INDYCAR News for the Month of July 2021
Arrow McLaren SP unveils new liveries for Nos. 5 & 7 at Nashville – “Arrow McLaren SP and Vuse are unveiling the design that won the Vuse Design Challenge and will be featured on both the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet and the No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet at the upcoming inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, Tennessee. Longtime fan of Arrow McLaren SP, Jack LaPilusa of Astoria, New York, submitted the winning entry to the Vuse Design Challenge, drawing his design inspiration from World War I dazzle camouflage for his unique livery.” Full release at the link. – Arrow McLaren SP – (7/29/2021)
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The Dale Jr. Download – Josef Newgarden – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden is this week’s guest on The Dale Jr. Download and it’s a fantastic and revealing interview. A must listen for sure. – Dirty Mo Media – (7/29/2021)
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Herta leads Gateway test – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher-Lopez reports Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta was fastest in an 11 car private NTT INDYCAR SERIES test at World Wide Technology Raceway on Tuesday. Romain Grosjean made his oval testing debut in advance of racing in at the circuit next month. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (7/28/2021)
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Trackside podcast 7/27/21 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/27/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/28/2021)
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RLL tests Askew and Lundgaard at Barber – RACER’s Chris Medland reports Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing tested both Oliver Askew and Danish driver Christian Lundgaard at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday. Full story at the link. – RACER – (7/27/2021)
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Karam to make NASCAR debut in August Xfinity IMS race – “Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) has announced that 26-year-old Sage Karam will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut driving the No.31 Chevrolet Camaro SS in the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard on August 14.” Full release at the link. – Jordan Anderson Racing – (7/26/2021)
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MSR announces Helio full-time in No. 06 and new driver for No. 60 for ’22 – “Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) announced that Helio Castroneves will return for a full NTT INDYCAR series season in 2022 and will attempt to be the first five-time Indianapolis 500 winner in the sport’s history as he is set to pilot the No. 06 AutoNation/ SiriusXM Honda…MSR also announced that the No. 60 AutoNation/ SiriusXM Honda, which has been driven by Jack Harvey for the past few seasons, has been renewed for 2 years, with a new pilot. The team is excited to continue its relationship with long-time sponsors AutoNation and SiriusXM, and welcome a dynamic new driver, who will be announced soon.” Full release at the link. – Meyer Shank Racing – (7/22/2021)
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Newgarden fastest at Laguna Seca test – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden was fastest in a 10 car private NTT INDYCAR SERIES test at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Tuesday. Full story at the link. – RACER – (7/21/2021)
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Trackside podcast 7/20/21 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/20/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/21/2021)
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INDYCAR and NBC Sports announce multi-year media rights extension – “INDYCAR and NBC Sports today announced a multiyear extension of their media rights agreement. NBC Sports will continue to be the exclusive home of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge – “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – and will provide coverage of all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, qualifying, practices and Indy Lights races across its linear, digital and streaming platforms, including Peacock. Financial terms were not disclosed. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will see a significant increase in network exposure in 2022, with 13 races broadcast on NBC. USA Network and Peacock Premium will show the remaining races. Telemundo Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage of the season-opening race, the Indianapolis 500 and the season finale. Peacock will stream all races on NBC and USA Network and will continue as the streaming home of NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying and practices sessions, Indy Lights races and full-event replays. Peacock will stream two races exclusively, which will be announced at a later date.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/20/2021)
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Ferrucci back in RLL No. 45 at Nashville – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Santino Ferrucci will return to the team to compete in the No. 45 Hy-Vee entry at the inaugural Music City Grand Prix of Nashville, August 6-8. Hy-Vee, Inc. – an employee-owned supermarket chain that operates more than 280 retail stores across eight Midwestern states – is the primary sponsor of Graham Rahal’s entry for two races this season as well as a full season associate and was the primary sponsor of Ferrucci’s car at the Indy 500, doubleheader races in Detroit and the Mid-Ohio event.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (7/19/2021)
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Report: INDYCAR and NBC expected to announce partnership extension soon – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports INDYCAR and NBC are set to announce a multi-year extension of their exclusive television deal in the imminent future. Full story at the link. – RACER – (7/19/2021)
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INDYCAR announces console and PC video game expected to launch in ’23 – “INDYCAR has formed a new, official partnership with leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) to create and distribute INDYCAR video games, with a debut title expected to launch in 2023 on Xbox and PlayStation consoles and PC. In addition to the new game, an NTT INDYCAR SERIES esports competition featuring potential driver participation and collaborations could begin as early as this year. Details will be announced at a later date.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/15/2021)
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Trackside podcast 7/14/21 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/14/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/15/2021)
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Halo to be utilized throughout Road to Indy in ’22 – “Leading race car manufacturer Tatuus in conjunction with Andersen Promotions designed the original USF-17 as a base car to help control operational costs for teams who wish to move up to Indy Pro 2000. The current PM-18 features more sophisticated aerodynamics, larger Motegi Racing forged Technomesh monoblock alloy wheels with Cooper tires and more horsepower (250 HP versus 175 HP) via a 2.0-liter powerplant prepared by Elite Engines over the USF-17. The 2022 upgrades include a new, wider monocoque with the addition of a Halo as well as new sidepods, underfloor, engine cover, air ducts, damper covers and fuel cell.” Full release at the link. – Indy Pro 2000 – (7/14/2021)
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Top Gun Racing to race in Big Machine Spiked Coolers GP – “Top Gun Racing will compete in the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix on the 2.439-mile road course at IMS on August 14th.” Full release at the link. – Top Gun Racing – (7/12/2021)
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NBC Sports promoting its most watched NTT INDYCAR SERIES season thus far – “NBC Sports is off to its most-watched NTT INDYCAR Series season ever in 2021 – delivering its most-watched races ever on NBC and numerous viewership milestones on NBCSN. Through nine races (6 NBC, 3 NBCSN), the 2021 NTT INDYCAR Series has produced a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 1.582 million viewers, marking NBC Sports’ most-watched start to an INDYCAR season ever, and up 30% vs. last year’s comparable coverage (1.213 million).” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports – (7/8/2021)
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The Open Wheel’s Mid-Ohio livery feature – The Open Wheel’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES livery feature featuring pictures of all the cars at the 2021 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/7/2021)
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Trackside podcast 7/6/21 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/6/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/7/2021)
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INDYCAR announces extension with Road America – “Alex Palou INDYCAR and Road America announced today a new, multiyear extension designed to keep the NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing at the legendary 4.014-mile permanent road course for years to come. The series began racing at the picturesque layout in 1982. After a brief hiatus, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returned in 2016 to packed grandstands and campgrounds. This year marked the sixth consecutive year Road America has hosted North America’s premier open-wheel series since the series’ return.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/6/2021)
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The Open Wheel’s Mid-Ohio Lights livery feature – The Open Wheel’s livery feature from the 2021 Indy Lights weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/6/2021)
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The Open Wheel’s Mid-Ohio photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery from the 2021 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/4/2021)
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Newgarden finally wins in ’21 at Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden finally won his first race of 2021 in dominant fashion in victory from pole at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It’s also the first victory for Team Penske this season. The full Top 5 was Newgarden, Ericsson, Palou, Dixon, and Rossi. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/4/2021)
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Kirkwood sweeps Lights Mid-Ohio weekend with Race 2 victory – Andretti Autosport’s Kyle Kirkwood took over the lead on Lap 2 and went on to dominate again to sweep the Indy Lights race weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for victory in Race 2. The full Top 5 was Kirkwood, Frost, Malukas, Lundqvist, and DeFrancesco. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/4/2021)
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Kirkwood wins from pole in Lights Race 1 at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Kyle Kirkwood dominated Indy Lights Race 1 to win from pole at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The full Top 5 was Kirkwood, Frost, Malukas, Lundqvist, and DeFrancesco. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/3/2021)
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Dixon fastest in final practice at Mid-Ohio – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon’s lap of 1:08.0256 led Final Practice for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The full Top 5 was Dixon, Herta, Grosjean, Chilton, and Hinchcliffe. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/3/2021)
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Newgarden on pole for Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden’s Firestone Fast 6 lap of 1:06.6739 earned him the pole for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The full Firestone Fast 6 was Newgarden, Herta, Ericsson, Power, Dixon, and Rossi. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/3/2021)
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Frost takes Lights Race 2 pole at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Danial Frost’s lap of 1:11.2465 earned the pole for Indy Lights Race 2 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The full Top 5 was Frost, Kirkwood, Lundqvist, Malukas, and DeFrancesco. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/3/2021)
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O’Ward quickest in Practice 2 at Mid-Ohio – Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward’s lap of 1:06.0911 led Practice 2 for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The full Top 5 was O’Ward, Newgarden, Herta, Rahal, and Hunter-Reay. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/3/2021)
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Calderon to test with Foyt at Mid-Ohio next week – “Tatiana Calderón will get her first taste of the world-famous NTT IndyCar Series when she joins the legendary AJ Foyt Racing team for a one-day test at Mid-Ohio next week. All made possible by the ROKiT Connection. Our Colombian driver will pilot the ROKiT-liveried No.14 Dallara-Chevrolet on Tuesday July 6, after spending the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio race weekend (July 3-4) embedded within the AJ Foyt Racing team to learn and prepare herself for her test outing.” Full release at the link. – AJ Foyt Racing – (7/3/2021)
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Kirkwood earns Lights Race 1 pole at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Kyle Kirkwood earned the pole for Indy Lights Race 1 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a qualifying lap of 1:11.6747. The full Top 5 was Kirkwood, Malukas, Frost, Lundqvist, and DeFrancesco. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/2/2021)
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Newgarden leads Practice 1 at Mid-Ohio – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden’s lap of 1:07.2524 led Practice 1 for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The full Top 5 was Newgarden, O’Ward, Harvey, Rossi, and Rahal. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/2/2021)
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Kirkwood tops Lights practice at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Kyle Kirkwood topped the charts in the only Indy Lights practice session of the weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a lap of 1:12.3606. The full Top 5 was Kirkwood, DeFrancesco, Frost, Malukas, and Megennis. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/2/2021)
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The Open Wheel’s Mid-Ohio preview – The Open Wheel’s preview of the 2021 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/1/2021)
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Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio entry list – The official INDYCAR entry list for the 2021 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/30/2021)
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VeeKay cleared for Mid-Ohio return – “Rinus VeeKay has been medically cleared to resume driving and will return to NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Following a cycling accident, VeeKay underwent successful outpatient surgery on June 15 to repair a fractured left clavicle. He was re-evaluated this afternoon and was given clearance to return to racing by Dr. Geoffrey Billows, INDYCAR’s director of medical services. VeeKay will be back in the No. 21 SONAX Chevrolet for this weekend’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.” Full release at the link. – Ed Carpenter Racing – (6/30/2021)
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de Alba Jr. to test Andretti Lights car at Mid-Ohio – “Andretti Autosport announced today that Salvador de Alba Jr. will get his first taste of the Road to Indy with an Indy Lights test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 7. Born out of the newly formed partnership between Michael Andretti and Michel Jourdain, in addition to fielding an entry in the Mexican Super Copa Championship, the Andretti Jourdain Autosport initiative has set out to further expand Andretti’s commitment to driver development. The Mid-Ohio test for de Alba Jr. reflects that commitment by fostering young Mexican racing talent working to reach the Road to Indy and eventually the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (6/30/2021)
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Trackside podcast 6/29/21 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 6/29/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (6/30/2021)
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AMSP confirms return of Rosenqvist for Mid-Ohio – From Arrow McLaren SP: “Felix Rosenqvist has been cleared to drive by the INDYCAR Medical Team and will return to pilot the No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet this weekend for the Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.” Full release at the link. – Arrow McLaren SP – (6/29/2021)
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Ferrucci back in RLL No. 45 at Mid-Ohio – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Santino Ferrucci will return to the team to compete in the No. 45 Hy-Vee entry at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, July 2-4. Hy-Vee, Inc. – an employee-owned supermarket chain that operates more than 280 retail stores across eight Midwestern states – is the primary sponsor of Graham Rahal’s entry for two races this season as well as a full season associate and was the primary sponsor of Ferrucci’s car at the Indy 500 and doubleheader races in Detroit.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (6/28/2021)
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Report: Driver changes likely at Andretti for ’22 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has an excellent report with quotes from Michael Andretti on Andretti Autosport expecting changes to their driver lineup for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Only Herta and Rossi are under contract beyond this season. Full story at the link. – RACER – (6/28/2021)
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Norman to drive DCR w/RWR No. 52 at Mid-Ohio – “Indy Lights Series graduate and Cleveland, Ohio native, Ryan Norman will be making his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut next weekend at the Honda Indy 200 aboard the No. 52 Koinu Inu / EVO entry of Dale Coyne Racing with RWR at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Norman, who will be representing partners Koinu Inu, EVO and Three Chord Bourbon on his No. 52 Honda, had the opportunity earlier this week to test with the team at his home track alongside Romain Grosjean ahead of his first official appearance as an NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver next week.” Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (6/24/2021)
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INDYCAR confirms cancelled Toronto event will not be replaced – “Last month, due to restrictions in Ontario focusing on COVID-19 health-and-safety measures, organizers of the Honda Indy Toronto and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES announced the cancellation of this year’s event. In a decision based on the strength of the remainder of the 2021 schedule, INDYCAR will not replace that event on this year’s calendar.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/22/2021)
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