Late entries hopeful of strong Indy

Townsend Bell, Thiago Medeiros, Jaques Lazier and Jon Herb have all been unveiled by different teams during the last three days, as potential qualifiers for the 90th running of the prestigious race.

Former Champ Car and F3000 racer Bell has signed to drive a third car for Vision Racing alongside regular drivers Ed Carpenter and Tomas Scheckter. Bell will be eligible for the Rookie of the Year honours, because he never raced at Indianapolis in his part season with Panther Racing.

"The best part about the commitment from Vision Racing is that they are doing everything they can to give me a top-shelf program for the month," Bell said. "I have the proper amount of time to prepare, we'll run as many laps in the month as available, and I know I can count on the team to push everyday for the best result.

"In the end, I want to drive a solid, smart race, be there for the last stint and then we'll maximise what we have."

Former Indy Pro Series champion Medeiros has signed for his current USAC Silver Crown Series team PDM Racing, who are using a Panoz chassis for their effort.

"This is unbelievable," Medeiros said. "I knew that the guys were working on something for the '500,' but never thought it was for me. I plan to work my way up to speed, and not rush into getting fast right away.

"Even though we won't be out until the second week of practice, that will still be enough time to get comfortable."

Playa Del Racing have again recruited veteran and former Ganassi Racing driver Lazier for the Indy 500, and will join team co-owner and Indy Pro Series driver Herb.

"I have a really good relationship with everyone on the team," Lazier said. "I drove for them in the 500 last year and though we finished in 16th place, given the fact that this team started just really eight weeks before the race, it was an absolutely fantastic run at Indy. All the accolades go to the team for sure because they gave me a great car.

"I am really looking forward to driving for the team again this year. We are capable of good things this month."

Herb made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 2001 with Tri Star Motorsports Inc. He was classified 27th following an accident.

"This is going to be a great two-car effort by PDR," Herb said.  "I am excited to climb back in the cockpit of an IRL car and get to work preparing for qualifying. We know this will be a very competitive field this year so ever minute on the track is precious in our preparation. I am just looking forward to getting underway."

Frenchman Stephan Gregoire was also confirmed this weekend, and will attempt to make his seventh start in the in the race, and first since 2001, with Heritage Motorsports.