News for the Week of March 19 – March 25, 2018

SPM announces Howard to drive No. 7 car at Indy 500 – “Verizon IndyCar Series team Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) announced today that INDYCAR veteran Jay Howard will return to the team to compete in this year’s Indianapolis 500. The effort will be, for the second year, in partnership with One Cure, an organization deriving from the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University which brings awareness to comparative oncology – the researching and studying of cancer and treatments across different species. The partnership was made possible with great thanks to a benefactor who believes in One Cure. The No. 7 One Cure Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda piloted by Howard becomes SPM’s fourth entry into this year’s 102nd running of the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing’” See the livery on the No. 7 livery page here. Full release at the link. – SPM – (3/25/2018)

INDYCAR postpones IMS oval tests – “Expected inclement weather has forced the postponement of the Verizon IndyCar Series testing for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil to Monday, April 30 through Wednesday, May 2 on the 2.5-mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Manufacturer testing, INDYCAR Open Testing and Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program and Refresher Testing on the oval initially were scheduled for Tuesday, March 27 through Thursday, March 29 on the IMS oval. High temperatures in the low 50s and a strong probability of rain are forecasted for next Tuesday through Thursday in Indianapolis.” Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (3/25/2018)

Telitz to test an IndyCar with SPM – Belardi Auto Racing Indy Lights star Aaron Telitz will test a Verizon IndyCar Series car with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports on Friday on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. – Belardi Auto Racing – (3/22/2018)

INDYCAR announces 3 year deal with NBC Sports Group – “INDYCAR will significantly increase exposure for the Verizon IndyCar Series beginning in 2019 through a media rights package announced today with NBC Sports Group. The multiyear deal will put eight Verizon IndyCar Series races, including the 103rd Indianapolis 500 and its qualifications, on NBC next year. This is an increase from five races on broadcast television this year. The rest of next year’s Verizon IndyCar Series races will air on NBCSN, which has seen its average viewership of INDYCAR races increase by 78 percent over the past four years. Dates, times and networks for next season will be announced at a later date. In a first for INDYCAR, an extensive amount of Verizon IndyCar Series content will be provided through NBC Sports Gold, a leading direct-to-consumer product. Subscribers will be able to choose the content they view and how and when they access it. Either at home or at the track, the service will provide feeds not available on any other platform, including practice and qualifying sessions not televised live. Fans will also be able to watch Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires races and programming such as INDYCAR’s postseason championship celebration, Miller Lite Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and additional ancillary programming.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (3/21/2018)

Miller’s Mailbag 3/21/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (3/21/2018)

Trackside podcast 3/20/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 3/20/18 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (3/21/2018)

Castroneves has Pennzoil livery at Barber open test – Team Penske’s No. 3 car has a Pennzoil livery for Helio Castroneves at the Barber open test. See the livery on the No. 3 livery page at the link. – The Open Wheel – (3/20/2018)

Newgarden tops first session at Barber open test – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden’s lap of 1:07.9793 was fastest in the first session of the Verizon IndyCar Series open test at Barber Motorsports Park. Helio Castroneves was third in his Verizon IndyCar Series return. The full Top 5 was Newgarden, Power, Castroneves, Bourdais, and Claman De Melo. Full results here. Update: Weather shortened the second session with a limited amount of action. All times were faster in the first session.  – The Open Wheel – (3/20/2018)

DCR announces Indy 500 entry for Mann along side Donate Life Indiana – “Pippa Mann is returning to Dale Coyne Racing for this year’s Indianapolis 500 but with a different look. The popular driver will be shedding her traditional pink livery on her #63 machine for the colors of new primary sponsor Donate Life Indiana. Mann’s entry will be a fourth for Dale Coyne Racing this May.” See the livery on our No. 63 livery page here. Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (3/20/2018)

INDYCAR details upcoming test plans – “Beginning today at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, Indy cars are slated to test five times in the next 10 days – with the following four days at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – in a late-March rush of series open and engine manufacturer testing. Two days on the IMS oval – an open test on Tuesday, March 27 and an Indy 500 rookie orientation and veteran refresher day on Wednesday, March 28 – will stream live on IndyCar.com and INDYCAR’s YouTube channel.” See the Barber open test entry list here. Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (3/20/2018)

Andretti Autosport reveals Mario throwback livery for Marco at Phoenix – “The No. 98 machine of Andretti-Herta Autosport driver Marco Andretti will feature a special look for the upcoming Phoenix Grand Prix at Phoenix’s ISM Raceway. In honor of the of 25th Anniversary of Mario Andretti’s last career win, the third-generation driver will race the Oberto Beef Jerky Circle K / Curb Honda in the colors of his grandfather’s 1993 winning car.” See the livery on our No. 98 livery page here. Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (3/19/2018)

Weekend rumors insinuate 2018 will be ABC’s last year of INDYCAR TV deal – RACER’s Robin Miller compiled a nice report on the rumors that emerged over the weekend that 2018 will be ABC’s last year of televising Verizon IndyCar Series races. More at the link. – RACER – (3/19/2018)

Sato crashes in testing at Texas – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has a report on Verizon IndyCar Series testing at Texas Motor Speedway on Thursday. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato had a big crash in the session. “Taku’s fine, but the car wasn’t as lucky,” Bobby Rahal told RACER. “It wasn’t what we needed. It got all four corners, but the good thing is he’s OK.” See the damaged car here. Full story at the link. – RACER – (3/15/2018)

Foyt survives another killer bee attack – “In round two, A.J. Foyt survived yet another attack by Africanized Killer Bees while working on his ranch in West Texas on Wednesday. He was treated at a local hospital and released once his system had stabilized. Unfortunately, this most recent attack will cause him to miss the 12 Hours of Sebring where he was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday night and serve as Grand Marshal of the historic 12-hour endurance race Saturday.” Full release at the link. – AJ Foyt Racing – (3/15/2018)

Harding Racing installs signage Main Street Speedway shop – Harding Racing has installed new signage on their shop on Main Street in Speedway, IN. “The @HardingRacing88 sign is up at our shop and it feels like the last step in our move is done! So honored being located on Main Street, right next to @IMS and @jdouglas4!” Pictures at the link. – Mike Harding – (3/15/2018)

New Indianapolis 500 Premium Club Area planned in Turn 3 – “A new premium viewing area will be constructed outside Turn 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, offering an all-inclusive Race Day experience for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil. The Turn 3 Club is being offered in response to increased demand for premium seating and hospitality at IMS. Suites are sold out for Indianapolis 500 Race Day, while limited availability remains in the Hulman Terrace Club. Hospitality and premium sales are well ahead of the pace from 2017, with demand mirroring that from the landmark 100th Running in 2016.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (3/14/2018)

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