. For decades, Indy was filled with some high-caliber American talents (like Foyt, the Unser's, Rutheford, Donahue, the Bettenhausen's, Johncock, Mears, Sneva, Gurney, etc....) but it was also filled with guys like Eldon Rasmussen, Jerry Karl, Dennis Firestone and Steve Krisiloff too. Were they considered "world-class" talents? No. But we didn't always aspire to lure Formula 1 hopefuls or dropouts either. We didn't lose so many good young drivers to NASCAR back then either.

Right now, if we had these following 15 American drivers at Indy, I think we'd have something:

-Marco
-Rahal
-Patrick
-Braun
-Bell
-Summerton
-Kimball
-Allmendinger
-Hornish
-Hildebrand
-Clauson
-Yeley
-Cameron
-Hunter-Reay
-Rice


There is some pretty decent talent there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scotty G.

(I can't believe I am about to defend Princess and Marco....)


But those two, have proven, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that they are capable American drivers. At other places? No. But at Indy (which is what I am talking about)? Yes.

I think there are just as many talented, capable American drivers who could do good things at Indy, as there ever have been. For decades, Indy was filled with some high-caliber American talents (like Foyt, the Unser's, Rutheford, Donahue, the Bettenhausen's, Johncock, Mears, Sneva, Gurney, etc....) but it was also filled with guys like Eldon Rasmussen, Jerry Karl, Dennis Firestone and Steve Krisiloff too. Were they considered "world-class" talents? No. But we didn't always aspire to lure Formula 1 hopefuls or dropouts either. We didn't lose so many good young drivers to NASCAR back then either.

Right now, if we had these following 15 American drivers at Indy, I think we'd have something:

-Marco
-Rahal
-Patrick
-Braun
-Bell
-Summerton
-Kimball
-Allmendinger
-Hornish
-Hildebrand
-Clauson
-Yeley
-Cameron
-Hunter-Reay
-Rice


There is some pretty decent talent there.

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To a degree I understand what you're saying. I don't see your entire logic though, very rarely do any of us...but anyway. First of all, you list guys on your list that are nowhere close to giving up a stock car career to enter Indy OR have been washed up without even attempting get in a car for 3+ years. Buddy Rice!!? Come on! The guy hasn't been seen in public since he embarrased himself for Forsythe in Mexico a few years ago. JJ Yeley, yep an American alright and a household name. Braun, Hornish, and Almendinger aren't coming back either.

Even if you wishlist came true, it would be insignificant for only 1 race. Indy is special, you're right about that. But what made it special is guys from all over the world came to go at it. Yes, there will be field fillers and underdogs but you are not going to get 15 Americans in the Indy 500 with a chance to win. Nobody remembers who finsihes 2nd. Case in point is to see what happend after the split. Plenty of Americans, plenty of empty seats. The drivers have to be the best in the world, no matter where they're from.

And these days I give very little credit to drivers like Marco and Danica for "knowing how to get around the place". Seriously? These cars are very little lift even at Indy and we've discussed this together already. Things seem to be changing in 2012. Yes it takes lots of patience to bring an Indycar home over 500 miles at Indy at that is worth something. But it was worth more prior to about 2000. What Mears, Foyt, Johncock, Sneva, etc. etc. etc. did was "knowing how to get around Indy". If it were just finishing, Roberto Guererro would be a household name.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TURN3

1. First of all, you list guys on your list that are nowhere close to giving up a stock car career to enter Indy OR have been washed up without even attempting get in a car for 3+ years.

2. Buddy Rice!!? Come on!

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1. I was speaking about if Indy Car was still close or more highly regarded to NASCAR (like it was in the 60's, 70's and 80's), then guys like Allmendinger, Braun and Hornish would be in Indy Cars and would have STAYED in Indy Cars and never sniffed NASCAR.

Allmendinger would be a 10 time Indy 500 starter by now, if Indy Car Racing didn't lose their way in the late 80's/early 90's.


2. Yes, Buddy Rice. His resume speaks for itself. Its a complete joke, that this guy just vanished in the prime of his career. Its something that would have NEVER happened 30 years ago.

And now, Dan Wheldon appears to be following the same script. A total shame.

Both of these guys PROVED on the track at Indy, they were as good as anyone. Wheldon's Indy 500 record is unbelievable.

The fact that they were basically run out of the sport (with their lack of a checkbook being the #1 factor) is why Indy Cars are where they are now, today.

It comes and goes, this semi xenophobic idea that most of the drivers have to be American. I think if you live in the Mid West, you think that way. If you live elsewhere, maybe less so.

See, I get where Scott is coming from; you need people that the guys in the stands can identify with BUT some of the most popular people in American Indy Car history are not American. Horrors.......Emmo is Brazilian down to his shorts but he was well liked. Paul Tracy is a Canadian who just imitiates the brash American ideal just too well sometimes. Dario Franchitti was as popular a winner as any in recent years. Maybe because he brings Ashley with him!

Listen, I am all for more Americans in the IRL, I get it, but having people picked just based on their passports is UNAMERICAN...America was supposed to be the freedom to be the best you can be without anyone telling you your race, creed or whatever doesn't matter. Too often, Americans are the first to forget that.

Get the best possible drivers you can afford at as a team owner should be the goal. Business concerns however have polluted this, and that is the problem and it always has. If the IRL is healthy however, that goes away in time.....

It isn't 1960 anymore and they are not building these cars in their garages or running just one race a year Scott, this is big business and money in the end has way more say than just a passport...

For the record I'm not saying that Tung can't be a potential star because of his nationality, but because we don't need more guys like Tristian Gommendy who come in with decent resumes, bought rides, had average results and then disappeared when their funding went away. I see potential for Tung, especially if the the ICS gets to China in 2012 and/or he brings in a sponsor. If nothing else he could make Motegi more interesting for the Japanese fans.

We might well see three American rookies join the series next year with the possibility of J.R. Hildebrand, Johnathan Summerton and Charlie Kimble coming into the series, all of whom have come up through the ladder system and have chances of building the sport. James Hinchcliff is chasing a ride this year too. With potentially four North Americans and Tung 2011 could be a hell of a rookie class.

I'm of the mind that Indy is big enough for anyone who wants to come.

Hmm, there have been a lot of good drivers in GP2 in the past few years, and Tung really isn't one of them. He's not awful, certainly no Duno, but I'm pretty sure he'd be out of his depth in IndyCar. He was Conway's teammate for a while, and was quite badly outperformed by him.

Wheldon seems to have made his own bed - I'm pretty sure that at some point in 2009 he threw Panther under the bus in an interview, and that, plus (I believe) he was getting paid the kind of money that no one except the top few are making. He signed a good contract at a time that he was at the top of his market value, and based on underperforming on road and street courses, he is worth a lot less now.

I'm sure he's banked a several million over the last several years, so he may be out of a ride but he's probably laughing all the way to the bank.

He certainly seems to be good at Indy from his last few finishes!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scotty G.

(I can't believe I am about to defend Princess and Marco....)


But those two, have proven, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, that they are capable American drivers. At other places? No. But at Indy (which is what I am talking about)? Yes.

I think there are just as many talented, capable American drivers who could do good things at Indy, as there ever have been. For decades, Indy was filled with some high-caliber American talents (like Foyt, the Unser's, Rutheford, Donahue, the Bettenhausen's, Johncock, Mears, Sneva, Gurney, etc....) but it was also filled with guys like Eldon Rasmussen, Jerry Karl, Dennis Firestone and Steve Krisiloff too. Were they considered "world-class" talents? No. But we didn't always aspire to lure Formula 1 hopefuls or dropouts either. We didn't lose so many good young drivers to NASCAR back then either.

Right now, if we had these following 15 American drivers at Indy, I think we'd have something:

-Marco
-Rahal
-Patrick
-Braun
-Bell
-Summerton
-Kimball
-Allmendinger
-Hornish
-Hildebrand
-Clauson
-Yeley
-Cameron
-Hunter-Reay
-Rice


There is some pretty decent talent there.

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And what about Scott Speed?
I am not so sure about Richard Antinucci.

the second seat at FAZZT. At least that's what Dean Mcnulty writes:

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/col.../16285216.html

The world salivates at the prospects.

Sarah Fisher announced her retirement today.

Ed Carpenter will drive the #67 Dollar General car, at 9 races in 2011.

They will do 6 of the 8 ovals (no Milwaukee and Japan) and also St. Pete, Mid Ohio and Baltimore.



Reportedly, JR Hildebrand turned down the ride. He is in line for the Panther seat, which is likely full-time. So, can't blame him. SFR still just a part-time deal.

I'll miss cheering for Sarah "the driver", but will continue to root for Sarah "the team". A class act who never played the blame game when things went wrong and was very thankfull when things went right.

She was able to build a nice little team with the dual role of driver/owner. Hopefully it'll see growth with her focus on ownership.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ykiki

I'll miss cheering for Sarah "the driver", but will continue to root for Sarah "the team". A class act who never played the blame game when things went wrong and was very thankfull when things went right.

She was able to build a nice little team with the dual role of driver/owner. Hopefully it'll see growth with her focus on ownership.

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Amen to that!

Gary

So I spotted the Rahal Letterman Racing trailer heading south out of Atlanta today. It was probably the ICS trailer because it was white and devoid of any stickers and their ALMS trailer is normally wrapped.

Of course they're a big enough operation they could just have a B-trailer they use to keep the miles off the painted rigs.

The Legends of Motorsports Historic Series, a "Bobby Rahal Signature Event", will run on Dec. 3-5 at Sebring Raceway:

http://www.sebringraceway.com/

Mr. Rahal senior owns vintage cars out the wazoo, and a couple are likely to be out on the runways.

junioropenwheeltalent.com (A website well worth a weekly read btw) is reporting that James Hinchcliffe may have a test lined up with Newman Haas.

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Canadian James Hinchcliffe is scheduled to test an IndyCar with Newman-Haas on Dec. 14-15 at Sebring International Raceway, according to Norris McDonald. Hopefully this will end as more than just a great opportunity, and the talented 23-year-old will land a full-time ride in IndyCar for 2011.
Hinchcliffe concluded his 2010 Indy Lights season ranked second in the drivers’ championship with three wins and 10 top-fives in 13 starts, driving for Team Moore Racing. In early October, the Toronto native was awarded the prestigious Greg Moore Legacy Award.
[Update] – According to inside sources, this news was prematurely released and details are still being finalized. Stay tuned for an official PR announcement.

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http://www.junioropenwheeltalent.com...r-newman-haas/

James has been hustling for sponsorship, as has NHR. Something is going on because its unlikely that NHR would put out an release if it was just rumors.

oh to see Hinch get a shot will really make my day. Another full time Canadian in the series would make me that much more interested in the series of course...

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Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

oh to see Hinch get a shot will really make my day. Another full time Canadian in the series would make me that much more interested in the series of course...

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We need a good young Canadian to win over some fans in Canada before Tags and PT are gone forever.

When a driver is testing with a team in the off-season in modern-day Indy Car Racing, that almost always means he is eventually going to be driving for that team.

I'd say Hinch will be one of Newman/Haas's drivers in 2011.


Could be a real fun ROY race in 2011, with Hinchcliffe, Hildebrand, Kimball and Summerton doing battle (sorry, but I don't count Ho Son Pin, or whoever that is).

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Originally Posted by Scotty G.

(sorry, but I don't count Ho Son Pin, or whoever that is).

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Well you said the same about Bertrand Baguette so Ho-Pin Tung might turn out to be a decent driver.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scotty G.

When a driver is testing with a team in the off-season in modern-day Indy Car Racing, that almost always means he is eventually going to be driving for that team.

I'd say Hinch will be one of Newman/Haas's drivers in 2011.


Could be a real fun ROY race in 2011, with Hinchcliffe, Hildebrand, Kimball and Summerton doing battle (sorry, but I don't count Ho Son Pin, or whoever that is).

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I agree. I love Hinch. He's hysterical and seems like a good kid. I'm just glad to see a driver who has supposedly been doing all the right things, has actual driving talent AND has a great marketable personality is getting a shot in what has traditionally been a great car. If it wasn't for the consolidation he would have been in the big cars by now. To be honest, I've even missed the race commentary he used to do with Champcar. He was far better than 3/4 of the chumps that have been doing the Indycar broadcasts.

Graham is meeting with engineer now and hopes to announce plans soon.

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/78jad0

And here's the official NHR press release. Its James and Oriol

http://www.newmanhaasracing.com/cont...nchcliffe.html

Here's the interesting thing that makes me wonder if they have a deal in the works.

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"This test will give us a great start to prepare for 2011," said Brian Lisles, general manager of Newman/Haas Racing. "And we look forward to introducing James to the IZOD IndyCar Series, and renewing our long and successful relationship with Oriol."

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Which yeah could just be referring to the test... or not. Supposedly they're close to signing a Canadian company to a multi-year deal for Hinch

I would absolutely love a 2 car team with Hinchcliffe and Servia. Sounds a little unlikely given their recent troubles, but it at least looks like they're not going to shut down the team and will field at least one car with an actual good driver.

Good to see NHL back to being a team with proper drivers again!

Hinchcliffe and Adam Carroll to be Newman/Haas's drivers in 2011?

You never know.... ;)


Might be a bit risky to go with 2 young drivers. But, $$$ talks.

Bold is set-

Andretti Autosport
Marco
Danica
RHR

No word on who will fund RHR, but the Snapple/Dr. Pepper rumors are not correct. They were tied into the 7/11, and the hope is they might still might be primary for some races.


Penske Racing/Team Penske Racing
Power
HCN
TK/Briscoe

If the Captain wants TK, the Captain will get TK, and looks like it might be in the works. Money is the issue, as Briscoe comes in less than TK, but Briscoe might end up with money strapped De ferran.

Target Chip Ganassi
Dixon
Dario

Ganassi/Prudhomme Racing
Rahal
Kimbal

Should be announced soon. Team coming together, and looks like all the funding is in place. Shop is in Brownsburg, about 20-30 minutes from the Ganassi shop. Good staff being put together...

A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Vitor

KVRT
Sato
Mutoh/Viso
Ride buyer ~3

KV Renta Team-Mutoh trying to get money togerther, Viso seems to have some funding as well.

Panther
TBD

Still looking or an american. Wheldon might be back, at a reduced cost.

de Ferran Dragon Racing
Briscoe/TK

Money is an issue- TK would be in, save for his current salary demands, which he deserves.

HVM
SDS

Money a big issue here.

Conquest
Bag
TBD

Money is also an issue here

FAZZT
Tagliani
Tung

Newman Hass
Servia
Hinch

Good things on the horizon.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing
Wilson
Conway
TBD 2

Wheldon might be considered if he has some funding.

Sarah Fisher Racing
Carpenter

Money brought in from TG.

Dale Coyne Racing
Ride buyer 1
Ride buyer 2/?

Viso or Mutoh could end up here as well.

Team 3G
LOL

Like I said last year, will not happen. Team owes to much money.

Rahal
No one-

Not very likley, and the truck seen on the road is for Rahal's Legacy Historic series, not ICS. Lets not have another bunch of "Swift" trucks spotted like we had after the Swift Champcar went away.

Walker
Trying hard!

Fingers crossed that DW can come up with something.

Shell officially announced their sponsorship of helio. Here's a pic of the car and the official press release

http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa.../audio_visual/

http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa...10_racing.html

From what I hear its a massive deal with Penske, and Shell's focus is on the cup car, but yeah, its a good thing for the sport.

Also, the release reference that Shell will have a presence across all three Penske open wheel cars and specifically mentions Ryan Briscoe... This is like fourth or fifth confirmation that Briscoe will be with the team so I'm not sure why there is still rumors floating TK is going to replace him. If the Captain wants him he'll end up at de Ferran Dragon, if nothing else Roger is loyal to his drivers.

Any chance that Speed would land an Indy Car Ride now that he is a free agent?

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Originally Posted by Placid

Any chance that Speed would land an Indy Car Ride now that he is a free agent?

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I think Scott Speed has burned a lot of bridges in Indycar land the way he has spoken about the series. Personally, I'd like him to be "stuck" taking an Indycar ride, to see him fill something he feels he is superior to.

I think having an American with a name like Scott Speed would be good for the series, however, I do not want to see his attitude about our sport in our sport.

Lets get silly...

-The Captain is now saying, that if he doesn't find sponsorship for Hornish in Nationwide (which he likely won't), he will run him in the Indy 500 (because if he was under contract and you had nothing else to do with him, why wouldn't you run a car in the Indy 500 for a former champion?). I'd guess, he'd run a Pennzoil sponsored car, if that happens. The Shell money is mostly going to the NASCAR side of Penske's operation and one of the reasons Penske stole/poached them away from Childress, was the Indy 500 carrot. Another "thank you" for coming aboard, would be running another Shell/Pennzoil car at Indy (likely with the money coming out of RP's pocket). Sam in a all yellow Pennzoil car, would be nice to see again.

-I have also heard Mike Conway may end up at KV (the Lotus angle may be working here and his funding may not be enough for D&R) and that 09' GP champion Andy Soucek may end up with D&R. D&R's 3 full-time cars then would be Wilson in the #22, Tracy in the #23 and Soucek in the #24. Beatriz could be back for Indy again in the #25.

-I think Moraes could be gone (no loss) and so could Mutoh (ditto). Both seem to have lost their checkbook, which was the only thing keeping them employed. Of course, with as much coin that Moraes's family has, that could always change as we get closer to the start of the season. He was able to crack it back open last year, at the last minute.

-Panther could end up running Hildebrand as their only full-time driver in the Guard #4 and they could bring Wheldon back (with NOS sponsorship to go along with some secondary Guard money) to run the Indy 500 for them. I think Wheldon explored getting a Indy Car team together, but is more likely now to run full-time for Kyle Busch in the Truck Series. Wheldon also could end up with Andretti, in the Indy 500. Lots of questions though still with both Panther and what Andretti will do (if anything) with a 4th car.

-Snake Racing is the likely name of the Rahal/Kimball team. It will be based in Brownsburg, IN. Sounds like it will be a similar setup as Jay Penske had when he started his team. Wasn't a true Team Penske team. This won't be a true Ganassi team. But, there will be some sharing going on. Rahal's car will be yellow, black and white and Kimball's will be light blue/green, orange and white. Would not be surprised, if Gary Peterson/AFS ends up in some sort of role here either.

Here he goes with the "great Sam Hornish" again. At least for an Indy one off, that isn't as unlikely. I could see that happening if he has no Nationwide seat either.

Let's just get the info correct on Soucek. He won the 2009 FIA F2 Championship, which in terms of competition and car capability is considered below GP2.

In 2007 and 2008, he ran the GP2 series, finishing 16th and 14th.