Indianapolis 500 entry list set at 36 cars

A 36-car entry list has been released for this year’s Indianapolis 500, featuring seven past winners of IndyCar’s biggest race.

Helio Castroneves, who is again back in Team Penske’s IndyCar ranks for both Indianapolis races, is the most prolific 500 winner in the field with three victories (2001, 2002, 2009) to his name.

Each of Will Power (2018), Takuma Sato (2017), Alexander Rossi (2016), Ryan Hunter-Reay (2014), Tony Kanaan (2013), and Scott Dixon (2008) have won the race once.

Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will make his second Indianapolis 500 start in a McLaren Racing entry as he seeks to achieve the Triple Crown having won last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Australian James Davison is again entered in a tie-up between Jonathan Byrd’s Racing, Hollinger MotorSport, Belardi Auto Racing, and Dale Coyne Racing.

The field, which includes two cars with drivers yet to be confirmed, is one up on that which took to The Brickyard last year and split evenly between Chevrolet- and Honda-powered cars.

Bumping will take place on the same day as the Fast Nine Shootout as part of a new qualifying format this year.

Practice starts on Tuesday, May 14, after the IndyCar Grand Prix on Indianapolis’ infield roval on May 10-11 (local times).

Fox Sports will telecast the Indianapolis 500 race live in the early hours of May 27 (AEST).

Entry list: 2019 Indianapolis 500