Indy entry nears 33.

As the postmark deadline for Indy 500 entries passed, a late influx brought the current starting field up to 31 with several more expected to be added in the coming days.

With more entries still circulating in the US postal system, just two more entries are needed to ensure a full starting field for the 89th running of the 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Ed Carpenter and Vision Racing are the only regular IndyCar Series team yet to have their official entry form received by the event organisers while the return of several teams and the arrival of a couple of new outfits have helped boost the entry.

On postmark deadline day, April 6th, no less than 13 entries were received, including those from past IndyCar Series champions Andretti Green Racing, Target Chip Ganassi Racing and A.J. Foyt Enterprises.

Other teams filing entries were PDM Racing, Nunn Racing and Roth Racing.

While AGR and Target Chip Ganassi Racing entered their usual quota of drivers, Texas legend Foyt has expanded from one to three cars. PDM, Mo Nunn and Marty Roth each entered a single car.

Clear pre-race favourites for the biggest race of the year, AGR are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a driver 'most likely to' in 2005.

Bryan Herta will attempt to make his fourth career Indianapolis 500 start after a career best fourth place finish in 2004.

Defending series champion Tony Kanaan has been one of the most consistent starters and finishers this decade in his three previous Indy starts. He has qualified in the top five each of the last three years, with a best start of second in 2003. He finished third in 2003 and second last year.

Current series points leader Dan Wheldon, who has won this season at Homestead-Miami and Phoenix, started second and finished third last year at Indy, both career bests at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Franchitti will also try to make his third career start at Indianapolis after qualifying third and finishing 14th last year at Indy, both career bests.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing, which won the 2000 Indianapolis 500 with Juan Pablo Montoya and the 2003 IndyCar Series championship with Scott Dixon, filed entries for its three regular IndyCar Series competitors, Dixon, Darren Manning and Ryan Briscoe.

New Zealander Dixon will try to improve upon his career-best eighth place finish in 2004 this year at Indianapolis in his third "500" start. Manning started 15th and placed 25th last year as a rookie at Indianapolis while Briscoe will be making his first Indy 500 start

A.J. Foyt Enterprises, which won the 1999 Indianapolis 500 and 1998 IndyCar Series title with Kenny Brack, filed entries for A.J. Foyt IV, Larry Foyt and Scott Mayer. Foyt IV is the grandson of team owner and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt. Larry Foyt is A.J. Foyt's son.

Team owner Marty Roth, from Toronto, will drive the #25 Roth Racing entry for the second year in succession. Menards Infiniti Pro Series veteran Roth started 32nd and placed 24th as an Indy rookie last year.

Original IRL team PDM Racing filed an entry with their familiar #18 plate although the driver and chassis are still to be announced while Mo Nunn and Adrian Fernandez had their combined entry officially accepted.