Two teams with winning pedigrees in open-wheel racing, Panther Racing and Patrick Racing, were among those to file entries for the 88th Indianapolis 500 yesterday [29 March], and were joined by another outfit hoping to emulate their success, Team Gordon.
Panther Racing entered six cars in total - two for 2002 Indy co-rookie of the year Tomas Scheckter, another two for reigning Infiniti Pro Series champion Mark Taylor and a pair for a driver yet to be named. Panther's winning record has yet to encompass the 500, but includes IRL titles in 2001 and 2002, and the Menards Infiniti Pro Series title with Taylor in 2003.
Scheckter, who is aiming to make his third Indy 500 start, will drive his regular #4 Pennzoil Panther Dallara-Chevrolet, with a similar back-up entered. Simon Morley is the chief mechanic. The South African has a career-best finish of fourth from last year's 500, and has led 148 laps combined in his first two Indy starts.
IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 rookie Taylor will drive the #2 Menards/Johns Manville Dallara-Chevrolet, with Eric Haverson as the chief mechanic, while Ron Catt is the named chief mechanic of the unfilled #44 entry. Buddy Lindblom is the team manager of Panther's entries.
Patrick Racing entered two cars for two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr, confirming the announcement that the experienced pairing would link up from the series' showpiece event. Patrick-owned cars won the Indianapolis 500 in 1973 and 1982, both with Gordon Johncock, and in 1989 with Emerson Fittipaldi, who triumphed after a stirring, wheel-banging duel with Unser.
Unser will attempt to make his 17th Indianapolis 500 start in the #20 Dallara-Chevrolet, with Neil Brown as the chief mechanic and eleven-time Indianapolis 500 starter Steve Krisiloff is the team manager. The race should be the first start of the season for Unser, who won the event in 1992 and 1994.
![Al Unser Jr, Kelley Racing Dallara-Toyota, Homestead testing 2003. [IMS Photo Ron McQueeny]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/50148.jpg )
