News for the Week of September 17 – September 23, 2018

Wickens shares video of cycling as part of rehab – Robert Wickens has posted a video of himself on a stationary bike as part of his rehab. Check it out at the link. – Robert Wickens – (9/21/2018)

Carlin aiming for 3 IndyCar entries and Lights return for ’19 – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher reports Carlin is hoping to a third car for their IndyCar Series program and return to Indy Lights in 2019. “Max and Charlie are staying on, or that’s the plan at least,” Trevor Carlin told Motorsport.com. “We’re just in that contract stage of getting everything buttoned up. And so I’ve asked Chevrolet about an extra engine lease and they say there’s no reason why they couldn’t cover us for a third car.” Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (9/21/2018)

Lights entry list for Griffis test – The full Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires entry list for the Chris Griffis Memorial Test this weekend on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – Indy Lights – (9/20/2018)

Askew to test Lights car with Andretti at Griffis test – Oliver Askew will test an Indy Lights car with Andretti Autosport at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test this weekend on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. – Oliver Askew – (9/20/2018)

Juncos adds Lights car for Choi at Griffis test – “Juncos Racing announced today that Heamin Choi would rejoin the team for the Eighth Annual Chris Griffis Memorial test this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Choi is the second driver to commit to the Juncos Racing Indy Lights line-up. Heamin Choi (Busan, Korea) made his first appearance with Juncos Racing at the 2017 Mazda Road to Indy Chris Griffis Memorial Test. Choi rejoined the team earlier this month for the 2018 Indy Lights season finale at Portland International Raceway. Choi will pilot the No. 7 Juncos Racing car on the 2.439 mile, 14-Turn road course located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Racing – (9/20/2018)

Harding Steinbrenner Racing announces Herta and O’Ward as ’19 IndyCar drivers – “A new partnership in open-wheel racing has begun today with the launch of Harding Steinbrenner Racing, a combined effort bringing together current IndyCar and Indy Lights competitors, Harding Racing and Steinbrenner Racing. The new team will field two full-time IndyCar Series entries in 2019 with Freedom 100 winner Colton Herta piloting the #88, joined by newly-crowned Indy Lights Champion Patricio O’Ward in the #8.” Full release at the link. – Harding Steinbrenner Racing – (9/19/2018)

Belardi names trio of drivers for Lights program at Griffis test – Belardi Auto Racing has announced it will test three Indy Lights cars at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test this weekend on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The drivers will be Lucas Kohl, David Malukas, and Victor Franzoni. See the cars at the link. – Berardi Auto Racing – (9/19/2018)

Juncos to test RVK in Lights car for Griffis test – “Juncos Racing announced today that 2018 Pro Mazda Champion Rinus VeeKay would return the team for the Eighth Annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test for the Indy Lights Series sessions. The 2018 Pro Mazda Champion Rinus VeeKay (Hoofddrop, Netherlands) will make his first appearance in the Indy Lights car since winning the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires earlier this month. This will be the 18-year-old’s second time in the Indy Lights car on 2.439 mile, 14-Turn road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.” Full release at the link. – Juncos Racing – (9/19/2018)

Miller’s Mailbag 9/19/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/19/2018)

Trackside podcast 9/18/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/18/18 is a great listen as always. Paul Tracy is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (9/19/2018)

Team Pelfrey adds Thompson in Lights car for Griffis test – “Team Pelfrey is delighted to announce that Parker Thompson, one of the most successful drivers on the Mazda Road to Indy in recent years, will be testing with its Indy Lights team at the upcoming Chris Griffis test on September 22nd and 23rd. 20 year-old Thompson, who finished second in points in the 2018 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires with 3 wins, is now turning his attentions to the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Series after winning multiple races on the Mazda Road to Indy dating back to 2016.” Full release at the link. – Team Pelfrey – (9/18/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Sunday Sonoma photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery from Sunday at the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/16/2018)

Hunter-Reay wins at Sonoma, Dixon earns fifth IndyCar Championship – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay won the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway from pole on Sunday while Chip Ganassi Racing Teams’ Scott Dixon finished second to claim his fifth Verizon IndyCar Series championship. The full Top 5 was Hunter-Reay, Dixon, Power, Pagenaud, and Andretti. Fellow championship contenders Rossi and Newgarden finished P7 and P8. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/16/2018)

Wickens gives update on his status – Robert Wickens has posted a video update on his status and recovery on Sunday afternoon before the final Verizon IndyCar Series race of the season at Sonoma Raceway. Check it out at the link. – Robert Wickens – (9/16/2018)

RLL announces Sato return for ’19 – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Takuma Sato will return to the team in 2019. Sato is the most recent winner in the IndyCar Series after having led 25 laps at the Grand Prix of Portland en route to his third series victory and first on a road course. It will be his third season with the team after having driven for RLL in 2012 and 2018.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (9/16/2018)

The Open Wheel’s Saturday Sonoma photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s photo gallery from Saturday at the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (9/15/2018)

RHR takes surprise pole at Sonoma – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay took pole for the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway with a lap of 1:17.6277. The rest of the Firestone Fast Six order was Dixon, Newgarden, Andretti, O’Ward, and Rossi. The fourth championship contender, Power, qualified in P7. Rossi did not use a fresh set of Firestone Red tires in the final “Fast Six” so that he would have an extra set in Sunday’s race. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (9/15/2018)

ECR announces Pigot full-time in No. 21 and Carpenter in No. 20 on ovals in ’19 – “Spencer Pigot will remain behind the wheel of the No. 21 Chevrolet for the 2019 Verizon IndyCar Series season, Ed Carpenter Racing announced today. Pigot’s return to the No. 21 will mark his fourth year with the team and fourth season as a Verizon IndyCar Series driver…Carpenter will continue to drive the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet on ovals in 2019…The road and street course driver for the No. 20 will be announced at a later date.” Full release at the link. – ECR – (9/13/2018)

Report: COTA to host INDYCAR spring training test – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports INDYCAR has chosen Circuit of the Americas for its annual spring training test after the departure of ISM Raceway off the schedule. The test is planned for early February. Full report at the link. – RACER – (9/13/2018)

Report: Steinbrenner Racing to announce ’19 deal for Herta/Harding as soon as next week – The usually reliable Adam Stern reports Steinbrenner Racing is set to announce a deal for Colton Herta to move to the IndyCar Series in 2019 in a partnership with Harding Racing. – Adam Stern – (9/13/2018)

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