96th Indianapolis 500

by **Cynon** Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:05 pm

Entry List as of 4/19/2012 has 34 cars.

Of note:

- The #45 car is supposed to be either Michel Jourdain (oh no) or Luca Filippi.
- Jean Alesi is driving the Newman Haas car but he isn't listed as the driver.
- Bryan Clauson, though he was guaranteed a spot on the entry list anyway.

My guess is that Townsend Bell and his buckets of money and ability to cause stupid wrecks will take one of the two remaining open seats.

by JMac525 Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:13 pm

Reports in my local paper have stated that Clauson is in talks to drive a second Sarah Fisher car.

by AntmanB Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:27 pm

The king will probably team up with Andretti Autosport again.

by flyingturns89 Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:57 pm

Well, I knew for the entry list one of two thing would happen.

1) There would be a huge entry list of 40+ cars fighting for a spot in the field, making it one of the most exciting bump days in a long time.

OR

2) It was gonna be a 34 car entry list, with 14 Hondas, 14 Chevys, and 6 Lotuses.

Both of these things Randy Bernard said in two different announcements in the same day. Looks like it's the second one. Bummer.

by Jason Hamilton Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:14 am

Jean Alesi is going to win. I hope.

by **Cynon** Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:02 am

AntmanB wrote:The king will probably team up with Andretti Autosport again.

Nope. John Andretti isn't planning on running, plus Andretti already has its five cars for the race set.

Looks like Buddy Rice and Townsend Bell will be in the Carpenter and Schmidt cars. Jean Alesi is already confirmed for driving for Newman/Haas, and he'll probably be the one car to DNQ.

by Alpineopossum Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:50 am

Cynon wrote:
AntmanB wrote:The king will probably team up with Andretti Autosport again.

Nope. John Andretti isn't planning on running, plus Andretti already has its five cars for the race set.

Looks like Buddy Rice and Townsend Bell will be in the Carpenter and Schmidt cars. Jean Alesi is already confirmed for driving for Newman/Haas, and he'll probably be the one car to DNQ.

As much as it pains me to admit this, I think Katherine Legge will almost without doubt DNQ.

by f1fan12 Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:07 am

Alpineopossum wrote:
Cynon wrote:
AntmanB wrote:The king will probably team up with Andretti Autosport again.

Nope. John Andretti isn't planning on running, plus Andretti already has its five cars for the race set.

Looks like Buddy Rice and Townsend Bell will be in the Carpenter and Schmidt cars. Jean Alesi is already confirmed for driving for Newman/Haas, and he'll probably be the one car to DNQ.

As much as it pains me to admit this, I think Katherine Legge will almost without doubt DNQ.

As much as I laugh and cheer when I admit it, I agree with you, Kathrine Queen of Crash will screw up and smash her car.

by PKligBKFan Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:47 am

Wouldn't be surprised to see Pippa Mann get something at the last minute.

by AntmanB Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:09 am

i will be suprised if we fill the Field Actually. Cause i bet no one has a backup cause the cars are new. the Only ones who MIGHT have backups are Penske Ganassi and Andretti Autosport.

by Alta Fri Apr 20, 2012 2:15 pm

PKligBKFan wrote:Wouldn't be surprised to see Pippa Mann get something at the last minute.

Inb4 she's involved in a crash that injures her.

by flyingturns89 Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:27 pm

Prediction for Bump Day: Everyone makes one run and at the end of those runs, one driver, most likely Legge, keeps using his or her runs to get in but doesn't make it, and Bump Day ends in record time.

by PKligBKFan Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:47 pm

Jay Howard and Michael Shank Racing have entered a car in.

by AntmanB Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:27 pm

so thats 35 cars now right?

by pennst24 Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:20 pm

Bryan Herta Autosport and Dreyer and Reinbold have apparently exited out of their Lotus contracts for Indy. BHA is expected to run a Honda, while DRR could run a Chevy.

by Dan Mackay Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:45 pm

lololotus

by Jason Hamilton Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:46 pm

Dany Bahar, go eat sh*t.

by flyingturns89 Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:08 pm

unknown user wrote:Dany Bahar, go eat sh*t.

What did he do?

by Jason Hamilton Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:26 pm

flyingturns89 wrote:
unknown user wrote:Dany Bahar, go eat sh*t.

What did he do?

Dragging the Lotus name through many controversies and almost taking the whole Malaysian car industry with it.

by flyingturns89 Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:53 pm

Michel Jourdain confirmed for Rahal ride, however it appears Rahal may have three cars, because the TBA on the entry list for Rahal has #45, but Jourdain will drive #30.

by JMac525 Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:54 pm

I just realized Tomas Scheckter does not have a ride for the race lined up. I'm curious to see if he'll find a ride or not.

by flyingturns89 Sat Apr 28, 2012 2:29 am

Newman/Haas has withdrawn it's entry from the field. We may now be in jeopardy of not having a full field.

by Alta Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:15 am

flyingturns89 wrote:Newman/Haas has withdrawn it's entry from the field. We may now be in jeopardy of not having a full field.

by BWard Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:24 am

flyingturns89 wrote:Newman/Haas has withdrawn it's entry from the field. We may now be in jeopardy of not having a full field.

by PYLrulz Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:57 am

flyingturns89 wrote:Newman/Haas has withdrawn it's entry from the field. We may now be in jeopardy of not having a full field.

by pennst24 Sat Apr 28, 2012 7:25 am

I'm sure some Chevy or Honda team will take some backup car of the trailer, give it to someone to drive, and have them beat the Loti before the gun goes off.

by JMac525 Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:09 pm

pennst24 wrote:I'm sure some Chevy or Honda team will take some backup car of the trailer, give it to someone to drive, and have them beat the Loti before the gun goes off.

This. I don't think Indycar officials would allow a short field for such a prestigious race.

by **Cynon** Sat Apr 28, 2012 4:31 pm

pennst24 wrote:I'm sure some Chevy or Honda team will take some backup car of the trailer, give it to someone to drive, and have them beat the Loti before the gun goes off.

Randy Bernard will make sure people get engines like he did with Sarah Fisher's team (which Honda didn't want to back at first).

Also, I expect a Ganassi Honda or Pagenaud to win Indy this year, everything I've been hearing has told me that the Honda camp knows they'll be better than GM at Indy due to the whole turbo appeal.

by AntmanB Sat May 05, 2012 9:52 pm

Back home Again in Indiana will be a Little Different This year......................

Jim Nabors, who has traditionally sung "Back Home Again in Indiana" in most years since 1972 during the pre-race ceremonies, will not be able to attend the race due to health reasons.The Speedway will send a film crew to record him performing the song at his home in Hawaiʻi, and will air it on race morning.

by pennst24 Sat May 05, 2012 9:54 pm

Jean Alesi running with....Tyce Carlson.

Fail

by flyingturns89 Sat May 05, 2012 11:04 pm

Lotus will have three to four entries using its powerplant at Indy, and is expected to continue with its three full-time cars for the rest of the season. The manufacturer told SPEED.com it will have between three and four engines available per car this month, which could prove useful and should alleviate any concerns about having enough spare engines for the rest of the year.

The bolded statements make Randy Bernard look even dumber.

by AntmanB Sat May 05, 2012 11:45 pm

Well we have no worries about NOT have 33 cars in the race.

by AntmanB Sat May 05, 2012 11:48 pm

Cooper Called it - Townsend Bell will run the 500.................

http://www.crash.net/indycar/news/179299/1/indy_500_bell_confirmed_alesi_still_possible.html
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-alesi-unites-with-fan-force-united-for-indy/

by Cardinals5 Sun May 06, 2012 12:13 am

flyingturns89 wrote:
Lotus will have three to four entries using its powerplant at Indy, and is expected to continue with its three full-time cars for the rest of the season. The manufacturer told SPEED.com it will have between three and four engines available per car this month, which could prove useful and should alleviate any concerns about having enough spare engines for the rest of the year.

The bolded statements make Randy Bernard look even dumber.

3 to four engines per car is easy to do when you release two teams from their contracts. Plenty of spare engines now

by Spannerhead29 (Nelson) Sun May 06, 2012 1:01 am

Anyone have predictions at the moment. I'm thinking Helio will win but I hope Will Power gets it.

by **crl** Sun May 06, 2012 3:00 am

pennst24 wrote:Jean Alesi running with....Tyce Carlson.

Oh, my God. No one's heard that name in ages.

by BWard Sun May 06, 2012 3:17 am

Spannerhead29 (Nelson) wrote:Anyone have predictions at the moment. I'm thinking Helio will win but I hope Will Power gets it.

I can only hope that any British driver competing in that race can retain the country's crown at Indy.

by flyingturns89 Sun May 06, 2012 3:44 am

Cardinals5 wrote:
flyingturns89 wrote:
Lotus will have three to four entries using its powerplant at Indy, and is expected to continue with its three full-time cars for the rest of the season. The manufacturer told SPEED.com it will have between three and four engines available per car this month, which could prove useful and should alleviate any concerns about having enough spare engines for the rest of the year.

The bolded statements make Randy Bernard look even dumber.

3 to four engines per car is easy to do when you release two teams from their contracts. Plenty of spare engines now

Still, they have 12-16 engines, they probably could enter a couple more cars, and Chevy and Honda are probably way better on engines built, so think about that, but no, because Randy Bernard doesn't want a bump day.

by **Cynon** Sun May 06, 2012 3:45 am

flyingturns89 wrote:
Cardinals5 wrote:
flyingturns89 wrote:
Lotus will have three to four entries using its powerplant at Indy, and is expected to continue with its three full-time cars for the rest of the season. The manufacturer told SPEED.com it will have between three and four engines available per car this month, which could prove useful and should alleviate any concerns about having enough spare engines for the rest of the year.

The bolded statements make Randy Bernard look even dumber.

3 to four engines per car is easy to do when you release two teams from their contracts. Plenty of spare engines now

Still, they have 12-16 engines, they probably could enter a couple more cars, and Chevy and Honda are probably way better on engines built, so think about that, but no, because Randy Bernard doesn't want a bump day.

Are you kidding me son?

by PKligBKFan Sun May 06, 2012 8:39 am

Spannerhead29 (Nelson) wrote:Anyone have predictions at the moment. I'm thinking Helio will win but I hope Will Power gets it.

God no. I understand why you want him to win but I'm sick of seeing him constantly winning. Helio could win, if he wrecks half the field though.

by Alpineopossum Sun May 06, 2012 10:55 am

The Penske and Ganassi guys will be good. You can't count our JR Hildebrand, Andretti, or Hinchcliffe. If the Hondas are as good as everyone says they are I wouldn't be shocked if Pagenaud and ConMan get Top Tens. If Oriol Servià gets a good engine he could be a darkhorse. Bourdais, Legge, Alesi, and Simona are hampered by the Lotus. I doubt they'll be a factor.

by FlashRod4 Sun May 06, 2012 12:11 pm

Predicition:
Dario wrecks and finishes in mid-20s
The milk was sour last year but not this year for JR Hildebrand!

by AntmanB Fri May 11, 2012 12:50 am

Here's the Rookie Orientation Results................

http://media.indycar.com/pdf/2012/INDY_rop_results.pdf

"Six drivers completed the three required speed phases totaling 40 laps, clearing the way for them to compete in the 500 Mile Race on May 27: Josef Newgarden and Bryan Clauson of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, James Jakes of Dale Coyne Racing, Simon Pagenaud of Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports and Rubens Barrichello of KV Racing Technology.

Wade Cunningham of A.J. Foyt Racing completed two of the three phases. He along with Jean Alesi of Fan Force United can complete the final phase when ROP resumes at 4:30 p.m. May 11."

by flyingturns89 Fri May 11, 2012 1:26 am

Alesi couldn't hit 187. Fail

by Alta Fri May 11, 2012 1:27 am

flyingturns89 wrote:Alesi couldn't hit 187.

I'll give him the defense it's garbage Lotus but man 186 is a little ridiculous.

by JMac525 Fri May 11, 2012 1:32 am

flyingturns89 wrote:Alesi couldn't hit 187.

*facepalm* That's just terrible. Seeing those subpar speeds in the race would be a joke.

by AntmanB Fri May 11, 2012 1:39 am

We still Might Be in Dangets of not having 33 cars. cause he has to be opver 200 in order to pass rookie orientation. He must pass in order to Qualify.

by Alta Fri May 11, 2012 1:50 am

AntmanB wrote:We still Might Be in Dangets of not having 33 cars. cause he has to be opver 200 in order to pass rookie orientation. He must pass in order to Qualify.

Maybe they'll have someone throw in a last minute entry. I think it's just Lotus being derpy...Most likely they'll hit it tommorrow.

by pennst24 Fri May 11, 2012 6:11 am

He can get over 200....they used it as installation laps since 48 hours prior to him on track, the car was not even put together and had no engine in it. He won't be fast, but he'll do better. I still think he will be bumped if we have more than 33.

by f1fan12 Fri May 11, 2012 6:31 am

I think the Honda teams will be strong here. They probably have the better engine program for the ovals. In all honesty, watch the Gannassi cars, and Simon Pagenaud (SP?). Wouldn't it be somthing if that 77 car won Indy.

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