Curt Cavin

curt.cavin@indystar.com

Question: Is Ford-Cosworth coming back to IndyCar? (Dave, Franklin, Ind.)

Answer: It's not quite that easy; let me see if I can explain the situation. First of all, Cosworth is already involved with all of the IndyCar Series teams, and the sanctioning body, through data acquisition, and there is more telemetry involvement to be announced in the coming weeks. Cosworth CEO Hal Reisiger, who is based in England, was in Indianapolis Tuesday to meet with the IndyCar brass (Mark Miles, Derrick Walker, Jay Frye and C.J. O'Donnell) for the specific purpose of stating Cosworth's goal of having an engine in the series sometime in the near future. If things go well, Cosworth would participate in the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016 with the goal of going full-time with the series in 2017 when the new engine specs come into play. But before any of that can happen, Cosworth must find an OEM (original engine manufacturer), like Ford, to join forces (per IndyCar rules). Reisiger told me over coffee Tuesday that Ford is one of the OEMs that he's talking to, but there are more, both in the U.S. and in Europe. Will he gets an OEM to sign up? He hopes so, but there are no guarantees. By the way, an assortment of related info I gathered from Reisiger yesterday will be presented in this week's Pit Pass column. For the record, Cosworth has won the 500 12 times, the first with Al Unser in 1978 and the most recent with Buddy Lazier in 1996. Also of note: Reisiger is a diehard Syracuse, Knicks, NY Rangers, Jets and Yankees fan. Loves boxing as much as all of those teams.

Question: Given the depth of the field, it's not clear to me that Kurt Busch and Jacques Villeneuve will qualify on Pole Day (assuming traditional format). Would this do anything to fix the "how do we get anyone to watch Day 2 of qualifying" problem, at least for this year? (Eric, Alexandria, Va.)

Answer: You're probably right, but I don't think that's the way the format is going to go. Based on everything I've heard, all cars will be required to qualify on Saturday with everyone asked to re-qualify on Sunday. The Saturday session will largely be for establishing the Fast Nine pole participants and to set the field if there's rain. But again, that's probably only part of the plan as so few people are in the loop. Mark Miles met with Derrick Walker yesterday to finalize the details, and I expect an announcement next week if not before.

Question: I'm not completely convinced that the powers that be won't find a way to fill 33 slots for the 500, but if they can't will that overshadow the fact that Kurt Busch is set to make his IndyCar debut and Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya are two returning 500 champions adding to a pretty incredible field, 33 or not? (Steve, Sheridan, Ind.)

Answer: I think you're right in suggesting that Busch will be the story of the month even as Villeneuve and Montoya, a pair of former 500 winners, return to the race. But make no mistake about it: Not having 33 car-and-driver combinations would be a very, very bad sign for the Indianapolis 500. As it stands, I count 27 entries all but confirmed with two or three more expected. That's 29 or 30 depending on how they're sliced. I expect IndyCar will get 33, but it will be something of a struggle, and Mark Miles told me it's a priority for the company.

Question: Speaking of Aldo Andretti, I remember watching him and Mario race sprint cars at Salem (Ind.) Speedway (my hometown) back in the mid 60s. I got both of their autographs, and they're still hanging on my wall today. I bet not to many people could say that. When is the Barber open practice session this month. (Michael, Murfreesboro, Tenn.)

Answer: Indy cars are on track March 17-18 for the open test at Barber Motorsports Park.