News for the Week of March 27, 2017 – April 2, 2017

Chevy IMS testing postponed to Sunday 4/2 – “Due to cold weather testing for Saturday is rescheduled for Sunday, April 2. Times will remain the same (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and fans are encouraged to join us from the Turn 2 Viewing Mounds, IMS Museum Lot or the South Terrace Grandstands. Free parking is available in the Museum Lot for fans.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (4/1/2017)

INDYCAR releases two more images of 2018 aero kit renderings – INDYCAR released two more images of the renderings of the 2018 universal aero kit for the Verizon IndyCar Series. Check it out at the link. – INDYCAR – (3/31/2017)

Trackside podcast 3/30/17 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 3/30/17 is a great listen as always. Adam Stern is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (3/31/2017)

ECR set to run just 2 cars for Indy 500 – Tony DiZinno of NBC Sports reports that Ed Carpenter Racing is set to run only their two full-season cars for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. “One of our main goals is to win the Indianapolis 500,” said Carpenter. “I’m concerned about car count and getting to 33 cars… but I can’t put that at a higher priority than our own goals of winning the race. If it doesn’t make us stronger, like JR has, I’m not gonna the feel pressure to do it.” Full report at the link. – NBC Sports – (3/31/2017)

UFD returns to Andretti Autosport as primary sponsor for No. 27 – “The familiar blue and white of Pennsylvania-based tech company United Fiber & Data will return to the Andretti Autosport line up for select 2017 races, starting with the April 9 Long Beach Grand Prix. The rebranding comes as a result of the current issues being faced by hhgregg, leading Andretti Autosport to the decision of transitioning the branding on the No. 27 Indy car piloted by Marco Andretti.” See the livery on our No. 27 livery page here. Full release at the link. – Andretti Autosport – (3/30/2017)

13 drivers to test at Sonoma on 4/4 – Per Sonoma Raceway release: “Thirteen drivers from five Verizon IndyCar Series teams will take part in a one-day Honda test session at Sonoma Raceway on Tuesday, April 4…Race fans are invited to enjoy the test session for free, with testing slated from approximately 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Raceway Café will be open for lunch.” – Sonoma Raceway – (3/30/2017)

Pruett’s 3/29 Indy 500 grid – RACER’s Marshall Pruett has a tremendous update on the prospects for filling the grid for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The must-read piece is available at the link. – RACER – (3/29/2017)

IMS to unveil Foyt exhibit in April – “In celebration of the 40th anniversary of his record-setting fourth Indianapolis 500 win, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is proud to present a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit honoring auto racing icon A.J. Foyt, opening April 14. A.J. Foyt: A Legendary Exhibition, presented by ABC Supply is a limited-run celebration that traces the superstar’s rise from the dirt tracks of Texas to the pinnacle of auto racing history.” Full release at the link. – NBC Sports – (3/29/2017)

INDYCAR releases renderings of 2018 aero kit – INDYCAR has released renderings of the 2018 universal aero kit in superspeedway configuration. Check out the full release at the link. – The Open Wheel – (3/29/2017)

Miller’s Mailbag 3/29/17 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (3/29/2017)

IMS announces Forever In Your Mind will perform national anthem for INDYCAR GP – “Billboard-charting pop group Forever In Your Mind will perform the national anthem before the start of the INDYCAR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 13 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Forever In Your Mind (FIYM), comprised of band members Ricky Garcia, Liam Attridge and Emery Kelly, has amassed more than 30 million video views from its self-titled debut EP released by Hollywood Records in 2016. The stylish trio also has sold out concerts nationwide and has a combined global reach of more than 2 million followers on social media.” Full release at the link. – IMS – (3/28/2017)

Dale Coyne Racing announces return of Pippa for Indy 500 – “Pippa Mann is returning to Dale Coyne Racing for a fifth consecutive year to pilot the team’s third entry in the 101st Indianapolis 500. Mann will be back behind the wheel of the #63 Dale Coyne Racing Honda as she looks to make her sixth start at the famed 2.5-mile superspeedway.” Full release at the link. – DCR – (3/28/2017)

Penske, ECR, and Foyt teams to test on IMS oval on Saturday 4/1 – “The Indianapolis Motor Speedway invites fans to watch an Indianapolis 500 test by Chevrolet teams Saturday, April 1. Fans can view the test for free from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with a lunch break from noon-1 p.m., from the Turn 2 Viewing Mounds, IMS Museum Lot or the South Terrace Grandstands. Free parking is available in the Museum Lot for fans.” Drivers scheduled to participate in the test are Conor Daly, Carlos Munoz, Ed Carpenter, JR Hildebrand, Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud, and Will Power. Full release at the link. – IMS – (3/28/2017)

ECR announces expanded partnership with PFS – “Preferred Freezer Services announced today an expansion of their partnership with Ed Carpenter Racing and driver JR Hildebrand. Hildebrand’s No. 21 Chevrolet will showcase the white and blue Preferred Freezer Services colors at four Verizon IndyCar Series races this year, including the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500. 2017 marks the fourth consecutive year that the partnership between Preferred Freezer Services and Ed Carpenter Racing has grown to include additional events.” Full release at the link. – ECR – (3/28/2017)

Yacaman pushing for Indy 500 ride – According to RACER’s Marshall Pruett, former Indy Lights driver Gustavo Yacaman is making a concentrated push to land a ride in this year’s 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. “I’ve been talking with a lot of teams, trying to find a car to run at the 500 with the backing I’ve been able to put together from my sponsors,” Yacaman told RACER. “But there are a lot of drivers looking for the same thing with not a lot of available seats.” Full report at the link. – RACER – (3/28/2017)

Firestone tires for Indy 500 to feature special design – According to one of the leading livery designers in INDYCAR, Aldo Falla, the Firestone tires used for practice, qualifying, and racing for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race will once again feature a special sidewall design. Check it out at the link. – Aldo Falla – (3/27/2017)

Rahal fastest in windy Honda test on IMS oval – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal’s lap of 227.182mph topped the charts on a windy day on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday during a Honda Manufacturers Test day. He was joined by fellow Honda drivers James Hinchcliffe, Mikhail Aleshin, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Charlie Kimball, and Max Chilton. The four full-time Team Penske cars were there as well but there times were not made available. – RACER – (3/25/2017)

Daly to compete in American Ninja Warrior qualifier – “Conor Daly is the latest Verizon IndyCar Series driver attempting to become an “American Ninja Warrior.” Following in the athletic footsteps of fellow drivers Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden, Daly will venture to San Antonio this weekend to participate in a regional qualifier for the Emmy-nominated NBC obstacle course challenge show that will air its ninth season this summer. Daly, 25, will make his bid to complete the challenge course sometime after dark Sunday night…The episode from the San Antonio regional is scheduled to air June 19” – INDYCAR – (3/25/2017)

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