The inaugural Sao Paulo Indy 300 takes place in just a few short days, but there is still some suspense about who will be filling out the field for the race.
Here’s what we know, the IRL has indicated that the entry list numbers 24 cars. So far, we have 22 confirmed car/driver combinations for the event. James Rossiter tested the #32 Lola painted car, and we know that car is on the plane to Brazil. It just sounds like we are waiting on an announcement for that program, so that should get us up to 23.
The last car on the plane is most likely the #19 Dale Coyne car which will be carrying the Boy Scout partnership. At this point, we don’t know who will be driving it in Brazil, but signs are pointing to Alex Lloyd. Graham Rahal was offered that seat, but he turned it down. Also, J.R. Hildebrand has been linked with the seat, but we will have to wait for an announcement to know for sure.
24 cars at the season opener is a very good number for this series, especially in light of the economy and the dwindling exposure that has resulted from their Versus TV deal.
But looking on from Sao Paulo, here is what we know about the rest of the season. Currently, we have 20 car/driver combinations confirmed for the full season. The James Rossiter deal with KV and Lotus sounds like it is going to happen, and it is also going to be a full season effort. Also, Dale Coyne has stated during their press releases about adding Milka for the entire season that they will also be running the #19 car full season as well. If those both pan out, that gives us 22 full season cars.
The only other program that may turn into a full season effort is Ryan Hunter-Reay’s. Currently he is confirmed in a car up to Indy, but Andretti Autosport is working flat out to get his entire season firmed up. It may be a while before we can confirm him as the 23rd full season entry, but due to IZOD’s heavy involvement with his career, it is a safe bet.
The “Part Time: Confirmed” section below only contains entries that have been fully confirmed by their respective teams. The “Not Confirmed Yet, But Highly Likely” section only contains entries that are very strongly sourced through media or team statements. As we continually update this list, we will not fill this section with rumors.
As for rumors, how about this one. Lots of sources are talking about the liklihood that Graham Rahal will be driving a 3rd Ganassi entry of some kind after Sao Paulo.
Per Trackside Radio program from a few weeks ago, Ryan Hunter-Reay is NOT scheduled to run at Long Beach for AA.
Per official press releases, RHR is only slated for Indy. We know he will be at Sao Paulo and we have heard rumors that he will be at other races. Trackside reported as you said, but other sources say he is confirmed through Indy.