INDYCAR News for the Month of December 2021

RACER Q&A 12/29/2021 – RACER’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (12/29/2021)

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)

MSR announces multi-year partnership with Arctic Wolf – “As the Ohio-based organization prepares for its largest competition campaign in team history, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is pleased to announce a new multiyear partnership with Arctic Wolf, a leader in security operations. Arctic Wolf is one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies globally on a mission to end cyber risk. The company’s marquee solution, the Arctic Wolf Security Operations platform, enables customers of all sizes to easily and effectively manage their security operations with a click of a button, seamlessly unifying their existing security tools into one experience ensuring protection against all cyber attacks…Arctic Wolf will have a presence on the No. 06 IndyCar driven by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Helio Castroneves and the No. 60 MSR IndyCar driven by Simon Pagenaud.” Full release at the link. – Meyer Shank Racing – (12/22/2021)

Trackside podcast 12/20/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 12/20/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (12/22/2021)

Electronic marshaling coming to INDYCAR in ’22 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports electronic marshaling, similar to F1’s virtual safety car, is coming to INDYCAR in 2022. Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/22/2021)

DeFrancesco, Herta, and O’Ward added to DragonSpeed’s Rolex 24 lineup – NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers Devlin DeFrancesco, Colton Herta, and Pato O’Ward were announced as drivers for DragonSpeed LLC’s two-car effort for the 2022 Rolex 24 at Daytona in the LMP2 category. Full story at the link. – Sportscar365 – (12/20/2021)

Zanardi released from the hospital – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Alex Zanardi has been released from the hospital following his traumatic injuries from a paracycling incident nearly 18 months ago. Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/20/2021)

Bridgestone adding facility focused on Firestone’s INDYCAR development – “As part of Firestone’s partnership with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES through the 2025 season, Bridgestone Americas is building a new facility to further strengthen Firestone’s commitment to the sport. The work done by the approximately 50 staffers at the Bridgestone Advanced Tire Production Center (ATPC) in Akron, Ohio, will predominantly be INDYCAR-centric – building, curing and analyzing race tires – but there will be room to accommodate work on various types of new tires and innovations. Additionally, the campus expansion includes a test track where the company’s passenger tires can be evaluated.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (12/20/2021)

Bogle returns to Lights with HMD – “With Danial Frost and Benjamin Pedersen already confirmed to the HMD Motorsports driver lineup, the 2021 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Team Champions are pleased to welcome Christian Bogle to the Indianapolis based squad.” Full release at the link. – HMD Motorsports – (12/16/2021)

NBC confirms Hinch addition to INDYCAR & IMSA broadcast team – “INDYCAR fan-favorite and veteran driver James Hinchcliffe has joined NBC Sports as a full-time analyst for its coverage of the upcoming 2022 NTT INDYCAR Series. Hinchcliffe will join play-by-play voice Leigh Diffey and analyst Townsend Bell to comprise NBC Sports’ lead INDYCAR commentary team for the 2022 season. In addition to his role on NBC Sports’ exclusive INDYCAR coverage, Hinchcliffe will also serve as an analyst for select IMSA races. Hinchcliffe will make his 2022 INDYCAR on-air debut at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, February 27, on NBC.” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports – (12/16/2021)

DCR partners with HMD for Malukas in No. 18 in ’22 – “Dale Coyne Racing announced today that it has entered a partnership with HMD Motorsports and has signed Indy Lights vice-champion David Malukas to drive its #18 Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports entry for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.” Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (12/15/2021)

Johnson to run full season in ’22 – Jimmie Johnson announced on Wednesday that he will drive the full season for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, including the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, in the No. 48 Carvana Chip Ganassi Racing entry. – Jimmie Johnson – (12/15/2021)

Trackside podcast 12/14/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 12/14/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (12/15/2021)

Hinchcliffe “stepping away from full time INDYCAR competition” – James Hinchcliffe has released a statement on his social media platforms that he is “stepping away from full time INDYCAR competition”. Hinchcliffe did not rule out a return to racing and proclaimed he is eager to try new things. Full statement at the link. – James Hinchcliffe – (12/14/2021)

O’Ward enjoys McLaren F1 test at Abu Dhabi – RACER’s Chris Medland has posted an excellent story on Pato O’Ward’s enjoyable and competitive experience in his F1 test with McLaren at the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test. Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/14/2021)

IMS and INDYCAR announce enhanced partnership with PPG – “PPG (NYSE: PPG) has reached an agreement to become the Official Paint and Finishing Supplier of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. As part of the multiyear agreement, PPG is also the Official Sponsor of Indianapolis 500 qualifying weekend. Drivers will compete for the prestigious Indianapolis 500 pole and one of the coveted 33 spots in the field for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 at IMS.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (12/13/2021)

IMS unveils ticket design for 106th Indy 500 – “This time, Helio Castroneves vows to collect a souvenir Race Day ticket to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge just like the fans who will cheer him on in the 106th Running on Sunday, May 29 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Surprisingly, the reigning winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” said he has never received – or at least kept — a souvenir ticket bearing his likeness in the year following his victories in 2001, 2002 and 2009. But now as a rare four-time winner, he figures it is time to showcase one of the most coveted keepsakes in sports.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (12/10/2021)

Al Unser passes away at 82 – “Alfred “Al” Unser, the second member of the Unser auto racing dynasty to win the Indianapolis 500 and the second INDYCAR SERIES driver in history to win four times at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, died Dec. 9 at his home in Chama, New Mexico, after a 17-year battle with cancer. He was 82.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (12/10/2021)

Abel Motorsports and Jacob Abel confirmed for ’22 Lights season – Abel Motorsports has confirmed an entry in the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season with rookie driver Jacob Abel. Full story from INDYCAR at the link. – INDYCAR – (12/9/2021)

DRR to run Karam and Ferrucci in ’22 Indy 500 – From Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: “Drivers Sage Karam and Santino Ferrucci will compete for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) in the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 set for Sunday, May 29, 2022, at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Karam is scheduled to pilot his familiar No. 24 car while Ferrucci will drive the No. 23 car for the Indiana-based team. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has entered and qualified 43 cars in the Indy 500 dating back to 1999 with a best finish of fourth in 2012. The great racing legacy of the Dreyer & Reinbold families dates back to 1927 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with legendary car builder Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, who served as a mechanic on the Duesenberg team.” – Dreyer & Reinbold Racing – (12/9/2021)

Sato confirmed for DCR w/RWR No. 51 in ’22 – “Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing has signed two-time Indianapolis 500 Champion Takuma Sato to drive its #51 Honda powered entry for the entire 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.” Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (12/9/2021)

Tracy will not be part of NBC broadcast team in ’22 – Paul Tracy posted on Instagram that he will not be a part of the 2022 NBC Sports broadcast team for their NTT INDYCAR SERIES coverage. Full post at the link. – Paul Tracy – (12/8/2021)

Trackside podcast 12/7/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 12/7/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (12/8/2021)

Andretti announces Rasmussen for Lights No. 28 – “The reigning Indy Pro 2000 Champion, Christian Rasmussen, will join Andretti Autosport for the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season. Rasmussen looks to claim his third consecutive Road to Indy championship after being crowned back-to-back champion in 2020 in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship and in 2021 with the Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires Championship.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (12/6/2021)

Report: Dale Coyne and Vasser Sullivan parting ways – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports the Dale Coyne, Jimmy Vasser, and James Sullivan partnership that’s been a staple of the No. 18 NTT INDYCAR SERIES entry will not continue into the 2022 season. Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/6/2021)

Pedersen back in GRG w/HMD No. 24 – “Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports is excited to officially announce Benjamin Pedersen’s return to the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship in 2022. Returning for his sophomore season, the 22-year-old Danish driver has settled into his new residence in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is now busy preparing to be a Championship contender in the upcoming season.” Full release at the link. – HMD Motorsports – (12/6/2021)

Foyt confirms Kellett return in No. 4 – “Canadian Dalton Kellett will continue to drive the No. 4 K-Line Insulators USA Chevrolet in the NTT INDYCAR Series in 2022 for AJ Foyt Racing. It will mark the 28-year-old’s third straight season in North America’s premier open wheel series.” Full release at the link. – AJ Foyt Racing – (12/1/2021)

Trackside podcast 11/30/2021 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 11/30/2021 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (12/1/2021)

McLaren Racing to complete majority ownership acquisition in AMSP – “McLaren Racing confirms today that it has completed the agreement to acquire the majority shareholding in the Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar team by the end of the year. The conclusion of the agreement means that McLaren Racing will become the majority shareholder in the team with a controlling 75% stake, with Arrow McLaren SP to formally be part of the McLaren Racing organisation. The team will be governed by a five-person board, comprising three McLaren Racing appointees, Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson and will be chaired by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. Taylor Kiel, President of Arrow McLaren SP, will be accountable to Brown and the board for the overall operations and performance of the team.” Full release at the link. – Arrow McLaren SP – (11/29/2021)

Andretti adds Askew to Formula E lineup – “Avalanche Andretti Formula E has announced that Oliver Askew will return to the Michael Andretti-led stable to pilot the No. 28 BMW iFE.021 in Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Askew becomes the first American driver named to Season 8 as well as the first American to compete full time in Formula E. He joins already announced Avalanche Andretti driver Jake Dennis to complete an Anglo-American lineup.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (11/24/2021)

O’Ward and Rosenqvist to drive together at Gulf 12 Hours – “United Autosports are delighted to confirm that they will be making their return to the Gulf 12 Hours in January, with McLaren IndyCar drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist joining team owners Zak Brown and Richard Dean behind the wheel of the #23 McLaren 570S. Following on from a highly successful return to GT racing this year, where the team won the GT4 European Series Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships, Zak, Richard, Pato and Felix are setting their sights on the 2022 Gulf 12 Hours, which will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit, in Abu Dhabi on 6-8 January.” Full release at the link. – United Autosports – (11/24/2021)

Detroit GP reveals more details about new downtown course – “When the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear returns to its original home on the streets of Downtown Detroit in 2023, the event will connect with the neighborhoods and businesses in the Motor City like never before. The Grand Prix will celebrate one more action-packed weekend at Belle Isle Park, June 3-5, 2022. Organizers confirmed on Tuesday that a new era of the Detroit Grand Prix will begin June 2-4, 2023 when the event will bring a dynamic street-festival atmosphere to the Motor City. The new home of the Grand Prix will feature three full days of activities on some of Detroit’s most popular and active Downtown areas, including racing on a new 1.7-mile,10-turn street circuit along Jefferson Avenue, Bates Street, Atwater Street, St. Antoine, Franklin Street and Rivard.” Full release at the link. – Detroit GP – (11/23/2021)

INDYCAR News From Last Month