INDYCAR News for the Month of September 2022
Juncos announces return to Lights in ’23 – “Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) announced today the team will return to the Indy Lights championship with two full time cars for the 2023 season. After 14 years, the Road to Indy championship winning team will close the doors to its highly successful Indy Pro 2000 Championship team to focus on the development of the Indy Lights program.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Hollinger Racing – (9/29/2022)
—
Frost returns to HMD Lights program for ’23 – “Returning to the Indy Lights Championship, Danial Frost will compete in 2023 with HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing for a second consecutive season. Coming off a season that featured his first career Indy Lights victory, the Den-Jet sponsored driver is ready to continue what was started with the team as he competes for the Indy Lights Championship.” Full release at the link. – HMD Motorsports – (9/29/2022)
—
Daly to make NASCAR Cup debut next weekend at Charlotte roval – Ed Carpenter Racing’s Conor Daly will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at next weekend’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 on the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course. Daly will drive the The Money Team Racing No. 50 Chevrolet. – The Money Team Racing – (9/29/2022)
—
Foyt announces deal for Petersen to drive in ’23 – “AJ Foyt Racing Team President Larry Foyt has hired Benjamin Pedersen, the 23-year-old Indy Lights veteran, to drive one of the team’s Chevrolet-powered Indy cars in the 2023 NTT INDYCAR Series. The agreement spans multiple seasons as the team plans to develop the young rookie and is aligned to a longer-term plan for AJ Foyt Racing.” Full release at the link. – AJ Foyt Racing – (9/28/2022)
—
RACER Q&A 9/28/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/28/2022)
—
Trackside podcast 9/27/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/27/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/28/2022)
—
INDYCAR releases ’23 schedule – “INDYCAR has announced a 17-race schedule for the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES as the sport’s brash and bold athletes will be showcased with traditional weekend dates, 13 races on NBC and an exciting, late-summer swing leading to another climactic ending to the 2023 championship.” View the release and full schedule at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/27/2022)
—
Johnson will not be full-time in INDYCAR in ’23 – Jimmie Johnson has announced he will not be a full-time participant in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2023. View Jimmie’s social media announcement at the link. – Jimmie Johnson – (9/26/2022)
—
HMD announces return of Bogle for Lights in ’23 – “Making the move to the HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing program for the 2022 season, Christian Bogle benefited from a multi-car program to help accelerate his learning curve. Closing the season with his best results to date in the Indy Lights program, the driver of the #7 Pelican Energy Consultants car is set for a return in 2023 with the championship-winning HMD Motorsports program.” Full release at the link. – HMD Motorsports – (9/23/2022)
—
RACER Q&A 9/21/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/21/2022)
—
Trackside podcast 9/20/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/20/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/21/2022)
—
Kiel steps down at AMSP – “Effective Tuesday, September 20, Taylor Kiel is stepping down as Arrow McLaren SP President after two seasons. As the team grows to three cars for the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, announcements on team management will be made in due course.” Full release at the link. – Arrow McLaren SP – (9/20/2022)
—
HMD adds Green to ’23 Lights lineup – “A veteran of the popular Road to Indy program, 19-year-old Josh Green is now set to make his next motorsports career move. Climbing the ladder for the second consecutive season, Green will pilot an HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing entry in the 2023 Indy Lights Championship. Joining the defending champions, Green will be part of a large contingent of drivers that will be ready to take on a new season of competition in a new team and a new series.” Full release at the link. – HMD Motorsports – (9/15/2022)
—
INDYCAR/NASCAR Truck doubleheader at Texas scheduled for 4/1 & 4/2 in ’23 – “Texas Motor Speedway will again host the very best in motorsports competition in 2023, highlighted by the NASCAR Playoffs weekend in September and an NTT INDYCAR SERIES / NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series doubleheader weekend in April. The 2023 schedule will mark the 27th consecutive season that “The Great American Speedway” will showcase both NASCAR and INDYCAR competition since the Fort Worth facility opened in 1997.” Full release at the link. – Texas Motor Speedway – (9/14/2022)
—
AMSP announces Rosenqvist return for ’23 alongside O’Ward and Rossi – “McLaren Racing today announces that Felix Rosenqvist will join Pato O’Ward and Alex Rossi in its three-car NTT INDYCAR SERIES line-up for 2023. The team can also confirm Alex Palou has joined its Formula 1 2021 MCL35M car testing programme (TPC) and began his first test today.” Full release at the link. – AMSP – (9/14/2022)
—
Palou to return to CGR for ’23 – Alex Palou has posted to social media, with acknowledgement from Chip Ganassi Racing, that he will return to Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Ganassi will allow him to “pursue F1 testing with @McLarenF1 outside of my INDYCAR commitments.” – Alex Palou – (9/14/2022)
—
RACER Q&A 9/14/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/14/2022)
—
Trackside podcast 9/13/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/13/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/14/2022)
—
2022 was most-watched INDYCAR season since 2016 – “NBC Sports’ 2022 coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES delivered the most-watched INDYCAR season in six years (since 2016) and NBC Sports’ most-watched season on record, an increase of 5% compared to 2021. The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, capped off by Will Power winning his second-career series championship, averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 1.30 million viewers across NBC, USA Network, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms, marking the most-watched season for the INDYCAR SERIES since 2016 (1.31 million viewers, NBCSN TAD/ABC TV-only) and ranking as the best in NBC Sports history, up 5% vs. last year’s then-record viewership (1.24 million viewers, NBC/NBCSN).” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports – (9/14/2022)
—
OpenWheel.com’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey photo gallery – OpenWheel.com’s photo gallery from the 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – OpenWheel.com – (9/11/2022)
—
Power takes the championship and Palou the race win at Laguna Seca – Team Penske’s Will Power became the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champion while Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou’s won the race in the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Top 5 was Palou, Newgarden, Power, Rosenqvist, and Lundgaard. Lundgaard won the 2022 Rookie of the Year award. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/11/2022)
—
Rasmussen wins Lights finale in Laguna Seca Race 2 – Andretti Autosport’s Christian Rasmussen won the Indy Lights finale in Race 2 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from pole. The Top 5 was Rasmussen, Robb, Brabham, Lundqvist, and Abel. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/11/2022)
—
Palou tops morning warmup at Laguna Seca – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou’s lap of 1:12.9318 topped the charts in the morning warmup for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Top 5 was Palou, McLaughlin, Rossi, Malukas, and DeFrancesco. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/11/2022)
—
Power sets all-time pole record in Laguna Seca qualifying – Team Penske’s Will Power earned the pole for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:11.6127. Power became the all-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES record pole winner with a total of 68 surpassing legendary Mario Andretti. The full Firestone Fast 6 was Power, Ilott, Rossi, Grosjean, Palou, and O’Ward. Championship contenders outside that group were McLaughlin (P8), Ericsson (P10), Dixon (P13), and Newgarden (25). Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/10/2022)
—
Lundqvist clinches Lights title, Robb takes Laguna Seca Race 1 win – HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing’s Linus Lundqvist clinched the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship while Andretti Autosport’s Sting Ray Robb earned his first race win in Race 1 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The full Top 5 was Robb, Rasmussen, McElrea, Abel, and Pedersen. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/10/2022)
—
Palou fastest in Practice 2 at Laguna Seca – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou was quickest in Practice 2 for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:11.3847. The Top 5 was Palou, Rossi, Power, Newgarden, and Herta. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/10/2022)
—
Robb and Rasmussen earn Lights poles at Laguna Seca – Andretti Autosport’s Sting Ray Robb and Christian Rasmussen won the poles for Indy Lights Race 1 and Race 2 respectively at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Full results from qualifying at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/10/2022)
—
Newgarden quickest in Practice 1 at Laguna Seca – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden was quickest in Practice 1 for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:11.4103. The Top 5 was Newgarden, Herta, Grosjean, Rossi, and Ilott. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/9/2022)
—
Lundqvist leads Lights practice at Laguna Seca – HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing’s Linus Lundqvist led the sole Indy Lights practice session of the weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a lap of 1:16.2159. The Top 5 was Lundqvist, Siegel, Brabham, Frost, and Pedersen. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/9/2022)
—
OpenWheel.com’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey preview – OpenWheel.com’s preview of the 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – OpenWheel.com – (9/9/2022)
—
Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey spotter guide – The official spotter guide from INDYCAR for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/9/2022)
—
Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey entry list – The official entry list from INDYCAR for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/9/2022)
—
Indy Lights WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca entry list – The official entry list from INDYCAR for the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires 2022 Indy Lights Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/9/2022)
—
Andretti names Indy Pro 2000 champ Foster to ’23 Lights program – “Newly crowned Indy Pro 2000 Champion Louis Foster will make the step up and race for the multi-title winning Andretti Autosport in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires for 2023.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (9/8/2022)
—
RLL adds Sordo as technical director – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today a move that will strengthen their engineering group and position the team for success in the coming years. Stefano Sordo, who has over 20 years of engineering experience with top Formula One teams, will join the organization as technical director of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES program beginning October 1. Sordo spent the past six seasons with McLaren Racing F1 as head and director of vehicle performance and, prior to that, was with Red Bull Racing F1, among other teams. He will oversee a multi-tiered engineering structure at the team’s new headquarters in Zionsville, Indiana that will have an emphasis on a variety of areas and lay the foundation for the team to achieve their goals. The move is another indication of the commitment that the team has placed in their future in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (9/8/2022)
—
Siegel to make Lights debut with HMD this weekend at Laguna Seca – “After concluding his Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires campaign last weekend at the Portland International Raceway, Nolan Siegel has joined HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Making his Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires debut, Siegel will pilot the #11 Menlo Ventures / GridRivals / Racing for RP branded HMD Motorsports entry.” Full release at the link. – HMD Motorsports – (9/8/2022)
—
Penske announces multi-year extension for McLaughlin – “Team Penske announced today that it has reached a multi-year contract extension with current NTT INDYCAR SERIES star and former Australian Supercars Champion Scott McLaughlin, which will keep the 2021 INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year with the team for years to come.” Full release at the link. – Team Penske – (9/7/2022)
—
Trackside podcast 9/7/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/6/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/7/2022)
—
Cape Motorsports and Jagger Jones announce Lights deal for ’23 – “Cape Motorsports has signed the first of two drivers for its 2023 Indy Lights program, as Jagger Jones graduates up the Road to Indy ladder with the team from its championship-winning Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship effort. Jones, 20, is the grandson of 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/7/2022)
—
JHR announces expansion to two full-time cars for ’23 – “Juncos Hollinger Racing is excited to announce the team will field a second full time entry for the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Callum Ilott will drive the No. 77 JHR Chevrolet and the driver of the No. 78 JHR Chevrolet will be announced at a later date.” Full release at the link. – JHR – (9/7/2022)
—
RACER Q&A 9/7/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/7/2022)
—
McLaughlin wins from pole at Portland; Power leads championship – Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin won from pole in dominant fashion at the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway. The full Top 5 was McLaughlin, Power, Dixon, O’Ward, and Rahal. Power continues to lead the championship over Dixon (-20), Newgarden (-20), Ericsson (-39), and McLaughlin (-41) heading into the finale next weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/4/2022)
—
Pedersen earns first Lights win at Portland – Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports’ Benjamin Pedersen won from pole to earn his first Indy Lights victory at Portland International Raceway. The full Top 5 was Pedersen, Brabham, Lundqvist, Abel, and McElrea. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/4/2022)
—
Report: Marko confirms Herta/Alpha Tauri deal agreed if superlicense granted – RACER’s Chris Medland reports Red Bull boss Helmet Marko has said a deal has been reached between Colton Herta and F1 team Alpha Tauri if Herta is granted an FIA superlicense. Full story at the link. – RACER – (9/4/2022)
—
Rossi tops Final Practice at Portland – Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi’s lap of 59.0532 topped the charts in Final Practice for the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway. The full Top 5 was Rossi, Lundgaard, Palou, Newgarden, and Dixon. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/3/2022)
—
First Lights pole for Pedersen at Portland – Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports’ Benjamin Pedersen earned his first career Indy Lights pole position in qualifying at Portland International Raceway with a lap of 1:03.6698. The full Top 5 was Pedersen, Frost, Rasmussen, Lundqvist, and Robb. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/3/2022)
—
McLaughlin earns pole at Portland – Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin earned the pole for the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway with a Firestone Fast 6 lap of 58.2349. The full Firestone Fast 6 order was Power, Newgarden, McLaughlin, Herta, and Lundgaard. Newgarden and Kellett will each have to serve a six place grid penalty. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/3/2022)
—
Pedersen quickest in Lights Practice 2 at Portland – Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports’ Benjamin Pedersen was quickest again in Indy Lights Practice 2 at Portland International Raceway with a lap of 1:03.9024. The full Top 5 was Pedersen, Frost, Robb, Rasmussen, and McElrea. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/3/2022)
—
Power fastest in Portland Practice 2 – Team Penske’s Will Power’s lap of 58.3946 was fastest in Practice 2 for the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway. The full Top 5 was Power, Newgarden, McLaughlin, Herta, and Lundgaard. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/3/2022)
—
Newgarden leads Practice 1 at Portland – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden led Practice 1 for the Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway with a lap of 58.5769. The full Top 5 was Newgarden, Malukas, McLaughlin, Rossi, and Herta. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/2/2022)
—
Pedersen quickest in Lights Practice 1 at Portland – Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports’ Benjamin Pedersen was quickest in Indy Lights Practice 1 at Portland International Raceway with a lap of 1:04.4820. The full Top 5 was Pedersen, Lundqvist, Brabham, Bogle, and Robb. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/2/2022)
—
INDYCAR announces Portland grid penalties for Nos. 2 & 4 – From INDYCAR: “INDYCAR officials have announced a six-position starting grid penalty for the entries of No. 2 Team Penske and No. 4 A.J. Foyt Enterprises for unapproved engine changes following the Saturday, Aug. 20 race at World Wide Technology Raceway. The teams were in violation of: Rule 16.2.3.2 A fifth (5th) Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four (4) Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out. According to Rule 16.6.1.2, the penalty is a six-position starting grid penalty on road and street course events and nine positions at oval events and will be served at the series’ next event, which is the Grand Prix of Portland Sunday, Sept. 4 at Portland International Raceway.” – INDYCAR – (9/2/2022)
—
Grand Prix of Portland spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES 2022 Grand Prix of Portland at Portland International Raceway is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (9/2/2022)
—
McLaren announces Piastri for F1 seat in ’23 – “McLaren Racing has signed 2021 FIA Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri on a multi-year contract to partner Lando Norris from the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship season. The 21-year-old Australian from Melbourne has an impressive motorsport resume, winning the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup before going on to win the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship and 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship in successive Rookie seasons. Piastri will join Lando Norris to complete the McLaren F1 Team 2023 driver line-up, after the team announced a multi-year extension to Lando’s contract last season.” Full release at the link. – McLaren – (9/2/2022)
—
Andretti confirms Lights return for McElrea in ’23 – “Hunter McElrea, driver of the No. 27 Andretti Autosport Dallara in the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship, will return to his Andretti Autosport stead for the 2023 season. McElrea joined Andretti Autosport this season for his rookie year in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES feeder series. McElrea is the first driver announced to Andretti’s 2023 Indy Lights team.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (9/2/2022)
—
Chadwick to test Lights car with Andretti – Jeroen Demmendaal reports for F1 Feeder Series that W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick will test an Indy Lights car for Andretti Autosport after the series finale later this year. Full story at the link. – F1 Feeder Series – (8/31/2022)
—
RACER Q&A 8/31/2022 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (8/31/2022)
—
Trackside podcast 8/30/2022 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 8/30/2022 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (8/31/2022)
—
Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport No. 29 to feature Jones Soda livery for final two events – Andretti Autosport has announces Jones Soda Company will be the primary sponsor with a new livery to be featured for the Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport No. 29 to be driven by Devlin DeFrancesco in the final two races of the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. View the livery at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (8/26/2022)
—
TurnOnGreen to be Paretta Autosport No. 16 primary sponsor at Laguna Seca – “TurnOnGreen, Inc. (“TurnOnGreen”), a green energy technology and power supply company and subsidiary of BitNile Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: NILE), announced today that it will be the primary sponsor of the No. 16 Paretta Autosport Dallara Chevrolet for the upcoming Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, on September 9th through September 11th.” Full release at the link. – Paretta Autosport – (8/26/2022)
—
Flinn Lazier to make Lights debut at Portland – “Third-generation race driver Flinn Lazier will make his Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires debut with Abel Motorsports on Sept. 4 at Portland International Raceway. Lazier also will drive the No. 15 Abel entry in the season-ending doubleheader Sept. 10-11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Lazier, 23, is the son of 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2000 INDYCAR SERIES champion Buddy Lazier and the grandson of 1981 CART Rookie of the Year and Indianapolis 500 veteran Bob Lazier.” Full release at the link. – Indy Lights – (8/25/2022)
—
McLaren Racing announces Ricciardo termination following ’22 F1 season – “McLaren Racing and Daniel Ricciardo can confirm that Daniel’s 2023 contract has been terminated early as both parties have mutually agreed that he will leave the team at the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season.” This announcement is noteworthy to the status of Alex Palou and Felix Rosenqvist as their plans with McLaren for 2023 are yet to be announced. Full release at the link. – McLaren Racing – (8/24/2022)
—