The IndyCar Offseason/Silly Season Thread

[IndyAndy]

Englishman Martin Plowman, who ran Indy Lights in '09-'10, & drove in three IndyCar events for Schmidt in '11 before switching to sports cars/endurance racing (he was part of the 2013 Le Mans winning LMP2 car driver line-up) will make his IMS IndyCar debut this May, thanks to a two race (GP of Indy & the 500) deal with Foyt.

www.indycar.com

 

[IndyAndy]

It seems that there have been some informal/"unofficial" discussions as of late about allowing an "experimental" car entry (ala Garage 56 at Le Mans) added to the Indy 500 - at some point in the future.

www.racer.com

 

[IndyAndy]

John Barnes is a sore loser (He's also an all-around j@ck@ss in the opinion of many IndyCar fans):

Lawsuit over National Guard sponsorship

 

[IndyAndy]

This will make for a momentary publicity splash I guess; but still... Color me underwhelmed:

Jacques Villeneuve to run Indy 500 for SPM

 

[IndyAndy]

Oh yes! - PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE let this happen!

Cosworth mulling a return to IndyCar, maybe even F1

 

[Retroram52]

This is great news and would be great for both series if it goes down. I found the mention of the desire for the IRL to have more engine builders enter the series very interesting because I know they know the importance of diversity which fuels product loyalty and increases fan participation.

What makes no sense to me is why Chrysler with Fiat, who now owns both Chrysler and Ferrari, are not entering a Dodge engine in the IRL series. That series makes the most sense and Bob Bondurant and his driving schools where he runs turbo-charged Dodge sixes could get involved. Freakin' Chrysler, what the hell are they afraid of??

 

[IndyAndy]

Interesting...

It appears that Barracuda has changed it's name to BHA (Bryan Herta Autosport), plus picked up a couple of primary sponsors for the #98 car:

Collection Auto Group/Castrol

Hopefully this means that a driver announcement is coming shortly.

 

[IndyAndy]

Oriol Seriva gets a partial (for now) season deal at RLLR:

racing.ap.org

Hopefully, this will grow into a full-time ride for him.

 

[IndyAndy]

Jack Hawksworth gets the nod for the BHA seat:

www.crash.net

Could be a diamond in the rough: His stats from Star Mazda & Indy Lights would suggest that he's more than just a pay driver.

 

[IndyAndy]

Coming soon: The Verizon IndyCar Series(?):

not officially signed yet, but it's going to happen (supposedly)

 

[Retroram52]

This may be good for the sport.

 

[IndyAndy]

A pretty vague rumor - but I'd love to see it happen!

Paul Tracy to run Indy & Toronto?

 

[Retroram52]

Well both Paul Tracy and Jacque Villeneuve's careers could get a boost by returning to the IRL after a go at NASCAR both of whom just couldn't get past alot of krap they encountered in that series. I think they may see a resurgence back in the IRL where many think they both belong.

 

[IndyAndy]

"Tags" gets a ride for the Indy 500:

Tagliani joins SFHR for Indy

Hope this grows into a multi race deal.

 

[Retroram52]

I think drivers are returning to the series because of the news that Verizon is becoming the title sponsor and that means stability and money. Perhaps we will see more teams arrive than the 22-23 we now see on a regular basis.

 

[IndyAndy]

Coming soon: The Verizon IndyCar Series(?):

not officially signed yet, but it's going to happen (supposedly)

Seeing reports of a "major announcement" coming from INDYCAR, roughly two hours from now (at 10:30 am ET). Jenna Fryer tweeting that it's the Verizon deal being made public...

... But nothing at all currently on the IndyCar website.

If this is it, I'm sure that it will be streaming live: www.indycar.com

Stay tuned...

****edit****

Now seeing reports that announcement might be at 9:30 am ET.

 

[IndyAndy]

Here are a few items that have surfaced over the past few days (sorry: I've been pre-occupied with other issues recently!).

The three 500 mile events will have a greater 'weight' in the championship standings:

double points haul for the 500 milers

No more 10 grid spot penalties for engines changes, but...:

punishment delayed, but not avoided

INDYCAR is in talks with promoters about a return to Brazil (at Brasilia; not Sao Paulo) for 2015:

Going back to Brazil again?

 

[Retroram52]

No need for the apology Indy. I am overwehelmed with a personal problem lately as well. You just take 'em one day at a time.

 

[IndyAndy]

Okay; with just four days until the season opening weekend, here is where things stand:

There are twenty-one full time drivers signed. The only open full time seat is the 2nd car at Dale Coyne Racing, which (as Dale does every year

 

[IndyAndy]

Okay, that didn't work out so well, did it?

Let me try again...

There are 21 drivers signed to full time rides. The only open full time seat is the 2nd car at Dale Coyne, which will go to whoever waives the biggest check in Dale's face come this Friday. There are two drivers signed for partial season deals so far: Plowman at Foyt & Servia at RLLR.

Indy only signings so far: Tagliani (SFHR)/JV (SPM)/Busch (Andretti)/JR Hildeberand (Carpenter). No official word yet, but look for Townsend Bell to get an Indy seat with KV. I'm sure that Legge, Mann, Beatriz, Daly & a few others will be walking the garages come May, trying to put deals together.

Nothing seems to be happening for last year's Indy Lights champ, Sage Karam.

Only 11 drivers so far for the Indy Lights campaign. Hopefully it will be like last year: Small fields, but great racing.

Pro Mazda has 16 drivers, and USF2000 has 23.

Almost time to go racing.