Unfortunately, after the sudden "flurry" of the Wheldon/Meira/Franchitti annoucements back in September, there has been very little else to transpire, save for a few drivers being re-signed by the squads that they drove for in '08. Perhaps the biggest news has been the drivers - and indeed teams themselves - that are facing the prospect of spending 2009 on the sidelines due to a lack of sponsorship funding.

Here is what is going on, team by team. This is part 1, dealing with the "veteran" IndyCar teams: I will cover the former CCWS squads in part 2, comming soon:

Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Ganassi should be solid, with Dixon & Franchitti behind the wheel & Target Stores once again picking up the bills. The only real question at the moment is: will test/3rd driver Alex Lloyd get more race weekend seat time in '09?

Andretti/Green Racing

All four drivers - Kanaan, Patrick, Andretti & Mutoh - are back in the fold for '09. There was talk at one point about a fifth car (for former F1 pilot Franck Montagny, who has tested with AGR), but that seems to have died down.

Team Penske

Ryan Briscoe will be back: because of his pending legal case, Helio Castroneves remains a question mark. Roger Penske has promised that we won't wait until the last minute to pull the trigger if he decides to replace Helio. Justin Wilson & Ryan Hunter-Reay are widely viewed as the top candidates if the seat does become available.

Vision Racing

Always one of the most "tight-lipped" squads, there has been no official word yet as to their '09 plans. It seems safe to assume that they will include Ed Carpenter (he is the boss' stepson, after all), but recent staff cuts at AJ Foyt IV's crew may not bode well for the young Texan. It should be noted that his deals for '07 & '08 were "last minute" in nature, so we'll see...

Panther Racing

Dan Wheldon is solid for '09. Panther mgmt. has expressed an interest in a second car IF the right driver/sponsorship package came along.

Rahal-Letterman Racing

The most likely candidate for missing the grid entirely in '09. RLR has lost their sponsor (Ethanol Production & Information Council) & told driver Ryan Hunter-Reay that, while they are looking for a replacement, he is free to pursue other options. RLR has recently taken on increased obligations in ALMS & Formula BMW Americas, which might signal that they have given up on their IndyCar program - for now.

AJ Foyt Racing

Vitor Meira is in - Darren Manning is out. ABC Supply Co. has resigned as the sponsor for car #14 through 2010. Foyt has expressed an interest in fielding a second car, likely with Franck Perera behind the wheel, but that would depend on landing proper sponsorship support.

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

Another squad that hasn't revealed anything about their line-up for '09. Most pundits expect that there will not be any changes from '08, meaning another full season for Buddy Rice in the #15 car with Milka Duno & Townsend Bell again sharing driving duties in the #23 car.

Luczo-Dragon Racing

This former part-time squad insists that it will be runnnig the full '09 schedule, but has yet to announce their sponsorship package. Rookie driver Raphael Matos will be replacing Tomas Scheckter behind the wheel.

And one more thing... 

Roth Racing

Marty Roth's former outfit is still up for sale, with no word on any prosective buyers at the present time. Thusfar, former driver Jay Howard does not appear to have any prospects for an IndyCar ride in '09.

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