INDYCAR: Chaves pins final Indy 500 hopes on Coyne

Gabby Chaves has one shot left to make this month's 100th running of the great race.

After a potential opportunity to drive for Michael Shank Racing fell through, the 22-year-old is waiting and see if Christmas will come early at Dale Coyne Racing, where he's in the running to pilot its fourth entry.

"Yeah, I'm hoping to get the call from 'Santa Coyne' at this point," Chaves told RACER. "We're just playing the waiting game right now."

With practice for the Indy 500 due to start on Monday, Chaves will continue to wait until a direction is provided at DCR.

"Last week I was told it was looking good but I haven't heard anything back from anyone," he said. "[Coyne] is all I've got right now."

Provided he is chosen, Chaves says he has a sponsorship package that would continue beyond the Indy 500, but if he's not in the race, the sponsorship program will be lost.

"It's a little bit complicated," said the 2015 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. "If I can race at Indy, my sponsor wants to do more rather afterwards, so that's great, but if I'm not in a car [at Indy], it all goes away. That's why I've been pushing so hard to find a ride – because it would lead to bigger things."

And if Coyne's fourth Honda-powered seat goes to another driver, Chaves says he will be at the track to support a team if the need presents itself.

"I'll be on standby every day; it's not the ideal situation, but I'll be ready and keep my options open," he said.

Of the remaining questions to answer for the field of 33, a status update from Grace Autosport is pending, and while Lazier Partners Racing boss Bob Lazier could not be reached for comment, RACER understands the team has secured an engine and the team’s participation has been confirmed, with 1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier set to return to the cockpit.