INDYCAR: Frye dismisses doubts over Indy grid

IndyCar has yet to provide an entry list confirming the field for this month's Indy 500, but the series' president of competition Jay Frye insists that a full field of 33 cars will be present.

"I'm confident we're going to be [at] 33, and there's a 34th that's possible that's floating around out there that's still possible," Frye told RACER.

Solidifying the field of 33 has been a challenge after conflicting reports regarding the status of the entry for 1996 Indy 500 winner Buddy Lazier (pictured above in 2015). Just as sources connected with the team recently told RACER the Lazier Partners Racing Chevy was confirmed and ready, multiple sources are now suggesting that the program is in flux. The team has not responded to multiple requests for comment, and Frye was also unwilling to be drawn on whether the team is locked in.

"We've been working on this for months, and checking in with [all the entrants] and usually if there's a problem, we hear about it," said Frye, who was very complementary of the LPR team headed by veteran team manager Larry Curry.

Despite the apparent fluidity of the field just days away from opening practice, Frye insisted that the entry list will be finalized in time for the first day of running.

"Since we start practicing for the 500 next week, I'd say no later than Monday we'd publish the list," he said. "When we put that list out, it will have 33 cars for sure."

With the question raised regarding LPR and its rumored budget shortfall, and practice due to start for the Indy 500 on Monday, Frye was asked if he anticipated seeing 32 cars onsite, or if a full grid would be present to start lapping the Speedway.

"I expect all 33 to be here Monday," he said. 

"We've tried to help connect the dots," he said. "There's been a lot of that in the last two months. There's a [chassis] inventory situation. It's been more about inventory; for some reason, inventory is down right now. But if you look at the field, all 33 cars, it's as strong as it has been in a while. The quality is good."

Frye thinks it will take a clean Grand Prix of Indy race and a smooth opening for Indy 500 practice before teams with spare cars will consider making a car available to a Grace Autosport or any other entrants in search of a turnkey chassis

"This weekend ... I think a lot of people want to get through Saturday OK, and if they get through it OK, would that change [the availability of] the inventory?" he asked. "If this weekend goes well it could create a different situation with inventory. I know teams have some backup situations that are strong and some aren't as strong, so as the week goes on, there could be something positive.

"The proof will be in the pudding in the beginning of the week. As the week goes on, there's reason to be optimistic for other possibilities."