MADISON, WI — Two months have passed since the teams rolled their cars into the transporters at Monterey, and for most of this time the 1997 driver roster has remained pretty static. Only a few holes need to be filled. But as usual this time of year, things are not as dormant as the climate may suggest.

The recent rumor of Zanardi possibly joining the Jordan Formula One team has remained totally unconfirmed. With Alesi possibly moving from Benetton to Jordan, it appears pretty unlikely that Zanardi is leaving his competitive ride at Ganassi.

Team Green continues to search for an American driver - a quest that should make some IRL supporters shake their heads in disbelief: apparently none of the American open-wheel talents are available or good enough for Barry Green. In their dilemma to finally sign a driver who will be experienced enough to run in the top echelon of Kool's Driver Academy program, he is now considering Scott Goodyear as a possible candidate - a Canadian, but close enough... However, this deal is far from finalized - lukewarm at best. Tony Stewart is still in the pot of names Barry can draw from, especially now that Stewart's Winston Cup ride for '97 has gone belly-up. To keep the masses confused, Green hints at yet another American who ran in the Indycar's in 1996, but the name doesn't come across his lips...

Hiro Department: As usual, Hiro Matsushita is late in announcing officially where he will be racing in the next season. Although many people believe he will stay with Payton/Coyne in '97 for money reasons (he has it, Payton/Coyne could use it), other sources hinted already in August at a possible move to Arciero Wells as their second driver. Arciero's latest press release regarding their 1997 lineup keeps the identity of the second driver a "secret" at the "request of their sponsor" - why? Is Hiro such hot property? Is MCI embarassed? But Hiro brings in Panasonic anyway... Or is Hiro not going to Arciero and their second driver is somebody else? Didn't we spot Arie Luyendyk at Mid Ohio hanging out with the Arciero people? But Arie has a solid IRL ride...

And who is to fill the second seat at Payton/Coyne if Hiro is really leaving? Payton/Coyne recently tested Michel Jourdain and Jeret Schroeder at Sebring - something they would not be doing if they were content with their driver lineup. Jourdain has money, but we are told Schroeder could bring in a sponsor, too. Yet again other sources suggest that the young Michel Joudain currently has the better chances of getting a seat in the second Lola at Payton/Coyne, bringing along his Mexican sponsors Herdez and Buffalo.