CART round-up: qualifying headache in store…

The pit lanes at several venues, including Detroit and the historic Milwaukee oval, are not large enough to accommodate that many cars. The Milwaukee grid is likely to be capped at 28 cars.

CART has not enjoyed such a large car count since 1993. An open seat at Sigma Autosport is expected to be taken by Spaniard Oriol Servia, and Dale Coyne Racing has not nominated its two drivers - Alex Barron is expected to land one.

Meanwhile, no fewer than seven rookies will be chasing CART's Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year prize and the $50,000 that goes with it. Leading the first-year charge will be...

Formula 3000 imports Bruno Junqueira and Nicolas Minassian, both driving for 4-time CART champions Target/Ganassi Racing.

Also highly touted is PacWest's Scott Dixon. The 20-year old New Zealander earned the Indy Lights crown last year while also driving for PacWest. Formula Nippon champion Tora Takagi will make his Champ Car debut driving for Walker Racing. All four of the above drivers will be motivated by Toyota power.

Two Germans will move to Champ Cars: Marcel Tiemann, who will partner American Bryan Herta at Zakspeed-Forsythe Racing, and Michael Krumm joins Team PRG.

Finally, Max Wilson landed at the new Brooke Racing organization after being dropped at the 11th hour by start-up team Sigma Autosport.