Four women could
start in ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ for first time
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, April 21, 2010 – Four past winners and four IZOD
IndyCar Series champions are among the drivers named to the 40 entries filed for
the 2010 Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 30 at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway.
Seventy-eight cars comprise the 40 entries. It’s the second consecutive year
with 40 entries on the list, the most entries since 2002. It’s also the seventh
consecutive year in which the number of entries has climbed or held steady.
Defending Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves (2001-02, 2009) leads the
list of past winners, which also includes Scott Dixon (2008), Dario Franchitti
(2007) and Dan Wheldon (2005). Castroneves will attempt to become just the
fourth four-time winner in the illustrious history of the race, joining A.J.
Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears.
Series champions include Dixon (2003, 2008), Franchitti (2007, 2009), Tony
Kanaan (2004) and Wheldon (2005).
Thirty-four drivers have been named to the 40 entries filed this year for the 33
starting spots in the world’s most prestigious auto race. This guarantees plenty
of dramatic action on both qualifying days, Pole Day on Saturday, May 22 and
Armed Forces Day/Bump Day on Sunday, May 23, which feature an exciting new
format.
The 2010 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. (ET) Sunday, May 30
and will be broadcast live by ABC, the IMS Radio Network and XM 145/Sirius 211.
Indianapolis Star Opening Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 15.
There is outstanding depth and quality in this year’s field. Besides four past
race winners and four series champions, 15 of the 34 drivers named to entries
have won at least one race in either IZOD IndyCar Series or Champ Car World
Series competition.
Four women could start in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time, as 2005 Chase
Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick, Milka Duno, Sarah Fisher and Simona De
Silvestro were named to entries.
Plenty of young talent that recently advanced through the Road to Indy ladder
system also will be on display, as the field includes three of the last four
Firestone Indy Lights champions – Jay Howard (2006), Alex Lloyd (2007) and
Raphael Matos (2008). Other recent Firestone Indy Lights graduates on the entry
list include 2002 series champion A.J. Foyt IV, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter,
Hideki Mutoh, Mario Romancini and Sebastian Saavedra.
Six drivers comprise a strong rookie crop: Firestone Indy Lights champion
Howard, Firestone Indy Lights race winners Romancini and Saavedra, former
Formula One driver Takuma Sato, and IZOD IndyCar Series rookie regulars Bertrand
Baguette and De Silvestro.
Andretti Autosport is involved in five entries, more than any other team. The
team, which won the 2005 and 2007 Indianapolis 500, filed four entries and is
co-entrant along with NASCAR legend Richard Petty on another entry.
DRIVERS (34)
Former race winners (4): Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009), Dan Wheldon
(2005), Dario Franchitti (2007), Scott Dixon (2008).
Former pole winners (4): Bruno Junqueira (2002), Helio Castroneves (2003, 2007,
2009), Tony Kanaan (2005), Scott Dixon (2008).
Rookies (6): Bertrand Baguette, Simona De Silvestro, Jay Howard, Mario
Romancini, Sebastian Saavedra, Takuma Sato.
Youngest: Sebastian Saavedra, 19.
Oldest: Davey Hamilton, 47.
Most previous starts: John Andretti, 10.
***
2010 Indy 500 tickets: Tickets for the 2010 Indianapolis 500, scheduled for
Sunday, May 30, are on sale now. Race Day ticket prices start at just $20.
Fans can order tickets online at www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at
(317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the
ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown
Road and 16th Street. Online orders can be made at any time. Hours for phone
orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales
Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
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