24 drivers entered for Surfers IndyCar race

The IndyCar Series will make its first visit to Australia following the February unification of American open-wheel racing under the IndyCar Series banner. Unification led to increased competition in 2008 with a record-tying nine drivers winning races during the 17-race season. In addition to Australia, the IndyCar Series also competed in Edmonton, Canada for the first time in 2008. In 2009, the series will add Long Beach, Calif. and Toronto to its schedule.

Familiar territory
Although the 2008 Nikon Indy 300 is the first IndyCar Series event in Australia, half of the drivers in the 24-car field have previously competed at Surfers Paradise. Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Bruno Junqueira, Tony Kanaan, Will Power, Graham Rahal, Oriol Servia, Alex Tagliani and Justin Wilson have combined to make 49 starts.

Past winners eye chance to repeat
Dario Franchitti, Bruno Junqueira and Ryan Hunter-Reay are winners of previous races at Surfers Paradise. Franchitti won in 1999, Hunter-Reay in 2003 and Junqueira in 2004. In addition, IndyCar Series team owners Michael Andretti and Jimmy Vasser have wins on the circuit. Can one of these past winners become the second two-time winner in Australia? Can one of these owners return to Victory Lane with their driver?

Home cooking
Three IndyCar Series drivers will feel very much at home during the Nikon Indy 300. Will Power hails from Toowoomba, just 2 ½ hours from Surfers Paradise. Ryan Briscoe grew up in Sydney, and 2008 IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon was born in Australia before growing up in New Zealand. Additionally, Power’s No. 8 car features primary sponsorship from Aussie Vineyards. Will one of the hometown heroes prevail Down Under?

Musical chairs
The Nikon Indy 300 will serve as an excellent opportunity for several drivers to acclimate themselves to new surroundings heading into the 2009 season. Following the final championship race of 2008, several drivers changed teams. 2007 series champion Dario Franchitti returns from a one-year absence and will debut in the No. 10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing entry. Dan Wheldon moves from the No. 10 car to Panther Racing’s No. 4 entry, and Vitor Meira moves from the No. 4 car to the No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing entry. What kind of first impression will these drivers make with their new teams?

Getting ready for 2009
The Nikon Indy 300 will allow teams to get a head start on preparations for 2009. While getting acclimated to new drivers and new personnel, teams also will be looking to maximize speed on street courses. The first two races in 2009 – St. Petersburg and Long Beach – will be contested on street courses. Without the pressure of championship points on the line, will teams test different setups that could give them an advantage in 2009?

Entry List