INDYCAR News for the Month of September 2019
Juncos names Pigot to IMSA lineup for Petit Le Mans – “Juncos Racing announced today Spencer Pigot will join the team for the final IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta next month. Pigot will pilot the No. 50 Cadillac DPi-V.R entry with American Will Owen and Austrian Rene Binder.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Racing – (9/26/2019)
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Newgarden to demo IndyCar at NASCAR Charlotte “roval” event – Team Penske has announced Josef Newgarden will demo his No. 2 NTT IndyCar Series car on the road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of festivities during their NASCAR event this weekend. Full story at the link. – RACER – (9/25/2019)
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’19 NBC coverage of INDYCAR up 9% over ’18 – “NBC Sports’ first year as the exclusive media partner of INDYCAR resulted in a 9% viewership increase for the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season vs. 2018, according to data from the Nielsen company and digital data from Adobe Analytics. The 16* races in 2019 averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 1.105 million viewers across NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, up 9% vs. 2018 (1.011 million on ABC, NBCSN, digital). Eight races were broadcast on NBC this season vs. five network-broadcast exposures last year on ABC. NBCSN televised eight races this year as compared to 11 last year.” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports Group – (9/25/2019)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/25/2019 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/25/2019)
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Trackside podcast 9/24/2019 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/24/2019 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (9/25/2019)
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The Open Wheel’s Laguna Seca livery guide – The Open Wheel’s livery guide of all the NTT IndyCar Series cars and drivers at the INDYCAR Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/22/2019)
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The Open Wheel’s Laguna Seca photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery of the INDYCAR Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/22/2019)
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Newgarden wins ’19 title, Herta wins Laguna Seca race – Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta won the Firestone Grand Prix at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from pole while Josef Newgarden earned the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series Championship with a P8 finish on the day. The full Top 5 was Herta, Power, Dixon, Pagenaud, and Rosenqvist. Rosenqvist clinched the 2019 Rookie of the Year honors. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/22/2019)
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VeeKay sweeps Laguna Seca Lights weekend with Race 2 win – Juncos Racing’s Rinus VeeKay won Indy Lights Race 2 from pole at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to complete a weekend sweep of pole positions and race wins. The full Top 5 was VeeKay, Askew, Sowery, Megennis, and Norman. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (9/22/2019)
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Askew clinches title, VeeKay wins Lights Race 1 at Laguna Seca – Juncos Racing’s Rinus VeeKay won Indy Lights Race 1 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from pole, but Oliver Askew stole the headlines by finishing fourth and clinching the 2019 series championship. The full Top 5 was VeeKay, Sowery, Megennis, Askew, and Malukas. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (9/21/2019)
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Herta earns pole at Laguna Seca; championship four in Fast 6 – Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta earned the pole for the Firestone Grand Prix at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:10.1405. All of the four 2019 NTT IndyCar Championship contenders made the final round of qualifying. The full Firestone Fast 6 order was Herta, Dixon, Rossi, Newgarden, Pagenaud, and Hinchcliffe. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/21/2019)
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Andretti confirms Herta/HSR partnership for fifth entry in ’20 – “Andretti Autosport announced today that the team will join forces with Harding Steinbrenner Racing via a partnership that will see Andretti field a fifth entry for the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series. The No. 88 Honda will join the Andretti stable under the Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport banner. HSR team principals Mike Harding and George Michael Steinbrenner, IV will join Michael Andretti as leadership partners of the 88 team. The partnership is born from a successful technical alliance between Andretti Technologies and Harding Steinbrenner Racing, which provided engineering support through the 2019 season. Additionally, the relationship provided a development environment for Colton Herta, who will return to Andretti to pilot the No. 88 as part of a multi-year agreement.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (9/21/2019)
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Championship contenders all in same qualifying group for finale – NTT IndyCar Series championship contenders Josef Newgarden, Alexander Rossi, Simon Pagenaud, and Scott Dixon will all be in the same Round 1 group in Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey qualifying at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca after they all finished in the even spots in Practice 3. Full qualifying groups at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/21/2019)
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Exclusive Autosport announces Indy Lights entries for ’20 – Long-time Road to Indy entrant Exclusive Autosport has announced they will field two cars in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires series for the first time in 2020. – Exclusive Autosport – (9/21/2019)
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Rosenqvist quickest in final practice at Laguna Seca – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist was quickest in Practice 3 for the Firestone Grand Prix at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:10.4065. The full Top 5 was Rosenqvist, Newgarden, Power, Pagenaud, and Sato. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/21/2019)
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RLL confirms Sato for ’20 – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that they have exercised their option on NTT IndyCar Series driver Takuma Sato for 2020. Sato first joined the team in 2012 and returned in 2018. He has earned five wins in the series to date, three of which coming with the team. The 2020 season will be his third consecutive with RLL, and fourth overall.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (9/21/2019)
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VeeKay takes pole again for Lights Race 2 at Laguna Seca – Juncos Racing’s Rinus VeeKay won his second Indy Lights pole of the weekend in Race 2 qualifying at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:15.6709. The full Top 5 was VeeKay, Askew, Sowery, Megennis, and Norman. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (9/21/2019)
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VeeKay takes Lights Race 1 pole at Laguna Seca – Juncos Racing’s Rinus VeeKay won the pole for Indy Lights Race 1 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:16.0172. The full Top 5 was VeeKay, Megennis, Askew, Megennis, and Kellett. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (9/20/2019)
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Hunter-Reay paces the field in Practice 2 at Laguna Seca – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay paced the field in Practice 2 for the Firestone Grand Prix at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:09.9105. The full Top 5 was Hunter-Reay, Rosenqvist, Herta, Pagenaud, and Ferrucci. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/20/2019)
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Herta fastest in Practice 1 at Laguna Seca – Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta was fastest in Practice 1 for the Firestone Grand Prix at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:10.7335. The full Top 5 was Herta, Rosenqvist, Ferrucci, Power, and Veach. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/20/2019)
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Askew tops Lights practice at Laguna Seca – Andretti Autosport’s Oliver Askew topped the final Indy Lights practice session of the year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:16.3497. The full Top 5 was Askew, Megennis, Norman, VeeKay, and Malukas. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (9/20/2019)
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The Open Wheel’s Laguna Seca preview – The Open Wheel’s preview of the INDYCAR Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/20/2019)
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Herta leads Thursday testing at Laguna Seca – Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta was fastest in the NTT IndyCar Series open test at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Thursday with a lap of 1:10.0720. The full Top 5 was Herta, Power, Rosenqvist, Newgarden, and Rahal. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/20/2019)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/18/2019 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/18/2019)
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Trackside podcast 9/17/2019 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/17/2019 is a great listen as always. Oliver Askew is a guest on the show. David Hobbs and Kevin Blanche are guests on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (9/18/2019)
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Laguna Seca spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/17/2019)
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Dixon and Power to test new aeroscreen on October 2nd – From INDYCAR: “INDYCAR is scheduled to perform its first on-track test of the Aeroscreen driver safety initiative Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Five-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing and 2014 series champ Will Power of Team Penske have been selected to take part in the full-day test session on the 2.5-mile oval. Shown above, Dixon previously conducted a simulator test of an Aeroscreen prototype in July at the Dallara Research Center in Speedway, Ind.” Full story the link. – INDYCAR – (9/16/2019)
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Laguna Seca entry list – The official INDYCAR entry list for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/13/2019)
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Andretti announces special DHL livery for No. 28 at Laguna Seca – “When Ryan Hunter-Reay takes the track at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the NTT IndyCar season finale, his No. 28 DHL machine will take on a meaningful paint scheme as DHL celebrates 50 years since the company’s founding by three entrepreneurs in San Francisco in 1969.” See the livery on our No. 28 livery page here. Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (9/13/2019)
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’20 Indy Lights schedule released – “The 2020 schedule for the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires – the only driver development program of its type in the world with a scholarship-funded path to the pinnacle of the sport – was announced today by Andersen Promotions. All three levels of the ladder system – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – will compete at prominent venues throughout North America and Canada with all events in support of the NTT IndyCar Series, offering scholarships and awards valued at over $2.7 million.” Full schedule and release at the link. – Indy Lights – (9/12/2019)
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Report: Nasr confirmed for Action Express IMSA effort in ’20 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Felipe Nasr will return to IMSA with Action Express in 2020. Nasr had tested an NTT IndyCar Series car with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and was rumored to be in contention for an NTT IndyCar Series drive in 2020. Full story at the link. – RACER – (9/11/2019)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/11/2019 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/11/2019)
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Trackside podcast 9/10/2019 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/10/2019 is a great listen as always. Oliver Askew is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (9/11/2019)
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Penske and Pagenaud receive Baby Borgs – “For Simon Pagenaud, his prized dog Norman is more than his pet; the Jack Russell terrier is part of the family. And now, Norman is part of Indianapolis 500 history. Pagenaud received the “Baby Borg” trophy Monday morning at Team Penske’s headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. When the miniature replica of the famed Borg-Warner Trophy presented to Indianapolis 500 winners was unveiled, Pagenaud was stunned to see the sculpted images of himself and Norman on the base of the Baby Borg.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (9/9/2019)
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Penske adds Rahal for IMSA Petit Le Mans – “IndyCar Series veteran driver Graham Rahal will return to compete for Acura Team Penske in next month’s Motul Petit Le Mans. Rahal will once again team up with Helio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor in the Acura Team Penske No. 7 DPi for the 10-hour endurance race at Road Atlanta. Rahal will step in for fellow IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi, who will be racing in Australia at the Bathurst 1000.” Full release at the link. – Team Penske – (9/4/2019)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/4/2019 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/4/2019)
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Trackside podcast 9/3/2019 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/3/2019 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (9/4/2019)
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ABC Supply no longer full-time with Foyt in ’20 – RACER’s Robin Miller reports ABC Supply Co. will no longer be a full-time sponsor of AJ Foyt Racing in the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series season, but will be with the team at Indianapolis. Full story at the link. – RACER – (9/4/2019)
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The Open Wheel’s GP of Portland photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery of NTT IndyCar Series and Indy Lights action at the 2019 Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/1/2019)
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Power wins Grand Prix of Portland – Team Penske’s Will Power won the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway after holding off the field on a late restart. The full Top 5 was Power, Rosenqvist, Rossi, Herta, and Newgarden,. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/1/2019)
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INDYCAR releases ’20 schedule, Richmond on in lieu of Pocono – From INDYCAR: “The 2020 NTT IndyCar Series schedule is highlighted by a return to Richmond Raceway and eight of the 17 races featured on NBC, INDYCAR officials announced today. Richmond Raceway will return to the NTT IndyCar Series schedule for the first time since 2009 and will be the only new addition on the 2020 schedule. The three-quarter-mile Virginia oval will play host under the lights on Saturday, June 27, and be the 11th race on the season.” Full release and schedule at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/1/2019)
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The Open Wheel’s GP of Portland livery page – The Open Wheel’s livery page of all the NTT IndyCar Series cars and drivers at the 2019 Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/1/2019)
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Sowery takes first Lights victory in Race 2 at Portland – HMD Motorsports and Team Pelfrey’s Toby Sowery passed pole sitter Rinus VeeKay on an early restart to go on to win Indy Lights Race 2 at Portland International Raceway. The full Top 5 was Sowery, VeeKay, Askew, Norman, and Megennis. With that result, Askew needs only to start the final two races to clinch the championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (8/31/2019)
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The Open Wheel’s Lights Portland livery page – The Open Wheel’s livery page of all the Indy Lights cars and drivers at the 2019 Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/1/2019)
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VeeKay wins from pole in Lights Race 1 at Portland – Juncos Racing’s Rinus VeeKay withstood an early fight from championship leader Oliver Askew to win from pole in Indy Lights Race 1 at Portland International Raceway. The full Top 5 was VeeKay, Askew, Megennis, Sowery, and Kellett. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (8/31/2019)
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Herta earns second career pole at Portland – Harding Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta won the pole for the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway with a Firestone Fast 6 lap of 57.8111. The full Firestone Fast 6 was Herta, Power, Dixon, Harvey, Rosenqvist, and Hunter-Reay. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/31/2019)
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VeeKay wins from pole in Lights Race 1 at Portland – Juncos Racing’s Rinus VeeKay withstood an early fight from championship leader Oliver Askew to win from pole in Indy Lights Race 1 at Portland International Raceway. The full Top 5 was VeeKay, Askew, Megennis, Sowery, and Kellett. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (8/31/2019)
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DragonSpeed planning on 10 races for ’20 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports DragonSpeed LLC is hoping for at least 10 NTT IndyCar Series races next year despite limited running in 2019. “I think increasing to 10 races is fair,” owner Elton Julian told RACER. “I think we can say right now we’re going to do more races, but I’m comfortable saying 10 races now.” Full story at the link. – RACER – (8/30/2019)
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Report: Ericsson attending F1 at Spa, Daly in Arrow SPM No. 7 – RACER’s Robin Miller reports regular Arrow SPM driver Marcus Ericsson will be with Alfa Romeo this weekend for the Formula 1 event at Spa and Conor Daly will replace him in the NTT IndyCar Series team’s No. 7 car for the Grand Prix of Portland. Original RACER Report at the link. Update: F1 reporter Lawrence Barretto reports Ericsson’s visit will just be to serve as the team’s reserve driver. – RACER – (8/29/2019)
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