News for the Week of August 20 – August 26, 2018

The Open Wheel’s Gateway photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery of the INDYCAR Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (8/25/2018)

Power wins the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway – Team Penske’s Will Power won the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park. The rest of the Top 5 was Rossi, Dixon, Pagenaud, and Veach. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/25/2018)

Wickens update from SPM 8/25/18 7:39PM – From Schmidt Peterson Motorsports: “For the first time following his Aug. 19 incident at Pocono Raceway, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens is breathing without medical assistance and speaking with his family. Robert’s family and the entire SPM organization are very pleased to share this information and wish everyone a safe race tonight in St. Louis.” – SPM – (8/25/2018)

Norman wins at Gateway for first Lights win – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Norman earned his first career Indy Lights victory in a thrilling race at Gateway Motorsports Park. Norman and teammate Colton Herta had an incredible battle for the lead over the last 20 laps. The Top 5 was Norman, Herta, O’Ward, Urrutia, and Telitz. Full race results here. – Indy Lights – (8/25/2018)

Herta earns Lights pole at Gateway – Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta earned the Indy Lights pole at Gateway Motorsports Park with a two-lap average at 159.075mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Norman, O’Ward, Telitz, and Kellett. Full qualifying results here. – Indy Lights – (8/25/2018)

O’Ward quickest in Lights Final Practice at Gateway – Andretti Autosport’s Patricio O’Ward’s lap at 160.714mph was fastest in Indy Lights practice at Gateway Motorsports Park. The rest of the Top 5 was Norman, Herta, Kellett, and Franzoni. Full session results here. – Indy Lights – (8/25/2018)

Revised Saturday schedule for Gateway – The revised Saturday schedule for INDYCAR activity at Gateway Motorsports Park is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (8/25/2018)

Rossi fastest again in Final Practice at Gateway – Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi’s lap of 183.060mph was fastest in Final Practice for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park. The rest of the Top 5 was Dixon, Fittipaldi, Jones, and Veach. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/24/2018)

Herta leads Lights Practice at Gateway – Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta was fastest in Indy Lights practice at Gateway Motorsports Park with a lap at 161.432mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Norman, O’Ward, Franzoni, and Urrutia. Full session results here. CORRECTION – We were incorrect last night about Indy Lights qualifying being cancelled. A brief practice session will be held on Saturday morning followed by qualifying. – Indy Lights – (8/24/2018)

Rossi tops Practice 1 at Gateway, qualifying cancelled thus Dixon to start on pole – Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi was fastest in a rain delayed and shortened Practice 1 for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park with a lap at 184.424mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Dixon, Bourdais, Kanaan, and Jones. INDYCAR announced after the session that qualifying was cancelled due to rain limiting the schedule. The starting lineup will be set on owners points with Scott Dixon starting on pole. Full session results here. – INDYCAR – (8/24/2018)

Wickens update from INDYCAR 8/24/18 10:20AM – From INDYCAR: “Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens continues to be treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest for injuries sustained during the INDYCAR event at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 19. Surgeries were performed late this week on his right arm and lower extremities without complication. The extent of the spinal cord injury remains indeterminate. Wickens also underwent a series of precautionary tests that found no indication of further injury. Future treatment for Wickens includes more corrective surgery and rehabilitation. The thoughts of the entire INDYCAR community are with the Wickens family and SPM during this time.” – INDYCAR – (8/24/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Gateway preview – The Open Wheel’s Dylan Reynolds’ preview of the INDYCAR Bommarito Automotive Group 500 weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (8/23/2018)

TMS announces four-year deal with INDYCAR – “Texas Motor Speedway and INDYCAR have agreed to terms on a four-year sanction agreement for the Verizon IndyCar Series’ return to the world-renowned motorsports facility through 2022. In conjunction with the long-term agreement with the series, Texas Motor Speedway and DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) announced that the world’s leading independent, end-to-end IT services company will return as the entitlement sponsor for the 2019 event, to be held Saturday, June 8. This will be DXC Technology’s second year in the sponsorship role with Texas Motor Speedway.” Full release at the link. – Texas Motor Speedway – (8/23/2018)

Gateway spotter guide – The spotter guide for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (8/23/2018)

Gateway entry list – The entry list for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (8/23/2018)

Miller’s Mailbag 8/22/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (8/22/2018)

Trackside podcast 8/21/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 8/21/18 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (8/22/2018)

SPM announces Hinch will race in No. 5 Gateway, No. 6 car not entered – “James Hinchcliffe, driver of the No. 5 Arrow Electronics Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda, who has been cleared to drive following an accident at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 19, will compete in the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park this weekend. The No. 6 Lucas Oil SPM Honda will not be entered for the event.” Full release at the link. – SPM – (8/21/2018)

Chaves back in Harding No. 88 at Gateway – “Harding Racing is excited to announce that Gabby Chaves will return to the #88 for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 weekend at Gateway Motorsports Park. The Colombian-American will race 248 laps along the 1.25-mile oval for 500 kilometers.” Full release at the link. – Harding Racing – (8/21/2018)

Juncos adds Choi for Portland Lights weekend – “Juncos Racing announced today that Heamin Choi would join the team for the Indy Lights Championship Presented by Cooper Tires 2018 season finale at Portland International Raceway. Choi will team up with current Juncos Racing driver Victor Franzoni. Heamin Choi (Busan, Korea) made his first appearance with Juncos Racing at the 2017 Mazda Road to Indy Chris Griffis Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Choi previously competed in the 2015 Indy Lights Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Choi will pilot the No. 7 Juncos Racing car on the 1.97 mile, 12-Turn road course located in Portland, Oregon.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Racing – (8/21/2018)

Wickens update from INDYCAR 8/21/18 9:26AM – From INDYCAR: “Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens underwent surgery Monday, Aug. 20 at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest to stabilize a thoracic spinal fracture associated with a spinal cord injury sustained during the INDYCAR event at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 19. Titanium rods and screws were placed successfully in Wickens’ spine during the surgery, which was performed without complication. The severity of the spinal cord injury is indeterminate at this time. Wickens is expected to undergo further surgeries to treat fractures in his lower extremities and right forearm. He remains in stable condition. Further updates will be provided when available” – INDYCAR – (8/21/2018)

Iowa Corn “completes” sponsorship of INDYCAR event at Iowa Speedway – “Iowa Corn announced today they will not renew their title sponsorship of the Verizon IndyCar Series Iowa Corn 300 race at Iowa Speedway beginning in 2019 to focus on new corn demand opportunities. The partnership between Iowa Corn, INDYCAR and Iowa Speedway began at the first race in 2007 and was the second-longest entitlement sponsorship in INDYCAR racing. The alliance allowed for a wide array of topics to be addressed on a local, national and international stage through INDYCAR racing events at Iowa Speedway.” Full release at the link. – Iowa Corn – (8/21/2018)

Lights entry list for Gateway – The entry list for the Mazda St. Louis Indy Lights Oval Challenge Presented by Cooper Tires at Gateway Motorsports Park is available at the link. – Indy Lights – (8/21/2018)

Wickens update from INDYCAR 8/20/18 5:57PM – From INDYCAR: “Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens continues to be treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest following injuries sustained in the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 19. An MRI was instrumental in revealing the most appropriate surgical course and Wickens is undergoing surgery Monday evening for a spinal injury. Wickens was involved in an incident on Lap 7 of the race when his car made contact with the car of Ryan Hunter-Reay and went airborne into the catch fence at the exit of Turn 2 on Pocono Raceway’s three-turn oval. Wickens was treated at the scene and at the track’s infield medical center by the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team and the INDYCAR Medical staff before he was transported by helicopter to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest and admitted on Sunday.” – INDYCAR – (8/21/2018)

Team Penske drivers confirmed to be back for ’19 – RACER’s Robin Miller reports Team Penske’s full-time trio of Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, and Will Power will be back with the team in 2019. “Yes, everything is set and everyone is coming back,” owner Roger Penske told RACER. “It’s a good group.” Full story at the link. – RACER – (8/20/2018)

Wickens update from INDYCAR 8/19/18 10:40PM – From INDYCAR at 10:40PM on 8/19/18: “Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Robert Wickens is being treated for injuries to his lower extremities, right arm and spine following an incident in the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. He also sustained a pulmonary contusion. He will undergo an MRI and probable surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. Further updates on his condition will be provided when available.” – INDYCAR – (8/20/2018)

Rossi dominates to win ABC Supply 500 at Pocono – Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi led 180 of 200 laps to win the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. The rest of the Top 5 was Power, Dixon, Bourdais, and Newgarden. The race was delayed under red flag for almost two hours after a huge incident initiated by contact between Hunter-Reay and Wickens. Wickens was airlifted from the track in “awake and alert” condition according to INDYCAR. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/19/2018)

Power takes pole at Pocono – Team Penske’s two-time defending ABC Supply 500 winner Will Power won the pole at Pocono Raceway with a two-lap average at 219.511mph. The rest of the Top 5 was Newgarden, Rossi, Hunter-Reay, and Pagenaud. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/18/2018)

Coyne adds car for Ferrucci at Portland and Sonoma – “After a promising Verizon IndyCar Series debut with Dale Coyne Racing earlier this season at the doubleheader weekend in Detroit, American Santino Ferrucci will be returning to the team behind the wheel of the #39 Cly-Del Manufacturing car for the final two rounds of the season at Portland and Sonoma. Ferrucci will be racing alongside teammates Pietro Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais in a third DCR entry sponsored by The Cly-Del Manufacturing Company.” See the livery on our No. 39 livery page here. Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (8/17/2018)

Toyota ends title sponsorship at Grand Prix of Long Beach – The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports Toyota has ended its title sponsorship of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. “We have had a phenomenal relationship with Toyota for 44 years, a record in the racing world,” said Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, in a statement. “In recent discussions, however, Toyota has elected not to renew as the title sponsor.” Full story at the link. – Long Beach Press-Telegram – (8/17/2018)

Andretti Autosport announces US Concrete partnership extension – “The familiar red, grey and white colors of U.S. Concrete will paint the racing machine of Marco Andretti for the future of IndyCar Series competition as the ready-mixed concrete company will serve as lead primary sponsor of the third-generation driver through a multi-year agreement. The partnership will see the Dallas-based company ride on the No. 98 car for seven races each season, including the Indianapolis 500.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (8/17/2018)

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