News for the Week of May 8, 2017 – May 14, 2017

Lazier effort confirmed on official Indy 500 entry list – INDYCAR has posted the official entry list for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Buddy Lazier is confirmed as driving the No. 49 Lazier Racing Partners Chevrolet. View the official entry list here. – INDYCAR – (5/14/2017)

Power completes weekend sweep with victory at INDYCAR GP – Team Penske’s Will Power finished his weekend sweep on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a victory in the INDYCAR Grand Prix. Power Was fastest in every practice, qualifying, and warmup session. The rest of the Top 5 was Dixon, Hunter-Reay, Pagenaud, and Castroneves. Rahal finished P6 from a P20 starting position. Montoya was P10 in his first Verizon IndyCar Series race of the year. Bourdais finished last in P22 after suffering an early mechanical issue. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/13/2017)

Mario beats Sam in autonomous car race at IMS – Mario Andretti edged Sam Schmidt in a four lap race on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway using the semi-autonomous motorcar (SAM) Chevrolet Corvettes Schmidt has helped develop. Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/13/2017)

Luck gives the starting command for INDYCAR GP – Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck gave the starting command before the INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday. – IMS – (5/13/2017)

Kaiser wins Lights Race 2 at IMS – Juncos Racing’s Kyle Kaiser won Indy Lights Race 2 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after leading from start to finish on Saturday. The rest of the Top 5 was Urrutia, Leist, Jamin, and Piedrahita. Herta went off the pace in the middle portion of the race and finished in P10. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/13/2017)

INDYCAR GP starting grid – The starting grid with tire designations for the INDYCAR Grand Prix on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/13/2017)

Power sweeps pre-race events as he’s fastest again in morning warmup at IMS – Team Penske’s Will Power has now swept the practice, qualifying, and warmup sessions for the INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a fast lap of 1:10.2014 in the morning warmup. The rest of the Top 5 was Newgarden, Dixon, Rahal, and Andretti. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/13/2017)

Kaiser takes pole for Lights Race 2 at IMS – Juncos Racing’s Kyle Kaiser won the pole for Indy Lights Race 2 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap of 1:14.9629. The rest of the Top 5 was Herta, Leist, Urrutia, and Piedrahita. Nico Jamin, the winner on Friday, will start in P7. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/13/2017)

Trackside podcast 5/12/17 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/12/17 is a great listen as always. Sage Karam and Indy Lights IMS Race 1 winner Nico Jamin are guests on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (5/13/2017)

Jamin wins Lights Race 1 at IMS – Andretti Autosport’s Nico Jamin led from start to finish to win Indy Lights Race 1 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The rest of the Top 5 was Claman De Melo, Kaiser, Alberico, and Leist. Herta was forced to pit with a flat tire in the middle portion of the race and finished in P12. Piedrahita was unable to start due to damage suffered to the car in qualifying. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/12/2017)

Power wins the pole for INDYCAR GP at IMS – Team Penske’s Will Power set a new track record and won the pole in qualifying for the INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap of 1:07.7044. The rest of the Firestone Fast Six qualifying order was Castroneves, Newgarden, Dixon, Montoya, and Bourdais. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/12/2017)

INDYCAR GP qualifying groups – The qualifying groups for the Verizon IndyCar Series INDYCAR Grand Prix on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are available at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/12/2017)

Jamin wins pole for Lights Race 1 at IMS – Andretti Autosport’s Nico Jamin won the pole for Indy Lights Race 1 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap of 1:15.2443. The rest of the Top 5 was Claman De Melo, Alberico, Kaiser, and Urrutia. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/12/2017)

Power fastest again in Practice 2 at IMS – Team Penske’s Will Power’s was fastest again in Practice 2 for the INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a lap of 1:07.7684. The rest of the Top 5 was Newgarden, Montoya, Rossi, and Castroneves. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/12/2017)

Kimball visor cam from IMS road course – INDYCAR’s excellent visor cam series continues with Charlie Kimball on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Practice 1 for the INDYCAR Grand Prix. – INDYCAR – (5/12/2017)

Kaiser fastest in Lights Practice 1 at IMS – Juncos Racing’s Kyle Kaiser’s lap of 1:15.1190 was the fastest lap of Indy Lights Practice 1 on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The rest of the Top 5 was Herta, Urrutia, Blackstock, and Piedrahita. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (5/12/2017)

Power leads the way in Practice 1 at IMS – Team Penske’s Will Power’s lap of 1:09.3172 was the fastest lap in Practice 1 for the INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The rest of the Top 5 was Dixon, Newgarden, Pagenaud, and Pigot. Montoya was P7 in his first official session of the season. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (5/12/2017)

IMS unveils special champagne bottles for INDYCAR GP podium – “When the podium finishers at Saturday’s INDYCAR Grand Prix pop their champagne bottles on the podium at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, they’ll have pop art in their hands. Created by artist-to-the-stars, Jojo Anavim, the three bottles are covered with screen-printed images of IMS patriarch Tony Hulman, the iconic IMS wing-and-wheel logo, American flags and the grand prix logo. Vibrant acrylic paint, aerosol spray paint and glitter-like material, known in the art world as “diamond dust,” also cover the bottles, creating an eye-opening mixed-media collage.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (5/12/2017)

The Open Wheel’s INDYCAR Grand Prix preview – The Open Wheel’s Dylan Reynolds’ preview of the INDYCAR weekend on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. Includes all relevant Verizon IndyCar Series and Indy Lights weekend information, historical stats, predictions, fantasy advice, and more. – The Open Wheel – (5/12/2017)

Alberico fastest in wet second Lights test session on IMS road course – Carlin’s Neil Alberico’s lap of 1:25.4840 was the fastest time in the second session of Indy Lights testing on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday. There wasn’t much activity as the track was damp. The rest of the Top 5 was Dapero, Rickards, Leist, and Claman De Melo. Full results at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/11/2017)

MSR/Andretti reveal No. 50 livery for Indy 500 – Michael Shank Racing and Andretti Autosport unveiled the livery for their No. 50 car for Jack Harvey for the 101st Running of the 500 Mile Race. See the livery on our No. 50 livery page here. – Indy Lights – (5/11/2017)

Jamin fastest in first Lights test session on IMS road course – Andretti Autosport’s Nico Jamin had the fastest time in the first session of Indy Lights testing on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday with a lap of 1:15.0642. The rest of the Top 5 was Kaiser, Alberico, Herta, and Claman De Melo. Full results at the link. – The Open Wheel – (5/11/2017)

Report: Alonso will keep his Indy 500 car – AUTOSPORT’s Pablo Elizalde reports Fernando Alonso has it in his contract that he gets to keep the car he will drive in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and display it in his museum. Full report at the link. – AUTOSPORT – (5/11/2017)

DCR reveals No. 63 livery for Indy 500 – Dale Coyne Racing unveiled the livery for their No. 63 car for Pippa Mann for the 101st Running of the 500 Mile Race. See the livery on our No. 63 livery page here. – Dale Coyne Racing – (5/11/2017)

Team Penske No. 3 livery for Indy 500 revealed – The Shell Nitro/Fuel Rewards livery for Team Penske’s No. 3 car for Helio Castroneves in the 101st Running of the 500 Mile Race has been revealed. See the ivery on our No. 3 livery page here. – Shell – (5/11/2017)

DCR repairs damaged No. 18 chassis in time for INDYCAR GP – NBC Sports’ Tony DiZinno has an excellent report on the work and expense Dale Coyne Racing put into the same No. 18 chassis driven by Sebastien Bourdais that was damaged in the Lap 1 incident at Phoenix International Raceway to get it ready in time for this weekend’s INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. – NBC Sports – (5/11/2017)

Team Penske No. 3 to feature retro-themed livery for Indy 500 – A retro-themed Shell Nitro livery will be used for Team Penske’s No. 3 car for Helio Castroneves in the 101st Running of the 500 Mile Race. See the partial livery on our No. 3 livery page here. – Motorsport.com – (5/11/2017)

Stewart drives ’61 Foyt 500 winner at IMS – RACER’s Robin Miller has a nice piece on Tony Stewart meeting with A.J. Foyt and driving his 1961 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday. Story, pictures, and video at the link. – RACER – (5/11/2017)

Trackside podcast 5/10/17 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/10/17 is a great listen as always. RC Enerson is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (5/11/2017)

Foyt No. 40 livery for Indy 500 revealed – The Indy Women in Tech Championship livery that Zach Veach will drive for AJ Foyt Racing in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race was unveiled on Wednesday afternoon. See the livery on our No. 40 livery page here. – NBC Sports – (5/10/2017)

Juncos Racing announces Saavedra will drive No. 17 at Indy 500 – “Juncos Racing announced today that it has entered a car for Sebastian Saavedra in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.” See the full release at the link and the livery on our No. 17 livery page here. – Juncos Racing – (5/10/2017)

Shank “working” on full-time IndyCar program – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has a great interview with Michael Shank about his team’s partnership with Andretti Autosport for Jack Harvey’s Indy 500 program and the possibility of a full-time Verizon IndyCar Series program for Michael Shank Racing. “I am absolutely working to see that happening,” Shank told RACER when asked about a full-time Verizon IndyCar Series program. Full report at the link. – RACER – (5/10/2017)

RLL unveils new livery for No. 15 for INDYCAR GP – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has unveiled a new livery for Graham Rahal this weekend. The patriotic livery is in the name of SoldierStrong and TurnsForTroops.com. See the livery on our No. 15 livery page here. – RLL – (5/10/2017)

INDYCAR Grand Prix spotter guide – The spotter guide for the INDYCAR Grand Prix on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (5/10/2017)

Miller’s Mailbag 5/10/17 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (5/10/2017)

Trackside podcast 5/9/17 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/9/17 is a great listen as always. NBC Sports’ Anders Krohn is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (5/10/2017)

INDYCAR Grand Prix entry list – The entry list for the INDYCAR Grand Prix on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. It features all 21 full-time Verizon IndyCar Series entries plus Juan Pablo Montoya in the Team Penske No. 22. – INDYCAR – (5/9/2017)

Robert Mathis named pace car driver for INDYCAR GP – “Indianapolis Colts legend Robert Mathis will drive the 2017 Corvette Stingray Coupe Pace Car at the fourth annual INDYCAR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 13 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (5/9/2017)

Lights entry list for IMS road course is posted – The entry list for the Indy Lights Grand Prix of Indianapolis Presented by Royal Purple Synthetic Oil Supporting Lupus Foundation of America is available at the link. Team Pelfrey’s second car for Pato O’Ward is NOT on the entry list and was not confirmed beyond the previous race weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. All other 14 car/driver combinations that have raced in each race weekend this season are included on the entry list. – Indy Lights – (5/9/2017)

Juncos Racing announces Pigot will drive No. 11 at Indy 500 – “Juncos Racing announced today that Spencer Pigot will drive for the team in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Pigot, 23, will pilot the No. 11 Juncos Racing Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone entry with sponsorship from Oceanfront Recovery through Rising Star Racing.” See the full release at the link and the livery on our No. 11 livery page here. – Juncos Racing – (5/9/2017)

TK gives Alonso honest advice on RTV6 – RTV6’s Dave Furst posted a funny segment with Tony Kanaan and Robin Miller as Kanaan gives Fernando Alonso some expectations for his Indy 500 race weekend schedule he likely hasn’t been told yet. Check it out at the link. – Dave Furst – (5/9/2017)

McLaren-Honda-Andretti names Rutherford as ambassador for May – “McLaren-Honda-Andretti is delighted to announce that Indy 500 legend Johnny Rutherford will join the team’s IndyCar programme as its official ambassador for the month of May…He will be fully engaged in the team’s Indianapolis programme from a marketing and media perspective, offering his personal insight and experience as the operation embarks on its ambitious plan to run Fernando Alonso in one of the greatest and most illustrious motor races in the world.” Full release at the link. – McLaren – (5/9/2017)

IMS announces partnership with Indiana Donor Network – “The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) announced today it has partnered with Indiana Donor Network to promote organ, tissue and eye donation and transplantation through the Driven2SaveLives® campaign. The goal is to educate race fans on donation and to encourage them to register their donation decisions through the campaign.” “This partnership between IMS and the Indiana Donor Network is very important to all of us,” said Mark Miles, Hulman & Company president and CEO. “We see this as a great opportunity to reach fans who visit the Racing Capital of the World throughout the year, informing them about the need for registered donors across Indiana and the United States. It’s extremely easy for anyone to take part in this process and save lives.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (5/9/2017)

Trackside podcast 5/8/17 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 5/8/17 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (5/9/2017)

Report: Juncos to name Pigot and Saavedra as Indy 500 drivers – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports the field for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race is full as Buddy Lazier’s effort has received necessary funding and Juncos Racing will confirm its drivers to be Spencer Pigot and Sebastian Saavedra. Full report at the link. – RACER – (5/8/2017)

Malsher report on future schedules – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher has an excellent must-read report on new possibilities for the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule in 2018 and beyond. In the report, Malsher has quotes from Mark Miles on the potential addition of races in Portland, Calgary, Mexico, and China in 2018 or 2019. Miles also confirmed all 2017 venues are confirmed for 2018: “We have finished agreements with all the current events through 2018,” he said, “so if there’s going to be a new venue next year, it’s in addition to what we have already.” Full report at the link. – Motorsport.com – (5/8/2017)

Franchitti “amazed” by Alonso test – Motorsport.com’s Edd Straw reports INDYCAR legend Dario Franchitti was impressed by Fernando Alonso’s performance in his open test on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “I was amazed, I thought he got up to speed incredibly quickly,” said Franchitti. “I sat and watched the whole rookie test and I thought he got up to speed well, did a great job. To drive an oval is a very unusual thing for a road course driver who has grown up driving on road and street courses, and Indianapolis is probably even more so a law unto itself.” Full report, including quotes from Max Chilton, at the link. – Motorsport.com – (5/8/2017)

Boles “hopeful” for GP sponsor at IMS next year – Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star reports Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles is optimistic the track will have a title sponsor for the Verizon IndyCar Series race on the road course at IMS next year. Angie’s List chose not to renew its contract as the title sponsor of the race since its inception in 2014. “We got caught up in something that I think we had a relationship that worked for them going forward, but (Angie’s List) had other financial problems, and by the time it came to us, it was too late for us to really bring somebody else on,” Boles said. “Now we could have tried to fire sale it, but we thought we were better off trying to bring someone on who would be the right partner.” – Indianapolis Star – (5/8/2017)

Corvette Grand Sport unveiled as 2017 Indy 500 pace car – “The Corvette Grand Sport is the official Pace Car for the 2017 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil and will lead drivers to the green flag Sunday, May 28 for the 101st Running of the legendary race. It marks the 14th time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car, starting in 1978, and the 28th time a Chevrolet has led the field, dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race. No other vehicle has served as the Pace Car more than the Corvette.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (5/5/2017)

Mecum Auctions livery unveiled for DRR car for Karam – Mecum Auctions will be featured on the livery for the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing No. 24 to be driven by Sage Karam in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. See the full release at the link and the livery on our No. 24 livery page here. – NBC Sports – (5/4/2017)

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