News for the Week of July 11, 2016 – July 17, 2016

Power stays hot with Toronto win – Team Penske’s Will Power won the Honda Indy Toronto for his third Verizon IndyCar Series win in the last four races. The rest of the Top 5 was Castroneves, Hinchcliffe, Kanaan, and Sato. Full results here. Relive the race with our live blog here. – INDYCAR – (7/17/2016)

Newgarden’s status uncertain after Toronto crash – “Josef Newgarden has been checked and released from the infield care center and will be reevaluated tomorrow (Monday) before being cleared.” – INDYCAR – (7/17/2016)

“Driver roulette” expected in DCR No. 19 – RACER’s Robin Miller reports many different drivers are expected to drive the Dale Coyne Racing No. 19 machine through the rest of the season. Both Luca Filippi and Gabby Chaves have been in the car so far this year but Pippa Mann (Pocono) and RC Enerson (Mid-Ohio) have now been mentioned as possibilities. – RACER – (7/17/2016)

Honda Indy Toronto starting grid with tire designations – The starting grid with beginning tire choices for the Verizon IndyCar Series Honda Indy Toronto has been posted. Sebastien Bourdais is the first driver to start on primary tires in P5. Full Honda Indy Toronto starting grid at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/17/2016)

Rosenqvist dominant in Lights Race 2 win and sweep in Toronto – Belardi Auto Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist led every lap and won in Toronto for the second time this weekend in Indy Lights Race 2 in Toronto. The rest of the Top 5 was Negrao, Kaiser, Urrutia, and Jones. Dean Stoneman’s car had mechanical issues rendering him unable to make the start or turn a lap. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/17/2016)

Bourdais quickest again in Toronto morning warmup – For the third time this weekend, Sebastien Bourdais and KVSH Racing posted the fastest time of a practice session in the morning warmup for the Honda Indy Toronto with a lap of 1:01.2130. The rest of the Top 5 was Hunter-Reay, Rahal, Newgarden, and Castroneves. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/17/2016)

Rosenqvist wins pole for Lights Race 2 in Toronto – Belardi Auto Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist earned the pole for Indy Lights Race 2 in Toronto with his best lap in Race 1. The rest of the Top 5 at the start will be Negrao, Serralles, Kaiser, and Urrutia. Full starting grid at the link. – Indy Lights – (7/16/2016)

Dixon takes the pole from Castroneves in Toronto – Chip Ganassi Racing Team’s Scott Dixon took the Honda Indy Toronto pole away from Helio Castroneves on the very last lap of the session with a lap of 59.9073. The full Firestone Fast 6 standings were Dixon, Castroneves, Pagenaud, Power, Bourdais, and Hinchcliffe. Dale Coyne Racing’s Conor Daly qualified a career best 7th. Full qualifying results here. – INDYCAR – (7/16/2016)

Rosenqvist wins Lights Race 1 in Toronto – Belardi Auto Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist won Indy Lights Race 1 at Toronto. He completed his grand slam after winning the pole by also setting the fastest lap of the race. The rest of the Top 5 was Serralles, Kaiser, Urrutia, and Stoneman. Championship contender Zach Veach crashed on the last lap and finished P9. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/16/2016)

Honda Indy Toronto qualifying groups set – Following Practice 3 for the Honda Indy Toronto, the qualifying groups have been set for the Verizon IndyCar Series. Sebastien Bourdais and Simon Pagenaud each are the fastest drivers of their respective groups so far this weekend. See the full qualifying groups at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/16/2016)

Bourdais fastest again in Practice 3 at Toronto – KVSH Racing’s Sebastien Bourdais led the way in Practice 3 for the Honda Indy Toronto with a lap of 1:00.6035. The rest of the Top 5 was Pagenaud, Power, Castroneves, and Dixon. Aleshin brought out a red flag near the end of the session for contact that resulted in this damage. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/16/2016)

INDYCAR makes overnight changes to Toronto surface – INDYCAR confirmed changes were made overnight to the race circuit in Toronto. “The wall in Turn 8 has been changed to the configuration used in previous years. The inside wall has been placed up on the curbing, giving an additional 6 feet on the inside of the track. In addition, the smooth concrete patches in Turns 1 and 9 were sandblasted in an effort to provide more consistent grip.” – NBCSN – (7/16/2016)

Rosenqvist claims Lights pole for Race 1 in Toronto – Belardi Auto Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist won the pole for Indy Lights Race 1 in Toronto with a lap of 1:06.0106. The rest of the Top 5 in qualifying was Serralles, Urrutia, Veach, and Jones. Urrutia had the fastest time of the session when he made contact in Turn 8, which brought out a red flag to end the session (and resulted in the loss of his fastest lap). Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/16/2016)

2018 aero possibilities part of upcoming Mid-Ohio test – RACER reports that Tony Kanaan and Josef Newgarden will each test on behalf of INDYCAR at the July 21st Verizon IndyCar Series test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “The inspiration for IndyCar’s aero test is said to be more of a philosophical exercise than a traditional data-driven outing. Among the larger questions facing IndyCar’s competition department, one involves whether a wholesale rethink on its current state of extreme downforce is required. Associated with that question is whether the 2018 spec aero kits should then produce more, less, or the same amount of downforce in use today. The third question to answer is where the majority of that downforce should be generated on the car.” More at the link. – RACER – (7/16/2016)

Serralles tops final Lights practice in Toronto – Carlin’s Felix Serralles topped the charts in the final Indy Lights practice of the weekend in Toronto with a lap of 1:07.7785. The rest of the Top 5 was Rosenqvist, Jones, Kaiser, and Urrutia. Rosenqvist ended the session early in the tire barriers. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/15/2016)

Pagenaud takes P1 in Practice 2 at Toronto – Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud’s lap of 1:01.7081 topped the charts in Practice 2 for the Honda Indy Toronto. The rest of the Top 5 was Castroneves, Power, Dixon, and Hinchcliffe. Montoya (contact), Kimball (contact), and Aleshin (spin) each brought out red flags in the session. Watch Montoya’s incident here. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/15/2016)

Hinch visor cam video from Toronto – INDYCAR’s excellent visor cam feature continues with James Hinchcliffe at Toronto. Watch the video at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/15/2016)

Bourdais leads the way in Practice 1 at Toronto – KVSH Racing’s Sebastien Bourdais set the fastest time of Practice 1 for the Verizon IndyCar Series Honda Indy Toronto with a lap of 1:02.9290. The rest of the Top 5 was Dixon, Pagenaud, Sato, and Rahal. Full results here. – INDYCAR – (7/15/2016)

Rosenqvist fastest in Lights Practice 1 in Toronto – Belardi Auto Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist’s lap of 1:08.3020 was the quickest lap of Indy Lights Practice 1 in Toronto. The rest of the Top 5 was Veach, Jones, Urrutia, and Kaiser. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/15/2016)

Newgarden attends NASCAR test at IMS – Josef Newgarden attended NASCAR testing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week and admitted he’d be intrigued to drive one some day. “IndyCar has my heart,” Newgarden said. “I love open wheel racing, IndyCar is the best, you can’t beat the Indianapolis 500 and everything we do, but I always am intrigued with NASCAR. I love all forms of racing, if there’s anything going on with four wheels I want to check it out. I would never rule out getting to drive one of these things one day, I’d be all for it.” – FOX59 – (7/15/2016)

Andretti believes Frijns will have strong test at Mid-Ohio – Michael Andretti believes his Andretti Autosport Formula E driver Robin Frijns will do well in his first Verizon IndyCar Series test next week at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “It’s important because we always want to be looking for the best [drivers] out there and you never know where you are going to find him,” Andretti said. “This kid is really good and he may really open some eyes for an another IndyCar team – which we don’t want to happen…Right now there are no plans in any way to move him up to IndyCar but if he does well at the test, who knows?” – RACER – (7/15/2016)

Herta “happy” with Andretti partnership – Bryan Herta told RACER that he’s happy with how his team’s partnership is working out with Andretti Autosport thus far. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say there’s still some feelings of unfinished business there [with BHA], but I’m also very happy in our current situation,” Herta told RACER. “Partnering is a lot different. It’s an adaptation. For them bringing us in, for us learning the system, I think the rough spots for everyone have been ironed out.” – RACER – (7/15/2016)

The Open Wheel’s Toronto preview – The Open Wheel’s Honda Indy Toronto preview is available at the link. Dylan Reynolds’ piece has recent history, stats, predictions, fantasy advice and more. – The Open Wheel – (7/14/2016)

Spotter guide for Toronto is posted – The spotter guide for the Honda Indy Toronto has been posted and features this weekend’s liveries for all 22 cars. Marco Andretti debuts a Dr. Pepper livery in his Andretti Autosport No. 27. Full spotter guide at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/13/2016)

Miller’s Mailbag 7/13/16 – RACER’s Robin Miller’s weekly fan Q&A is a great read as always. – RACER – (7/13/2016)

Trackside podcast 7/12/16 – 1070 The Fan’s Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee radio show from 7/12/16 is a great listen as always. The pair recaps the race weekend at Iowa Speedway and are joined by John Andretti later in the show. – 1070 The Fan – (7/13/2016)

Entry list for Toronto is posted – The entry list for the Honda Indy Toronto has been posted and features 22 cars. As Dale Coyne Racing announced earlier today, Luca Filippi replaces Gabby Chaves in the No. 19 this weekend. Full entry list at the link. – INDYCAR – (7/12/2016)

DCR announces Filippi back as driver for No. 19 in Toronto – “Luca Filippi returns to Dale Coyne Racing to pilot the #19 entry at this weekend’s Honda Indy Toronto.” “I’m very excited to be back with Dale Coyne Racing this weekend and to have the chance to race in the Honda Indy Toronto again,” said Filippi. – Dale Coyne Racing – (7/12/2016)

14 cars on Lights entry list for Toronto – The entry list for the Cooper Tires Indy Lights Grand Prix of Toronto has been posted and features 14 cars. Felix Rosenqvist (Belardi Auto Racing) and Garret Grist (Team Pelfrey) return to the grid this weekend for two Indy Lights races in Toronto. Full entry list at the link. – Indy Lights – (7/12/2016)

Kentucky Speedway GM talks INDYCAR – Kentucky Speedway General Manager Mark Simendinger told Kentucky.com that though he hasn’t heard from INDYCAR since his track’s repave, he would like to investigate the possibility of the series’ return to Kentucky. “I think step one is going to be — probably next year — I’d like to get some IndyCars on the (new) racetrack and see how they do,” Simendinger said. “I have to believe they would like it. (The next step) there are a lot of business issues that would need to get worked out.” – Lexington Herald-Leader – (7/12/2016)

7/21 Mid-Ohio test open to fans – “On Thursday, July 21, race fans are invited to attend a Verizon IndyCar Series test day at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Sixteen drivers from the Verizon IndyCar Series are expected to participate in the test, in preparation for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, taking place July 29-31. The July 21 test day will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $10 for admission. Free admission will be offered to VIP season pass holders and fans who have already purchased tickets to The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. The Keyhole and the Infield will be open for viewing and the concession stand in the lower paddock will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No RVs, motor homes or trailers will be permitted into the facility.” Full driver list at the link. – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – (7/11/2016)

Newgarden dominates the field for Iowa win – Ed Carpenter Racing’s Josef Newgarden dominated the Iowa Corn 300 at Iowa Speedway for his first Verizon IndyCar Series win in 2016. Newgarden set an all-time INDYCAR record by leading 282 laps. The rest of the Top 5 was Power, Dixon, Pagenaud, and Aleshin. Defending race winner Hunter-Reay appeared to blow an engine and finished last in P22. Full results here and relive the race with our live blog here. – INDYCAR – (7/10/2016)

Serralles win Lights thriller at Iowa – Carlin’s Felix Serralles passed Zach Veach with two laps to go to win the Indy Lights race at Iowa Speedway. The full Top 5 was Serralles, Veach, Jones, Stoneman, and Urrutia. Full results here. – Indy Lights – (7/10/2016)

INDYCAR hoping to announce technical direction within two weeks – David Malsher of Motorsport.com has posted a MUST READ article about INDYCAR’s future with president of competition and operations Jay Frye. Frye says INDYCAR is hoping to announce plans for their technical direction on a number of topics for the next 3-5 years within the next two weeks. “We’ve been working on this project for the last five to six months and aerokits are just one piece of the plan. We’re trying to come up with a three to five-year program – and although obviously the aerokits are a big part of it, there are several other important factors.” – Motorsport.com – (7/10/2016)

Maldonado spotted in Iowa – Former Formula 1 star Pastor Maldonado was spotted this weekend at Iowa Speedway as a guest of KVSH Racing. “At the moment we are not looking to race here, but for sure I’m looking around to solve my situation,” Maldonado said. “First option is of course Formula 1, because I’ve been very involved in the past few years there. This year I’m fully involved in the tire development.” More at the link. – NBC Sports – (7/9/2016)

Iowa Speedway and INDYCAR announce extension through 2018 – “INDYCAR and Iowa Speedway today took another step in their long-standing relationship as the two organizations announced a two-year extension that will see the Verizon IndyCar Series return to “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet” through the 2018 season.” More at the link. – Iowa Speedway – (7/9/2016)

Enerson stopped Lights entry in hope of IndyCar opportunity – RACER’s Marshall Pruett reports that former Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Indy Lights driver RC Enerson stopped his Lights entry before Road America to save room in his budget in hopes of a Verizon IndyCar Series chance. “It was a tough decision but it was the right one,” Enerson told RACER. “It made the most sense budget-wise with where we were in the Lights championship, and we already have half of what we’d spend to run the rest of the season. We were seventh in points so there wasn’t much worth in me being there, and I was already at the limit of the car, so there wasn’t much left to learn.” More at the link. – RACER – (7/8/2016)

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