IndyCar picture looks bleak for 2009

As predicted, the results of the IndyCar Versus TV deal is beginning to take effect as a large number of drivers are out of a ride for 2009 unless something breaks sponsor-wise, which they won't because of the Versus TV deal and the anticipated plunge in TV ratings.

According to this SPEEDTV.com article the following drivers may be on the sidelines next year:

1. Justin Wilson appears to be out of a ride at Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.
2. Will Power will almost certainly be out because of the loss of the Surfers race.
3. Power's KV Racing teammate Oriol Servia has no sponsor as well.
4. With the fallacy of ethanol finally rearing its ugly head, Ryan Hunter-Reay's ethanol sponsorship is on this ice.
5. Throw in Paul Tracy, Bruno Junqueira, Tomas Scheckter and Darren Manning and the IndyCar grid could be down to 18 cars again in 2010.