News for the Week of September 26 – October 2, 2016
AA & BHA extend partnership through ’17 – “Andretti Autosport announced today that the team has extended its Indianapolis 500 race-winning partnership with Bryan Herta Autosport through the 2017 season.” “We’re happy to have Bryan back with the team for 2017,” expressed owner of Andretti Autosport, Michael Andretti. “His team fits well into our family and we are excited to see continued growth and success with the partnership. Bryan is a long time friend and a true asset to our organization. We are eager to see what next season has in store.” A driver announcement has not been made at this time. – Andretti Autosport – (9/30/2016)
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ECR confirms Newgarden departure – Ed Carpenter Racing confirmed in a release that Josef Newgarden will not return to the team’s Verizon IndyCar Series program in 2017. “While it’s disappointing that Josef will not be returning, it’s also not a total surprise after all of the speculation the past few weeks,” said team owner Ed Carpenter. “I wish Josef the best in his future endeavors, but also remain focused on ECR’s continued success. We are positioned well moving into 2017 and I have total confidence that we will continue to deliver the high level of performance we expect as a team.” Newgarden is expected to join Team Penske. – NBC Sports – (9/29/2016)
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Miller’s Mailbag 9/28/16 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (9/28/2016)
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Trackside podcast 9/27/16 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 9/27/16 is a great listen as always. The pair discusses all the latest INDYCAR news and talks to IMS president Doug Boles about this weekend’s Red Bull Air Race. – 1070 The Fan – (9/28/2016)
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Tickets available for 10/4 INDYCAR Championship Celebration – “Drivers, team owners and fans will gather Oct. 4 at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis to commemorate the 2016 campaign at the annual INDYCAR Championship Celebration. The awards event to honor Pagenaud and his championship-winning Team Penske organization and others has been held in San Francisco and Los Angeles the past three years. It last took place in Indianapolis in 2012. Through INDYCAR Nation, the official fan community of the Verizon IndyCar Series, tickets to the Championship Celebration are being provided to INDYCAR Nation members at no cost. To sign up for INDYCAR Nation and reserve your free tickets, visit http://indycarnation.indycar.com.” – INDYCAR – (9/26/2016)
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Malsher breaks down silly season rumors – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher has posted an excellent analysis of all of the latest Verizon IndyCar Series silly season rumors. Updates on Newgarden/Team Penske, Kanaan, Montoya, Ganassi/Honda, and more. Check it out at the link. – Motorsport.com – (9/26/2016)
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Pagenaud to drive No. 1 in 2017 – Team Penske’s Tim Cindric confirmed that 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series champion Simon Pagenaud will exercise his right to drive the No. 1 car next year in 2017 just as Will Power did in 2015. Scott Dixon and his team elected to stick with No. 9 in 2016. – Tim Cindric – (9/21/2016)
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Changes rumored for KVSH Racing – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has a nice report on the rumors surrounding KVSH Racing. Almost too good to shorten. Includes speculation on Carlin acquiring assets, Kalkhoven assuring the KV side would be back next year, ramifications of Bourdais likely heading to Coyne, the possibility of Chilton moving to the Carlin effort, and more. Check out the full story at the link. – RACER – (9/21/2016)
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Report: Newgarden to join Team Penske – RACER’s Robin Miller reports that Josef Newgarden will drive for Team Penske in the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2017. Miller cites an anonymous source inside Team Penske. More at the link. – RACER – (9/20/2016)
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Report: Rossi close to extension at Andretti Autosport – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Alexander Rossi is on the verge of signing a three-year extension with Andretti Autosport to remain in the Verizon IndyCar Series. “Looking ahead to next year, I’d love to come back to IndyCar 100 percent,” Rossi told RACER Tuesday morning. “I really enjoyed the experience, albeit from the competitive side we had our challenges, and I think we worked through some of them – I’d love to be able to come back and show what we’re capable of. But it’s not up to me. I’m talking to Andretti, obviously, but I have some other potential options just in case.” More at the link. – RACER – (9/20/2016)
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