INDYCAR News for the Month of July 2020

ECR announces Pearn as lead engineer for No. 47 at Indy 500 – “Ed Carpenter Racing has welcomed championship-winning crew chief Cole Pearn to its engineering staff for the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Pearn will return to racing for the Month of August, serving as lead engineer for Conor Daly. Daly will compete in ECR’s third entry, the No. 47 U.S. Air Force Chevrolet…He became an engineer with Richard Childress Racing before shifting to Denver-based Furniture Row Racing. In 2015, he was promoted to crew chief of the team’s No. 78 with driver Martin Truex. The pair won the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series championship, competed in the title race in four of five years, and won a series-high seven races last year.” Full release at the link. – ECR – (7/29/2020)

Johnson completes exciting IMS INDYCAR test – Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson tested an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car with Chip Ganassi Racing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Tuesday and by all accounts it went well. Scott Dixon and Mike Hull worked with Johnson throughout the day and gave great reviews. Johnson has raved about his experience to the media and on his social media and it’s believed there may be an opportunity for this to grow to races somewhere down the line. Full story from INDYCAR at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/29/2020)

Miller’s Mailbag 7/29/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (7/29/2020)

Trackside podcast 7/28/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/28/20 is a great listen as always. Mike Hull is a guest on the show. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/29/2020)

INDYCAR announces Portland and Laguna Seca cancellation and adds doubleheaders – “The NTT INDYCAR SERIES released an updated 2020 race calendar today featuring several modifications. Three events already scheduled on the series calendar will now become doubleheader weekends, including INDYCAR’s upcoming race weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Prior to the originally scheduled Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Sunday, Aug. 9, the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will square off in another championship-points paying event Saturday, Aug. 8. In addition, the race weekends at World Wide Technology Raceway in August and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in October will become doubleheader weekends. WWTR will feature races Saturday, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30. IMS will add a road course race Friday, Oct. 2 before the already scheduled event Saturday, Oct. 3.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/27/2020)

’20 COTA F1 race cancelled – Circuit of The Americas announced today that their 2020 Formula 1 race has been cancelled. The Canadian, Mexican, and Brazilian events were cancelled as well. Full release at the link. – COTA – (7/24/2020)

IMS drops local blackout and releases 88 page safety plan for Indy 500 – “Officials from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway today released a detailed 88-page plan they have put in place to welcome the estimated 25 percent of capacity crowd expected to attend the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, Aug. 23. Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. president & CEO, also announced that this year’s race will air live in Indianapolis on NBC, allowing more Hoosiers to watch in real-time from their homes…The plan was developed over the last four months by a team of Indy officials and national health experts, including Dr. Edward Racht, chief medical officer of Global Medical Response, the largest emergency medical services provider in the nation. It has also been approved by the Marion County Department of Public Health subject to continued review.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (7/22/2020)

Johnson’s INDYCAR test to take place next week – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Jimmie Johnson’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES test with Chip Ganassi Racing will take place next week on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Full story at the link. – RACER – (7/22/2020)

Miller’s Mailbag 7/22/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (7/22/2020)

Trackside podcast 7/21/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/21/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/22/2020)

IMS announces Indy 500 updates; attendance closer to 25% and masks required – “Based on policies and procedures put into effect by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IMS officials announced today that attendance for the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23 will be approximately 25 percent of capacity. Face coverings will be required for all attendees. Ticket sales will not be permitted after Friday, July 24, further limiting the number of people who will attend the annual spectacle at the world’s largest outdoor sports facility. IMS has prepared a detailed, nearly 100-page plan that provides guidelines and protocols for how the race will be run this year. The plan will be released publicly Wednesday, July 22 ahead of a conference call with Speedway officials. A media advisory with details surrounding the conference call will follow shortly.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (7/21/2020)

Acura/Team Penske IMSA relationship to end after ’20 season – Acura and Honda Performance Development have announced their partnership with Team Penske in the will conclude at the end of the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Where at that leaves Helio
Castroneves and Juan Pablo Montoya remains to be seen, but it is thought Team Penske remains interested in competing in the series. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (7/21/2020)

Newgarden dominates for Race 2 win at Iowa – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden won Iowa INDYCAR 250s Race 2 at Iowa Speedway on Saturday night in dominant fashion leading 214 of the 250 laps. The full Top 5 was Newgarden, Power, Rahal, Pagenaud, and Dixon. Full Race 2 results here. – INDYCAR – (7/18/2020)

The Open Wheel’s Iowa INDYCAR 250s livery feature – The Open Wheel’s livery feature with photos of all the cars at the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Iowa INDYCAR 250s at Iowa Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/18/2020)

Newgarden quickest in Saturday practice at Iowa – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden’s lap at 170.199mph was quickest in Saturday practice for Iowa INDYCAR 250s Race 2 at Iowa Speedway. The full Top 5 was Newgarden, Pagenaud, Dixon, Kanaan, and Sato. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/18/2020)

Pagenaud wins from last place start in Race 1 at Iowa – Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud won Iowa INDYCAR 250s Race 1 at Iowa Speedway on Friday night after starting from the last spot on the starting grid. The full Top 5 was Pagenaud, Dixon, Askew, O’Ward, and Newgarden. Full Race 1 results here. – INDYCAR – (7/17/2020)

Daly and Newgarden earn pole awards for Iowa – Carlin’s Conor Daly and Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden won the Race 1 and Race 2 pole awards for the Iowa INDYCAR 250s in qualifying at Iowa Speedway. Full Race 1 qualifying results here and Race 2 here. – INDYCAR – (7/17/2020)

Herta tops Friday practice at Iowa – Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta topped the charts in Practice 1 for the Iowa INDYCAR 250s at Iowa Speedway with a lap at 171.990mph. The full Top 5 was Herta, Daly, Power, Ferrucci, and Newgarden. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/17/2020)

The Open Wheel’s Iowa INDYCAR 250s preview – The Open Wheel’s preview of the Iowa INDYCAR 250s weekend at Iowa Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/16/2020)

Iowa Race 2 spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for Iowa INDYCAR 250s Race 2 at Iowa Speedway is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/16/2020)

Iowa Race 1 spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for Iowa INDYCAR 250s Race 1 at Iowa Speedway is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/16/2020)

Miller’s Mailbag 7/15/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (7/15/2020)

Trackside podcast 7/14/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/14/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/15/2020)

The Open Wheel’s REV Group Grand Prix livery feature – The Open Wheel’s livery feature with photos of all the cars at the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES REV Group Grand Prix weekend at Road America is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/12/2020)

Rosenqvist takes first series victory in dramatic Race 2 at Road America – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist won his first NTT INDYCAR SERIES race with a late pass on pole sitter Pato O’Ward to win REV Group Grand Prix Race 2 at Road America. The full Top 5 was Rosenqvist, O’Ward, Rossi, Ericsson, and Herta. Full qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (7/12/2020)

O’Ward takes first career pole for REV Group Grand Prix Race 2 – Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward earned his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole for REV Group Grand Prix Race 2 at Road America with a lap of 1:44.8971. Colton Herta topped the other qualifying group. The Top 6 on the grid will be O’Ward, Herta, Palou, Hunter-Reay, Rahal, and Dixon. Full qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (7/12/2020)

Dixon makes it 3 for 3 with REV Group Grand Prix Race 1 victory – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon won his third consecutive race to start the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a win in REV Group Grand Prix Race 1 at Road America. The full Top 5 was Dixon, Power, Palou, Hunter-Reay, and Herta. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/11/2020)

Newgarden steals pole for REV Group Grand Prix Race 1 – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden stole the pole for REV Group Grand Prix Race 1 at Road America with a last lap time of 1:45.5191. Jack Harvey topped Group 1 with a lap of 1:45.7290. The Top 6 on the grid will be Newgarden, Harvey, Hunter-Reay, Rahal, Power, and Ferrucci. Full qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (7/11/2020)

Power tops REV Group Grand Prix practice – Team Penske’s Will Power’s lap of 1:46.0021 topped the charts in the only NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice session of the REV Group Grand Prix weekend at Road America. The full Top 5 was Power, Harvey, Newgarden, Rosenqvist, and Hunter-Reay. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/11/2020)

The Open Wheel’s REV Group Grand Prix preview – The Open Wheel’s preview of the REV Group Grand Prix weekend at Road America is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/10/2020)

Road America Race 2 spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for REV Group Grand Prix Race 2 at Road America is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/9/2020)

Road America Race 1 spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for REV Group Grand Prix Race 1 at Road America is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/9/2020)

Renault announces Alonso as ’21 F1 driver next to Ocon – “Renault DP World F1 Team is pleased to confirm Fernando Alonso alongside Esteban Ocon in its driver line-up for the 2021 season. With 314 Grand Prix starts, 32 wins and 97 podiums, Fernando joins Renault DP World F1 Team for the upcoming seasons. Given the strong historic and emotional bond between the team and Fernando Alonso – Renault and Fernando won their two world championship titles together in 2005 and 2006 – this decision is both bold and meaningful for the future.” Full release at the link. – Renault Sport – (7/8/2020)

Miller’s Mailbag 7/8/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (7/8/2020)

Trackside podcast 7/7/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/7/20 is a great listen as always. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/8/2020)

Dixon wins GMR Grand Prix – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon won the NTT INDYCAR SERIES GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in dominant fashion. The full Top 5 was Dixon, Rahal, Pagenaud, Herta, and VeeKay. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/4/2020)

The Open Wheel’s GMR Grand Prix livery feature – The Open Wheel’s livery feature with photos of all the cars at the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES GMR Grand prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/4/2020)

INDYCAR and IMS announce $1M diversity initiative – “INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have announced the “Race for Equality & Change,” a major effort to support diversity and inclusivity across the INDYCAR industry. A key pillar of “Race for Equality & Change” will be a $1 million fund to fuel internal and external programs and initiatives that will create fundamental change.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/4/2020)

Dixon tops morning warmup at GMR Grand Prix – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon topped the charts in the morning warmup for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with a lap of 1:11.0771. The full Top 5 was Dixon, Newgarden, Hunter-Reay, Rahal, and Rosenqvist. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/4/2020)

Power takes pole for GMR Grand Prix – Team Penske’s Will Power earned the pole for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with a Firestone Fast Six lap of 1:10.1779. The full Firestone Fast Six order was was Power, Harvey, Herta, Rahal, Askew, and Newgarden. Full qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (7/3/2020)

IMS posts video detailing incredible renovations – Indianapolis Motor Speedway has posted an excellent video detailing the incredible renovation projects and results since Roger Penske took ownership of the track. Check it out at the link. – IMS – (7/3/2020)

Power quickest in only GMR GP practice session – Team Penske’s Will Power was quickest in the only NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice of the weekend for the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course with a lap of 1:09.9487. The full Top 5 was Power, Ferrucci, Ericsson, O’Ward, and Dixon. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/3/2020)

The Open Wheel’s GMR Grand Prix preview – The Open Wheel’s preview of the GMR Grand Prix weekend on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is available at the link. – The Open Wheel – (7/3/2020)

Andretti and Gleaners unveil new No. 88 livery for GMR GP – “Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is on the fast track to accelerate awareness of food insecurity throughout Central Indiana with its new No One Runs on Empty initiative. The campaign is funded by a $1 million matching grant from the Anthem Foundation and backed by a partnership with Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport and NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Colton Herta. For the upcoming GMR Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, Herta will drive the No. 88 Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana Honda.” Check out the livery on our No. 88 livery page here. – Andretti Autosport – (7/3/2020)

RLL and Fifth Third Bank extend deal through ’22 – “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Fifth Third Bank has extended its relationship with the team through the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The bank will be the primary sponsor of the No. 15 entry for Graham Rahal at the GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Race 2 of the REV Group Grand Prix at Road America doubleheader and the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Fifth Third Bank will also have an enhanced associate sponsor presence in other key INDYCAR SERIES race markets throughout each season including at the Indianapolis 500 and in Monterey, Calif. and St. Petersburg, Fla. Fifth Third Bank first joined the team in 2016 as an associate sponsor and the partnership has grown as the two organizations have continued to build upon and pursue new collaborative business-to-business opportunities.” Full release at the link. – RLL – (7/3/2020)

GMR Grand Prix spotter guide – The official INDYCAR spotter guide for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/2/2020)

Trackside podcast 7/1/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/1/20 is a great listen as always. Jade Gurss is a guest on the show. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/2/2020)

Mouser/Molex to feature on No. 18 livery at GMR GP – Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan’s No. 18 entry for Santino Ferrucci will feature a Mouser/Molex livery at weekend’s GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Check out the livery on our No. 18 livery page here. – Vasser Sullivan – (7/1/2020)

Miller’s Mailbag 7/1/20 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (7/1/2020)

Trackside podcast 6/30/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 6/30/20 is a great listen as always. Michael Shank and AJ Allmendinger are guests on the show. – 107.5 The Fan – (7/1/2020)

GMR Grand Prix entry list – The official INDYCAR entry list for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is available at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/30/2020)

Alonso’s Indy 500 livery unveiled – The livery for the Arrow McLaren SP No. 66 Fernando Alonso will drive at the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race has been unveiled. Check out the livery on our No. 66 livery page here. – Fernando Alonso – (6/30/2020)

Trackside podcast 6/29/20 – 107.5 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 6/29/20 is a great listen as always. Nathan Brown is a guest on the show. – 107.5 The Fan – (6/30/2020)

Ganassi to test Jimmie Johnson on IMS road course next week – NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson will test an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car with Chip Ganassi Racing next Wednesday on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. – CGR – (6/29/2020)

RLL unveils One Cure livery for No. 30 at GMR GP – Rahal Letterman Lanigan racing has unveiled a new CSU One Cure livery for their No. 30 entry for Takuma Sato in this weekend’s GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Check out the livery on our No. 30 livery page here. – RLL – (6/29/2020)

IMS announces intention to allow fans for Indy 500 at 50% capacity – “Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials confirmed June 26 their commitment to welcoming spectators to the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, Aug. 23, with the venue capacity limited to 50 percent attendance. “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” was postponed from its original date of Sunday, May 24 due to the COVID-19 health crisis.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (6/26/2020)

INDYCAR confirms fans welcome at Road America – “The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will welcome fans back to the track for the first time in 2020 on July 9-12 at Road America for the REV Group Grand Prix presented by American Medical Response doubleheader race weekend. Under the guidance of public health officials, medical experts and local, state and federal authorities, INDYCAR and Road America will observe safe social distancing practices and provide enhanced hygiene and safety precautions for all fans attending the event. All guests will be screened in their vehicles with contactless temperature checks before entering the parking areas, and only essential racing personnel will have access to the INDYCAR paddock. A PPE kit that includes a face mask as well as hand sanitizer will be provided to each guest upon arrival to the track.” Full release at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/25/2020)

Tirico to host NBC coverage of INDYCAR/NASCAR weekend at IMS – “Mike Tirico will host NBC Sports’ coverage of the historic NASCAR/INDYCAR crossover weekend on Fourth of July weekend, anchoring 10-plus hours of coverage from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 4-5 on NBC. Tirico will be joined by special guests throughout the crossover weekend, including current and former INDYCAR and NASCAR drivers.” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports – (6/25/2020)

INDYCAR News From Last Month