News for the Month of January 2019

IMS announces Gainbridge as new presenting sponsor of Indy 500 – “Gainbridge, an online financial services platform providing straightforward access to tax-deferred accumulation and income products, has reached a multiyear agreement to become the presenting sponsor of the Indianapolis 500 starting with the 2019 edition of the world’s most prestigious auto race. Gainbridge also will become the official annuity and life insurance partner of INDYCAR, IMS and the Indy 500. The announcement was made today during a press conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway featuring Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Hulman & Company President & CEO Mark Miles, Group1001 President & CEO Dan Towriss and IMS President J. Douglas Boles.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (1/31/2019)

Andretti names Megennis as Lights driver for ’19 – “Andretti Autosport announced today that New York-native Robert Megennis will pilot the No. 27 entry for the championship-winning team’s 2019 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires campaign.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (1/31/2019)

Andretti announces deal for Daly for ’19 Indy 500 – “Indianapolis 500 veteran Conor Daly will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May piloting the No. 25 U.S. Air Force Honda with five-time Indy 500 champions Andretti Autosport. Daly completes a five-ship, All-American Indy 500 lineup, joining teammates Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and Zach Veach…Additionally, the Air Force will become a full-season associate partner of Andretti Autosport with branding across the four full-season entries of Rossi, Hunter-Reay, Andretti and Veach, solidifying the team-work effect. Capitalizing on teamwork is how the U.S. Air Force accomplishes its mission.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (1/30/2019)

Miller’s Mailbag 1/30/19 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/30/2019)

Trackside podcast 1/29/19 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 1/24/19 is a great listen as always. Aaron Telitz and Jordan Taylor are guests on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (1/30/2019)

IMS announces ’19 Indy 500 Snake Pit lineup – “The Indy 500 Snake Pit presented by Coors Light will feature a lineup of global electronic music superstars performing at Race Weekend’s biggest and best party, with Skrillex, Alesso, Illenium and Chris Lake headlining the Race Day concert Sunday, May 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The star-studded lineup will perform in the infield adjacent to Turn 3 of the IMS oval during the 103rd Indianapolis 500. Snake Pit performances will start at 7 a.m., with specific set times will be announced soon.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (1/29/2019)

IMS unveils ’19 Indy 500 ticket design – Indianapolis Motor Speedway unveiled the ticket design for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race with 2018 winner Will Power on Monday. See the ticket at the link. – IMS – (1/28/2019)

INDYCAR recap from Rolex 24 – INDYCAR drivers had a successful weekend at the 2019 Rolex 24 At Daytona on Sunday as Fernando Alonso took home the overall win with Wayne Taylor Racing and Alexander Rossi and Helio Castroneves finished on the overall podium for Team Penske. Colton Herta won the GT Le Mans class with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Ben Hanley finished second in LMP2 with DragonSpeed Racing. Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/28/2019)

Mario’s ’69 Indy 500 victory honored on ’19 Bronze Badge – “The 50th anniversary of Mario Andretti’s historic Indianapolis 500 victory in 1969 will be honored on the Bronze Badge for this Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A Bronze Badge is a treasured keepsake that provides fans with insider access and one of the best values in sports. It provides gate admission and Gasoline Alley access every day IMS is open during May except for Race Days for the INDYCAR Grand Prix and the 103rd Indianapolis 500.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (1/25/2019)

Trackside podcast 1/24/19 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 1/24/19 is a great listen as always. Guests on the show include Helio Castroneves, Sebastien Bourdais, Ryan Briscoe, Katherine Legge, Simona De Silvestro, Bia Figueiredo, and Paul Tracy. – 1070 The Fan – (1/25/2019)

DCR and Vasser-Sullivan announce continuation of partnership – “Dale Coyne Racing and Vasser-Sullivan announced today they have reached a new multi-year agreement that will see the two organizations competing together as co-entrants in the NTT IndyCar Series. The team also confirmed that Sebastien Bourdais would return to the team as driver of the No. 18 SealMaster entry for all 17 races during the 2019 season.” Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (1/23/2019)

INDYCAR lands new multi-year Nordic TV deal – “Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) has acquired the exclusive Nordic media rights to the NTT IndyCar Series until 2021. Every race will be shown live on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service and Viasat pay-TV channels, with selected races available on NENT Group’s free-TV channels. Swedish drivers Marcus Ericsson and Felix Rosenqvist will both compete in the upcoming IndyCar season, which starts in March and includes the fabled Indianapolis 500 race – the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’.” Full release at the link. – NENT Group – (1/23/2019)

INDYCAR increases boost level at Iowa and Gateway for ’19 – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher reports INDYCAR will raise the turbo boost to road course spec for 2019 NTT IndyCar Series races at Iowa Speedway and Gateway Motorsports Park. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (1/23/2019)

Miller’s Mailbag 1/23/19 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/23/2019)

MSR and Harvey announce ten race deal for ’19 – “Building on the team’s 2018 six-race NTT IndyCar Series program, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is pleased to announce that the team will contest a 10-race program in 2019 with driver Jack Harvey. The MSR schedule will once again include an entry in the Indianapolis 500 and will grow to include nine IndyCar road course events as the team continues to build the program with sponsorship from AutoNation and SiriusXM.” Full release at the link. – Meyer Shank Racing – (1/22/2019)

Report: Kimball to drive part-time for Carlin in ’19 – INDYCAR.com’s Jeff Olson reports Charlie Kimball will drive the Carlin No. 23 NTT IndyCar Series entry part-time in 2019. Details are expected to be officially announced soon. Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/21/2019)

Carlin confirms Chilton and Gallagher for ’19 – “Gallagher, a leading global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is proud to announce that they will renew their motorsports partnership with Carlin for the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season with Max Chilton behind the wheel of the No. 59 Gallagher Chevrolet.” Full release at the link. – Carlin – (1/21/2019)

SPM announces Arrow Electronics as title partner – “Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) announced today, from its 2019 IndyCar Series season unveiling at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo., a significantly deepened partnership with Arrow Electronics, Inc. The Denver-based technology company is now the title partner of the newly branded Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, providing additional technical expertise and resources to the racing team. The three Dallara-Honda Indy cars of James Hinchcliffe, Robert Wickens and Marcus Ericsson were on display this morning at the home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Mammoth. The Nos. 5, 6 and 7 displayed the team’s new signature black and gold previously seen on the Honda driven by Hinchcliffe since 2015. Longtime fans of the team will notice the chrome on the cars has changed to a futuristic, sleek matte finish.” Full release at the link. – SPM – (1/17/2019)

Multiple superspeedway rear wing options for ’19 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports multiple rear wing options will be available to NTT IndyCar Series teams on superspeedways in 2019. Full story at the link. – RACER – (1/18/2019)

Abreu still desires Indy 500 ride – Autoweek’s Matt Weaver has a report on Rico Abreu’s continued public interest in racing in the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race some day. Full story at the link. – Autoweek – (1/18/2019)

Power and Penske receive their “Baby Borg” – “Will Power’s victory tour for winning the 102nd Indianapolis 500 brought the driver from Toowoomba, Australia, to team owner Roger Penske’s hometown. Both were honored Wednesday night at the Automotive News World Congress at the Marriott Renaissance in Detroit when presented their “Baby Borg” trophies, miniature replicas of the famous Borg-Warner Trophy that boasts the sterling silver likeness of every Indianapolis 500 winner. For Penske, it was his 17th Baby Borg as the winningest team owner in Indianapolis 500 history. For Power, it was his first. The annual event coincides with the North American International Auto Show, which brings the automotive world to the “Motor City.” With this prestigious gathering, the Indianapolis 500 gets to take center stage and honor the winning team owner and driver.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (1/17/2019)

Trackside podcast 1/16/19 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 1/16/19 is a great listen as always. Mark Miles, Bobby Rahal, Tony Kanaan, and Scott Dixon are guests on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (1/17/2019)

Road to Indy TV returns for ’19 – “The Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires will feature enhanced coverage on Road to Indy TV as it enters its 10th year as one of the most successful driver development programs in the world. Road to Indy TV debuted in 2014 providing behind-the-scenes access and exposure to drivers, teams and personnel on the ladder system in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship.” Full release at the link. – Indy Lights – (1/17/2019)

Road America announces REV Group as title sponsor for INDYCAR weeekend – “REV Group, Inc. , a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of industry-leading specialty vehicle brands and provider of parts and services, has signed on to be the title sponsor of the June 20-23, NTT IndyCar Series event at Road America, the race on June 23 will be known as the REV Group Grand Prix and will be televised on NBC beginning at 11 a.m., central.” Full release at the link. – Road America – (1/16/2019)

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca announces Firestone race title sponsorship – “Bridgestone Americas, Inc. and County of Monterey announced a two-year agreement for the Firestone brand to be the title sponsor of the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The announcement was made in advance of the start of the 2019 NTT IndyCar® Series season.” Full release at the link. – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – (1/16/2019)

Hinch fastest at Sebring test – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports James Hinchcliffe and the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports No. 5 car were fastest in a private NTT IndyCar Series test at Sebring International Raceway on Tuesday. Full story at the link. – RACER – (1/16/2019)

Miller’s Mailbag 1/16/19 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/16/2019)

INDYCAR announces NTT entitlement sponsorship and NTT IndyCar Series – “INDYCAR announced on Tuesday that global information technology and communications leader NTT has signed a multiyear agreement to become the entitlement sponsor of what is now officially named the NTT IndyCar Series. In addition, NTT becomes the official technology partner of INDYCAR, the NTT IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. The announcement came during media days for the North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Center.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/15/2019)

’19 INDYCAR testing starts this week – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has a thorough report on the start of 2019 IndyCar Series testing this week. Full story at the link. – RACER – (1/15/2019)

Gateway announces Bommarito Automotive Group extension through ’21 – “Officials at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois, and the Bommarito Automotive Group today announced an extension of the automotive dealers’ sponsorship of the speedway’s annual INDYCAR race. This extends the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline sponsorship, which began in 2017, through the 2021 event.” Full release at the link. – Gateway Motorsports Park – (1/14/2019)

Dixon still running No. 9 in ’19 – Chip Ganassi Racing’s 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon will still drive the No. 9 in 2019 despite a picture that he posted to social media implying he will drive the No. 1 this year. “We’ll turn up to the official test with the No. 9 on there,” said Dixon. Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/14/2019)

INDYCAR working to reintroduce LED panels for ’19 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports INDYCAR will test new LED panels at a test at Sebring International Raceway this week. Full story at the link. – RACER – (1/14/2019)

Dixon appears to be taking No. 1 for ’19 – 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series Champion Scott Dixon posted a picture of his PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda with the No. 1 on it on Thursday. That implies the defending champion will be exercising his right to drive the No. 1 for the 2019 IndyCar Series season. See the livery on our No. 1 livery page here (Now moved to No. 9 as of 1/14/19). – Scott Dixon – (1/11/2019)

Trackside podcast 1/10/19 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 1/10/19 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (1/11/2019)

INDYCAR announces 2019 TV schedule and race times – “INDYCAR’s expanded presence on network television in 2019 through its new partnership with NBC Sports Group will not only include the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500, along with other action at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, but also the IndyCar Series’ new season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey, California. Eight of this year’s 17 IndyCar Series races will air on NBC, representing a 60 percent increase of network television exposure over a season ago. NBCSN, entering its 12th consecutive year telecasting INDYCAR events, will air nine races. The television schedule for IndyCar Series qualifying sessions will be announced later.” Full schedule and release at the link. – INDYCAR – (1/9/2019)

IMS to honor Mario Andretti during Month of May – “Race fans around the world will join with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May 2019 in a variety of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mario Andretti’s Indianapolis 500 victory, including a featured exhibit within the Speedway’s museum and a commemorative logo that was unveiled by Andretti on Jan. 9 in Indianapolis.” Full schedule and release at the link. – IMS – (1/9/2019)

Miller’s Mailbag 1/9/19 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/9/2019)

Road America promotes Michael Kertscher to President and General Manager – “Road America today announced it has promoted Michael Kertscher to President and General Manager. Kertscher will replace current President and General Manager, George Bruggenthies, who will transition into a senior consulting position for Elkhart Lake’s Road America, Inc.” Full release at the link. – Road America – (1/8/2019)

NBC Sports Group announces over 1500 hours of motorsports coverage for ’19 – “2019 marks NBC Sports’ first season as the exclusive home of INDYCAR, as all 17 races will be televised on NBC or NBCSN, highlighted by the network’s first-ever broadcast of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 26. INDYCAR Pass on NBC Sports Gold – NBC Sports Digital’s direct-to-consumer live streaming product – offers live coverage of all practices and qualifying, all Indy Lights races, and on-demand replays.” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports Group – (1/8/2019)

Andretti Autosport adds PWC GT4 America program – “Jarett Andretti continues to announce his plans for the 2019 race season. Andretti, who recently announced his intention to compete full-time in the GT4 America Series, will do so racing for Andretti Autosport with manufacturer McLaren Automotive. Endurance Auto Warranty, one of the largest providers of vehicle service contracts in the nation, will serve as a primary sponsor in the GT4 America Sprint events with more partners to be announced before the start of the season. Jarett will lead Andretti Autosport into the GT4 America Series driving a new McLaren 570S GT4, supplied via McLaren Philadelphia.” Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (1/8/2019)

IMS announces Zac Brown Band as headliner for Legends Day Concert – “Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band will headline the Firestone Legends Day Concert on Saturday, May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one day before the 103rd Indianapolis 500. The concert, which also will feature additional acts to be announced in the coming weeks, starts at 3:30 p.m. on the Firestone Stage inside Turn 4 of the IMS oval.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (1/7/2019)

RHR and Newgarden named to Team USA for ROC – “Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay and his fellow IndyCar Champion Josef Newgarden have become the latest drivers to sign up for the Race Of Champions – on January 19-20, 2019 at the Foro Sol, the amphitheatre forming part of Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Formula 1 circuit. Hunter-Reay and Newgarden will also join forces for Team USA, competing against a field featuring F1 legends Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard, ‘Mr Le Mans’ Tom Kristensen, triple Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, reigning FIA World RallyX Champion Johan Kristoffersson, FIA Formula E Champion Lucas di Grassi plus FIA F3 European Champion Mick Schumacher and Mexican racers Memo Rojas, Daniel Suárez, Benito Guerra and Patricio O’Ward.” Full release at the link. – Race of Champions – (1/4/2019)

Miller’s Mailbag 1/2/19 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (1/2/2019)

Miller’s Mailbag 12/26/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (12/26/2018)

Juncos announces RVK as Lights driver for ’19 – “Juncos Racing announced today that the reigning Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires champion Rinus VeeKay would return to the team for the 2019 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship. VeeKay is the first driver named to the championship-winning Indy Lights team line-up. VeeKay, from Hoofddorp, Netherlands, will continue his run with Juncos Racing after a very successful season capturing the 2018 Indy Pro 2000 (formerly Pro Mazda) Championship, recording 10 podiums, six poles, and seven wins. By claiming the title, VeeKay was awarded a Mazda scholarship and will make his move up to the final step of the Road to Indy ladder joining the Indy Lights series.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Racing – (12/21/2018)

Trackside podcast 12/21/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 12/20/18 is a great listen as always. Alexander Rossi is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (12/21/2018)

McLaren unlikely to test before April open test – RACER’s Chris Medland reports McLaren is unlikely to test their revamped IndyCar program until the Indianapolis Motor Speedway open test in April. “I think we will be on the track for the first time in early April, and that’s when our testing will commence,” Zak Brown told RACER. “Then of course we’ll do the maximum allowed within the current regulations as far as the amount of testing both at Indianapolis and away from Indianapolis.” Full story at the link. – RACER – (12/21/2018)

NBC confirms Tracy is back for ’19 – Adam Stern has quotes from an NBC Sports Spokesperson confirming Paul Tracy will be back in the booth in 2019. Full quotes at the link. – Adam Stern – (12/21/2018)

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