News for the Week of April 30 – May 6, 2018

DCR searching for Fittipaldi replacement as leg injuries confirmed – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher has an excellent report on Dale Coyne Racing’s search for a replacement for the injured Pietro Fittipaldi as his leg injuries sustained in WEC qualifying at Spa will prevent him from driving in his Verizon IndyCar Series schedule of both races at IMS and the Texas race. Fittipaldi’s doctors expect him to be ready for the race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (5/5/2018)

Fittipaldi suspected to have fractures in both legs after WEC incident at Spa – Pietro Fittipaldi was involved in a scary incident during the LMP qualifying session for the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps at Circuit de Spa Francorchamps on Friday and is suspected to have fractures in both of his legs. The Dale Coyne Racing rookie was scheduled to race in both the INDYCAR Grand Prix and 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race this month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Full FIA/WEC release at the link. – FIA – (5/4/2018)

2018 Indy 500 entry list – The entry list for the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race is available at the link. There are 35 entries for 33 spots in the field. – IMS – (5/4/2018)

Chevy fastest in manufacturers’ test at IMS – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Chevrolet had the top three spots in the Chevrolet and Honda manufacturers test on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday. AJ Foyt Racing’s Tony Kanaan was fastest at 226.7mph. Full story at the link. – RACER – (5/3/2018)

Juncos Racing announces NFP as primary sponsor for their Indy 500 team – “NFP, a leading insurance broker and consultant that provides employee benefits, property & casualty (P&C), retirement and individual private client solutions, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of Kyle Kaiser, driver of the #32 car for Juncos Racing, during the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Racing – (5/2/2018)

Miller’s Mailbag 5/2/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (5/2/2018)

Trackside podcast 5/1/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/1/18 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (5/2/2018)

Rookies pass ROP and Danica completes refresher on Tuesday – Indianapolis 500 Mile Race rookies Kyle Kaiser, Matheus Leist, and Robert Wickens all passed all three phases of the rookie orientation program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday. Wickens had to slide into James Hinchcliffe’s No. 5 car to finish the program after mechanical issues plagued his No. 6 car. Sage Karam, Jay Howard, and Danica Patrick all completed the two phases of the veteran refresher program. Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/2/2018)

Windom gets first Lights experience in testing at Kentucky – USAC star Chris Windom got his first taste of Indy Lights action as he tested for Belardi Auto Racing at Kentucky Speedway on Monday. Windom will race with the team in the Freedom 100 later this month. “Everything about (Indy Lights) is completely different than what I am used to,” said Windom. “But, I feel like I am adapting to it pretty well and the more relaxed I could get in the car the better everything is.” Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/1/2018)

Team Pelfrey announces Hamilton Jr. to race for team in Freedom 100 – “Team Pelfrey announced today Davey Hamilton Jr. will compete with Team Pelfrey Indy Lights at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Freedom 100, on May 25. The 21-year-old Idaho-resident returns to Indy Lights after he made his debut in 2016 for the final two races at Laguna Seca. Hamilton’s racing as of late includes the Robby Gordon Stadium Super Truck series, Sprint Carsand USAC Silver Crown series.” Full release at the link. – Team Pelfrey – (5/1/2018)

Iowa Speedway to host tire test later this week – “INDYCAR teams will officially ring in the 2018 race season in central Iowa this week. Iowa Speedway and Firestone Racing will host five Verizon IndyCar Series teams on May 3-4 for two days of testing. And fans can watch for free. RV Hill, perched high above the backstretch, will be open and free to those fans wishing to watch from noon to 5:00 p.m. CT on Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT on Friday.” Full release at the link. – Iowa Speedway – (5/1/2018)

Andretti reveals Ruoff livery for No. 29 for Munoz at Indy 500 – Andretti Autosport has revealed a Ruoff Home Mortgage livery for their No. 29 car to be driven by Carlos Munoz in the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. See the livery on our No. 29 livery page here. – Andretti Autosport – (5/1/2018)

TK tops the charts in Day 1 of IMS testing – AJ Foyt Racing’s Tony Kanaan was fastest in the first day of testing on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap at 226.181mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Pagenaud, Andretti, Chaves, and Dixon. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/1/2018)

Newgarden tests out windscreen at IMS – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden tested out the latest windscreen prototype on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday. “It was fascinating,” Newgarden said. “It was totally different for an open-wheel car. You’re not used to having a windscreen that big in front of you, but it was interesting to try it out.” Watch a short clip from the test here. – INDYCAR – (4/30/2018)

Newgarden tests out windscreen at IMS – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden tested out the latest windscreen prototype on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday. Video at the link. – INDYCAR – (4/30/2018)

Dixon takes on American Ninja Warrior course – Chip Ganassi Racing Teams’ Scott Dixon competed on the American Ninja Warrior course and INDYCAR has posted the video. Check it out at the link. – INDYCAR – (4/30/2018)

IMS testing open to fans – “More than 20 veteran drivers are expected to participate in open testing from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. (ET) Monday, April 30. The focus will shift to the Rookie Orientation Program and veteran refresher tests from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, including the highly anticipated return to the “500” by 2005 Sunoco Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick. Testing will conclude with a private manufacturer session for Chevrolet and Honda on Wednesday, May 2…Fans can watch all three days of testing from the Turn 2 viewing mounds, IMS Museum parking lot and South Terrace grandstands. These areas are open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30 and May 1 and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2. Testing on April 30-May 1 also will be streamed live on the INDYCAR YouTube channel (youtube.com/indycar) and RaceControl.IndyCar.com.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (4/29/2018)

Carpenter helps with Indy 500 graphic on JW Marriott in Indy – Ed Carpenter helped put the final touches on the installation of the “THIS IS INDY. THIS IS MAY.” graphic from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the JW Marriott hotel in Downtown Indianapolis to promote the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. “This larger-than-life graphic is one of the most visible symbols of the upcoming excitement at IMS during May,” said IMS President J. Douglas Boles. Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (4/27/2018)

Royal Purple to title sponsor all MRTI races on IMS road course – “Royal Purple Synthetic Oil – the Official Oil of the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires – will once again headline all six rounds of competition at the hallowed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 11 and 12 as competitors on all three levels of the acclaimed driver development ladder system gather in support of the INDYCAR Grand Prix. One of the world’s leading lubricant companies will help to “PUMP UP THE PURPLE” during May’s Lupus Awareness Month to help spread the word on this mysterious disease and raise funds for lupus research and education. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans – and at least five million people worldwide – suffer from a form of lupus. Diagnosis is difficult and there is no cure.” Full release at the link. – Indy Lights – (4/25/2018)

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