Up to 39 entries expected for Indy 500

The Indianapolis 500's magic number is 39. That's "the maximum" number of cars Honda has been told it will need to power at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May by Indy Racing League president Brian Barnhart.

The May 25 race will have no problem filling the field this year thanks to the newcomers from the Champ Car World Series. In recent years, filling the 33-car field proved difficult.

In addition, Sarah Fisher, who formally opened her team's Westside shop Tuesday, said she would consider a second car if she qualifies on the first weekend. Her team manager and father-in-law, John O'Gara, said adding a car in May is relatively easy based on his eight years at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

"It's not twice the work," he said of a potential second car.

There have been 26 car-and-driver combinations at the first two IndyCar Series events. More at Indy Star