ELKHART LAKE, WIS. -- This is usually the time of the year known as "Silly Season" in auto racing because of all the rumors, deals and moves among drivers and teams.

But, right now in Championship Auto Racing Teams, there is no silly season. It's simply insane.

Of the 18 drivers starting Sunday's CART race here at Road America only four can be considered game-fully employed for 2003 and that includes Christian Fittipaldi, who is leaving CART for NASCAR.

Adrián Fernández, the only driver/owner in the FedEx Championship, will be back in CART as will Alex Tagliani, who recently re-signed with Player's/Forsythe.

Paul Tracy has a handshake deal with Gerry Forsythe to join the Player's stable but it may be predicated on whether the team switches to the chassis (Lola) that he prefers.

Beyond that, the immediate future for the rest of motorsports' most diverse lineup is as uncertain as CART's car count. And, obviously, those two factors are directly linked.

"It's a mess because a lot of the owners don't seem to know which series they'll be in, let alone how many cars they might run," said Dario Franchitti.

At this point, it's impossible to know if these drivers are going to be in CART, the Indy Racing League, Formula One, sports cars or watching in 2003.

So here's a quick, alphabetical look at the homeless.

MICHAEL ANDRETTI: CART's all-time winner still claims he doesn't know where he'll be in 2003 but it will be the IRL with at least two cars and big money from Honda. But don't except the soon-to-be 40-year-old to run anything except the Indy 500.

KENNY BRACK: Only had a one-year deal with Chip Ganassi's team and neither side seems to want to continue this most disappointing relationship. He's been talking with Newman-Haas, Morris Nunn and Andretti-Green about 2003.

PATRICK CARPENTIER: Two wins, second in point standings and quick everywhere but evidently that's still not enough to keep his seat at Player's. He's talking to the same three teams as Brack, plus one or two in the IRL, but may have the inside line on Fittipaldi's vacated seat at Newman-Haas.

CRISTIANO DA MATTA: Current CART point leader appeared to be all but gone to Toyota's F1 program but apparently owner Carl Haas wants too much from Toyota to buy out the final year of da Matta's contract. So Toyota will likely wait one more year and then go after what should be CART's 2002 champion.

SCOTT DIXON: Could stay with Target/Ganassi or might go with a new CART team run by manager Stefan Johansson if funding is secured.

MARIO DOMINGUEZ: Rookie year with Herdez has been rough and could be on thin ice for 2003 with Mexican entry.

DARIO FRANCHITTI: Being pursued by Honda (aka Andretti- Green Racing) and Newman-Haas. Prefers CART's competition but Honda might push him to IRL.

MICHEL JOURDAIN: If Gigante re-ups with Team Rahal, Jourdain will be back. If not, he'll probably be watching.

BRUNO JUNQUEIRA: Indy 500 pole-sitter and CART sophomore is fast and talented but his option wasn't picked up by Ganassi last week. Wants to stay in CART and has some interested teams.

TONY KANAAN: His past two seasons with Morris Nunn have been filled with mechanical problems and unfulfilling (no wins) results, but Honda wants him to go to the IRL with Nunn and he probably will.

SHINJI NAKANO: Now that IRL has Honda and the race at Motegi, Japan, Nakano still has a seat with Fernandez -- in the IRL.

ORIOL SERVIA: Took over for Townsend Bell at Patrick Racing in mid-season and is very competent, but Toyota helped fuel this deal and they're out of CART in three months.

JIMMY VASSER: Could be the only American left in CART in 2003 -- provided Shell re-ups with Bobby Rahal or another sponsor is found. He's got a contract, but will he have a ride?