Indy 500 Short on Cars

[cosworth151]

It looks like the Indianapolis 500 won't make its traditional field of 33 starters this year. The deadline for entries is an April 4th postmark. As of now, there are only 27 entries. 7 of those are without drivers. Maybe I should dust off my helmet and run over there!

Even in the lean days right after the split with CART (now Champ Car), the 500 still pulled a full field. This is just the latest example of how the split is destroying open wheel racing in the U.S.

This might be why NASCAR is doing so well. It is the only branch of the sport that hasn't split. Open wheel (IndyCar/Champ Car) sports endurance (ALMS/Grand American) and even drag racing (NHRA/IHRA) all have two series competing for a finite number of cars.

[davewilson]

Sounds like it is going down the pan cosworth.
My godfather lives within walking distance of the circuit and often watches them testing.It would be great if you made a comeback,but i bet the cost has gone up since you were racing.

The Stig

[cosworth151]

You should come over for the GP!

Costs always go up. I bought my first race team for $450. - Car, trailer, some spares and helmet and a beat-up driving suit. The car had just been rolled. The best looking part was the helmet. Metalflake purple with bright yellow goggles.

MOst of my racing was small time. Raced once at the speedway at Indy. It was a Segway through cones thing. I won a Michelin Man bobblehead!

[Dare]

ABC tries to build up bubble day,which in reality
there is no bubble

Michael Andretti tries long enough and the
starting grid gets small enough, he may
just win his 500

Cos when do you think it was evident the 500
was becoming less than 1st class,to me it's
when Buddy Lazier won,he has always been a
mid pack runner at best before the split

[cosworth151]

I think it would have been around then. When teams started putting any driver they could get in their test cars just to make the 33.