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Indy 500: Tom Brady rumor could put everybody at risk in 2025

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The Indianapolis Motor Speedway maintains a fair approach during Indy 500 qualifications, consistently demonstrating this impartiality over the years, making it known as the pinnacle event in motorsport.

During both 2023 and 2024, a total of 34 cars were included in the entry list for the Speedway Indiana oval, which spans four turns over a distance of 2.5 miles (or approximately 4.023 kilometers). Despite only one car failing to secure a spot in the final 33-car field, Bump Day in both years was filled with thrilling, tension-filled moments.

And in 2025, there should once again be no shortage of drama.

At present, there are 33 vehicles slated to participate in the upcoming event, which is known as the 109th edition of the most heavily attended one-day sporting spectacle globally. As we approach the qualifying stage, scheduled for about four months from now, it’s not surprising that this number may increase.

According to IndyCar insider Tony Donohue, as discussed on his “Tony D. Podcast,” that figure might reach 34 quite soon, potentially due to a team linked with Chip Ganassi Racing.

So far, Chip Ganassi Racing has confirmed three full-time drivers: Kyffin Simpson, Scott Dixon, and Alex Palou. A fourth driver is anticipated through a collaboration among Chip Ganassi, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series winner Jimmie Johnson, and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

It’s being speculated that Sebastien Bourdais, a four-time Champ Car champion, could take the driving seat for the Honda-powered team.

Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern spread the word about this rumor, posting it on his personal platform, which used to be known as Twitter.

In 2021, Johnson raced for Chip Ganassi Racing in the NTT IndyCar Series on a part-time basis, and he went full-time in 2022. Throughout these years, Carvana was his sponsor. More recently, Johnson has taken ownership stake in the Legacy Motor Club NASCAR Cup Series team.

45-year-old French driver Bourdais hasn’t participated in IndyCar races since 2021, but he hasn’t declared an official retirement yet. Instead, you can find him racing for Cadillac Chip Ganassi Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, specifically in the GTP category. Despite not racing with Ganassi’s IndyCar team, Bourdais is also engaged in that sector of the organization.

In nine attempts at the Indy 500, his best result was a seventh place finish in 2014. He significantly improved his position on the grid, moving up ten spots from 17th and achieving the same feat two years later by advancing from 19th to ninth.

Brady is no stranger to motorsport, but this would be his first entry into IndyCar.

Currently, he serves as a rookie analyst for Fox during NFL matches, and the forthcoming Indy 500 marks the beginning of IndyCar’s fresh agreement with Fox Sports.

On Sunday afternoon, I was thrilled to spot myself alongside Josef Newgarden of Team Penske and Alex Palou from Chip Ganassi Racing in a commercial for IndyCar on Fox, which aired during the NFC Wild Card playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Restating the idea: Brady’s contract with Fox Sports gives him a significant salary increase compared to their IndyCar deal, so it would greatly benefit motor racing if he were to become a co-owner of a championship-winning and Indianapolis 500-winning team.

Additionally, it’s important to note that he is none other than Tom Brady, often recognized as the best quarterback in NFL history. This recognition could potentially attract a tremendous number of fans to an event that is already renowned as the greatest race on earth.

If we manage to gather 34 racers for the event, no one will be guaranteed a spot on the grid; there could potentially be some tough competition just to make it in for Bump Day. It’s looking promising as we might surpass 34 cars for the first time since there were 35 back in 2021. We haven’t seen 36 racers since 2019, and it’s been over a decade since we had more than 36 – that was when we had an impressive 41 back in 2011.

The Indy 500 qualifying rounds will occur on Saturday, the 17th and Sunday, the 18th of May. The actual race is scheduled for May 25th, airing live on Fox TV from Indianapolis Motor Speedway starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

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2025-01-15 17:02

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