News for the Week of June 25 – July 1, 2018
Borg-Warner Trophy to visit Goodwood and McLaren – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher reports the Borg-Warner Trophy will visit Goodwood Festival of Speed followed by McLaren in July. That could be interesting timing as McLaren continues to progress towards adding a full-time Verizon IndyCar Series program. Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (6/29/2018)
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Dates set for Chris Griffis Memorial Open Test – “Andersen Promotions, which oversees the entire Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires, confirmed today that the eighth annual Chris Griffis Memorial Open Test will take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix road course on the weekend of September 22/23. The test is named in honor of Chris Griffis, a longtime member of the motorsports community who led the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports w/ Curb-Agajanian Indy Lights organization before passing unexpectedly in September of 2011.” Full release at the link. – Indy Lights – (6/28/2018)
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RHR tops Iowa test – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports Ryan Hunter-Reay was the head of an Andretti Autosport sweep of the top spots in Verizon IndyCar Series testing at Iowa Speedway on Wednesday. Full story at the link. – RACER – (6/28/2018)
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Same sponsor and drivers for Foyt in ’19 – Motorsport.com’s David Malsher reports AJ Foyt Racing team president Larry Foyt has confirmed ABC Supply, Tony Kanaan, and Matheus Leist will continue to be a part of the team’s Verizon IndyCar Series program in 2019. “ABC Supply signed a multi-year deal when we brought TK on board,” said Foyt, “and they’ve been pleased with the improvement in performance they’ve seen from us. They were impressed with Indy, with us leading several laps on genuine pace. TK was strong, and Matheus did a great job as a rookie.” Full story at the link. – Motorsport.com – (6/28/2018)
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KCCI report on Iowa testing – KCCI out of Des Moines has posted a video update from Verizon IndyCar Series testing at Iowa Speedway on Wednesday. Check it out at the link. – KCCI – (6/28/2018)
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Miller’s Mailbag 6/27/18 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (6/27/2018)
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Trackside podcast 6/26/18 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 6/26/18 is a great listen as always. – 1070 The Fan – (6/27/2018)
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IMS officially announces USAC event on dirt over Brickyard weekend – “The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will add to its luster as the Racing Capital of the World with the construction of a quarter-mile dirt track inside its famous oval, hosting a United States Auto Club Midget National Championship event during Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line race week in early September. Race week for the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard powered by Florida Georgia Line will feature an even wider variety of thrilling action with the USAC P1 Insurance Midget National Championship competing in a two-night spectacular event, the Driven2SaveLives BC39, on Wednesday, Sept. 5 and Thursday, Sept. 6. The event honors late USAC champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 starter Bryan Clauson and increases awareness of Indiana Donor Network and Driven2SaveLives.” Full story at the link. – IMS – (6/26/2018)
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Portland added to Cooper Tire/Green Savoree partnership – “A fourth Green Savoree Racing Promotions’ subsidiary has been proudly added to the growing relationship between the company and Cooper Tires, which will now support the Grand Prix of Portland, set for Aug. 31-Sept. 2. In addition to this new event at Portland International Raceway, Cooper Tires has extended the agreement which began in 2016 to continue its support of the Honda Indy Toronto, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School. Cooper Tires has been integral in bringing unique fan activities to these events and is the official tire of The Mid-Ohio School’s renowned driving programs.” Full story at the link. – Indy Lights – (6/26/2018)
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Wickens and Sato not happy with Rossi after Road America race – Jim Ayello of the Indianapolis Star has an excellent report on Robert Wickens and Takuma Sato not being happy with Alexander Rossi after the KOHLER Grand Prix as Rossi made contact with in Turn 6 during the race. “The thing with Alex is he puts himself in situations where if the other person doesn’t give, they’re going to crash,” Wickens told the Indianapolis Star. “He’s just that kind of guy. If you race him different you’re just going to crash. I mean, that’s just the way I look at it. I’m not trying to beat on the kid. It’s just every now and then you have to use some judgement. I mean think of how many points he’s thrown away this year. At one point, he should sit down and rethink how he’s approaching the problem.” Full story at the link. – Indianapolis Star – (6/25/2018)
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Newgarden joined by “surprise visitor” in podium celebration at Road America – Josef Newgarden was joined by a random fan during his victory celebration following the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America. The fan entered victory lane for a hug and temporarily stole his champagne bottle. Check out the video at the link. – NBC Sports – (6/25/2018)
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Newgarden wins from pole at Road America – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden won the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America in dominant fashion after starting from pole. The rest of the Top 5 was Hunter-Reay, Dixon, Sato, and Wickens. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (6/24/2018)
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Road America announces 3 year extension with INDYCAR – “INDYCAR and Road America have agreed to a three-year extension for the Verizon IndyCar Series to continue racing at the historic permanent road course in east central Wisconsin. George Bruggenthies, Road America president and general manager, made the announcement prior to Sunday’s KOHLER Grand Prix, which was the 28th Indy car race on the circuit dating to the first event in 1982. INDYCAR, which returned to Road America in 2016 following a nine-year hiatus, will continue to stage its event through at least 2021. The 2019 race weekend is scheduled for June 21-23” Full release at the link. – Road America – (6/24/2018)
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Franzoni earns first Lights win in Race 2 at Road America – Juncos Racing’s Victor Franzoni won Indy Lights Race 2 at Road America for his first career win in Indy Lights. The rest of the Top 5 was Herta, Telitz, O’Ward, and Norman. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (6/24/2018)
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Newgarden takes the pole at Road America – Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden won the pole for the KOHLER Grand Prix at Road America with a lap of 1:43.2026. The rest of the Firestone Fast 6 was Power, Hunter-Reay, Rossi, Wickens, and Bourdais. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (6/23/2018)
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Herta takes Lights Race 1 win at Road America – Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing’s Colton Herta won Indy Lights Race 1 at Road America for his fourth straight win in the series. The rest of the Top 5 was O’Ward, Franzoni, Urrutia, and Telitz. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (6/23/2018)
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Phoenix off the INDYCAR schedule in ’19 – Michael Knight reports ISM Raceway won’t be on the INDYCAR schedule in 2019. Includes quotes from ISM Raceway president Bryan Sperber “We have enjoyed having INDYCAR at our venue for the full three years of our agreement. The series officials and teams have been tremendous partners. INDYCAR will not be on our schedule in 2019, we’re currently taking a pause to review schedule options for the future.” – Michael Knight – (6/23/2018)
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Pruett’s loaded 6/21/18 silly season report for ’19 – RACER’s Marshall Pruett’s June silly season report for the 2019 season is absolutely loaded with interesting information. Includes tidbits on McLaren’s interest in Scott Dixon, McLaren funding, Alonso possibilities, Felix Rosenqvist, Colton Herta, the Penske drivers, and much more. Check out the full must-read report at the link. – RACER – (6/21/2018)
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