PJ Jones joins Indy field

Beck said: "When we discussed drivers for this deal, PJ's name came up and he was a natural choice. The light went on and we knew this was perfect deal for Indy - and any other events we do."

The race would mark PJ Jones' Indy 500 debut. The Californian tried to qualify a Team Menard entry at Indy in 2002, but a crash left him with a neck strain which meant doctors barred him from competing.

The former AAR and Patrick CART driver is this year racing in USAC Silver Bullet sprint cars, and has a deal to run the two NASCAR Nextel Cup road races, but he welcomed the opportunity to enter the IndyCar arena. "I'm excited and thrilled - this is a great opportunity," he said.

PJ's father Parnelli added: "It means a lot to me to see him at Indy. PJ's got a lot of talent, but has never really found his niche. Today you need to specialise in one thing, and this is a great opportunity.

Beck hopes to run Jones in more IndyCar races this year if additional funding can be found. This will be Beck's first race of the year. It ran Shinji Nakano at Motegi and in the Indy 500 in 2003.

This deal brings the number of possible entries reached 28 - 29 including the yet-to-practice Greg Ray. Several other combinations of cars and drivers remain in the periphery, but it isn't yet clear whether the starting grid will reach - as it traditionally does - the magic 33-car maximum.

IRL IndyCar Series regular Ray has kept his car in the garage as his Access Motorsports teams is trying to find sponsorship. Panther, Penske, Dreyer & Reinbold and Mo Nunn Racing each have extra entries listed, but it's not clear whether they will attempt to put the cars in the field during next Sunday's final qualifying session.

Several drivers have been roaming Gasoline Alley looking for drives, including Buddy Lazier, Jimmy Kite, Jaques Lazier and Roberto Moreno. Also being mentioned as possible drivers are Billy Boat, Robby McGehee and Richie Hearn.