Indycar News & Rumors.

[steve nielsen]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Ouch, it seems like Honda is still nursing a grudge to this day. They vetoed Alonso running with Andretti in 2020.

https://racer.com/2020/02/02/honda-v...indy-500-deal/

Interesting thought, IF Andretti was considering a car for Alonso and had everything lined up until Honda Japan said no, do they have the car available? There's a certain Honda Canada driver without a ride and with some sponsor money out there. It could solve 2 problems BUT what does his contact say about that? He supposedly gets paid if he doesn't run, if he runs how much will it cost him? Hopefully no penalty just not getting that SPAM paycheck. Most drivers would pay to drive over sit and get paid.

Well, calling the Honda engine a "GP2" engine at Suzuka, a track owned by Honda certainly was not a very smart move.

especially since Honda were also paying part of Alonso's salary.

[S griffin]

Fred said in a recent interview he regrets not so much the comment, but the fact it was broadcast, as he said it in the heat of the moment. Honda should just move on from that. I'm sure Fred was a lot more positive about the Indy engine he used in 2017, apart from the fact it broke down near the end

[bjohnsonsmith]

I thought if Alonso was to make another attempt at Indy this year, it would be with SPAM. So I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, regarding his comments about Honda, when SPAM use Chevy in anycase?

[Formulahistory]

sag that Andretti couldn't run a Chevrolet car for Alonso...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Some interesting comments from Sam Schmidt, regarding Alonso and this year's 500. Reading between the lines, it looks like Sam Schmidt is waiting to be approached by Alonso.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/148112

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I thought if Alonso was to make another attempt at Indy this year, it would be with SPAM. So I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, regarding his comments about Honda, when SPAM use Chevy in anycase?

I'm guessing the public announcement of him no longer being a McLaren ambassador was an indication that possibility with SPAM is over. I'm guessing things were said of a GP2 chassis in nature and not making the field did not instill him with confidence.

I think his best chance is likely with them, other Chevy teams have openings BUT not at the top 2 by far on ovals, Penske and ECR. Dragonspeed always takes checks but can they get you in the race any better than SPAM? Foyt likes sponsors but he's got TK in the seat for the ovals so probably not likely with a 3rd car. And then there's Carlin, no one confirmed at all there I believe but again can they get you a good seat?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I'm guessing the public announcement of him no longer being a McLaren ambassador was an indication that possibility with SPAM is over. I'm guessing things were said of a GP2 chassis in nature and not making the field did not instill him with confidence.

I think his best chance is likely with them, other Chevy teams have openings BUT not at the top 2 by far on ovals, Penske and ECR. Dragonspeed always takes checks but can they get you in the race any better than SPAM? Foyt likes sponsors but he's got TK in the seat for the ovals so probably not likely with a 3rd car. And then there's Carlin, no one confirmed at all there I believe but again can they get you a good seat?

Last year's attempt was made in association with Carlin and none of their cars/drivers qualified.

I agree, his best chance is with SPAM.

[S griffin]

Hopefully it’s lovely SPAM for him

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Hopefully it’s lovely SPAM for him

Wonderful SPAM.

[mstets]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Last year's attempt was made in association with Carlin and none of their cars/drivers qualified.

I agree, his best chance is with SPAM.

Kimball qualified fairly comfortably in P20 two places behind Dixon, believe that was a Carlin entry.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by mstets

Kimball qualified fairly comfortably in P20 two places behind Dixon, believe that was a Carlin entry.

Indeed he did. I was thinking of O'Ward and Chilton.

[Nikki Katz]

I don't follow Indy Lights, but looking at Kellett's history on Wikipedia he doesn't look great considering the low car counts; he seems to have been battling for last for four years. I can only assume he's got some cash, unless I'm missing something? Obviously Bourdais in the car for the season would have been better, but I'd much rather that they retained Leist than hire this guy. Oh well.

[broadrun96]

Kellet brings plenty of money, he has been 7th in a field of 8 in 2019 and 7 in 2018, 12th of 14 in 2017, 10th of 11 in his rookie season of 2016. So he's definitely be tearing up Indy Lights hasn't he. He gets the back half of the season on the road courses and Indy it seems.

[bjohnsonsmith]

So as things stand for A. J. Foyt Enterprises, Charlie Kimball has the full time ride in the #4 car. The #14 car will be shared between Sébastien Bourdais, who will be competing in rounds 1-3 and 16. TK who will race at Indy, plus rounds 9, 11, 13, 15 and Dalton Kellett in rounds 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17. Kellett will also drive the #41 car at Indy.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

So as things stand for A. J. Foyt Enterprises, Charlie Kimball has the full time ride in the #4 car. The #14 car will be shared between Sébastien Bourdais, who will be competing in rounds 1-3 and 16. TK who will race at Indy, plus rounds 9, 11, 13, 15 and Dalton Kellett in rounds 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17. Kellett will also drive the #41 car at Indy.

Yup, makes sense when you think about it doesn't it?

[Razor]

Current Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin is set to have a debut at the Indy road course!

https://www.teampenske.com/news/inde...qKzKaEQ8F8UY4Q

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Razor

Current Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin is set to have a debut at the Indy road course!

https://www.teampenske.com/news/inde...qKzKaEQ8F8UY4Q

Interesting, as he did some laps at Sebring in January.

[rwintle]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

So as things stand for A. J. Foyt Enterprises, Charlie Kimball has the full time ride in the #4 car. The #14 car will be shared between Sébastien Bourdais, who will be competing in rounds 1-3 and 16. TK who will race at Indy, plus rounds 9, 11, 13, 15 and Dalton Kellett in rounds 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17. Kellett will also drive the #41 car at Indy.

Thank you for that... it was making my head spin a bit.

[rwintle]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Kellet brings plenty of money, he has been 7th in a field of 8 in 2019 and 7 in 2018, 12th of 14 in 2017, 10th of 11 in his rookie season of 2016. So he's definitely be tearing up Indy Lights hasn't he. He gets the back half of the season on the road courses and Indy it seems.

Yeah, he's slow. Locally (here in Toronto) quite popular and always has a big squad of supporters in the stands, so that's good I guess. Man I wish Bourdais had the ride, but I guess he now has to consider juggling the IMSA schedule with IndyCar commitments, too.

That said, IMSA races at CTMP the weekend before the Toronto Indy, so I guess it could have happened... ah well.

[Nick Woodbury]

Originally Posted by Razor

Current Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin is set to have a debut at the Indy road course!

https://www.teampenske.com/news/inde...qKzKaEQ8F8UY4Q

I purchased Superview last season for V8's and enjoyed following the Scott's Supercars championship run, so this coming together of worlds is very exciting to see. I remember Scott explicitly mentioning how his neck was incredibly sore after his extensive testing with Penkse at Sebring a few weeks ago, it will be interesting to see if he will be able to acclimate himself to the strains of high-G open wheel racing between now and then, especially for the ~90 odd lap Indy GP.

[Armco Bender]

More Kiwis in Indycars....lock up your sheep America...

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Armco Bender

More Kiwis in Indycars....lock up your sheep America...

We keep them far away from the race tracks, in the mountains with the Mormons a lot actually. Well and New York but Indy doesn't go there anymore sadly. Great show but TERRIBLE dates, Labor Day is a lake weekend before they freeze.

Racer has some musings about what the test race might be used for. Have to wonder if the team and Power have talked and he's ready to hang it up at the end of this deal. Think he's done after the 2020 season so could he retire or step back a bit, or want to do IMSA if Roger renews the Acura deal?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

We keep them far away from the race tracks, in the mountains with the Mormons a lot actually. Well and New York but Indy doesn't go there anymore sadly. Great show but TERRIBLE dates, Labor Day is a lake weekend before they freeze.

I went to Salt Lake City once. Lots of Mormons and mountains but I don't remember seeing any sheep. They could have been hiding.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I went to Salt Lake City once. Lots of Mormons and mountains but I don't remember seeing any sheep. They could have been hiding.

They knew the Kiwis were coming.

[rwintle]

Hm - hadn't previously heard any rumours about Power retiring(?!).


I'm also interested that the article about McLaughlin says he's running the #2... does that mean Newgarden will carry #1 this year? Seems logical but I don't remember anything to that effect. And because my memory is crap, I don't recall if he used #1 in his previous championship-defence season?