I found myself a little off track while here in Florida. After spending three weeks at the high banks of Daytona International Speedway I’ve moved a little further South. At the invitation of Homestead- Miami Speedway I’ve made my first trip to IndyCar Series Spring Training ( open test). The 20 cars and crews in attendance is enough to fill the local hotels but otherwise their is little visual impact on the area.
A total of 20 drivers are on hand with four of those rookies. Most notable from the stock car standpoint is Nationwide Series driver Stanton Barrett, who will be contending for IndyCar Series rookie of the year honors. He also has the status of being the only American rookie.
During Tuesday evening practice Scott Dixon was the fastest in his Target Chip Ganassi Dallara, at a speed of 211.382 mph. Ryan Briscoe, who spent time in both of the Penske cars found himself second fastest. From fastest to slowest the field ranges about 5 miles an hour different with Stanton Barrett at 205.834 showing a little caution with the Curb Agajanian entrant as the team does not have a backup.
The field of drivers represent Australia, England, Brazil, New Zealand, Scotland, Venezuela Japan, Netherlands and the United States and consisted of 14 different teams

Below are the cars that are eligible for 8 remaining shots in the 2009 Daytona 500 - 57 cars will take time.

No. 08 Boris Said (Ford)
No. 09 Brad Keselowski (Chevrolet)
No. 14 Tony Stewart (Chevrolet) – most recent Sprint Champion not qualified
No. 21 Bill Elliott (Ford) – 1988 Champion
No. 23 Mike Skinner (Chevrolet)
No. 27 Kirk Shelmerdine (Toyota)
No. 28 Travis Kvapil (Ford)
No. 36 Scott Riggs (Toyota)
No. 37 Tony Raines (Dodge)
No. 41 Jeremy Mayfield (Toyota)
No. 44 AJ Allmendinger (Dodge)
No. 46 Carl Long (Dodge)
No. 51 Kelly Bires (Dodge)
No. 57 Norm Benning (Chevrolet)
No. 60 James Hylton (Dodge)
No. 64 Geoff Bodine (Toyota)
No. 66 Terry Labonte (Toyota) – 1996 Champion
No. 71 Mike Wallace (Chevrolet)
No. 73 Mike Garvey (Dodge)
No. 75 Derrike Cope (Dodge)
No. 78 Regan Smith (Chevrolet)
No. 87 Joe Nemechek (Toyota)

NOTE: No. 60 Was not allowed to qualify because the team failed to make a practice lap before qualifing.
No. 21 Bill Elliott, No. 28 Travis Kvapil, and No. 14 Tony Stewart will make the field on speed.
No. 66 Terry Labonte is assured of a past Champion spot for the 2009 Daytona 500

Should those four drivers race their way in the next four fastest are No. 78 Regan Smith, No. 87 Joe Nemechek, No. 08 Boris Said, and No. 36 Scott Riggs