Indy could have over 40 cars trying to qualify

UPDATE Indianapolis 500 entries have yet to be announced, but IndyCar has received 40 of them with at least one more possible.

Honda officials confirm the number and say all are full-week lease programs.

In addition to the 25 car-and-driver combinations at Barber, A.J. Foyt Racing has entered Indy-only cars for A.J. Foyt IV and Jaques Lazier. Paul Tracy will announce his deal with KV Racing later this week in Long Beach, Calif.

Other one-off programs are set for John Andretti (Andretti Autosport), Townsend Bell (Sam Schmidt Motorsports), rookie Sebastian Saavedra (Bryan Herta Autosport), Bruno Junqueira (Fazzt) and Ed Carpenter (Panther).

Davey Hamilton (Luczo Dragon/de Ferran), Sarah Fisher and Jay Howard (both with Sarah Fisher Racing) are also confirmed as part of multirace deals.

Additional cars are also entered for Dreyer & Reinbold (rookie Ana Beatriz and/or Tomas Scheckter), Gary Peterson, Rahal Letterman and Team 3G. IndyStar

04/10/10 Bump day could be something to watch again. Popular rumor in the paddock here at Barber is that there will be over 40 cars attempting to qualify for the Indy 500. Who says open wheel racing is dying?