IndyCar Silly Season Thread - Page 2

Tim Northcutt · 15 Sep 2008, 20:10 (Ref:2291212)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

Just another thing to update. One very popular rumor is that Vitor will be in Jay Penske's Luczo Dragon car next year in favor of T. Scheckter... but where does that leave Tomas?

Chris

Last Friday night I was at an event hosted by Yamaha at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the MotoGP weekend and I spoke briefly with Vitor Meira, who was there.

I told him that I was a fan of his and that I hoped he would have a ride for next season.

He smiled and replied "No Worries At All" but obviously didn't say where.

Hmmmmm.....

Jonerz · 15 Sep 2008, 21:19 (Ref:2291276)

HHHHHHMMMMMMMMMM indeed Mr. Northcutt. Hmm indeed. I'm hearing rumors that can basically scratch back-to-back Atlantics-Lights champion Rafa Matos off of any prospective IndyCar rosters.

Chris

Alwaysfirst · 17 Sep 2008, 05:09 (Ref:2292263)

Just to kind of round up the latest rumours....

Foyt may replace Manning & run Scheckter & Perera...

Luczo Dragon may run Meira...

Doornbos will most likely be in the second HVM car.

Rahal will only expand to 2 cars with funding. From what we have heard so far that funding hasn't been found.

Panther is in the same boat as Rahal. They may be keen on testing a lot of drivers, Davidson, Conway etc, but they will only get a drive if they bring the cash to fund it.

Giorgio Pantano is rumoured to be moving to the states if he can't get a F1 drive. This may be to IndyCar...it may be to Grand Am or ALMS or another series. Wherever it is again he'll probably need to bring money to get it as most of the paid drives seem to have been taken. Unfortunatly for Pantano even though he's just won the GP2 series he's hardly hot property. Ron Dennis has described most of the drivers this year as distinctly average & Pantano had almost as many off weekends as winning ones. Will be interesting to see how this one works out...especially how he'll do if he gets an oval test to see how he'll go.

Although there are still rumours that there will be a 5th Andretti Green car there are increasingly more that there will be no extra car for Matos, possibly not even for Indy. IMO this would be a bit of a kick in the privates for the champion in both of the supposed feeder series for the past 2 years. Would kind of defy the point of them if the champions aren't moving on upwards...

It's looking increasingly likely that there will be not 3rd Ganassi for Alex Lloyd & they're trying to farm him out again...seemingly to anyone who'll take him. I know Ganassi is a great team to have on your side but it really isn't good enough for Alex to only be getting one race a year at Indy. This isn't good for Alex & it isn't good for Ganassi as they're running the risk of his racecraft getting a little rusty.

climb · 17 Sep 2008, 06:50 (Ref:2292296)

I think that Indycar's goal cannot be that of 30+ cars.
Given they run on short ovals too, the ideal number is 28, not more.
And a 40 entrants for Indy.
Therefore quality (more skilled, paid drivers) rather than quantity is the main goal. I hope all these movements and rumours bring to that.

Amar7605 · 17 Sep 2008, 07:51 (Ref:2292329)

At the speeds that Indy cars run, trying to have over 30 cars on an oval is dangerous. It also slows everyone down. This also applies to road and street courses.

Mr Pink · 18 Sep 2008, 08:50 (Ref:2293075)

Quote:

Originally Posted by climb

I think that Indycar's goal cannot be that of 30+ cars.
Given they run on short ovals too, the ideal number is 28, not more.
And a 40 entrants for Indy.
Therefore quality (more skilled, paid drivers) rather than quantity is the main goal. I hope all these movements and rumours bring to that.

Exactly!
I think the most important thing is to raise the average level of the drivers.

JohnSSC · 18 Sep 2008, 09:46 (Ref:2293096)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pink

Exactly!
I think the most important thing is to raise the average level of the drivers.

I don't think that they could possibly be any more average....

Mr Pink · 18 Sep 2008, 15:42 (Ref:2293238)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

I don't think that they could possibly be any more average....

haha

That's not really what I meant but I guess you understood that?

Alwaysfirst · 18 Sep 2008, 16:52 (Ref:2293272)

Well there are some really very good drivers out there like Dixon, Kanaan, Castroneves, Wilson & soon, Franchitti. But as long as drivers like Duno, Roth & Danica

are out there the average level will stay...well...average.

JohnSSC · 18 Sep 2008, 22:16 (Ref:2293445)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pink

haha

That's not really what I meant but I guess you understood that?

Absolutely! Just couldn't pass that opportunity up!

DanicaFan · 19 Sep 2008, 11:11 (Ref:2293659)

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewdawg727

Marty Roth has been told to park it by ICS. He will not be racing next year.

Im waiting for them to tell Milka to park it. She should have been the first one to be out.

I agree, the silly season is good already. A lot of big moves prior to the season ending.

Im so glad to see Dario back in the IRL. I wish he was back with AGR but I wont be greedy, yet.

Im sure Vitor will get picked up and I would love to see Paul Tracy get a full-time ride.

Down F0rce · 19 Sep 2008, 18:18 (Ref:2293840)

Montangy will test for AGR, a fifth car is not out of the question...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70727

cds_uk · 20 Sep 2008, 10:19 (Ref:2294120)

YES!!! thats more like it, go on Franck.

Jonerz · 24 Sep 2008, 11:40 (Ref:2296845)

A.J. is out at RBR in Cup. Rumors seem to indicate he will wind up at Chip Ganassi.... Racing with Felix Sabatas in Dario's old Cup Car. Quite frankly, I'd hate to see that happen because he belongs in open-wheel so fingers crossed he somehow falls into an IndyCar ride... but where does he fit?

Chris

Mystery · 25 Sep 2008, 12:38 (Ref:2297631)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

A.J. is out at RBR in Cup. Rumors seem to indicate he will wind up at Chip Ganassi.... Racing with Felix Sabatas in Dario's old Cup Car. Quite frankly, I'd hate to see that happen because he belongs in open-wheel so fingers crossed he somehow falls into an IndyCar ride... but where does he fit?

Chris

He doesn't - that's why Cup is the likely answer. AGR is full until they ditch Danica or Mutoh - so that's this season out. Ganassi is full until Dario retires or gets bored. Penske are full for the forseeable future. Rahal doesn't seem to have any enthusiasm for expanding. Newman Haas don't either but haven't announced anything yet - guess he could end up there but I'd rate that chance as about 5%. Panther is full. Don't think he'd even consider anywhere else.

Down F0rce · 25 Sep 2008, 13:17 (Ref:2297653)

One-off entry for Indy is the best he could hope for, IndyCar wise.

Mystery · 25 Sep 2008, 16:01 (Ref:2297738)

Cavin and Indycar.com reporting Meira replacing Manning at Foyt with an option for 2010

and Cavin also reporting Greg Beck going full time with Stanton Barrett at the wheel.

Down F0rce · 25 Sep 2008, 16:14 (Ref:2297748)

That's Manning out in the cold, then. A shame, he put in some strong performances. What now for him? Luczo Dragon, full time LMES?

Jonerz · 25 Sep 2008, 18:46 (Ref:2297841)

Full time LMES or full time ALMS. Sports cars for sure. I don't think he's done enough to indicate he is an IndyCar-type driver.

Chris

JohnSSC · 25 Sep 2008, 21:33 (Ref:2297956)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystery

Cavin and Indycar.com reporting Meira replacing Manning at Foyt with an option for 2010

and Cavin also reporting Greg Beck going full time with Stanton Barrett at the wheel.

Who the heck is Stanton Barrett?

Alwaysfirst · 25 Sep 2008, 21:49 (Ref:2297969)

A NASCAR driver I think...never been in a great drive though as far as I know so hasn't had much of an opertunity. This may be his last chance as he is 36...

Hazard · 25 Sep 2008, 21:51 (Ref:2297970)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

A.J. is out at RBR in Cup. Rumors seem to indicate he will wind up at Chip Ganassi.... Racing with Felix Sabatas in Dario's old Cup Car. Quite frankly, I'd hate to see that happen because he belongs in open-wheel so fingers crossed he somehow falls into an IndyCar ride... but where does he fit?

Chris

American driver - so all american loving team - so Vision?

Carpenter well and truly outdid Foyt IV this season - there's room to move him out for sure.

mountainstar · 26 Sep 2008, 05:06 (Ref:2298111)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

Who the heck is Stanton Barrett?

He's been around for years, but mostly works as a stuntman in hollywood. His dad was the first person to break the speed of sound on land in 1979 in the Budweiser rocket car(supposedly).

JohnSSC · 26 Sep 2008, 10:57 (Ref:2298264)

Thanks for clearing that one up!

A gazillion drivers well-qualified in the ladder series both Atlantic and IPS and no offense to this fella we get someone from Hollywood. Another Important Step Forward for American Open Wheel Racing.

Where was that 2009 ALMS schedule again???

DanicaFan · 26 Sep 2008, 11:22 (Ref:2298287)

I would of rather seen a breaking news story of Paul Tracy coming in full-time. I agree, nothing personally against Barrett but this team in my opinion will be in the back of the field just about every race. Hanging back there with Milka.

I want to see good drivers and podium contenders come in, not just car fillers.

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