News for the Week of June 19, 2017 – June 25, 2017

Dixon wins his first race of the season at Road America – Chip Ganassi Racing Team’s Scott Dixon won his first race of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season at the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America. The rest of the Top 5 was Newgarden, Castroneves, Pagenaud, and Power. Dixon passed Newgarden on the first restart of the race and never looked back. Kanaan was the only DNF of the race after this scary incident. Full race results here. – INDYCAR – (6/25/2017)

Claman De Melo grabs first Indy Lights win in Race 2 at Road America – Carlin’s Zachary Claman De Melo won his first race in Indy Lights in Race 2 at Road America after a pass on Herta in Turn 1 on Lap 5. The rest of the Top 5 was Kaiser, Herta, Leist, and Telitz. Full Race 2 results here. – Indy Lights – (6/25/2017)

Report: Andretti talking to Chevy about potential switch – Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal reports according to several of his sources Andretti Autosport has been talking to Chevy about a potential switch. Here’s his tweet: “Several sources in IndyCar paddock are saying to keep an eye on @FollowAndretti talking to @TeamChevy about a possible switch to the Bowtie.” – Adam Stern – (6/25/2017)

RHR fastest in morning warmup at Road America – Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay set the fastest time in the morning warmup for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America with a lap of 1:43.7956. The rest of the Top 5 was Chilton, Rossi, Pagenaud, and Munoz. Dixon turned only one lap with a fuel pressure issue. Sato did not participate in the session due to an illness but will race later on Sunday. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (6/25/2017)

Saturday Road America photo gallery – The Open Wheel’s Parker Hall’s photo gallery from Saturday action from Road America is available at the link. Includes tons of great photos from Verizon IndyCar Series and Indy Lights action throughout the day. – The Open Wheel – (6/24/2017)

Castroneves wins 50th career pole at Road America – Helio Castroneves won his 50th career pole position in the Verizon IndyCar Series as Team Penske swept the Top 4 positions in qualifying for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America on Saturday with a lap of 1:41.3007. The rest of the Firestone Fast 6 qualifying order was Power, Newgarden, Pagenaud, Dixon, and Rahal. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (6/24/2017)

Leist wins from pole in Lights Race 1 at Road America – Carlin’s Matheus Leist won Indy Lights Race 1 at Road America from pole leading all 20 laps. The rest of the Top 5 was Urrutia, Kaiser, Norman, and Piedrahita. Full Race 1 results here. – Indy Lights – (6/24/2017)

Pagenaud leads another Penske sweep of Top 4 in Practice 3 at Road America – Team Penske swept the Top 4 positions again in Practice 3 for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America on Saturday led by Simon Pagenaud’s lap of 1:42.0439. The rest of the Top 5 was Power, Castroneves, Newgarden, and Dixon. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (6/24/2017)

Aleshin in SPM No. 7 for rest of the weekend at Road America – Russian Mikhail Aleshin has sorted his immigration issues and arrived at Road America. He will be in the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports No. 7 car for the rest of the weekend at Road America after Canadian Robert Wickens filled in on Friday. – SPM – (6/24/2017)

Herta wins Race 2 pole for Lights at Road America – Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta won the pole for Indy Lights Race 2 at Road America with a lap of 1:52.0034. The rest of the Top 5 was Leist, Kaiser, Claman De Melo, and Urrutia. Full qualifying results here. – Indy Lights – (6/24/2017)

Newgarden quickest in Practice 2 at Road America – Josef Newgarden led a Team Penske sweep of the Top 4 in Practice 2 for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America on Friday with a lap of 1:42.8229. The rest of the Top 5 was Power, Pagenaud, Castroneves, and Hinchcliffe. This Rossi incident brought out a red flag early in the session. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (6/23/2017)

Leist wins Race 1 pole for Lights at Road America – Carlin’s Matheus Leist won the pole for Indy Lights Race 1 at Road America with a lap of 1:53.1760. The rest of the Top 5 was Alberico, Norman, Kaiser, and Jamin. Full qualifying results here. – Indy Lights – (6/23/2017)

Rossi tops the charts in Practice 1 at Road America – Andretti Autosport’s Alexander Rossi’s lap of 1:43.3285 was the fastest lap of Practice 1 for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America on Friday. The rest of the Top 5 was Pagenaud, Power, Newgarden, and Dixon. An incident involving Hunter-Reay brought out a red flag to end the session early. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (6/23/2017)

Jones to wear special Walter Payton helmet this weekend – Dale Coyne Racing rookie Ed Jones will wear a special Walter Payton tribute helmet this weekend at Road America. See a picture of the helmet at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (6/23/2017)

Kaiser fastest in Lights Practice 1 at Road America – Juncos Racing’s Kyle Kaiser was fastest in Indy Lights Practice 1 at Road America with a lap of 1:53.8761. The rest of the Top 5 was Claman De Melo, Alberico, Telitz, and Leist. Herta’s car had mechanical issues and he was unable to participate in the practice. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (6/23/2017)

Aleshin tweets he has his visa and on his way to RA – Mikhail Aleshin tweeted on Friday morning that his visa issue has been cleared and that he’s on his way to Road America to race this weekend. Robert Wickens will still be the driver of the SPM No. 7 on Friday. Here’s what Aleshin tweeted: “New visa stamp too long, but I’m heading back to US now to be behind the steering wheel of my #7 at #roadammerica!” – Mikhail Aleshin – (6/23/2017)

Packers backup QB Hundley checks out INDYCAR at RA – INDYCAR.com has a nice story on Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Brett Hundley stopping by Road America on Thursday to learn about INDYCAR and to take a two-seater ride with Mario Andretti. Check it out at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/23/2017)

Electronics upgrade coming with ’18 universal aero kit – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports that INDYCAR is planning on implementing “new engine controllers and other associated electronics” as part of the roll out of the 2018 universal aero kit in the Verizon IndyCar Series next year. A new dash is also being considered. Full report with estimated costs at the link. – RACER – (6/23/2017)

Wickens to drive SPM No. 7 on Friday as Aleshin faces immigration issues – “Since competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with SMP Racing last weekend, Mikhail Aleshin, driver of the No. 7 Lucas Oil Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda in the Verizon IndyCar Series, has been unable to leave France due to immigration issues preventing him from returning to the United States. The executive team at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports has been working diligently on Aleshin’s return to America to compete in this weekend’s KOHLER Grand Prix. However, at this time, the Russian driver will not arrive to Road America in time for any on-track sessions scheduled for Friday, June 23…The team have elected for Canadian Robert Wickens to pilot the No. 7 car until the immigration issue is resolved.” Full release at the link. – SPM – (6/22/2017)

DCR officially names Gutierrez as No. 18 driver for remainder of the season – “Esteban Gutierrez is returning behind the wheel of the #18 Dale Coyne Racing entry this weekend for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America as he will be replacing the injured Sebastien Bourdais for the remainder of the Verizon IndyCar Series season.” Full release at the link. – Dale Coyne Racing – (6/22/2017)

The Open Wheel’s Road America preview – The Open Wheel’s Dylan Reynolds’ preview of the INDYCAR weekend at Road America is available at the link. Includes all relevant weekend information, stats, predictions, fantasy advice, and more for both Indy Lights and the Verizon IndyCar Series. – The Open Wheel – (6/22/2017)

Sato “grateful” for Japan Indy 500 Victory Tour – There’s an excellent piece and video on INDYCAR.com detailing Takuma Sato’s visit to Japan to celebrate his victory in the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. Check each of them out at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/21/2017)

Vasser still interested in INDYCAR ownership – Phillip B. Wilson has a nice piece for INDYCAR.com on Jimmy Vasser remaining interested in returning to INDYCAR as a team owner. “In the right situation, racing is in the blood, right, but not just to participate and be out there,” Vasser told Wilson. “We’ve got our eyes open and there are a couple of potential opportunities, but it’s still up in the air at this point.” Full story at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/21/2017)

RLL unveils new GEHL livery for RA – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s No. 15 car for Graham Rahal will have a new GEHL livery this weekend for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America. Check out the livery on our No. 15 livery page here. – RLL – (6/21/2017)

Telitz hoping home track RA ignites Lights title charge – The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Dave Kallman has a nice piece on Belardi Auto Racing’s Indy Lights rookie Aaron Telitz as the Wisconsin native prepares for his Indy Lights first race weekend at Road America. Telitz enters the weekend just 29 points back of championship leader Kyle Kaiser and he dominated the weekend last year in Pro Mazda. “The Belardi guys have a great car, just like the Team Pelfrey guys had a great car in Pro Mazda last year,” Telitz told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I’m going to use all my home track (knowledge) to my advantage this weekend just like I did last year.” Check out the full story at the link. – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – (6/21/2017)

Miller’s Mailbag 6/21/17 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (6/21/2017)

Trackside podcast 6/20/17 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 6/20/17 is a great listen as always. Sebastien Bourdais is a guest on the show. – 1070 The Fan – (6/21/2017)

KOHLER GP entry list for Road America – The entry list for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America is available at the link. It features all 21 full-time Verizon IndyCar Series entries but with a driver TBA in the Dale Coyne Racing No. 18 entry. – INDYCAR – (6/20/2017)

Lights entry list for Road America – The entry list for the Mazda Indy Lights Grand Prix of Road America Presented by Allied Building Products is available at the link. – Indy Lights – (6/20/2017)

NTT Data & CGRT unveil new No. 9 livery for RA – Chip Ganassi Racing Teams’ No. 9 car for Scott Dixon will have another new NTT Data livery this weekend for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America. Check out the livery on our No. 9 livery page here. – NTT Data – (6/20/2017)

Formula 4 crash prompts Lights safety changes – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher has a report on how Billy Monger’s Formula 4 incident and subsequent injuries led Carlin to work with Tony Cotman and Indy Lights to avoid a similar issue in Lights. “Trevor came to see me at Barber and to be honest, it’s him that brought the issue to my attention,” Cotman told Motorsport.com. “He said it was a situation that would be worth looking at for the Lights car. So what we’re looking at is primarily around the rear attenuator area, trying to make sure that the quick-lift brackets aren’t the first thing to make an impact when there’s a nose-to-tail accident.” Full report at the link. – Motorsport.com – (6/19/2017)

O’Ward unlikely to return to Lights w/Team Pelfrey in ’17 – Rob Howden reports that Pato O’Ward is unlikely to return to Indy Lights with Team Pelfrey in 2017 and he’s already working on a full-time budget for 2018. Full report in the third paragraph at the link. – ROAD TO INDY INSIDER – (6/19/2017)

McLaren “a few years away” from full-time in IndyCar – RACER’s Chris Medland has a nice piece with quotes from McLaren executive director Zak Brown discussing the team’s future involvement with the Verizon IndyCar Series. Brown says “it’s more likely than not” that the team will be back for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race but a full-time entry isn’t close. “I think further down the road it’s a great series,” Brown told RACER. “I think McLaren racing in North America is a nice complement to Formula 1 because Formula 1 has limited reach there. But not yet – I think it’s a few years away.” Full story at the link. – RACER – (6/19/2017)

Daly to appear on “American Ninja Warrior” on Monday night – Conor Daly will appear on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” on NBC at 8PM ET on Monday night. “The AJ Foyt Racing driver in the Verizon IndyCar Series competed in a regional qualifier for the popular obstacle course challenge show on NBC. While Daly has remained mum on how he fared on the course set up along San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk in March, the world will get its chance to see what happened when the episode airs at 8 p.m. ET Monday.” More at the link. – INDYCAR – (6/19/2017)

INDYCAR Le Mans results – Three Verizon IndyCar Series drivers drove in the 85º Edition des 24 Heures du Mans Race over the weekend. Here are their results. Mikhail Aleshin’s No. 27 SMP Racing team finished 34th overall and 17th in the LMP2 category. Tony Kanaan’s No. 68 Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA team finished 23rd overall and 6th in the LMGTE Pro category. Scott Dixon’s No. 69 Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA team finished 24th overall and 7th in the LMGTE Pro category. Full report at the link. – Le Mans – (6/19/2017)

INDYCAR testing extra driver head/cockpit protection for ’18 – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher has a nice piece on the extra driver safety elements INDYCAR will test as they work on the universal aero kit for the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2018. Full report at the link. – Motorsport.com – (6/17/2017)

Ankle injury forces Dixon to left foot brake at Le Mans – Brian Silvestro of Road & Track reports that Scott Dixon’s lingering ankle injury from Indianapolis has forced him to change from his usual left foot braking in the Verizon IndyCar Series to right foot braking in the Ford GT at Le Mans. “Here [in the Ford GT], actually, I can’t use the left foot,” Dixon told AUTOSPORT. “It seems like the way the angle is, how it hits the pedal, seems to annoy it quite a lot, so I’ve had to go back to right-foot braking here.” Full story at the link. – Road & Track – (6/17/2017)

Nashville street course event being discussed – Joey Garrison of The Tennessean has a great report on a group of investors working on a street course racing event in Downtown Nashville. The investors have yet to partner with a racing series but INDYCAR and IMSA are mentioned as possibilities. Check it out at the link. – The Tennessean – (6/16/2017)

News From Last Week