INDYCAR News for the Month of September 2020
INDYCAR to contest doubleheader at Texas to open May ’21 – Texas Motor Speedway announced the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will have a doubleheader race weekend on May 1 & 2, 2021. – Texas Motor Speedway – (9/30/2020)
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IMS to host full NASCAR/INDYCAR road course doubleheader in August ’21 – “The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take on a new challenge at The Racing Capital of the World in 2021, competing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time Sunday, Aug. 15. The revamped Brickyard Weekend also will feature a brand-new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race Saturday, Aug. 14 on the road course, setting the stage for another history-making NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend after this year’s successful collaboration at IMS…The INDYCAR race on the 2021 August weekend will be the third NTT INDYCAR SERIES event of the season at IMS, following the GMR Grand Prix on the road course and the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on the oval.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (9/30/2020)
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INDYCAR Harvest GP Race 2 spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for Race 2 of the INDYCAR Harvest GP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/30/2020)
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INDYCAR Harvest GP Race 1 spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for Race 1 of the INDYCAR Harvest GP at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/30/2020)
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Report: Major changes ahead for ’21 INDYCAR calendar – RACER’s Robin Miller has posted a detailed piece on the anticipated changes on the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. Check it out at the link. – RACER – (9/30/2020)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/30/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/30/2020)
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Trackside podcast 9/29/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/29/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/30/2020)
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Hinch in Andretti No. 26 for remainder of ’20 – “James Hinchcliffe has been confirmed as the driver of the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda with Andretti Autosport for the remaining three events on the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. This comes following an announcement Wednesday confirming that Zach Veach would not return to the 26 car for the remaining events.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (9/25/2020)
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Askew out for Harvest GP with Helio as replacement due to medical issue – “Arrow McLaren SP driver Oliver Askew will withdraw from the INDYCAR Harvest Grand Prix, after being declared not fit to drive by the INDYCAR Medical Team. Following the INDYCAR race at Mid-Ohio, Oliver reported a balance and coordination issue, which triggered an examination from the INDYCAR Medical Team. As a result, Oliver is not medically cleared to race and is subject to INDYCAR’s Return to Racing Protocol…Askew will be replaced in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet by Helio Castroneves for the upcoming doubleheader Harvest GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.” Full release at the link. – Arrow McLaren SP – (9/24/2020)
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Andretti announces Veach out of No. 26 for remainder of ’20 and not renewed for ’21 – “Andretti Autosport has confirmed today that Zach Veach will relinquish his role as driver of the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda for the remainder of the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. A replacement driver for the No. 26 will be named in the coming days.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (9/23/2020)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/23/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/23/2020)
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Trackside podcast 9/22/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/22/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/23/2020)
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DRR enters Karam in No. 24 for Harvest GP – “Dreyer & Reinbold Racing today announced its entry for the Oct. 2-3 INDYCAR Harvest GP doubleheader weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in rounds 12-13 of the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES with new partner, Oil2Soil®, on the No. 24 DRR Chevrolet for driver Sage Karam.” Full release at the link. – DRR – (9/22/2020)
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IMS to welcome fans for Harvest GP – “For the first time in 2020, Indianapolis Motor Speedway will welcome fans to the Racing Capital of the World for the INDYCAR Harvest GP presented by GMR weekend. Up to 10,000 spectators can be in the grandstands each day of racing action Oct. 1-4, per approval from the Marion County Public Health Department. Tickets are available now via IMS.com and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The massive facility, which holds more than 300,000 people, will provide two spectator zones with up to 5,000 fans in each. The zones will be located in Turns 1 and 4 of the oval, offering strong sightlines of the road course. Strict health and safety rules will be in place.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (9/18/2020)
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McLaughlin to make INDYCAR debut in finale at St. Pete – “Team Penske announced today that Scott McLaughlin, the current Virgin Australia Supercars Championship points leader, is scheduled to make his long-awaited NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut in the series’ 2020 season finale on the Streets of St. Petersburg on Sunday, October 25.” Full release at the link. – Team Penske – (9/18/2020)
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2021 Music City Grand Prix in Nashville officially announced – The new 2021 Music City Grand Prix in downtown Nashville, TN was officially announced on Wednesday for August 6-8, 2021. “To make this race even more spectacular, this course is designed to challenge the drivers and excite the fans. This temporary track, or street circuit, takes racers by Nissan Stadium (home of the NFL Tennessee Titans) and over the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge into downtown Nashville.” Check out the event website at the link. – Music City Grand Prix – (9/16/2020)
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Report: ’21 INDYCAR race in downtown Nashville to be announced Wednesday – RACER’s Robin Miller reports organizers of the long-rumored downtown Nashville INDYCAR event are set to formally announce an event for 2021 on Wednesday. Full story at the link. – RACER – (9/16/2020)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/16/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/16/2020)
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Trackside podcast 9/15/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/15/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/16/2020)
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Foyt announces Bourdais to drive No. 14 at Harvest GP & full-time in ’21 – “Four-time champion Sebastien Bourdais has been hired as the sole driver of A.J. Foyt’s No. 14 Indy car in 2021…Originally scheduled to drive for Foyt in the first three races of 2020, Bourdais will now drive in the final three races of the season, beginning with the Harvest Grand Prix doubleheader on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oct. 2-3…Dalton Kellett was originally scheduled to compete in the Harvest Grand Prix driving the No. 14 but he will now move to the No. 41 K-Line Insulators Chevrolet.” Full release at the link. – AJ Foyt Racing – (9/15/2020)
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Herta controls Mid-Ohio Race 2 to win from pole – Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport’s Colton Herta dominated to win from pole in Race 2 of Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The Top 5 was Herta, Rossi, Hunter-Reay, Rahal, and Ericsson. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/13/2020)
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Herta takes Race 2 pole at wet and wild Mid-Ohio – Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport’s Colton Herta earned the pole for Race 2 of Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at a wet Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a lap of 1:26.2788. The full Top 6 was Herta, Ferrucci, Dixon, Palou, Rosenqvist, and Pagenaud. Full qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (9/13/2020)
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Power dominant in Mid-Ohio Race 1 win from pole – Team Penske’s Will Power won from pole in Race 1 of Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in dominant fashion. The Top 5 was Power, Newgarden, Dixon, Rahal, and Hunter-Reay. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/12/2020)
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Power earns Race 1 pole at Mid-Ohio – Team Penske’s Will Power earned the pole for Race 1 of Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a lap of 1:06.3343. The full Top 6 was Power, Hunter-Reay, Newgarden, Daly, Harvey, and Rossi. Full qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (9/12/2020)
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Hunter-Reay tops practice at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay was fastest in the sole practice session of the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a lap of 1:06.3034. The full Top 5 was Hunter-Reay, Power, Rossi, Dixon, and Ferrucci. O’Ward crashed in the session. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/12/2020)
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The Open Wheel’s Mid-Ohio preview – The Open Wheel’s preview of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES 2020 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/11/2020)
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Mid-Ohio spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/10/2020)
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Ganassi announces Johnson partnership to “explore the possibility” of INDYCAR – “Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) today announced a partnership with 7-Time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Champion Jimmie Johnson that will see the 83-time NCS winner officially explore the possibility of racing a full road and street course calendar in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the 2021 and 2022 racing seasons. In late July, Johnson tested with CGR on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and fulfilled a childhood dream of driving an Indy car.” Full release at the link. – Chip Ganassi Racing – (9/9/2020)
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NBC releases television schedule for remainder of NTT INDYCAR SERIES season – “NBC Sports has announced the remainder of its telecast schedule for the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, featuring a doubleheader from Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend. Race 1 of the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio will be presented on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, while coverage of Race 2 will begin on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC. Coverage returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course for a doubleheader on Oct. 2-3, featuring Race 1 of the INDYCAR Harvest GP on Friday, Oct. 2, at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, followed by Race 2 on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The 2020 season concludes with the Championship race on Sunday, Oct. 25, with live coverage of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports – (9/9/2020)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/9/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/9/2020)
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Trackside podcast 9/8/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/8/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/9/2020)
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Mid-Ohio announces limited amount of additional tickets for sale this weekend – “After working with the Ohio Governor’s office and local health officials to confirm a reschedule date, INDYCAR and Green Savoree Racing Promotions have released the details and protocols for limited spectator attendance at The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course set for this weekend, September 11-13. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that a variance to the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Order has been granted for a total up to 6,000 spectators to attend. Currently purchased event tickets and Mid-Ohio Season Race Passes will be valid for entry. A very limited number of tickets remain for sale at midohio.com on a first come, first serve basis. No tickets will be available for purchase at the gate during the race weekend.” Full release at the link. – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – (9/8/2020)
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Mid-Ohio doubleheader confirmed for 9/12 & 9/13 – “The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will run at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course next weekend, with double-header races scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13. We look forward to an exciting weekend of racing action at an excellent venue. Green Savoree Racing Promotions will contact customers soon with guidance regarding event attendance. Saturday’s race will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. Sunday’s race will be broadcast on NBC beginning 1 p.m. ET.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/5/2020)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/2/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/2/2020)
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Trackside podcast 9/1/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/1/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/2/2020)
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Newgarden takes Gateway Race 2 win – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden took advantage of a quick final pit stop to hold off Pato O’Ward for the win in Race 2 of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway. The full Top 5 was Newgarden, O’Ward, Power, VeeKay, and Dixon. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/30/2020)
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Dixon holds off Sato for Gateway Race 1 win – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon held off a late charge by Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato to win Race 1 of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway. The full Top 5 was Dixon, Sato, O’Ward, Herta, and Ericsson. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/29/2020)
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Power and Sato take pole positions at Gateway – Team Penske’s Will Power (Race 1) and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato (Race 2) earned the pole positions in qualifying for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Full Race 1 qualifying results here. Full Race 2 qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (8/29/2020)
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O’Ward tops practice at Gateway – Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward topped the charts in the only NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice session of the weekend at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway with a lap at 181.532mph. The full Top 5 was O’Ward, Power, Dixon, Daly, and Sato. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (8/28/2020)
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Guaranteed Rate extends deal for No. 55 Dale Coyne Racing entry – “Guaranteed Rate, one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the United States, is returning as primary sponsor on the Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh car driven by Alex Palou this weekend. The #55 Guaranteed Rate Honda will be back in action at World Wide Technology Raceway for the Bommarito Automotive Group doubleheader weekend on August 29 and 30 for Rounds 8 and 9 of the 2020 season. Guaranteed Rate made its first appearance on Palou’s car at last weekend’s Indianapolis 500.” Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (8/28/2020)
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Franchitti to drive two-seater at Gateway – Dario Franchitti will drive the Honda two-seater at the front of the field at this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. – HPD – (8/28/2020)
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Furst to join INDYCAR as VP of Communications – Dave Furst is set to join INDYCAR as vice president of communications from Indianapolis’ WRTV-6. Full story at the link. – IndyStar – (8/28/2020)
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Report: INDYCAR’s Nashville discussions nearing final agreement – Adam Stern reports INDYCAR’s Thursday visit to discuss a future NTT INDYCAR SERIES event in Downtown Nashville went well. An INDYCAR statement said the following: “We collectively agreed to work toward finalizing an agreement to bring an urban racing festival to Nashville.” More at the link. – Adam Stern – (8/28/2020)
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