Playing Ketchup

If it seems as if your humble correspondent has been letting you down during this most uninformative month of November, then it must be true. I have indeed sucked. There have been some computer problems here at MNII World Headquarters, but these have finally been resolved so the sucking will now subside.

And while missives here has been sporadic, the intrepid Curt Cavin has been posting up a storm. None of this stuff is confirmed, but his speculation/rumor/inside word revealed in the last week has included many tasty nuggets of information (to which yours truly has added some commentary).

It’s a given that Vitor Meria is back at Panther Racing, but a second car is expected to be driven by either AJ Foyt IV, PJ Chesson or possibly a "farmed out" Alex Lloyd. Quattro seemed to be clicking on the ovals in late '07, and since 11 of 16 races are left-turn only this would be a nice move.

At Foyt Racing Darren Manning will probably be back all by his lonesome. Danger Mouse may already be signed, but if he isn't maybe Panther should send him a postcard. I mean, if they’re looking. If a second car is in the works, Jeff Simmons seems like the kind of guy who could work with Super Tex.

Marty Roth is expected to field a two car team including himself and perhaps Chesson or 2006 Indy Pro champ Jay Howard. No offense to Howard, but unless he has more sponsorship how does he get a shot over Wade Cunningham? Or did I just answer my own question.

Sarah Fisher "already has people on her payroll" to form her own team. You go, girl!

No word on Dreyer and Reinbold or RLR, although there hasn't been a single name printed for the #17 Ethanol car that isn't Ryan Hunter-Reay. And as for The Big Three, well, those eight cars are already set.