INDYCAR News for the Month of October 2021

13 Lights entries for Chris Griffis test – “After crowning its 2021 champions earlier this month, the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires will be back in action this week for its traditional Chris Griffis Memorial Open Test at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 30/31. All three levels of the ladder system – Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – will take part in six 45-minute sessions over the course of the two days on the 2.75-mile “Inner Loop” road course.” Full release at the link. View the entry list here. – Indy Lights – (10/28/2021)

Andretti announces Robb for No. 2 Lights entry in ’22 – “After his rookie season in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, Sting Ray Robb has been named to join Andretti Autosport’s 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship lineup. A veteran of the Road to Indy ladder series, Robb joined the Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires series in 2017 and was crowned the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Champion – awarding the Idaho-native a scholarship to compete in Indy Lights in 2021.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (10/28/2021)

HMD Motorsports names five-driver lineup for upcoming Lights test – HMD Motorsports will test five drivers in their Indy Lights cars at the upcoming Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Those drivers are Christian Bogle, Ernie Francis, Jr., Danial Frost, Benjamin Pedersen, and Manuel Sulaiman. Full release at the link. – HMD Motorsports – (10/27/2021)

Juncos Hollinger Racing and Carlin considering partnership – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Juncos Hollinger Racing and Carlin are considering a partnership for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Full story at the link. – RACER – (10/27/2021)

Carpenter acknowledges three drivers in the frame for No. 20 seat – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher-Lopez has an excellent story with quotes from Ed Carpenter acknowledging three drivers are being looked at to drive the non-ovals in the Ed Carpenter Racing No. 20 in 2022. Those drivers are Oliver Askew, Conor Daly, and Ryan Hunter-Reay. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (10/27/2021)

Trackside podcast 10/26/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 10/26/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (10/27/2021)

Malukas tops five car Barber test – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports David Malukas was fastest in a five car NTT INDYCAR SERIES test at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday in his first time testing the car. Malukas tested for Dale Coyne Racing. Nico Hulkenberg tested for Arrow McLaren SP. Full story at the link. – RACER – (10/26/2021)

Simpson confirmed as TJ Speed Lights driver for ’22 – “17-year-old Cayman Island racer Kyffin Simpson has confirmed his plans for 2022, signing a deal with long-term partners TJ Speed Motorsports for his debut Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires campaign. TJ Speed and Simpson have proven to be a powerful combination through 2021, securing five wins and a further six podiums on their way to a 65-point FR Americas championship lead. A clean sweep of three victories at the season-opener established Kyffin as the driver to beat despite TJ Speed being the newest operation on the grid, a testament both to Kyffin’s ability and TJ Speed owner Tim Neff’s meticulous approach.” Full release at the link. – Kyffin Simpson – (10/25/2021)

RLL announces Lundgaard for No. 30 in ’22 – “After an impressive debut in the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in August, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that FIA Formula 2 Championship driver Christian Lundgaard, 20, will join the team as the driver of the No. 30 Honda-powered entry beginning in 2022 in a multi-year agreement. Further details for the racing program will be announced at a later date. Lundgaard, who is a member of the Alpine Academy, a program originally created by Renault F1 in 2002 to support young racing drivers through their careers, had limited preparation before his Indy car debut at IMS but turned heads when he qualified on the second row in fourth place and went on to finish 12th despite a condensed event schedule.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (10/20/2021)

AMSP to test Hulkenberg at Barber next week – “Nico Hülkenberg will conduct an IndyCar evaluation test with Arrow McLaren SP at Barber Motorsports Park on Monday, October 25. The test will enable Hülkenberg to experience an IndyCar for the first time, a one-off opportunity he has agreed with the team. Hülkenberg’s extensive motorsport resume includes 179 Formula 1 starts, including a pole position, along with a win at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans. The test will take place at Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Alabama, a 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course where Pato O’Ward captured pole position earlier this year for the Grand Prix of Alabama. The team continues to evaluate a future third car program, however its focus for 2022 remains on the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet driven by Pato O’Ward and the No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet driven by Felix Rosenqvist.” Full release at the link. – Arrow McLaren SP – (10/20/2021)

Bourdais named as full-time Ganassi IMSA driver for ’22 – “Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) will add a second V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R and three new full-time drivers to their 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team. Piloting the two entries will be returning Cadillac DPi-V.R veteran Renger van der Zande (Netherlands), Sebastien Bourdais (France), Earl Bamber (New Zealand), and Alex Lynn (Britain). Three of the four drivers have competed in the Cadillac DPi-V.R in the past with Bamber being new to the car.” Full release at the link. – Chip Ganassi Racing – (10/20/2021)

Trackside podcast 10/19/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 10/19/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (10/20/2021)

Newgarden concerned about car weight after ’23 test simulation – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher-Lopez has a great story with quotes from Josef Newgarden with Newgarden’s thoughts following a recent Firestone test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course simulating anticipated 2023 specs with a new engine formula on the way. “The thing that jumped out to me today was the physicality of the car,” Newgarden said. “I think we’re starting to push over the edge of what some of the drivers can do physically, in some conditions, and we need to be cognizant of that. It’s something I’ve spoken to IndyCar about.” Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (10/15/2021)

Kirkwood and DeFrancesco NTT INDYCAR SERIES test recap – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher-Lopez has posted a great recap from Kyle Kirkwood and Devin DeFrancesco’s first NTT INDYCAR SERIES tests with Andretti Autosport at Sebring on Wednesday. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (10/14/2021)

Trackside podcast 10/12/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 10/12/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (10/13/2021)

Francis Jr to test Lights car with Force Indy – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Ernie Francis Jr will test an Indy Lights car with the Force Indy team at the upcoming Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Full story at the link. – RACER – (10/12/2021)

INDYCAR names Levi Jones as Director of Indy Lights – “Levi Jones Veteran United States Auto Club (USAC) executive and champion driver Levi Jones was named as director of the Indy Lights series, INDYCAR officials announced today. Jones will oversee all operations and competition of the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the final step for drivers in the Road to Indy ladder that prepares drivers for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. INDYCAR adds the role of promoter to its duties as the sanctioning body of Indy Lights on Nov. 1.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (10/11/2021)

RLL names Harvey as driver for No. 45 in ’22 – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Bassingham, England native Jack Harvey, 28, will pilot the No. 45 Hy-Vee Honda beginning with the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season in a multi-year deal. Hy-Vee, Inc., an employee-owned supermarket chain that operates more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states, has been the primary sponsor of the No. 15 and No. 45 entries for 11 races with the team since 2020, and will expand their program to become a full-season primary sponsor of the No. 45 entry beginning in 2022 in a multi-year agreement. They will also be a team-wide associate sponsor.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (10/11/2021)

Grosjean and Johnson pass ROP test at IMS on Wednesday – Andretti Autosport’s Romain Grosjean and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Jimmie Johnson each passed their Rookie Orientation Program on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in a test on Wednesday. Full story from INDYCAR at the link. – INDYCAR – (10/7/2021)

Trackside podcast 10/4/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 10/4/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (10/5/2021)

Kirkwood wins Lights title, Lundqvist wins final race at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Kyle Kirkwood sealed the 2021 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires title on Sunday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Linus Lundqvist won the race. The full Top 5 was Lundqvist, Malukas, Pedersen, DeFrancesco, and Kirkwood. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (10/3/2021)

Malukas keeps title hopes alive with Race 2 pole at Mid-Ohio – HMD Motorsports’ David Malukas earned the pole in the wet for Indy Lights Race 2 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a lap of 1:46.7873. The full Top 5 was Malukas, Lundqvist, Pedersen, DeFrancesco, and Kirkwood. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (10/3/2021)

Kirkwood all but seals Lights title with Race 1 win at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Kyle Kirkwood virtually sealed the Indy Lights title with a dominant Race 1 win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Saturday. The full Top 5 was Kirkwood, Malukas, Megennis, Frost, and Robb. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (10/2/2021)

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 lap of 1:11.2100. The full Top 5 was Kirkwood, Malukas, Frost, Megennis, and Pedersen. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (10/2/2021)

Kirkwood paces Indy Lights practice at Mid-Ohio – Andretti Autosport’s Kyle Kirkwood was fastest in Indy Lights practice on Friday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with a lap of 1:12.2884. The full Top 5 was Kirkwood, Robb, Lindh, Pedersen, and Malukas. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (10/1/2021)

USF Juniors launches as springboard to USF2000 – “Andersen Promotions today announced a new series that will help drivers prepare for the highly acclaimed Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires driver development platform, a clear-cut path to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires will launch in 2022 offering a prize package exceeding $325,000 including a scholarship valued at more than $200,000 to advance to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – the first official step on the ladder to the pinnacle of U.S. motorsports.” Full release at the link. – USF Juniors – (10/1/2021)

Toyota speculation increases as potential third engine manufacturer – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has posted a story on the increasing speculation that Toyota has become a possibility as a potential third engine manufacturer in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Full story at the link. – RACER – (9/30/2021)

NBC Sports announces ’21 was most-watched INDYCAR season in NBC Sports history – “NBC Sports’ coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ 2021 season delivered its most-watched INDYCAR season on record, NBCSN’s most-watched season on record, and the best combined broadcast/cable viewership for the series in five years. For the 15 races across NBC, NBCSN and NBC Sports digital platforms, the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 1.223 million viewers, the best in NBC Sports history, up 19% vs. last season’s average viewership (1.027 million), up 10% vs. 2019 (1.108 million), and the most-watched season for the INDYCAR SERIES since 2016 (1.310 million, ABC/NBCSN).” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports – (9/29/2021)

Detroit GP looking into Detroit circuit for ’23 – Detroit Grand Prix organizers have confirmed they are working with local officials to possibly return to a downtown Detroit circuit again as soon as 2023. The Belle Isle circuit will be used in 2022. Full release at the link. – Detroit Grand Prix – (9/29/2021)

Trackside podcast 9/28/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/28/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (9/29/2021)

Grosjean and Johnson IMS ROP slated for 10/6 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Andretti Autosport’s Romain Grosjean and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Jimmie Johnson will begin their Indianapolis Motor Speedway Rookie Orientation Program in a test on October 6th. Full story at the link. – RACER – (9/28/2021)

MSR adds Pagenaud to No. 60 entry for ’22 – “INDYCAR SERIES Champion and winner of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Simon Pagenaud will join Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship driving the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda. Pagenaud will team with four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves in the No. 06 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda. Pagenaud will be joining MSR which has grown its presence in the series continuously since it’s series debut in 2017 with a one-off entry in the 2017 Indianapolis 500. In five short years, MSR won the prestigious 2021 Indianapolis 500 with Castroneves. The 2022 season will mark the first two-car full-time campaign for MSR as it will field two Indianapolis 500 winners in the team’s hunt for the 2022 INDYCAR championship.” Full release at the link. – Meyer Shank Racing – (9/27/2021)

The Open Wheel’s Long Beach photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery from Sunday at the 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on the Streets of Long Beach is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/26/2021)

The Open Wheel’s Long Beach livery feature – The Open Wheel’s livery feature with photos of all the cars and drivers at the 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on the Streets of Long Beach is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/26/2021)

Palou wins the title; Herta wins the race at Long Beach – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou finished P4 to seal his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES title as Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta was victorious in the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on the Streets of Long Beach. The full Top 5 was Herta, Newgarden, Dixon, Palou, and Pagenaud. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/26/2021)

INDYCAR News From Last Month