IMSA: USCR 2018

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

Not going to be an issue. Ganassi ran Chevy IndyCar and NASCAR drivers in a Ford for crying out loud, and continues to run Honda drivers in a Ford. Montoya specifically will still do two IndyCar races next year and made a couple Ford NASCAR starts while a full time Chevy IndyCar driver.

Don't be so sure. While Ganassi and Penske have both moved drivers around between manufacturers, none of them were drivers any of the involved manufacturers had taken any express contractual interest in. I am not aware of Chevy having entered into anything with Pagenaud, but if they had it can make him a no-go for any DPi outings.

Put simply, what the team has or hasn't done is irrelevant. It's all down to the driver's specific contracts.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Penske it has to be remembered also runs Fords in NASCAR while having Chevy powered Indy Cars.

Yeah, but Ford doesn't compete in Indycar as well.

[JHamilton]

Austin Cindric?

[fieldodreams79]

Mostly unrelated to the current talk, but sort of related :

What's the chances Colin Braun gets back in a P car? I see he's dabbling in Rally Cross, but he was certainly a young up-n-comer until he went nascar truck racin'.

[Matt]

Can't see it happening unless CORE decides to run a DPi or P2 car.

[canaglia]

As far I know, any indycar driver is a factory driver. They are under contract with the team, not manufacturer.

[Coach Ep]

I'm hoping we'll see Dumas and/or Bernhard return to a Penske run prototype, preferably both in a full time role.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

I'm hoping we'll see Dumas and/or Bernhard return to a Penske run prototype, preferably both in a full time role.

Both under contract to Porsche, not Penske nor Honda. Not happening.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Matt

Can't see it happening unless CORE decides to run a DPi or P2 car.

I can't dig too far to find contract details on Mr. Braun or CORE rumors. I wouldn't count it out completely, but certainly seems unlikely a CORE DPi / P2 would be in the works...

[Nick Woodbury]

Alright, I am going to throw my bet into the ring. I posted this same thought on the S365 article when it went up yesterday.

What are the chances of Sean Rayhall getting the second seat in the second Penkse Acura alongside Helio?

- He is a young American, a good 'prospect', that Penske can mentor/work on and develop.
- He is a very hot shoe, as evidenced by his highly successful results this year driving an LMP3 for United Autosport in the ELMS. (He won at Le Mans no less).
- Already has experience in Indy Lights and IMSA Prototype Lites races a few years ago. In addition to a near full season with the Delta Wing in 2016.

[fieldodreams79]

It should only be a matter of time before Rayhall gets a seat in top team. I like the path he's on, taking the proper steps.

Don't think he's getting in the top class next year, though. Would be awesome!

[chernaudi]

So with Penske being involved with HPD's program, could he switch to Honda power in Indy Car next year? GM and HPD are direct competitors in Indy Car and will be in IMSA next year?

Granted, it does seems that manufacturers want to be involved with Penske, not the other way around.

As I mentioned, GM runs Chevrolets in NASCAR, and Penske runs Fords there, just as Ganassi runs Fords in IMSA and Chevies in NASCAR.

Ford might not run in Indy Car, but they're direct competitors with GM in NASCAR and IMSA's GT class.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

So with Penske being involved with HPD's program, could he switch to Honda power in Indy Car next year?

No.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

So with Penske being involved with HPD's program, could he switch to Honda power in Indy Car next year? GM and HPD are direct competitors in Indy Car and will be in IMSA next year?

Granted, it does seems that manufacturers want to be involved with Penske, not the other way around.

As I mentioned, GM runs Chevrolets in NASCAR, and Penske runs Fords there, just as Ganassi runs Fords in IMSA and Chevies in NASCAR.

Ford might not run in Indy Car, but they're direct competitors with GM in NASCAR and IMSA's GT class.

While Ilmor used to build Honda engines for the IRL, they are the current manufacturer for Chevrolet in Indycar. So, no, I don't see that as a possibility.

Penske has relationships with every manufacturer. That's what happens when you slang 17 billion worth of cars every year.

[TF110]

I jokingly said Sato on the sc365 comment section

[NaBUru38]

Actually, Pagenaud has a long history with Honda / Acura. Anyway, he's still 33 year old, so he could race in IndyCar for another decade.

[AoB Special Stage]

Originally Posted by Articus

JPM has been known to see the red mist...

[Matt]

Ricky Taylor will be the third full-time Penske/Acura driver.

One more.

[AoB Special Stage]

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/ci...ura-dpi-seats/

[canaglia]

Surely Castroneves will be in too, don't know if will be a full season driver but I expect to see him at least for daytona and sebring.
An Alonso presence at daytona couldn't be so unlikely if mclaren will stick with honda

[Articus]

.

[Salamus]

Don't understand why Ricky would leave WTR. Leading the championship and they have a solid operation there that would most likely still be the team to beat next season. Plus, he's with his father and brother.

[Matt]

It's Penske.

[Salamus]

You know what's cooler than racing for Penske? Beating Penske.

It is pretty cool to drive for him though.

[Makaze]

Being paid good is nice too.