whats a indianapolis 500?

They're now up to 41 confirmed entries with 3 more working closely on deals. Bump Day is going to be pretty exciting this year.

indy can't keep a good driver when they have one, they end up in nascar/ n it is a damn shame the sprint car/midget racers are no longer able to compete at indy/ big corp $$$$, n rich kids with suit cases full of it ruins everything it seems/ it just ain't the same, not even close!

Just to inform fans...who are the midget and sprint car ride buyers?..Let's see a list.

Leon I told you before Put down the crack pipe lol:2:

When I first saw this, I wanted to snap off a reply, because I really feel there's a lot of guys (and girls) out there "buying a ride." I can think of a few that I run with.

But I realize it all depends how you define "buying a ride." In my mind, all a driver should have to bring is his helmet. And he should be paid for his efforts. And anyone who brings money, tires, an engine or even sponsors is "buying a ride."

I'm not saying it is wrong and honestly, if I had the cash to buy a Silver Crown ride, I'd be writing a check right now.

We just all have to realize times have changed and even the best of drivers sometimes have to bring something more.

I don't mean to change this thread from an Indy Car thread to a Sprint Car thread, but I'd bet over half of the drivers that are not driving for a family member (and maybe some that are) are bringing something.

Tom Paterson

Agreed Tom. And how about those drivers that own thier own car? The ultimate "ride buyer"!

I hope the fellas still working on deals have more than airplane glue to keep their cars together. I hope recent national media attention helps get them something decent. Not much worse than a great racer in a crappy ride, even if it's an IndyCar.

There has always been ride buying and always will be. How many drivers from the 60s got a ride because they had a sponsor, or the team could get one if they hired a particular driver?

I remember reading in a magazine article that Rich Vogler got his ride in the Hoffman sprinter because he had a tire deal.

However, the great shift in IndyCar racing and the Indy 500 began with the death of Tony Hulman. Sadly, we can't bring him back no matter how much we long for the good ol days.

Another thought, how much of this was the outgrowth of the tire war between Firestone and Goodyear in the 1960s when they were dumping tons of money on drivers like Andretti, Foyt and Jones?

One final observation, the Indy 500 has almost always been an international event with foreign drivers. Yes, there were a lot of American drivers from sprints and midgets but there almost always were drivers from the other side of the world. That it attracted drivers from across the globe was one of the things that made it THE big event.