Former Andretti Autosport NTT IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe is unlikely to be competing in the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge next month. It had been reported that the Mayor Of HinchTown who is working for NBC as a pit-lane reporter was set to return to the cockpit next month as an ‘in car’ reporter however, Paddock Eye understands that talks with Dale Coyne Racing over a deal stalled as Hinchcliffe was unable to find the sponsorship necessary to get the deal over the line.
The field for the 2022 Indianapolis 500 is currently stuck on 32 entrants and with one spot left to fill the field of the Greatest Spectacle In Racing and time running out with a full-field test set to take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway within the next two weeks it is difficult to see who might be in pole position to take the final spot on the grid.
Paretta Autosport are strong favourites to get the final slot on the grid however, team owner Beth Paretta has yet to confirm her team’s plans for the month of May while an ongoing dispute between Top Gun Racing and Neil Enerson over the ownership of their Dallara chassis looks increasingly likely to end up in court meaning that it is unlikely at this moment in time that we will see Top Gun Racing line up on the grid for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 29.
Carlin Racing also appear to be out of the running after Trevor Carlin sold his NTT IndyCar Series assets to Juncos Hollinger Racing. It is possible that they can partner with an existing team that Cusick Motorsports with Stefan Wilson will be back at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis 500 but there has been very little news regarding such a move in the last few weeks.