Indycar team owners left in dark over engines

New engines will soon fire for the 2012 season. Several teams have deals with manufacturers; others feel they can't get them. Among the latter is Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, whose co-owner Robbie Buhl called the dilemma "disheartening." "And that's the nicest word I can use," he said Saturday.

Buhl won't say which engine manufacturer his organization would like to join, but it's clear it's not Lotus. Why? Because that manufacturer is deemed to be the weakest of the three. Each manufacturer is allowed to cap distribution at 40 percent of the field next season, although the exact number is not set.

Chevrolet has its allotment if Team Penske (three cars), Andretti Autosport (four) and KV Racing Technology (three) maintain their numbers. Panther Racing (one car) is expected to be a Chevrolet team as well.

Honda's lineup is less clear, depending on how many cars Ganassi Racing (four), Sam Schmidt Motorsports (two) and A.J. Foyt Racing (one or two) have.

There are three current full-time teams and several part-time teams in limbo, including Dreyer & Reinbold, Newman/Haas and Dale Coyne Racing. The latter two aren't happy about it. "I wish I could say it will be our choice, but that's not the case," Buhl said. "Control is all in the hands of the manufacturers." Indy Star