But will we really learn Anything from testing?
Yeah, Y’all are probably way ahead of me.
Knowing that yesterday marked the beginning of Indy Cars two day “Open” test at
Mother Speedway, in preparation for this year’s 108th Indianapolis 500 running.
As the test runs from April 10-11, weather
permitting…
And Wayback’ in Mid-February, with the
announcement of Takuma Sato running Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s (RLLR)
fourth Indy 500 entry. The unofficial entry list had swelled to a robust 35 entries.
Since we know Thars’ 27 Full-season entries.
Along with “One OFF” entries for Marco Andretti at Andretti Global. Some Roundy
Round Star named Kyle Larson at Arrow McLaren. Christian Rasmussen at Ed
Carpenter Racing, Helio Castroneves at Meyer Shank Racing, and the
aforementioned Sato.
Not to mention the two car Dreyer &
Reinbold/Cusick Motorsports entry of Ryan Hunter-Reay and Conor Daly. Which my
rudimentary math gets us up to 34 entries.
And that’s before adding Abel Motorsports entry
for R.C. Enersen to the mix. Although the Enersen’s, ergo Pops’ and R.C. were
scrambling to find a primary sponsor prior to the Open test. With Bill Abel,
the proprietor of Abel Motorsports having bought a brand new Dallara DW12
chassis to potentially run a different “funded” driver aboard, if the Enersen’s
effort falls short.
Although I don’t expect Abel Motorsports to
participate in the Open test, unless they’re running somebody besides R.C.
Enersen…
While A.J. Foyt Enterprises has elected to not
field a third entry, leaving us with a maximum of 35 cars vying for those
Hallowed 33 starting Grid slots. Y’all know those still being the Fastest 33
Qualifiers overall!
Chevrolet (17)
Abel Motorsports, (1) Arrow McLaren, (4) Ed
Carpenter Racing, (3) Team Penske, (3) A.J. Foyt, (2) Dreyer & Reinbold (2)
and Juncos Hollinger Racing. (2)
Honda (18)
Chip Ganassi Racing, (5) Andretti Global, (4)
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, (4) Meyer Shank Racing, (3) and Dale Coyne
Racing. (2)
We also know that everyone will be racing their
2024 Spec Dallara “lightweight” chassis, minus the “Hybrid” Energy Recovery
System. (ERS) Which will be the first Full field running upon an Oval.
Not sure what to expect? Since the April
running typically doesn’t correlate to May’s race conditions. Making me feel
like the IMS test is slightly akin to Formula One’s vaunted three days Winter
Olympics Pre-season test…
Although Dale Coyne and Company will be running
a brace ‘O new drivers for Indianapolis.
As we know that rookie Nolan siegel will be attempting to make His Indianapolis
500 debut. Whilst we’ve just been waiting for official confirmation that Thy
Leggy Juan’, aka Katherine Legge will be piloting the No. 51 on Ovals this
season at the team with a rotisserie of IndyCar drivers…
Thus by my unofficial thumbs ‘n fingers count
Pre-Open test, Thars’ a total of seven rookies this year vying for the 108th
Indianapolis 500. Where still only the Fastest 33 Cars make the Show. Can You
Hear Me Roger!
As McLaren has Kyle Larson, whilst Ganassi has
three rookies, i.e.; Marcus Armstrong, Linus Lundqvist and Kyffin Simpson. Dale
Coyne and His Band ‘O Merrymen have the aforementioned Nolan siegel. As No Stu
Seagull Jokes here as my Awntie’ Harriet called Steven Seagal, Hya!
ECR has Christian Rasmussen, and MSR has tom “the bomb” Blomqvist filling out the rookies roster. As I don’t think I missed anyone?
Update
Mother Natured decided that She should be on
Pole position or the top of the scoring pylon after All 34 entries, minus Abel
Motorsports ran during Wednesday morning. With Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden
being quickest before rain brought the afternoon session to a premature close.
Thursday’s second day of practice was cancelled
outright due to inclement weather, with the next IndyCar action to be at Long
Beach on April 21st.
