INDYCAR News for the Month of January 2022
INDYCAR stars shine at Rolex 24 – NTT INDYCAR STARS and teammates Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud were a part of the overall winning combination at the 2022 Rolex 24 at Daytona over the weekend with Meyer Shank Racing. Devlin DeFrancesco, Colton Herta, and Pato O’Ward were teammates for the LMP2 class winners DragonSpeed. Full story from INDYCAR at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/31/2022)
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Force Indy steps up to Indy Lights with Francis Jr. – “Force Indy has announced its entry for the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship with Ernie Francis Jr. driving the team’s No. 99 car. Haitian American Francis heads to Force Indy after three wins in his lone season in the Formula Regional Americas Championship and a second-place finish in the inaugural season of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), with a win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.” Full release at the link. – Force Indy – (1/27/2022)
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Tickets for Iowa Speedway on sale now – “Tickets for the turbocharged 2022 Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend, July 22-24, go on sale today and fans are encouraged to purchase early and be part of the exciting three-day weekend full of high-speed racing, live music and great food at Iowa Speedway. Fans can get tickets online at www.HyVeeINDYCARWeekend.com or by calling the event ticket office at 641-417-6007.” Full release at the link. – hyveeindycarweekend.com – (1/26/2022)
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’23 engine formula tests to begin in March – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports the first on-track tests of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES engine specifications are scheduled to take place in March. Full story at the link. – RACER – (1/26/2022)
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RACER Q&A 1/26/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/26/2022)
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Trackside podcast 1/25/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 1/25/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (1/26/2022)
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New Nurtec ODT livery unveiled for No. 51 – The Nurtec ODT primary livery for the Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing No. 51 entry to be driven by Takuma Sato has been unveiled. See the livery on our No. 51 livery page here. – @TeamNurtecODT – (1/25/2022)
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Sonsio named title sponsor of NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Road America – “Sonsio has signed on to be the title sponsor for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at Road America, and American Medical Response has agreed to return as the presenting sponsor. The race will be known as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Sonsio Grand Prix presented by AMR. The green flag will fly on the event at approximately 12 p.m. CST on June 12, 2022, and the event will be aired LIVE on NBC.” Full release at the link. – Road America – (1/24/2022)
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Vince Granatelli passes at 78 – “Vince Granatelli, who was a leading mechanic for two notable machines in Indianapolis 500 history and later became a race-winning team owner, died Jan. 22. He was 78. Granatelli was a member of the famous racing family that made its name through “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” including his father, Andy, the flamboyant owner of the car that Mario Andretti drove to victory in the 1969 Indianapolis 500. Vince Granatelli first turned wrenches at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1961 as a mechanic on the Novi-powered machines his father brought to the “500” that year. The unique engine growl of the Novi captivated fans for more than two decades.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (1/24/2022)
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RACER Q&A 1/19/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/19/2022)
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Trackside podcast 1/18/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 1/18/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (1/18/2022)
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American Legion to back Kanaan’s Indy 500 effort with Ganassi – “Tony Kanaan has one last battle within him, one more battle to fight, one last mission to accomplish. That is why he is reenlisting for one more tour of duty with The American Legion and Chip Ganassi Racing for the 106th Indianapolis 500. TK is back at the Indy 500 for one last time and he will once again be driving a Honda sponsored by The American Legion. The announcement was made by the team Monday morning at INDYCAR’s “Content Days” at the JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis.” Full release at the link. – American Legion – (1/18/2022)
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Foyt adds No. 11 for road and street courses with ROKiT and Calderon – “ROKiT Group is expanding their marketing partnership with AJ Foyt Racing for 2022 as the team will enter two ROKiT-branded Chevrolets in the NTT INDYCAR Series with Tatiana Calderón hired to drive the No. 11 ROKiT Chevrolet…The 28-year-old Colombian native is set to drive the street and road courses. No driver has been signed for the oval tracks to date.” Full release at the link. – AJ Foyt Racing – (1/17/2022)
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ECR announces Daly for full season in No. 20 – “Ed Carpenter Racing announced today a new partnership with BitNile Holdings, Inc. to serve as primary partner for the No. 20 Chevrolet in a multi-year deal. ECR welcomes back Conor Daly, who will become full-time driver of the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. BitNile will also serve as an associate sponsor on ECR’s second entry, the No. 21 Chevrolet…Carpenter, a three-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner, will join Daly and VeeKay to round out ECR’s three-car program for the 2022 500-mile race. Confirmation of Carpenter’s participation in the three additional oval events may come at a later date.” Full release at the link. – Ed Carpenter Racing – (1/14/2022)
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DeFrancesco unveils his No. 29 PowerTap livery for ’22 – “The No. 29 Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport machine that rookie Devlin DeFrancesco will pilot this year in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES was revealed today in Indianapolis. The No. 29 entry will be backed by hydrogen production and dispensing fueling infrastructure innovators, PowerTap Hydrogen – supporters of DeFrancesco and Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport over the past years on the “Road to Indy” ladder.” Full release at the link. – Devlin DeFrancesco – (1/13/2022)
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PeopleReady and INDYCAR announce $1 million challenge – “The driver and race team seeing the checkered flag first on all three types of circuits in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES can win $1 million in the 2022 season for themselves and a charity through the new PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge. The PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge is part of a new partnership between industrial staffing giant PeopleReady and INDYCAR. The first driver who wins at least once this season on the three types of tracks that comprise the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule – road course, street circuit and oval – will share $500,000 with their team and donate $500,000 to that driver and team’s chosen charity.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/13/2022)
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DeFrancesco unveils his No. 29 PowerTap livery for ’22 – “The No. 29 Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport machine that rookie Devlin DeFrancesco will pilot this year in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES was revealed today in Indianapolis. The No. 29 entry will be backed by hydrogen production and dispensing fueling infrastructure innovators, PowerTap Hydrogren – supporters of DeFrancesco and Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport over the past years on the “Road to Indy” ladder.” Full release at the link. – Devlin DeFrancesco – (1/13/2022)
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RACER Q&A 1/12/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/12/2022)
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Trackside podcast 1/11/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 1/11/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (1/12/2022)
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’22 Indy Lights schedule release – “INDYCAR is launching a new era of operational control of Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires with the announcement of a 14-race schedule for 2022. The schedule features events in 11 key markets and three doubleheader weekends, including a return to Iowa Speedway and the series’ debut on the Streets of Nashville. In November 2021, INDYCAR added the role of promoter to its position of sanctioning body of Indy Lights. All 14 races, qualifying sessions and practices will happen within 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES weekends, providing an inclusive atmosphere for the developmental series that serves as the final step toward competing in North America’s premier open-wheel series.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/11/2022)
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AMSP announces Montoya in No. 6 for both May IMS races – “Juan Pablo Montoya, Arrow McLaren SP and Mission Foods will team up for a second consecutive year, with the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion competing in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet for both the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Montoya will again join full-time Arrow McLaren SP drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist to complete the team’s lineup for the Month of May.” Full release at the link. – Arrow McLaren SP – (1/11/2022)
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Roe added to TJ Speed Lights lineup – “With the start of the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires opener just around the corner, TJ Speed has solidified their second driver. Inking a deal with Irishman James Roe, the recent Indy Pro 2000 race winner will join Kyffin Simpson in a two-car effort under the TJ Speed banner.” Full release at the link. – TJ Speed – (1/11/2022)
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INDYCAR announces ’22 TV start times – “NBC Sports and INDYCAR have announced the broadcast start times for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, which will feature a record 14 races on broadcast network NBC, headlined by the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 29 at iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with coverage on NBC beginning at 11 a.m. (ET).” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/10/2022)
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Andretti announces Brabham for No. 83 Lights entry – “Indy Lights veteran Matthew Brabham will return to the Road to Indy ladder system in 2022 with Andretti Autosport as he steps into the No. 83 Indy Lights machine. Brabham and Andretti Autosport have a storied history together competing in both the Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires and Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championships.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (1/10/2022)
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RLL announces expansion of PeopleReady sponsorship – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that industrial staffing giant PeopleReady has returned to the team as primary sponsor of rookie of the year candidate Christian Lundgaard’s entry for the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29, 2022. PeopleReady, who first joined the team in 2020, has also expanded their partnership to include primary sponsorship of Lundgaard’s No. 30 Honda-powered entry at the XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway on March 20 and the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 11.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (1/10/2022)
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Dixon, Ericsson, and Palou all confirmed for CGR Rolex 24 driver lineup – Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed their two-car IMSA Rolex 24 lineup on Friday and three of their NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will be a part of the program in Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson, and Alex Palou. Full lineup at the link. – Chip Ganassi Racing – (1/7/2022)
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Long Beach GP extended through ’28 – Local authorities have approved the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach through 2028. Full story at the link. – Long Beach Press-Telegram – (1/5/2022)
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RACER Q&A 1/5/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/5/2022)
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AMSP announces addition of Ward to their INDYCAR team – Arrow McLaren SP has announced the addition of former Team Penske race engineer Gavin Ward to their NTT INDYCAR SERIES team. – Arrow McLaren SP – (1/4/2022)
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Kalkhoven passes away at 77 – “Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Kevin Kalkhoven, who also played a major role in the reunification of North American open-wheel racing among other racing-related ventures, died Jan. 4. He was 77. Kalkhoven was co-owner, with CART champion Jimmy Vasser, of the No. 11 Hydroxycut KV Racing Technology-SH Racing Chevrolet that Tony Kanaan drove to an emotional victory in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.” Full release from INDYCAR at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/4/2022)
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MSR adds Pagenaud to Rolex 24 lineup – “Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) will make its 19th entry in the coveted Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona at the end of the month, and the Ohio-based team is coming in with a strong stable of talent for the 60th running of the annual event. MSR’s INDYCAR driver Simon Pagenaud will complete the Rolex 24 lineup as he joins full-season IMSA drivers Oliver Jarvis and Tom Blomqvist, along with MSR IMSA endurance driver and full-time INDYCAR driver Helio Castroneves.” Full release at the link. – Meyer Shank Racing – (1/3/2022)
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RACER Q&A 12/29/2021 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (12/29/2021)
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INDYCAR announces Dallara partnership extension – “INDYCAR has announced a multiyear extension with chassis manufacturer Dallara, continuing a relationship with one of the longest-running partners in the series. The contract runs parallel to the current agreements with engine manufacturers Chevrolet and Honda, furthering an era of continuity for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (12/22/2021)
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