A Field of 33?

The field in their rows of three, probably
the greatest sight in the Indy 500, might
not be complete this year. Image
taken from my NW Vista seats.

One of the greatest traditions of the Indianapolis 500 is the 33 cars that line up in their iconic rows of three to start the race. There is hardly anything more exciting than "Bump Day" at Indianapolis, where cars not fast enough to make the top 33 are bumped from the field. Those fast enough make it into the most prestigious race in the world. Those not fast enough (including Mike Conway last year, who was 4th in the points going to Indianapolis) are forced to watch the Greatest Spectacle in Racing from home.

It deeply saddens me to report that the Indy 500 is in danger of starting with less than 33 cars for the first time since 1947.


Now, this is not the first time that the field may not have 33 cars. In fact, 14 times in 95 races there have been MORE than 33 cars to run in the 500 (the first three races when there was no limit, post-depression, and 1979 and 1997 when two cars were added due to controversial qualifying of cars), and 7 times with less than 33 (mostly early, 1947 being the last time due to contract issues post-WWII). Some struggles during the CART/IRL split in the 90's caused some concern over filling the field, but a full 33 always started the race. In 2003, the last time there was a chassis change in the IndyCar Series, there was also reports of less than 33 cars starting the race. Again, rides and money were found, and 33 cars took the green flag.

So why is this year any different?

The DW12 speedway aero kit is affordable, yet when it
is a requirement, no other options exist to save money.
(Image courtesy of IndyCar.com)

Even with the affordability of the new DW12 chassis, finding money and sponsorships to fund a race team is not easy. The big name teams (Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Autosport) have had strong financial backing for years and had no problem fielding three, four, or even five entries.

It's the smaller teams that have the problems, however.

HVM Racing, for example, fights a tough battle with the new chassis. Last year, HVM's up-and-coming driver Simona de Silvestro had taken their newly purchased 2011 chassis to a great start of the year. They did not purchase a backup car, and instead used an eight-year-old chassis (which was much heavier and slower) as a backup plan. So, upon going to Indianapolis and her primary car being destroyed in a practice crash when something broke on the car, the team was forced to go to the much slower car, which Simona had appropriately named "Pork Chop."

The point is, HVM could purchase Pork Chop relatively cheap because of its age. That chassis no longer meets IndyCar Series specs. No other chassis than the Dallara DW12 meets currents specs. So even though the Dallara is very cheap, many teams still cannot afford ONE chassis, nevertheless two. And a team still needs to pay for crew members, tires, engine, driver, traveling expenses, etc.

Each year there are around 24 to 26 car-driver combinations that race year-round in the IndyCar series. That leaves anywhere from 7 to 10 spots open in the Indianapolis 500 for "one-off" teams. Some of these will be taken by a major team in the IndyCar Series to add an extra entry (for example, Andretti Autosport added Ana Beatriz and co-funded an entry for Sebastien Saavedra to join their three regulars of Marco Andretti, James Hinchcliffe, and Ryan Hunter-Reay). Panther Racing, Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing, Sam Schmidt Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and A.J. Foyt Racing all took on a second car this May. Other teams (like this year's Fan Force United) are formed just for Indianapolis and find funding just for the Month of May. This way they focus their money and their efforts on the most important race in the world.

Dan Wheldon and team owner Bryan
Herta joined forces for a one-off
Indy 500 victory (Image courtesy
of Motorsport.com)

The problem is, though, that Fan Force United is the ONLY "one-off" team for the 2012 Indy 500. Last year, at least five teams at least partially funded an entry in a "one-off" fashion, having not participated in any other race up to that point. One of those teams: Bryan Herta Autosport with driver Dan Wheldon. They won the Indy 500 with a one-off team. 

You would have thought that a one-off team like BHA winning the 500 last year would encourage more teams to do so this year. However, again, money is the issue. Many of these one-off teams could purchase an older chassis to save money in an economy where every dollar counts. The purse for simply getting into the Indy 500 can nearly pay for all expenses of an entry. But, you need to get in the race first.

Now, let's get into the specifics of the 2012 Indy 500.

There are 34 cars entered (not counting backup cars for most) in this year's race. Of those 34, one of them (the second car entered with Ed Carpenter Racing) does not have a driver yet. It is possible that a driver will be found (I mean, come on, Tomas Schecketer doesn't even have a ride this year!) or that the ride will be sold to a team like Team Penske to fund an extra seat. But, thinking worst case scenario, we're already down to 33 cars in the field.

Jean Alesi and Fan Force United is
struggling to find speed. (Image
courtesy of Motorsport.com)

Next, there is the one-off team of Fan Force United and their rookie driver (and former F1 star) Jean Alesi. The team is using a Lotus engine, which has struggled to keep up with Chevy and Honda so far this year. Alesi's top speed since practice began was 205.265 mph. As a rookie, he must show sustained laps at over 210 mph to be eligible to qualify and compete. Right now, it appears that his car might not be capable of reaching those speeds. He might not have a chance to race at all. Down to 32. UPDATE: JEAN ALESI PASSES ROOKIE ORIENTATION PROGRAM ON 5/14.

Finally, the trouble with Dragon Racing, another team with Lotus power that has struggled as a result this year. Neither Sebastien Bourdais nor Katherine Legge have taken a single lap yet this week. Dragon Racing owner Jay Penske is waiting for confirmation on an engine switch from Lotus to Chevy, a switch that might not come. Penske now has filed a $4.6 million lawsuit for damaging Dragon's name by spreading "especially outrageous" falsehoods, according to Fox News. So as Penske waits for an engine change, which must be approved by IndyCar officials and possibly only be allowed if Lotus releases them from their agreement (highly likely to happen at this point). That takes us down to 30.

15 time winner as a car owner, Roger Penske
might be the answer to keeping the 33 car
field a possibility this year.

So supposedly, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard is willing to help in any way to make sure 33 cars race on May 27th. He claims he will help find sponsors and engines if needed, and that he will provide any assistance needed. It is also claimed that the famed Roger Penske will help his son's team and somehow come up with the necessary two Chevy engines.

Yet, no new sponsors are appearing, especially for the struggling Lotus cars (of which only two appear to be attempting to qualify - Alesi and de Silvestro). Chevy has already maxed out on the 15 engines they committed to providing for the Month of May (Carpenter's second car is the 15th), and Honda has 15 of their own. Can they really provide any more at this stage of the game? And if something goes wrong with an engine, can they successfully replace over a dozen engines by pole day? And, even if Roger Penske can get engines over to Dragon Racing, both Legge (a rookie) and Bourdais (away from the Speedway for six years) needs to complete the Rookie Orientation Program and are already three days behind the eight ball. Can they even make it up to speed enough, or will they be in the same trouble as Alesi?

I am still hopeful that everything will get sorted out and that I will see 11 rows of three coming out of turn 3 from my seats in the NW Vista. I am hopeful, but not optimistic. I shouldn't be too nervous - after all we still have until 6:00 on Sunday to have 33 cars in the field. I don't know though. Everybody comes together for Indiana, especially native Hoosiers. I just hope when everybody is "Back Home Again in Indiana" that they will see a full field for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. The 33 car field began as a safety limitation back in the mid-1910s, but the number 33 is about as symbolic to Indianapolis as the yard of bricks.