| Team |
Driver 1 |
Driver 2 |
Driver 3 |
Driver 4 |
Chassis |
Engine |
Sponsors |
| Andretti Green Racing |
Tony Kanaan |
Dan Wheldon |
Bryan Herta |
Dario Franchitti |
Dallara |
Honda |
7-Eleven
Klein Tools
Jim Beam
ArcaEx
XM Satellite Radio
Forsythe
Alpine |
|---|
 |
January 13: Dario Franchitti has finally signed his contract to return for the 2005 season. |
| October 18: Kanaan is signed through 2008, while Wheldon and Herta have contracts for 2005. Franchitti has been given his contract, but has yet to sign it. How much will his accidents at Texas influence his decision? |
| October 4: Robin Miller says Dario Franchitti has yet to sign his 2005 contract with Andretti Green. His road racing skills could be in demand with another team. |
| July 25: Defending Champ Car champion Paul Tracy said he spoke to his good friend Dario Franchitti on Saturday night: "Man, you need to be here." Dario replied "I'm working on it." Then Dario won the race the next day... |
| July 14: Kanaan and Wheldon are virtually assured of retaining their seats, based on their performance this year. The team may not be so inclined to run four, or even three, cars in 2005. Franchitti may take the opportunity to return to the less dangerous Champ Car series now there is more stability there, especially if he is not excited by the IRL road racing dates. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Beck Motorsports |
Arie Luyendyk Jr.
P.J. Jones
Buddy Lazier
Jaques Lazier |
|
|
|
Dallara |
Chevrolet |
CURB Records |
|---|
|
May 22: Arie Luyendyk Jr. was bumped from the field by Felipe Giaffone in a Foyt car. |
| May 16: Greg Beck says he will attempt to qualify Arie Luyendyk Jr. next weekend for the Indy 500, assuming he can complete his rookie orientation. |
| April 12: The final Indy 500 entry list, published today, includes an entry for Beck, sponsored as in previous years by CURB and Agajanian. No driver has been assigned yet. |
| April 11: With the Indy 500 entry list closed, there is no sign of Beck. |
| March 19: Beck will have a Chevrolet engine for the Indianapolis 500 if it can finalize its sponsorship package. |
| July 14: Ran P.J. Jones at the Indy 500 this year with funding from Mike Curb and Cary Agajanian. Could possibly scrape together an Indy 500 entry for 2005. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Cheever Racing |
Alex Barron |
Patrick Carpentier |
Scott Speed
Derek Hill
Ed Carpenter
Narain Karthikeyan
Eddie Cheever |
|
Dallara |
Toyota
Chevrolet |
Red Bull |
|---|
|
March 9: Cheever Racing has filed only two entries for the Indianapolis 500. |
| January 5: Scott Speed has signed to drive for the iSport International team in GP2 in 2005 with Red Bull backing. Even if Cheever wanted to run him in some IndyCar races too, schedule conflicts mean he will not be available for the Indy 500. |
| December 15: 2004 Formula Renault Eurocup champion Scott Speed, an American discovered in the 2002 Red Bull Driver Search, tested for Cheever this week. While Speed's primary focus is getting into Formula One, Cheever would like to race him in the Indy 500 and the three IndyCar road races this year. |
| December 14: Derek Hill, son of former World Champion Phil Hill, will test for Cheever at Homestead later this week. |
| November 10: Patrick Carpentier has signed to drive for Cheever Racing in 2005. A team official tells the Indianapolis Star that he will join Alex Barron, and the team will switch to Toyota engines. A third car may be announced next month. |
| November 8: Robin Miller says Patrick Carpentier will sign with Cheever this week. The deal involves engine builder Meccachrome and is contingent on Cheever switching to Toyota engines. |
| November 6: Autoracing1 caught up with Patrick Carpentier at the Champ Car race in Mexico City. He says he has not signed with Cheever yet due to disagreement over a clause in the contract. He will be meeting with the team this Wednesday. He has no offers from Champ Car teams. |
| November 3: Robin Miller says the on-again, off-again deal with Patrick Carpentier is back on again. Perhaps a switch to a more competitive engine, in light of the Chevy news, is part of the clincher? |
| October 20: Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan, who has been racing in the World Series by Nissan with Red Bull backing, will test for Cheever at Phoenix this week. |
| October 18: Robin Miller reports Cheever's deal with Patrick Carpentier has fallen through. Could this have hinged on a sponsor to replace Red Bull? Miller also says Cheever has approached Toyota about engines for 2005. |
| October 17: Eddie Cheever has failed to take up his option on Ed Carpenter. He says it is possible the team will run three cars in 2005. A decision on drivers for next year will be made in a couple of weeks. Red Bull sponsorship still is not certain. |
| October 4: Robin Miller says Ed Carpenter does not have a contract with Cheever for 2005 yet. But, with a little cash from his stepfather, that could still happen. |
| October 2: Patrick Carpentier is expected to drive for the team next year. Robin Miller says Alex Barron will be the odd man out and has approached several teams, including Mo Nunn Racing. |
| September 26: Robin Miller reports that Champ Car driver Patrick Carpentier will join Eddie Cheever's IndyCar team for a two-year deal in 2005. |
| July 14: Eddie Cheever finally seems to have found two drivers he is relatively content with. However, if the rumors of Red Bull's departure are true, he may have to slim down to one car. Will Eddie ever return to driving himself? Unlikely. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Chip Ganassi Racing |
Scott Dixon |
Darren Manning |
Ryan Briscoe
Luis Díaz
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Jeff Simmons
Max Papis
Vitor Meira
Scott Sharp |
|
Panoz
Dallara |
Toyota |
Target
Fujifilm
Energizer
Air Wick
Coca-Cola
CompUSA?
Coors?
Delphi |
|---|
|
April 27: Scott Dixon will switch to the Dallara chassis at Motegi, as the team looks for better performance in the lead up to Indy. |
| January 17: Australian Ryan Briscoe, a former test driver for the Toyota F1 team, has been confirmed to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing. The sponsorship package for his car will be announced at a later date, but is expected to differ from the Target branding of the two other cars. |
| January 14: An announcement of the signing of Ryan Briscoe is expected shortly. The #33 car reserved for him at next week's Homestead test is listed without the Target name. Is a new Ganassi sponsor in the works? |
| January 8: The team comes closer to committing to running Ryan Briscoe in a third IndyCar by announcing he will share driving duties with Scott Pruett and Luis Diaz at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in February. |
| December 15: Max Papis has left Chip Ganassi's Grand-Am team. |
| December 8: Autosport quotes Ryan Briscoe as saying he is finalizing the details of driving a third car for the team. |
| November 30: Robin Miller tips Toyota Formula One test driver Ryan Briscoe to join the team after he completed six days of testing at Phoenix. Ryan Hunter-Reay has declined an invitation to test for Ganassi, preferring to stay in Champ Car. |
| November 8: Robin Miller says Chip Ganassi is interested in Ryan Hunter-Reay for a third car. |
| October 18: Chip can stop chasing Vitor Meira - he has re-signed for Rahal. But Robin Miller says Toyota still wants the team to expand to three cars next year. |
| October 2: Robin Miller says Toyota wants Ganassi to run three cars next year. The Delphi deal is probably dead, because Ganassi does not want Scott Sharp, but Vitor Meira could be on the cards if Kenny Bräck returns to Rahal. |
| September 8: The team has taken up its option on Darren Manning to see him return next year. He will also get to drive alongside Scott Dixon in the 2005 Daytona 24 Hours. |
| August 23: Robin Miller says the Ganassi/Kelley deal is unlikely to happen - the sticking point is that Delphi wants to retain Scott Sharp, who has been getting poor results this season. |
| August 11: Robin Miller is reported on Wind Tunnel as saying Kelley Racing will fold at the end of the season and that Delphi will continue by sponsoring a third Ganassi car. |
| July 14: The Target team is having disappointing results this year after capturing the title for Scott Dixon in 2003. Much of the blame must lie with the Toyota engine, which has not made the transition to 3 liters well. Dixon is under long term contract, although would probably be allowed to depart for Formula One if a good opportunity arose - a receding possibility in view of recent results. Darren Manning has also failed to shine. Could he be replaced? Max Papis is waiting in the wings as one of the team's Grand Am drivers, as is Luis Diaz if the IRL manages to stage the desired Mexican race. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing |
Roger Yasukawa |
Jeff Bucknum
Thiago Medeiros
Michael Keohane
Buddy Lazier
Felipe Giaffone |
|
|
Dallara |
Honda
Chevrolet |
Aventis
Roll Coater
Investment Properties of America
Purex
LifeFitness |
|---|
|
March 30: Jeff Bucknum will be sponsored by Investment Properties of America (the same as Adrián Fernández) in his upcoming races at Motegi and Indianapolis. |
| March 4: The Indianapolis Star confirms that 38-year-old Jeff Bucknum will compete at Motegi and Indianapolis for D & R. |
| March 2: Robin Miller predicts that Jeff Bucknum will drive for D & R in the Indianapolis 500. He may prepare with a run in the Motegi race. |
| February 8: D & R has failed to convince Purex to return as sponsor - we hear they are headed for another race series. A second car seems unlikely. |
| January 8: The team is working on a second car for 2004 Infiniti Pro Series champion Thiago Medeiros, carrying their long-time Purex sponsorship. |
| January 5: D & R has confirmed that Roger Yasukawa will drive its #24 entry in 2005 with new engines from Honda. |
| December 17: The Indianapolis Star says Roger Yasukawa is the leading candidate for a single car, bringing a change to Honda engines. |
| November 16: IndyRacing.com's review of the team implies Felipe Giaffone will return for 2005. |
| October 8: Infiniti Pro Series champion Thiago Medeiros tested for D & R at Kentucky Speedway today as the team looks at expanding to two cars fro next year. He has previously tested for Patrick Racing. |
| September 13: Irish driver Michael Keohane will test for the team at Texas Motor Speedway next week. He competed in British Formula 3 last year, but has only run in one race - in the Nissan World Series - this year. |
| July 14: Robbie Buhl has moved to a management position allowing for drivers to bring some personal sponsorship. Felipe Giaffone could stay if his funds continue. |
|
|
|
|---|
| A.J. Foyt Enterprises |
Anthony Foyt IV |
Larry Foyt |
Felipe Giaffone
Scott Mayer |
|
Dallara
Panoz |
Toyota |
ABC Supply
Craftsman
Greer
Texas State Bank
QPS Staffing
Conseco
Sears
Water Works
BAM
Kmart |
|---|
|
May 22: In a surprise 11th-hour effort, Foyt has drafted in Felipe Giaffone to drive his third car, in the process bumping Arie Luyendyk Jr. out of the field. |
| May 18: Both cars are back practicing today, with some new sponsor decals added, so we assume Anthony and Larry are set for qualifying this weekend. |
| May 16: We hear that Larry Foyt might not get an opportunity to qualify for the Indy 500 if more sponsorship cannot be found. |
| May 13: A.J. Foyt announced at a press conference this morning that Scott Mayer's ABC Supply Co. sponsorship will move to his grandson A.J.'s car for the Indy 500 and stay for the remainder of the season. |
| May 10: Scott Mayer failed to complete his Rookie Orientation Program today and will not get the chance to compete in the 2005 Indy 500. |
| April 6: Foyt has filed three entries for the Indianapolis 500, all with Toyota engines. Anthony Foyt and Scott Mayer will drive Dallaras, Larry Foyt's chassis is a Panoz. |
| March 14: We hear a rumor that Foyt plans to run up to three cars in the Indianapolis 500, with Scott Mayer joining the two Foyts. Mayer's last attempt at Indy was for PDM in 2003, but was curtailed when he failed to pass Rookie Orientation. |
| January 16: Speed News reports that Foyt will not be at this week's Homestead test after all, but will make it to the road and oval tests in Phoenix in February. |
| January 7: So much for Grandpa's posturing on road courses: the team will take A.J. Foyt IV to the open test on the Homestead January 18-21, which includes two days of practice on the road course. "I am really looking forward to racing on the road courses this year," says the Young Foyt. Was all the fuss just a ruse to extract some additional support from League officials? |
| December 15: The Indianapolis Star's Curt Cavin ran into A.J. Foyt yesterday while shopping for a Christmas tree. A.J. says he still hopes to run his grandson again next season, but funding is not in place yet, and they might skip the road courses. |
| September 8: Financially strapped Conseco will not be back as sponsor in 2005. A.J. says he may not run the street and road races in 2005. Some are saying he may not be able to run on the ovals either. |
| July 14: Expect the team to persevere with A.J.'s grandson. Son Larry may get another crack at the Indy 500 or a pay driver may take the seat. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Fernández Racing |
Kosuke Matsuura |
Scott Sharp |
Adrián Fernández
Michel Jourdain Jr. |
|
Panoz |
Honda |
Delphi
A T & T
Panasonic
Bryant
Futaba
Autobacs
Quaker State
Tecate
Telmex |
|---|
|
March 7: Not wishing to upset the dynamics of the two full-time cars, Adrián Fernández will work with Mo Nunn Racing for his Indianapolis 500 entry. |
| January 20: Autosport quotes Adrián Fernández saying he has given up hope of driving the full season. If he can find some sponsorship, he may compete in the occasional event. The team will concentrate on its programs for Kosuke Matsuura and Scott Sharp. |
| December 13: Robin Miller's latest speedtv.com article quotes Adrián Fernández saying the team is set with Scott Sharp and Delphi. Kosuke Matsuura's program is in place too. However, with the departure of Tecate and Telmex, a full season for himself is in jeopardy. |
| December 8: The Indianapolis Star reports co-owner Tom Anderson saying he is negotiating to bring Scott Sharp and his Delphi sponsorship to the team. |
| November 24: Now Autoracing1 reports a rumor that Adrian Fernández is trying to tempt Michel Jourdain Jr. to bring his Mexican sponsorship to the team. Jourdain preferred to stay in Champ Car when it was in a lot weaker position last year. |
| November 7: Autoracing1 suggests Scott Sharp and his Delphi sponsorship could end up at Fernández Racing. |
| October 2: The team announced today that Japanese driver Kosuke Matsuura will be back for a second season, alongside team owner Adrian Fernandez. |
| September 12: With a second IndyCar win under his belt, Adrián Fernández has established himself well in the IRL. |
| July 14: Adrián Fernández will probably continue to race in an IndyCar, unless his sponsors apply pressure for him to return to racing in Mexico, and there is no sign of this on the IRL horizon. A Japanese driver will be alongside in the car run jointly with former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki. |
|
|
|
|---|
Greg Ray Racing |
Greg Ray
Mark Taylor
Arie Luyendyk Jr. |
|
|
|
Panoz |
Honda |
Renovac Systems |
|---|
|
June 12: Greg Ray is working as an Indy 500 analyst for ESPN. He tells the Indianapolis Star that means he has no opportunity to drive. |
| April 11: The Indy 500 entry deadline has come and gone with no sign of Greg Ray. |
| February 26: Curt Cavin at the Indianapolis Star confirms that, as the only remaining active partner in Access Motorsports, Greg Ray has changed the team name to Greg Ray Racing. While he still has the equipment to participate, Ray continues to hunt for sponsorship. |
| July 16: Greg Ray hopes his current work on the business side will allow him to get back in the seat next season as part of a two car team. |
| July 14: Greg Ray has stepped aside to work on finding sponsors while the team runs pay drivers like Mark Taylor. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Hemelgarn Racing |
Paul Dana
Jimmy Kite
Roberto Moreno
Buddy Lazier |
|
|
|
Dallara |
Toyota |
Ethanol
Fagen
ICM?
Broin?
Delta Faucet
LifeFitness |
|---|
|
May 18: Hemelgarn has confirmed Jimmy Kite as the replacement driver for the Indy 500. |
| May 16: Jimmy Kite appears to be ahead of Roberto Moreno in the line to take Paul Dana's seat for the Indy 500 at Hemelgarn. |
| May 15: The Indianapolis Star tips Roberto Moreno and Jimmy Kite as candidates to replace the injured Paul Dana for the Indy 500. |
| May 13: Paul Dana sustained a spinal fracture in a crash during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today, which will prevent him from competing in the Indy 500. No word yet on a replacement driver for Hemelgarn. |
| February 2: The Indianapolis Star reports that Hemelgarn Racing has signed an engine supply contract with Toyota to return to the series full-time with Paul Dana. |
| January 31: Ron Hemelgarn's plans to return to the series with driver Paul Dana gain momentum with the purchase of Mo Nunn's Dallara chassis. The team expects to be on the grid at Homestead with Toyota power, but engine leases still owned by another team (Kelley?) have held up their testing plans. |
| January 26: Autosport quotes Paul Dana as saying they have some last minute equipment issues, but will be on the grid at Homestead. |
| January 22: Paul Dana says he will drive for Hemelgarn at next month's Phoenix test. |
| January 10: Hemelgarn and Paul Dana completed their second IndyCar test together at Homestead between Christmas and New Year. The car was a 2002-spec Dallara. |
| December 17: The Indianapolis Star says Hemelgarn could run a limited season with Paul Dana. |
| December 1: Paul Dana, who drove for Hemelgarn in the Infiniti Pro Series in 2004, tested for the team at Phoenix earlier this week. They hope to step up to IndyCar together for 2005. This probably ends speculation that Hemelgarn is headed for Champ Car. |
| July 14: Hemelgarn probably no longer has the engineering facilities to run an IndyCar, but could partner with another team for an Indy 500 entry, like they did with D & R for Buddy Lazier this year. |
|
|
|
|---|
Kelley Racing |
Scott Sharp |
|
|
|
Dallara |
Toyota |
Delphi
Bryant |
|---|
|
February 7: Robin Miller's latest article at speedtv.com says Tony George has bought Tom Kelley's cars and equipment to run his own team from Kelley's race shop with his step-son, Ed Carpenter, as driver. |
| January 31: Robin Miller echoes a rumor that Tony George attempted to buy Kelley's equipment, but that legal issues have put this on hold. The intent may have been to sell them to a team like Playa Del Racing, to ensure a ride for his step-son, Ed Carpenter. That would explain Kelley Racing holding onto its Toyota engine leases, in the process impacting Hemelgarn. |
| October 17: The Indianapolis Star reports that Tom Kelley told his team today that he has a letter of intent from Playa Del Racing to buy the team. The locks on the race shop have already been changed. |
| September 27: Sarah Fisher is trying her hand at NASCAR with a race in the West series on October 3. The chances of her returning to the IRL are getting slimmer all the time. |
| August 23: According to Robin Miller a deal to run the team as a third Chip Ganassi car with Delphi sponsorship has stumbled on Delphi's insistence on veteran driver Scott Sharp remaining in the car. |
| August 19: Tom Kelley is starting to deny that he will walk away. |
| August 11: There have been reports for some time of Tom Kelley becoming disillusioned with racing. Wind Tunnel suggests the team will fold at the end of the year and that Delphi will take its sponsorship to a third Ganassi entry. |
| July 14: With the results he has been getting this season, it may be time for Scott Sharp to retire. The team ran Sarah Fisher in a second car at the Indy 500 this year, but with so little seat time in 2004, she has probably had her last IndyCar ride. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Mo Nunn Fernandez Racing |
Adrián Fernández
Kenny Bräck
Patrick Carpentier
Alex Barron
Vitor Meira
Tomas Scheckter
Tora Takagi |
Felipe Giaffone
P.J. Chesson
Jeff Simmons |
|
|
Panoz
Dallara |
Honda
Toyota |
Investment Properties of America
Pioneer (Japan)
Denso |
|---|
|
April 11: No second Indy 500 entry for Mo Nunn. |
| March 22: Mo Nunn and Adrián Fernández confirm that they will run together as Mo Nunn Fernández Racing in the Indianapolis 500. |
| March 7: We hear the deal to run Adrián Fernández in the Indianapolis 500 is almost done. Honda engines and the primary sponsor will be announced soon. There is even the possibility of a second car for Felipe Giaffone. |
| March 5: The Indianapolis Star runs a story that Adrián Fernández is working with Mo Nunn on an entry for the Indianapolis 500. |
| March 2: Robin Miller's suggestion that Mo Nunn should work on a joint Indianapolis 500 entry with Kenny Bräck was not so silly after all. Bräck tells Autosport that they were working together on a sponsor, but could not make it happen. He has called time on his efforts, but Nunn still hopes to find another opportunity for May. |
| February 4: The team continues to work on sponsorship for the Indianapolis 500, with Jeff Simmons and Felipe Giaffone on the shortlist of drivers. |
| January 31: Robin Miller reports at speedtv.com that Mo Nunn has given up hope of finding sponsorship for the 2005 season and has sold his Dallaras to Hemelgarn. Nunn says he still has a couple of G Force chassis, so there is still the possibility of competing one last time in the Indianapolis 500. Miller speculates that a joint last hurrah with Kenny Bräck would be appropriate. |
| December 20: Autoracing1.com is reporting that Mo Nunn has told his employees that the team will close down at the end of the month. The Indianapolis Star already reported on December 17 that Mo's wife Kathryn will give her sponsorship search for her Infiniti Pro Series team until the end of December. |
| November 10: Patrick Carpentier has signed to Cheever Racing. |
| October 27: Autosport quotes Mo Nunn as saying he would like to run Patrick Carpentier and they will be talking when Pat returns from the Champ Car race in Australia. |
| October 18: Tora Takagi is moving back to Japan to race sports cars. Mo Nunn's shopping list got shorter with Vitor Meira and Tomas Scheckter being retained by their current teams. The Indianapolis Star says he is looking at Felipe Giaffone, Alex Barron and P.J. Chesson. Robin Miller suggests Patrick Carpentier, now his deal with Cheever has fallen through. |
| October 2: Robin Miller says Tomas Scheckter has yet to renew his contract with Panther, so Mo Nunn has been expressing an interest. Alex Barron is probably out at Cheever and is rumored to have talked to Nunn. Tora Takagi is history. |
| July 14: Mo Nunn says he is having his worst racing season ever and he is not having fun. Could he go and do something different, like returning to the Champ Car series? Or maybe he will stay running a Japanese driver for Toyota in the IRL? Jeff Simmons ran for Mo Nunn in the 2004 Indy 500, but if he finds a full season ride, it is likely to be elsewhere. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Newman/Haas Racing |
Bruno Junqueira
Patrick Carpentier
Cristiano da Matta
Kosuke Matsuura |
Sébastien Bourdais |
|
|
Panoz |
Honda |
Centrix |
|---|
|
April 12: Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced the final entry list for the Indy 500 today and it includes cars for Bruno Junqueira and Sébastien Bourdais. Only Junqueira, with previous Indy experience, gets a 'T" car. |
| April 11: The Indy 500 entry list closed on April 6, so unless the IRL is holding something back, Newman/Haas will not be fielding any cars. |
| February 23: Robin Miller says Newman/Haas is still considering running in the Indianapolis 500 again this year. |
| August 27: With the announcement of McDonalds entering a marketing agreement with Champ Car, a split in the team seems to have been avoided. They may still run one or two cars in the 2005 Indy 500. |
| August 9: Rumors of Haas splitting from Newman gather strength with Robin Miller reporting that Honda and Tony George are offering Carl Haas upwards of $16 million to switch to the IRL for 2005, plus the hook of Lola being allowed to build chassis for 2006. The catch is that the deal only stands if Haas does not compete in Champ Car. Possible drivers are Bruno Junqueira, Patrick Carpentier and a Japanese driver. |
| July 14: Rumors are gaining strength that this successful Champ Car team will add a two car IRL effort. Bruno Junqueira has been very strong in his two showings at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and may need a new challenge, so it would make sense for him to make the switch. Robin Miller says the second seat is likely to be taken by a Japanese driver. Cristiano da Matta will probably return from his Formula One excursion, but is most likely to rejoin the Champ Car team. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Panther Racing |
Tomas Scheckter |
Tomas Enge
Townsend Bell
André Lotterer
Anthony Foyt IV |
Buddy Lazier
Jeff Simmons
Ed Carpenter
Scott Sharp |
|
Dallara |
Chevrolet
Toyota |
Pennzoil
RockStar
GMAC
Pedigo
Byrd Brothers
Goodwrench?
Dark Dog?
Ceska Pojistovna?
Menards
Johns Manville
Delphi |
|---|
|
June 11: Buddy Lazier will also get to race at Nashville and Michigan. |
| March 24: Panther announces that it will field a third car in the Indianapolis 500 for Buddy Lazier with support from Jonathan Byrd II and David Byrd, prominent figures in the local Indianapolis racing scene. |
| March 19: The Indianapolis Star says Buddy Lazier will be announced to fill Panther's third car in the Indianapolis 500 on Thursday. |
| March 16: Autosport reports that Buddy Lazier is closing in on Panther's third Indianapolis 500 entry. "I've got a chance at a good ride, but it?s not a done deal yet," he tells the magazine. |
| March 7: Buddy Lazier tells the Indianapolis Star he has three options for returning to IndyCar competition, but his most likely chance is a third Panther car. |
| February 28: Panther has filed three entries for the Indianapolis 500, but with no name against the third car. |
| January 18: Panther has confirmed Tomas Enge in the second seat, but no word on sponsors. Strange - Panther now has two drivers called Tomas, both bad boys of international racing. Scheckter was dismissed from his 2001 test role at Jaguar after being fined for soliciting a prostitute. Enge was stripped of his 2002 Formula 3000 championship when he failed a drug test. Sex & Drugs & IRL! |
| January 17: Panther has a teleconference lined up for tomorrow (January 18) to announce their second driver, widely believed to be Tomas Enge. |
| January 12: Autosport tips Tomas Enge for the second seat at Panther, with assistance from his old F3000 team Ma-Con Engineering. Meanwhile, John Menard has severed his relationship with the team, taking his sponsorship to Rahal-Letterman. |
| December 17: Former Jaguar F1 test driver André Lotterer will join Ed Carpenter in testing at Homestead next week. The Indianapolis Star says last year's driver, Townsend Bell, is also in the running for the second Panther seat. |
| November 3: Panther will continue to use Chevrolet-badged engines next year, according to General Motors in its announcement that it will cease to supply engines after the 2005 season. Meanwhile, Robin Miller says Scott Sharp and his Delphi sponsorship are all but a done deal. |
| October 18: Robin Miller says Panther, Chevrolet's number one team, has approached Toyota about the possibility of engines for 2005. |
| October 14: Tomas Scheckter has re-signed for the team. Menards involvement may have come to an end, allowing the team to run Scott Sharp and his Delphi sponsorship on the second car. A third car is less likely. |
| October 4: Contracts for Tomas Scheckter are in place, but he has yet to sign. Robin Miller says Tomas has been talking to Mo Nunn. John Barnes says he could run a third car for Scott Sharp with Delphi sponsorship, after talks with Ganassi fell through. |
| September 11: The team says Tomas Scheckter will be back next year. |
| July 14: Tomas Scheckter continues to show speed, but lacks results. The team may prefer an American driver again. If Townsend Bell runs well in the second car, since Mark Taylor was fired, could he stay with the team? They may also be looking for a driver that brings some personal sponsorship. |
|
|
|
|---|
Patrick Racing |
Jaques Lazier
Jeff Simmons
Tomas Enge
Thiago Medeiros
Bryan Herta |
|
|
|
Dallara |
Chevrolet |
Stacker 2
Dark Dog
Ceska Pojistovna |
|---|
|
December 13: Pat Patrick tells Robin Miller he has laid off his crew and his IndyCars are for sale. He's looking for new sponsors, but admits he's way behind the other teams. |
| November 4: The Indianapolis Star says Patrick will continue with Chevrolet engines next year, alongside Panther. Dreyer & Reinbold and Cheever Racing have yet to decide whether to stay with the manufacturer, which will cease to supply engines after the 2005 season. |
| September 15: Now the F3000 season has finished, Tomas Enge will replace Jaques Lazier for the remaining two races of this year's IRL season. He brings sponsorship from Red Bull energy drink rival Dark Dog. |
| July 28: Tomas Enge, currently back in F3000, and Thiago Medeiros, who just won his fourth consecutive Infiniti Pro Series race, will test for Patrick at Chicagoland next week. |
| July 15: Jaques Lazier has taken over driving duties after Al Unser Jr's retirement. |
| July 14: Patrick has continued to race after the Indy 500, but desperately needs a proper sponsor. |
|
|
|
|---|
| PDM Racing |
Robby McGehee
Jimmy Kite
Ed Carpenter |
|
|
|
Dallara |
Chevrolet |
|
|---|
|
May 6: PDM has joined forces with Marty Roth to field a single Indy 500 entry (plus T-car) using PDM's Chevrolet engine allocation. |
| April 6: PDM has filed one entry for the Indianapolis 500. No driver or chassis type has been specified, but it has a Chevrolet engine. |
| March 16: According to the Jimmy Kite Fan Site, Jimmy is still hoping to find an Indianapolis 500 ride, despite his new NASCAR Trucks commitment. |
| March 9: Jimmy Kite has signed up to drive for a NASCAR Trucks team. |
| February 9: With the announcement of Vision Racing, PDM does not appear to be involved in Tony George's new team. |
| February 7: Robin Miller reports that Tony George has bought Kelley Racing's car and equipment. PDM may run the team, fielding Ed Carpenter, Tony's step-son, as driver. |
| September 6: The team has announced the arrival of new partners that should see them more able to run the whole season next year. |
| July 14: The team will probably manage to scrape together an entry for the Indy 500 again. For 2004 they used Robby Gordon's spare car. |
| March 19: PDM will have one of the six Chevrolet engine assigned for the Indianapolis 500 if it can finalize its sponsorship package. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Playa Del Racing |
Jaques Lazier
Arie Luyendyk Jr.
Ed Carpenter |
Jon Herb |
|
|
Panoz |
Toyota |
DHL Global?
National Car Rental?
American Wireless?
Delphi |
|---|
|
May 16: With Jaques Lazier getting bumped on Sunday, Jon Herb's chances of qualifying the as-yet incomplete T-car are receding. |
| April 29: If Jaques Lazier gets comfortably in the field during the first weekend of qualifying, Jon Herb may be offered the chance to qualify the T-car. |
| April 6: Playa Del Racing has announced its entry of car #21 for Jaques Lazier in the Indianapolis 500. This is a Panoz/Toyota, consistent with it being prepared by Ganassi. The team also intends to run at the California Speedway and probably one other race - either Michigan or Chicago. |
| March 19: The Indianapolis Star says the Playa del Racing team will materialize after all as a single car at the Indianapolis 500 driven by Jaques Lazier and prepared by Chip Ganassi Racing. |
| February 9: Vision Racing has bought the Kelley Racing assets and will run from Kelley's old shop. This has to be a blow to Playa Del Racing, which had attempted to do the same. |
| January 31: Playa Del Racing still hopes to be up and running in time for the Indianapolis 500. Rumors of Tony George attempting to buy Kelley Racing's equipment could be linked to running his step-son, Ed Carpenter, with PDR. |
| December 8: Autosport reports that Playa Del Racing has failed to raise the funds to complete the purchase of Kelley's equipment. |
| November 16: The Indianapolis Star says Ed Carpenter has a deal with the team. |
| October 28: Robin Miller tips Ed Carpenter and Arie Luyendyk Jr. for seats at Playa Del Racing, supported by money from Ed's Uncle Tony and Toyota. |
| October 27: Autosport reports Playa Del Racing co-owner Gary Sallee as saying the team could run a second car for Scott Sharp and his Delphi sponsorship. We believe the sale of Kelley Racing's assets and the lease of their race shop have been completed. |
| October 17: We were not to sure what to make of Playa Del Racing when we first came across them a few months back. But they appear to be gaining steam in their intent to field an IndyCar team next season. The Indianapolis Star says they are close to buying the assets of Kelley Racing. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Rahal-Letterman Racing |
Buddy Rice
Kenny Bräck |
Vitor Meira |
Danica Patrick
Roger Yasukawa |
|
Panoz |
Honda |
Argent Mortgage
Menards
Johns Manville
Pioneer (USA)
BEA
Norwalk Furniture
Timken
Miller?
Centrix
Sammy |
|---|
|
May 18: Rahal-Letterman announced today that Kenny Bräck will take Buddy Rice's place in the #15 car for the Indy 500. |
| May 17: Buddy Rice's injuries are more serious than previously thought, so he will not get the opportunity to qualify for the Indy 500. Robin Miller is reporting at Speedtv.com that Kenny Bräck will be announced tomorrow morning as Rice's replacement. |
| January 12: Vitor Meira's car will be sponsored by Menards and Johns Manville - a loss to the Panther team. |
| December 8: Rahal-Letterman Racing announced its driver line-up today, with Danica Patrick confirmed for a third car. Kenny Bräck will not return to the team. |
| October 18: The Indianapolis Star reports that Rahal has re-signed Vitor Meira to race alongside Buddy Rice in 2005. Danica Patrick will be in a third car if sufficient sponsorship can be found. (Is Danica the new Sarah?) We assume this means Kenny Bräck will not be back. |
| October 2: Target Chip Ganassi Racing could be a new home for Vitor Meira if Kenny Bräck returns. |
| September 13: Team manager Scott Roembke tells the Indy Star that part of Danica Patrick's package to move from Toyota Atlantic to an IndyCar next season is in place. Argent Mortgage will sponsor her, Rice will carry Argent and Pioneer, and a third car (Vitor Meira or Kenny Bräck, if he returns) will be sponsored by Centrix. |
| July 14: Bobby Rahal will keep Indy 500 winner and championship contender Buddy Rice. Kenny Bräck is looking less and less likely to return after his major accident in 2003, which should see Vitor Meira keep his ride - the team has been impressed with Meira. According to Autosport, Roger Yasukawa is working to find sponsorship to race again, possibly later this season. |
|
|
|
|---|
Robby Gordon Motorsports |
Robby Gordon |
|
|
|
Dallara |
Chevrolet
Toyota |
Cingular
Meijer
Coca-Cola |
|---|
|
April 11: With the closing date for Indy 500 entries gone, Robby Gordon will not attempt the double this year. |
| March 30: We hear speculation that Robby Gordon could opt to compete in the Indianapolis 500 if, come May, he is not among the top 35 in points that would guarantee a spot in the Charlotte NASCAR race. Ironically, his run could be under the Sam Schmidt umbrella. |
| March 19: Robby Gordon will not be competing in the Indianapolis 500 himself, but will be supplying a car to Sam Schmidt's team. |
| March 2: Robby Gordon tells PRN's Garage Pass radio show that there is no room in his race shop to prepare cars for this year's Indianapolis 500. |
| February 16: Robby Gordon tells the Associated Press that moving the start of the Indianapolis 500 back an hour will prevent NASCAR drivers from competing, as there will be too little time to return to Charlotte. |
| January 26: Robby Gordon says he has a sponsor lined up for the Indianapolis 500. |
| October 27: Robby Gordon has announced he will split from Richard Childress Racing and run his own NASCAR Nextel Cup team in 2005. He says he would like to run the Indy 500 again, but will decide closer to the time. The later start of the 2005 Indy 500 will make it nearly impossible to be back in Charlotte in time for the NASCAR race. |
| July 14: Now he has the car, Robby Gordon should be back for the 2005 Indy 500, running from his North Carolina race shop. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Roth Racing |
Marty Roth |
|
|
|
Dallara |
Chevrolet |
|
|---|
|
May 6: Roth will be using a Chevrolet engine, thanks to an alliance with PDM Racing. |
| April 6: Marty Roth has filed his Indianapolis 500 entry, but no engine make is specified. |
| February 28: Marty Roth has announced his intention to run the full Pro Series season, plus the Indianapolis 500. |
| January 21: Marty Roth was one of six drivers testing for the Pro Series at Homestead this week. |
| July 14: 46-year-old Marty Roth has had his fun running in the Indy 500. What does he have left to achieve? Despite saying he would like to enter some other IndyCar races this season, there is no sign of him, even in his old Infiniti Pro Series car. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Sam Schmidt Motorsports |
Richie Hearn
Max Papis
Arie Luyendyk Jr. |
|
|
|
Panoz |
Chevrolet |
Meijer
Coca-Cola |
|---|
|
April 4: A spokesman for Team Penske tells the Indianapolis Star that they are supplying the car to Sam Schmidt. |
| March 28: Sam Schmidt officially announced the Indianapolis 500 program for Richie Hearn today, with a Chevrolet engine and sponsorship from Meijer and Coca-Cola. The only surprise is that the chassis is a Panoz - Robby Gordon ran a Dallara last year. |
| March 26: Robin Miller says Sam Schmidt has acquired Meijer and Coca-Cola as sponsors for Richie Hearn's Indianapolis 500 ride. Looks like he is getting more than just the car from Robby Gordon. |
| March 23: The Indianapolis Star reports Richie Hearn as saying he will be driving Sam Schmidt's Chevrolet-powered car in the Indianapolis 500. |
| March 19: The Indianapolis Star says Sam Schmidt is putting together an Indianapolis 500 entry with Richie Hearn and Max Papis on his driver shortlist. The Chevrolet-powered car will be supplied by Robby Gordon Motorsports. |
| July 14: Probably prepared to step in and fill the Indy 500 field again. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Team Penske |
Sam Hornish Jr. |
Helio Castroneves |
|
|
Dallara |
Toyota |
Marlboro
Mobil 1
United Auto |
|---|
|
March 30: Penske has entered three cars in the Indianapolis. As in previous years, one is almost certainly a backup entry. |
| September 14: Marlboro will walk away from the team at the end of 2006, due to tobacco-sponsorship restrictions. |
| July 14: Disappointing results with the under-powered Toyota engine, but both drivers are signed for 2005. Marlboro is committed through 2006. |
|
|
|
|---|
| Vision Racing |
Ed Carpenter |
Jeff Ward
P.J. Chesson |
|
|
Dallara |
Toyota |
|
|---|
|
April 7: Jeff Ward has been confirmed today as Vision Racing's second driver in the 500. |
| March 19: The Indianapolis Star says Vision will run a second car in the Indianapolis 500, possibly with P.J. Chesson as driver. |
| February 9: Vision Racing, owned by Tony George and formed from the ashes of Kelley Racing, today announced its plans to run George's step-son, Ed Carpenter, starting at the Homestead season opener. The team will also run a Pro Series car for Jay Drake. |
| February 7: Robin Miller's latest article at speedtv.com says Tony George has bought Tom Kelley's cars and equipment to run his own team from Kelley's race shop with his step-son, Ed Carpenter, as driver. We hear PDM Racing or Tony Stewart Racing may get to run the team. |
|
|
|
|---|
Treadway Racing |
Arie Luyendyk Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
Meijer |
|---|
|
April 11: If Rick Treadway was working on a deal for Arie Luyendyk Jr., it did not pan out. |
| January 31: We hear a rumor that former IRL team owner Rick Treadway is working on an Indy-only deal for Arie Luyendyk Jr. |
|
|
|
|---|
Walker Racing |
|
|
|
|
Panoz
Dallara |
Honda |
|
|---|
|
April 11: Walker Racing is busy with its Team Australia entries in Champ Car. |
| July 14: Walker is capable of fielding cars for other teams, as it is currently doing for Patrick Racing. |
|
|