Rahal Letterman Racing enters six cars for Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice will drive one of six cars entered by Rahal Letterman Racing on Thursday for the May 28 race.

Last year, he was unable to defend his 2004 title after a crash during the first week of practice. He sustained a concussion and neck injury when he spun and hit the wall.

Doctors found he partially tore a spinal ligament, and he was not allowed to drive in qualifications or the race. Former winner Kenny Brack took his place and finished 26th.

Rice will drive the team's No. 15 Panoz-Honda and have an identical backup car available. Rahal Letterman also entered two cars each for Danica Patrick, last year's rookie of the year, and rookie Paul Dana.

Patrick qualified fourth and finished fourth last year, becoming the first woman to lead the Indy 500. She also was fastest in practice at 229.880 mph. Dana also passed the Indy rookie test last year but sustained a spinal fracture in a crash during practice and was unable to compete.

The Rahal Letterman cars increased the entry list to 12. The entry deadline is April 5.