And therein lies the potential twist to the tale. Until this past weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, Bourdais had struggled to show any sort of form in Formula One, prompting speculation that he could be offloaded by Scuderia Toro Rosso. With few obvious places available elsewhere on the grid, the Frenchman was being linked to a return to the US, with NHLR the most likely destination for his talents. However, having qualified in the top ten for the second successive race, and claimed a brace of points in Belgium, Bourdais may yet receive a stay of execution as STR seeks to fill its second seat for 2009.

Power, meanwhile, is rumoured to be on the brink while the IRL and race organisers on Australia's Gold Coast debate the feasibility of an annual race at Surfers Paradise. While this season will end with a non-championship race on the former CCWS course, the future is bleak, with neither side willing to concede ground over dates. If the race goes, so too could KVRT's single car backing from Aussie Vineyards, potentially leaving Power - who won the Champ Car finale at Long Beach and finished fifth on the road at Chicagoland - on the sidelines next year.

Already looking for a ride after being pushed out of his seat at Panther Racing by Dan Wheldon is Vitor Meira. The Brazilian was the victim of a chain reaction triggered by Dario Franchitti's return from NASCAR and, while Panther has said that it would welcome him back if sponsorship can be found, Meira is already touting for business with other teams. Expert speculation in the Indianapolis Star suggests Rahal Letterman Racing could be his best target - if it has the wherewithal to expand to two cars.

Indeed the same source has estimated a potential 32 runners next season, although that figure relies on growth at HVM, Panther, RLR and Ganassi, regular entries from current absentee Forsythe, occasional runners Luczo Dragon and Sarah Fisher, and one at Roth as well as no change elsewhere on the grid.