How many cars do you think will run a full IRL schedule next year ?

Question

Do you think the new system of paying every full time team will work to increase the car count at races next year ? This question has probably already been presented here. But I have been away for a few months.

Answer 1

Lets hope there can be over 25...and lets hope for a real bump day at qualifying for the Indy 500 this coming yr, and that they can move it to a hr earlier starting time so hey maybe some of the guys can try the double duty again, drive Indy hop in the Jet and come down to Charlotte, and run the 600 like they use to..

Answer 2

No. I think the payment format is awful and will probably scare teams away. What ashame how open wheel racing has tanked in the last 15 years. I love the IRL and enjoy the racing but i dont know if Brian Barnhardt and crew think before makinge some of the decisions they do. Plus im tired of Penske, Gnassi and Andretti Green running the show. The indy 500 has even lost some of its luster. Where are the American manufacturers? like chevy, and ford. Where are some american drivers that we as americans can relate too. The IRL will be lucky to have 18 full time drivers next year. The 500 will have a field of 33 but only 5 drivers have a realistic shot at winning it. I wish they would change things around and remarket it.

Answer 3

First off, there could be a number of "free agents" that it's unclear what they will do next season.

Let's take an honest / realistic look at who will run the **full** 16-race schedule first:

Penske (2): Castroneves / TBA (prob. Briscoe)
AGR (4): Kanaan, Andretti, Patrick, Mutoh
Ganassi (2): Dixon / Wheldon
RLR (2): Sharp / Hunter-Reay
DRR (1): Rice
Panther (1): Miera
Vision (2): Carpenter / Foyt IV
Foyt Racing (1): Manning

OK ... that's 15 cars pretty much guaranteed racing. Now, I've left out several names, because I believe it's unclear what they will be doing for the *full season*. Lets break down the unknowns and possible partial seasons:

Samax (1): Duno
** She's gotta get back up to speed. If she doesn't, Tomas Enge could take her slot, or they could migrate to the IndyPro Series to get her more acclimated to open-wheel racing
Vision (1): Scheckter
** Tomas is an unquestionable talent. Problem here is sponsorship. He is a free agent, but will Joost sign on an extension? Unclear. Foyt IV is still under contract for another year, even though he doesn't have a clear sponsor.
Panther (1): Matsuura
** Again, a talented driver, but hasn't met expectations. Unclear what is going to happen to him. Super Agura Racing brought him over, but they've also brought Mutoh over too. Does Panasonic stay with Kosuke, or go to Mutoh as well? Mutoh's sponsorship hasn't been announced yet, but it could affect Matsuura if Panasonic switched to AGR
Roth Racing (1/2): Roth / TBA (Chesson?)
** Marty Roth keeps saying he's going to have at least a one-car team with a full sponsorship, possibly a two-car. I know Dussault came on for the last race of '07 (cars were absolutely wild-looking - very cool), but whether they stay on, or he obtains further sponsorship is unclear. Adding P.J. Chesson would be a good "get", so long as he gets a good sponsor, but something list that would be appropriate.

That brings the number up to possibly 20. Not bad, not enough.

So ... where's a few other drivers?
** Alex Lloyd: Going to be driving part-time for Ganassi, and may be heir apparent if Wheldon goes to NASCAR after '08. Lloyd *will* drive in a number of IRL events as a 3rd Ganassi car, and will be quite a force. Of course, Mutoh's full-ride might force Chip's hand for Lloyd to drive a 3rd car full time. Stay tuned.
** Sarah Fisher: God love her ... she struggled last year in DRR's 2nd car, but dang it, when the car was good, so was she. Unfortunately, unless I hear different, I think she's done with DRR again. However, rumor has it she may start "Sarah Fisher Racing" if she can find another solid sponsor (she already has AAMCO). She still is unquestionably popular, and is a wonderful ambassador to the IRL - perhaps she should be in the next Dancing With The Stars after Helio ... she might find a great sponsor during her stint - think about it!

So ... there's 22. Last year, I think the average was 21 starters. So what about other teams / drivers?

** Unless the world implodes on itself, expect Hornish and Franchitti (NASCAR) to come back to drive the "500"
** Michael Andretti? Nah - I think he's serious this time - he's retiring for good to concentrate on the team. I think Indy & infineon last year solidified that belief.
** Don't be surprised of someone throws a few Indy Pro Series drivers into the "500" this year. A few names to remember: Wade Cunningham, Robbie Pecorari, and Leilani Munter. Yes - I said Munter ... that could lead to four women in the "500"
** Another name to watch for: Unser ... as in both of them. Don't be surprised if Playa Del Racing puts 2 cars in the "500" ... Jr. & Al 3.
** Not sure if Jon Herb (Herb Racing) will run a few this year or not.

OK ... so that said ... realistically, I see 22-23 cars running full time. The off-season (re: silly season) is upon us, so I expect a few surprises between now and Homestead in late-March. I see there being no problems filling the "500" field this year, with the revenue sharing. You could see another car or two try to go full-time with the revenue sharing as well. Keep your eyes peeled.

Answer 4

Here is a count/poss. List Silly season will greatly change the list starting with the AGR seat being filled.

Penske-2 (helio, Hornish/Briscoe)
Ganassi-2 (Wheldon, Dixon)
AGR-4 (Marco, Danica, TK, ?)
Vision-3 hopefully (Scheckter, Carpenter, AJIV)
Roth-1 and 500 entry
D/R-2(Rice, Lloyd being farmed out from Ganassi rumored)
Rahal-2 (Sharp, Hunter-Raey)
Foyt-1 (Manning)
Panther-2 ( Miera, open seat)
Symax-2 (Duno, open seat-poss. Enge)
Walker- rumor 1 (Briscoe/Justin Wilson)

all of that would equal 22. but a lot of things have to happen before a more accurate list can be made. Who fills Dario's seat, is Sam coming back, will panther fill the 2nd seat, ect.

Answer 5

Possible 20 or 22. It's speculated that Marty Roth will run a two-car team for the entire schedule. Hopefully the increased prize money for the Indianapolis 500 will also attract more entries.

Answer 6

Yeah i agree 20-25 would be good, i dont want to many or not enough cars. I think they could get at least 23 though.

Answer 7

Im hoping for only 17-20. Anything else would waaaayyyyy too much!!!!!!!!! It would be like NASCAR!!!!!!!!! This way you can actally know which driver is which! and you can know how good each one is. Im fine with Indy being like 30 drivers but if they went that way all season that would be some sort horror movie!! Because NASCAR only goes like 175 mph, and Indy goes around 218 on Ovals.

Answer 8

It's way too early to tell. It will probably be getting clearer around the end of the year and early next. However, here is Curt Cavin's assessment of what we know and don't know. Please look down at his October 19 post.

Answer 9

I really don't care.16 - 18- 20- 22- ANYTHING is better than nascar.

Answer 10

I would have to guess around 23