Manning and Scheckter

Curt Cavin and Trackside Online are both saying Darren Manning will be driving for D&R at St. Petes this coming weekend.

Manning was let go by the A.J when Vitor Meira became available and is definately an upgrade over Milka Duno and in my opinion, probably a tad bit better then Townsend Bell, the two drivers who occupied that car in '08. D&R has gone through an off-season overhaul picking up Dad's Root Beer to sponsor Mike Conway, while releasing all three drivers from the '08 season.

However, this is still unofficial until the announcement this afternoon.

With a second car from D&R, that makes the entry list for St. Petes 22 cars with the only TBA as Conquest's sole car, who will most likely be Alex Tagliani.

Update: Curt Cavin is reporting via Twitter that Tomas Scheckter says he will start 2009 at Long Beach with Team 3G. No news if that is a 2 car team or if Stanton Barrett is out after St. Petes.