Access joins NHR as late Indy entry.

Although the closing date for official entries to this year's Indianapolis 500 was at the end of March, correctly post-marked applications continue to arrive at Indy Racing League headquarters in the 'capital of US motorsport'.

The biggest news among the 'late arrivals' was that Newman/Haas Racing had filed its first entry for the 500 since 1995. The team, more commonly associated with the rival Champ Car series has competed in 13 previous 500s, taking a best finish of second with Mario Andretti in 1985 and Michael Andretti in 1991. Mario also won the pole for the team in 1987.

The driver, car number, chassis and engine of the Newman/Haas entry will be announced at a later date, but the team has confirmed Mark Shambarger as chief mechanic, and Jim McGee and Brian Lisles as team managers. A back-up car was included on the entry, which is rumoured to be for Champ Car regular Bruno Junqueira.

Joining NHR on the entry list was IRL regular Access Motorsports, which filed an entry for co-owner Greg Ray and the #13 Panoz/G-Force-Honda. A back-up was also entered, and will be tended by Jamie Nanny as the chief mechanic. Ted Bitting is slated as team manager.

IRL champion in 1999, Ray will attempt to make his eighth Indianapolis 500 start. His best finish is eighth last year, but he is bets known for his regular strong qualifying efforts since making his debut in 1997. He won the MBNA Pole for the 2000 race, and started second in 1998, 1999 and 2001.

A full entry list for the 88th running of the 500 will be released shortly.