The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - There are plenty of cars at the track and several drivers looking for jobs. Still, the Indianapolis 500 might not have a full field for the first time since 1947.

Just three days before qualifying begins, only 28 driver-car combinations are listed on the entry sheet. A full field for the race May 30 would be 33.

"I've heard there's 27 to 30, but if you have another engine lease available it would be stupid to keep it in your garage," said John Barnes, one of the partners in Panther Racing.

The last time the race started with a short field was 57 years ago, when there were 30 cars. It nearly happened last year, when two drivers were hired 48 hours before the last of three qualifying days.

The problem was money. A new chassis design made it more expensive for cash-strapped drivers to race because used parts were not available.

This year could be a replay.

IRL officials approved midseason changes to the engine and aerodynamics package, to be used for the first time in the Indianapolis 500. The cost of leasing a new engine is about $350,000 - a price that has forced out Indianapolis regulars such as PDM Racing and Hemelgarn Racing.

After three days of practice, no teams have added drivers and most appear content to wait until after Saturday's pole qualifying - the first of three qualifying days - before making any decisions.

"Our primary consideration is Scott Dixon and Darren Manning," said Mike Hull, team managing director for Chip Ganassi Racing. The team has four cars available and ran four cars in 2001.

The most ominous sign is that there were 31 driver combinations entered on Pole Day last year - three more than there are now.

Some of the bigger teams, such as Team Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, Team Rahal and Andretti Green Racing already have multiple drivers entered, and it's uncertain if they'd be willing to add more.

Michael Andretti has eight cars at the track, but he already has four drivers - Dan Wheldon, Tony Kanaan, Bryan Herta and Dario Franchitti - trying to qualify.

Getting to 33 will not guarantee a full field. Accidents or injuries could create additional problems, but Hull believes that if the IRL asks owners to help, they'll respond.

"I think any team that's here in the paddocks that is asked with financial support will think about it," Hull said.

Said Barnes: "It's important to me to have 33 cars start. I'm an Indianapolis resident, and I know what it means to this community."

GIAFFONE CRASHES: Brazilian Felipe Giaffone, 29, crashed in practice but was not injured. Giaffone, who lost control of his car coming out of the third turn and hit the outside wall in the short chute, was hired by Dreyer & Reinbold Racing after Robbie Buhl retired last month.

Indy 500 speeds

Top speeds from Tuesday's practice:

( r-rookie)

1. (55) r-Kosuke Matsuura, G Force-Honda, 221.857 mph

2. (5) Adrian Fernandez, G Force-Honda, 221.705

3. (11) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 220.855

4. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Toyota, 219.937

5. (7) Bryan Herta, Dallara-Honda, 219.909

6. (6) Sam Hornish Jr., Dallara-Toyota, 219.810

7. (15) Buddy Rice, G Force-Honda, 219.780

8. (26) Dan Wheldon, Dallara-Honda, 219.616