News for the Month of December 2018
Miller’s Mailbag 12/26/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (12/26/2018)
—
Juncos announces RVK as Lights driver for ’19 – “Juncos Racing announced today that the reigning Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires champion Rinus VeeKay would return to the team for the 2019 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship. VeeKay is the first driver named to the championship-winning Indy Lights team line-up. VeeKay, from Hoofddorp, Netherlands, will continue his run with Juncos Racing after a very successful season capturing the 2018 Indy Pro 2000 (formerly Pro Mazda) Championship, recording 10 podiums, six poles, and seven wins. By claiming the title, VeeKay was awarded a Mazda scholarship and will make his move up to the final step of the Road to Indy ladder joining the Indy Lights series.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Racing – (12/21/2018)
—
Trackside podcast 12/21/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 12/20/18 is a great listen as always. Alexander Rossi is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (12/21/2018)
—
McLaren unlikely to test before April open test – RACER’s Chris Medland reports McLaren is unlikely to test their revamped IndyCar program until the Indianapolis Motor Speedway open test in April. “I think we will be on the track for the first time in early April, and that’s when our testing will commence,” Zak Brown told RACER. “Then of course we’ll do the maximum allowed within the current regulations as far as the amount of testing both at Indianapolis and away from Indianapolis.” Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/21/2018)
—
NBC confirms Tracy is back for ’19 – Adam Stern has quotes from an NBC Sports Spokesperson confirming Paul Tracy will be back in the booth in 2019. Full quotes at the link. – Adam Stern – (12/21/2018)
—
INDYCAR and BorgWarner announce turbocharger partnership extension – “INDYCAR and BorgWarner Inc. have reached an agreement that will see the Michigan-based company continue as the official turbocharger supplier for the IndyCar Series through the 2020 season. It continues a relationship that has seen the BorgWarner name become synonymous with Indy car racing for more than eight decades since the Borg-Warner Trophy featuring the sterling silver sculpted likeness of every Indianapolis 500 winner was commissioned. BorgWarner has been the turbocharger supplier to INDYCAR since 2012, currently providing the Engineered for Racing (EFR) twin turbochargers used on every IndyCar Series car.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (12/19/2018)
—
Miller’s Mailbag 12/19/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (12/19/2018)
—
Kool & the Gang to open Carb Day concert – “Kool & the Gang, which has received countless awards for its chart-topping funk, R&B and pop hits, will open the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rock band Foreigner is headlining the show on one of the most exciting days in the Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, creating a legendary show featuring two of the biggest-selling groups in musical history. The concert starts at 3:30 p.m. on the Miller Lite Stage inside Turn 4 of the IMS oval.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (12/18/2018)
—
Cosworth working with manufacturers to add IndyCar program – Autosport’s Tom Errington reports Cosworth has been in talks with multiple manufacturers over the possibility of partnering to bring a new engine program to the IndyCar Series when a new formula comes in place in 2021. Full story at the link. – Autosport – (12/18/2018)
—
Frye to become President of INDYCAR as part of Hulman & Co. changes – “Jay Frye will become President of INDYCAR as part of Hulman & Company organizational changes announced today by Mark Miles, President and CEO of the parent company. Frye, who has led INDYCAR’s Competition and Operations departments since November 2015, will add Marketing and Communications to his responsibilities, effective Jan. 1. Miles will continue as CEO of INDYCAR.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (12/17/2018)
—
DragonSpeed announces five race deal for ’19 with Hanley – “The IndyCar Series is adding a new, part-time team for the 2019 season, one with a championship pedigree and an eye toward full-time INDYCAR participation in 2020. DragonSpeed announced today that it will compete in five races next season, including the 103rd Indianapolis 500, powered by Chevrolet engines and with driver Ben Hanley…DragonSpeed’s IndyCar Series schedule will include the races on the streets of St. Petersburg on March 10, at Barber Motorsports Park on April 7, the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, at Road America on June 23 and at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 28. Julian said the team will use the five-race schedule in 2019 to prepare for a full-season IndyCar Series entry in 2020.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (12/17/2018)
—
INDYCAR wins Dino Toso Award for ’18 aero kit – “The new Indy car that debuted in 2018 drew rave reviews from competitors and fans alike for its sleek looks and race-ability. Now, the universal aero kit is earning postseason accolades. Three men instrumental in the design and development of the aero kit used by all Verizon IndyCar Series entries this past season: Tino Belli, INDYCAR director of aerodynamics; Dialma Zinelli, Dallara’s chief aerodynamicist; and design consultant Chris Beatty were recently honored with the Dino Toso Award for their work on project. The award, given annually by Race Tech magazine at the World Motorsport Symposium, honors the aerodynamicist of the year and is named for the prize’s first winner, Dino Toso, the highly respected chief aerodynamicist for Renault F1.” Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (12/14/2018)
—
Update on Juncos’ ’19 IndyCar plans – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has posted an update on Juncos Racing’s plans for the 2019 IndyCar Series season at the link. – RACER – (12/13/2018)
—
Miller’s Mailbag 12/12/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (12/12/2018)
—
Trackside podcast 12/11/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 12/11/18 is a great listen as always. They’re on location at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum and are joined by their staff throughout the show. – 1070 The Fan – (12/12/2018)
—
Belardi announces ZCD as Lights driver for ’19 – “Verizon IndyCar Series and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires veteran Zachary Claman has signed with Belardi Auto Racing to contest the 2019 Indy Lights season. After spending the past year racing in the IndyCar series for Dale Coyne Racing, 20-year-old Claman returns to the Indy Lights category hungry to win.” Full story at the link. – Belardi Auto Racing – (12/11/2018)
—
IndyCar Series sticking with E85 through 2020 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett INDYCAR will continue using E85 in the IndyCar Series until the new engine formula planned for 2021. “We’re sticking with E85 ethanol,” IndyCar competition president Jay Frye told RACER. “There will be no changes considered until the new engine formula comes in 2021. And for 2021, it would just be the first time we take the opportunity to decide if we want to change to the type of fuel to something different than E85, or stay with it.” Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/10/2018)
—
Rossi added to Team Penske IMSA lineup for ’19 – “Acura Team Penske announced today that IndyCar Series championship contender and 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi will join the team for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance events at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Rossi, a five-time race winner in the IndyCar Series, will share the No. 7 Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype International (Dpi) with fulltime Acura Team Penske drivers Helio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor.” Full release at the link. – Team Penske – (12/8/2018)
—
Trackside podcast 12/6/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 12/6/18 is a great listen as always. Will Power, Patricio O’Ward, George Steinbrenner IV, and Doug Boles are guests on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (12/7/2018)
—
Harding Steinbrenner Racing announces Honda deal for ’19 – “Newly formed Harding Steinbrenner Racing is excited to announce a new partnership with Honda Performance Development for the 2019 INDYCAR season.” Full release at the link. – Harding Steinbrenner Racing – (12/6/2018)
—
Power’s likeness unveiled on Borg-Warner Trophy – Champion of the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Will Power’s likeness was unveiled on the Borg-Warner trophy on Wednesday night at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “It’s like the gift that keeps on giving,” Will Power said before the event Dec. 5 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. “You just keep getting reminded that you won the Indianapolis 500, and it always puts a smile on your face.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (12/6/2018)
—
VeeKay leads final day of Lights testing at Homestead – Juncos Racing’s Rinus VeeKay was fastest of the final day of Indy Lights testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Tuesday. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (12/5/2018)
—
Miller’s Mailbag 12/5/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (12/5/2018)
—
McLaren announces it will have Chevy power at ’19 Indy 500 – “McLaren Racing will contest the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 with Chevrolet power. McLaren IndyCar has today confirmed that it will partner with Chevrolet at the 2019 Indianapolis 500, the 103rd Running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, reuniting the two brands after 47 years.” Full release at the link. – McLaren – (12/4/2018)
—
Malukas fastest in Day 1 of Lights testing at Homestead – BN Racing’s David Malukas topped the charts in Day 1 of Indy Lights testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Monday. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (12/4/2018)
—
Foyt investigating Lights program – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports AJ Foyt Racing is considering making a return to Indy Lights. “So I feel like on the Indy Lights side it would be a great place for us to start training young mechanics, getting drivers in the system, coming up like other teams have done,” team president Larry Foyt told RACER. Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/3/2018)
—
Racing returns to the Milwaukee Mile – It’s not INDYCAR, but it’s fantastic to read that racing will continue once again at the Milwaukee Mile in 2019 with an ARCA Midwest Tour super late models event. Full story at the link. – SPEED SPORT – (12/3/2018)
—
ZCD to test Lights with Belardi – Zachary Claman De Melo will drive for Belardi Auto Racing in an Indy Lights test at Homestead-Miami Speedway next week. – Belardi Auto Racing – (11/29/2018)
—
Power’s likeness to be unveiled on Borg-Warner Trophy on 12/5 – “His eyes, intense and piercing, are the first thing people notice about Will Power. As the sculptor tasked with creating a likeness of Power’s face in miniature sterling silver, William Behrends was fascinated by those eyes…Behrends has finished putting Power’s facial likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy, which will be unveiled Dec. 5 in a ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. It’s Behrends’ 29th face on the famous Indianapolis 500 trophy, and already among his favorites.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (11/29/2018)
—
Miller’s Mailbag 11/28/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (11/28/2018)
—
Trackside podcast 11/27/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 11/27/18 is a great listen as always. Adam Stern is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (11/28/2018)
—
Speedway named official fuel and convenience store of INDYCAR and IMS – “Hulman & Company announced a multiyear agreement Tuesday with Speedway LLC, making the national convenience store chain the Official Fuel and Official Convenience Store of INDYCAR, the IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 beginning in 2019. Speedway LLC (Speedway) is the nation’s second largest company-owned and -operated convenience store chain with almost 4,000 retail convenience stores across the United States. Headquartered in Enon, Ohio, Speedway is a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) and has locations in 35 states. The IndyCar Series will conduct 11 races in those states in 2019.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (11/27/2018)
—
Johnson expresses interest in IndyCar road course races – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher reports Jimmie Johnson has expressed an interest in racing in an IndyCar Series race on a road course in the future. “I’m not overly excited about those fast ovals, but I think with my status and relationships I could put together some road course races in IndyCar” Johnson told assembled media during his ride swap with Fernando Alonso at Bahrain International Circuit. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (11/26/2018)
—