IndyCars - The off-season: Series news and comment until the March 2014 kick-off

[MarkyS]

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Exclusive Autosport speaks of Day 1 at Sebring…

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Canadian team Exclusive Autosport is entering the world of Indy Lights for the first time in 2020, making them the only team in existence that has cars competing in every level, all the way from the wingless wonders of F1600 to the top performers of junior open wheel, the Indy Lights.

Here is a quick interview with team principal Michael Duncalfe and his driver, Nikita Lastochin, following the T-2 session, where NIkita posted a P4. He would post a P3 in the T-3 session, following:
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https://twitter.com/RoadToIndyTV/status/1204926589043171328

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Very nice start to a new venture.
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[MarkyS]

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Thursday at Sebring - the Indy Lights wrap up their testing…

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…and they went out with a bang, as in the final seconds of the final test, 18-year-old rookie Rasmus Lindh for HMD Motorsports took the top spot of the two-day test and unofficially the Club Course Indy Lights track record.

The nine drivers and five teams performed two tests today and just as yesterday, the final test was the best effort of the day for all the drivers, so we will present the results of that session here.

Here was the order of speed for the Indy Lights T-5 session, with times for the TOP FIVE: [R] denotes rookie

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1 - Rasmus Lindh [R], HMD Motorsports - time of 00:55.9580s for a speed of 107.438mph

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2 - Kyle Kirkwood [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:56.1736s for a speed of 107.025mph

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3 - Robert Megennis [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:56.3074s for a speed of 106.771mph

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4 - Danial Frost [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:56.3800s for a speed of 106.634mph

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5 - Tristan Charpentier [R], Andretti Autosport - time of 00:56.3893s for a speed of 106.616mph

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6 - Antonio Serravalle [R], HMD Motorsports
7 - Nikita Lastochkin [R], Exclusive Autosport
8 - Flinn Lazier [R], Belardi Auto Racing
9 - Christian Bogle [R], Jay Howard Driver Development

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Notable:

• Rasmus also topped the T-4 session, making him the only guy to top more than one session.

• The TOP FIVE were within 0.42 seconds of each other and the TOP EIGHT were within 0.87 seconds of each other. The odd man out in this group is Christian Bogle, who is a USF2000 driver for JHDD and wasn’t expected to perform with the other guys. He’s just there to shake the rust off the newly-acquired chassis.

• Exclusive Autosport and driver Nikita Lastochkin were stellar on Wednesday, but the new-to-the-Lights team finally succumbed to the engineering prowess of both Andretti Autosport and HMD Motorsports. Still, they were only 0.80 seconds off the TOP TIME.

• Rookie French driver Tristan Charpentier is getting better with each lap. He was also TOP FIVE in the T-4 session, with a P4.

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TOP TIME of the day and of the test, Swede Rasmus LIndh

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[MarkyS]

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The Lights test at Sebring - What did we learn?

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We’re going to score this test the same way we scored the Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October - Each driver gets points based on their position from each test. A P1 earns 1 point, a P2 earns 2 points and so on, so the LOWEST score indicates the best position over the five test sessions.
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TOPS of the test - If you go by score alone, it was Rob Megennis for Andretti Autosport, with a score of 15 - P1, P3, P2, P6 and P3. As the only returning vet in the test Rob utilized his hard-earned skills and was easily the most CONSISTENT driver in the field, with 4 podiums, including his P1. His only hiccup was his P6 in the T4 session.

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Rob Megennis

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BUT, we cannot dismiss the performance of Rasmus Lindh, with a score of 16 - P2, P8, P4, P1 and P1. That’s 3 podiums and 2 P1s with his own hiccup in the T-2 session. Ras also put in the best time of the test and also bested the whole Andretti Juggernaut and that counts for a great deal, too. These two guys are excellent here for different reasons but equally great, in our minds, so we TIE the Best of the Test.

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Rasmus Lindh

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Third in the test is also hard, because Danial Frost and Kyle Kirkwood also have scores of 16, like Rasmus. Danial got P4, P2, P1, P5 and P4 while Kyle got P5, P1, P5, P3 and P2. That’s 3 podiums for Kyle while Danial only got 2 podiums, but Danial also got the TOP TIME of the day on Wednesday. These guys were VERY close in performance, but Kyle was just slightly more consistent, so we give 3rd for the test to him - JUST!

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Kyle Kirkwood - 3rd

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Danial Frost - 4th

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5th of the test was also hard, as Tristan Charpentier was a score of 29 while Flinn Lazier, Antonio Serravalle and Nikita Lastochkin all got scores of 30. We’re giving it to Tristan because he actually bested the other three by 1 point, but also because he was clearly getting better with each moment in the car. Antonio really surprised us, however. He was P2 this morning in the T-4 session and generally MUCH better over both days than we expected he would be.

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5th for the test Tristan Charpentier

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This was the final Road to Indy test for 2019. The next time we see these guys or the USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 gang will be in March of 2020 for Spring Training. Please also note NO ONE here is CONFIRMED and the ONLY guy who is making noises like he will be confirmed by the team he tested for was Rob Megennis. We wait for official announcements for anyone and everyone.

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[MarkyS]

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A week ago today IndyCar driver Pippa Mann was racing in Chennai, India…

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…along with her four Mumbai Falcons teammates in the new X1 Racing League, representing the city of Mumbai. They were running the last three races of the inaugural season of the new series, run like a stick and ball league, with 6 teams of 5 drivers each, with each team using two car in driver rotations.

In those final three races the Falcons took a P2 followed by two WINS! Unfortunately, they also suffered a bad engine in their 2nd Formula BMW and that car eventually blew up, serving the Falcons with their 2nd DNF of the series.

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The Mumbai Falcons, left to right, are Sohil Shah, Karthik Therani, Pippa Mann, Kush Maini and Mikkel Jensen:

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In toto, the Falcons earned 7 podiums in league racing, including 4 WINS, but those 2 DNFs cost them too much and they ended up 2nd in the points to the League’s Champions, the Bangalore Racing Stars - Oliver Webb, Arjun Maini, Michelle Gatting, Nayan Chatterjee and Vishnu Prasad.

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Champs!

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All the races for the inaugural season were well-attended, making the League’s sponsors and promoters encouraged by the prospects for 2020. For Pippa it was just great racing and new places to see, new people to meet and new friends to make. She’d come back in a heartbeat.

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[MarkyS]

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It looks like Matheus Leist is out of IndyCars for 2020…

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…but he has picked up a partial ride in IMSA. The young Indy Lights multiple race WINNER from Brazil drove two seasons for AJ Foyt Enterprises in 2018 and 2019, but it appears that relationship has ended since the Foyt guys lost their sponsorship from longtime supporters ABC Supply.

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Matheus Leist

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The young Brazilian has secured a spot on the JDC-Miller Motorsports IMSA team, driving as the add-on for the four Michelin Endurance Cup rounds - Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta - in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for 2020. He will be sharing the # 85 Cadillac DPi-V.R. with fellow Lights driver Juan Piedrahita, who drove the same four endurance races for JDC-Miller in 2019. Colombian Piedrahita may get to drive a few of the season sprint races in the car, as well.

Juan Piedrahita

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Intitially, it was believed that IndyCar driver Sebastien Bourdais and Joao Barbosa would be in the # 85 in 2020, (see post # 775), but they will instead drive the # 5 for JDC-Miller, as their new sponsor, Mustang Sampling, is retaining the car number they used for years with Action Express as their team of choice. The # 5 will be the team’s full-time car while the # 85 will do as many races as the budget allows, but at least the four enduros.

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the # 85 Caddy for JDC-Miller - the enduros and maybe more

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The two young South Americans know each other well from their Indy Lights days. Said Juan, “2019 was a first step to get into endurance racing with the Michelin Endurance Cup races. For 2020 the plan is to also do some addition sprint races and ideally the entire season with JDC-Miller MotorSports. For sure the goal is to run the full schedule by 2021.

“Running in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship is very complex — there is a lot of stuff going on during those races, especially the long endurance races, but I love the challenge and how competitive it is. It’s great to have Matheus joining us this year. We already know each other from when we raced against each other in Indy Lights so it will be good to have him as a teammate in 2020.”

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[MarkyS]

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Let’s catch up with the rosters in the Road to Indy…

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There have been a few driver announcements in the Road to Indy for USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 over the last few weeks and it’s time to peg where some of these guys are going in 2020.

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First, young driver Nolan Siegel drove for Newman Wachs Racing in his rookie season of 2019, but after a successful outing for Jay Howard Driver Development in the last two 2019 races in F4 United States at Circuit of the Americas in November - A P7 and a P10 - the grizzled 15-year-old veteran will have a sophomore season of USF2000 with JHDD. And, like his 2020 teammate Christian Bogle, Nolan will ALSO drive the full season of F4 U.S. for JHDD at the same time, getting maximum seat time for the year.

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Nolan Siegel

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Said Nolan, “I am very happy to be joining Jay Howard Driver Development for the 2020 USF2000 season! After our successful weekend together in F4 at COTA, I am confident that we will be able to come away with solid finishes throughout the season. I can’t wait to jump in the car and try out the new colors!”

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Joining Nolan and Christian for a rookie season on the JHDD USF2000 squad for 2020 will be Wyatt Brichacek, who drove in F4 U.S. for JHDD in both 2018 and 2019. The 19-year-old Coloradan made his USF2000 debut at the 2019 season finale at Laguna Seca, where he posted a P8 and a P18 for the team.

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Wyatt Brichacek

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Said Wyatt, “I am very excited to be taking the next step in my career with a team I am already very comfortable with. I learned a lot in 2019 and combined with the teams noteworthy first year on the Road to Indy, it’s looking like 2020 will be a very successful year. The first round of the USF2000 championship can’t come soon enough!”

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Lastly for USF2000, we can now report that Francisco “Kiko” Porto will be joining the DEForce Racing USF2000 squad for 2020. The 16-year-old multiple-championship karter from Brazil made his formula car debut in Mexico in 2018 and his debut in the States in 2019, where he drove for DEForce Racing to the Vice-Championship in F4 United States, with 8 podiums, including 3 WINS.

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Kiko Porto

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Kiko tested well for DEForce at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October at the Indianapolis road course, posting 5th fastest overall, including two P3s out of the 6 rounds. (see post # 762). His hope is to learn a lot this year, win some races and why not go for the crown, while he’s at it? We are expecting big things from Kiko.

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continued…

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[MarkyS]

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Let’s catch up with the rosters in the Road to Indy…(part 2)…

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In Indy Pro 2000 DEForce Racing has announced that they are bringing back Mexico’s Moises de la Vara for a sophomore full season, again driving the # 6 Tatuus PM-18. “Moi” had 3 races with the team in 2016, 5 races in 2018 and his and the team’s first full season in 2019, with a best showing of P4 at Laguna Seca. He ended the year 8th in the points.

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Moises de la Vara

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Also returning to DEForce Racing for his own sophomore full season of Indy Pro 2000 will be Kory Enders, again driving the # 7 Tatuus PM-18. Like Moi, Kory’s time with the team is split up, with 3 races in 2016, 2 races in 2018 and his full season in 2019, with 11 TOP TENS, including two podiums at Gateway and Laguna Seca. He ended the season in 7th place.

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Kory Enders

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Kory did not test at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October, but he did run in F4 United States for DEForce at Circuit of the Americas in November and pulled in P3 in Round 16 - his first ever race in the series.

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[MarkyS]

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More news from DEForce Racing for Indy Pro 2000 in 2020 - they got Parker!

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Announced just today and by the man himself, Road to Indy veteran Canadian hot shoe Parker Thompson will anchor the Mexican squad for 2020. This gives DEForce Racing’s Martinez family a legitimate shot at the 2020 title in only their 2nd year of full-time Indy Pro 2000 participation.

Thompson came in 3rd in the Indy Pro 2000 championship last year, while at the same time securing the Vice-Championship of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada and the Championship of Canadian Touring Cars. He then tested very well for DEForce at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test this last October. (see post # 763).
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We’ll let Parker make the announcement himself:

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https://twitter.com/parkertracing/status/1206941983706501120

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Great news for the race fans, this shows just how competitive Indy Pro 2000 always is, loaded up with guys that have already proven they have the right stuff.

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Good luck in 2020 Parker!..and work on the accent, bro.

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[MarkyS]

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Just when we are congratulating DEForce on their 2020 “get” we can announce…

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…that Canadian powerhouse team Exclusive Autosport just got their own great catch for 2020 in Indy Pro 2000, as 2019 USF2000 Champion Braden Eves has elected to join what’s known in the paddock as the “Eh team” ( an homage to Canadians everywhere), for the 2020 season.

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Braden Eves

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Eves will use his $305,600.00 scholarship from the Road to Indy to compete, earned in his first full season of USF2000 in 2019 with 6 WINS, 4 poles and 12 TOP FIVES for Cape Motorsports.

The 20-year-old American, one of the best karters in North America at one time, was driving sporadically in F4 United States when he was picked for the Team USA Scholarship in 2018, as well as the final Mazda Road to Indy Shootout. In 2019 he parlayed those honors into driving for the champion-maker Cape Brothers in the Road to Indy. After his great season he then tested VERY well for both Exclusive Autosport and RP Motorsport USA at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October. (see post # 763).

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Braden in the EA PM-18 at the Chris Griffis Memorial

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Let this Road to Indy TV piece speak for itself:
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https://twitter.com/RoadToIndyTV/status/1207020275558166533

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That Parker Thompson kid now has a sure competitor worthy of battling in 2020.

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[MarkyS]

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Christian Rasmussen makes it four for JHDD in USF2000…

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19-year-old Danish driver Christian Rasmussen has CONFIRMED today that he will re-up for a sophomore season of USF2000 in 2020, driving again for 2019 team Jay Howard Driver Development to become the 4th man and anchor of their USF2000 squad.

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Christian Rasmussen

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2019 saw the rookie improve with every race until by season’s end he was competing for WINS each weekend and earning 3 of them in his 7 podiums finishes on his way to 4th in the standings. The previous year he was 3rd in F4 United States, again driving for JHDD. Prior to that he was 3rd in F4 Denmark and prior to that he was Vice-Champion for Formula Ford Denmark. Rasmussen is TOP TIER material, and always has been.

Following the 2019 season Christian tested for JHDD at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the Indianapolis road course in October, where he TOPPED every one of the 6 sessions, proving himself to be THE GUY to beat in 2020 in USF2000. (see post # 762).

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Christian at IMS - Unstoppable

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Christian has ONE goal in 2020: “I am very excited to start the 2020 season together with the JHDD crew. 2019 was a good year in many ways, and everything really came together at the end of the season. Being the driver with the most points out of everyone in the second half of the season makes my expectations very high for 2020. I am 100% focused on winning the championship, and I know that the team is as well. I think we have a good shot at it, and I can’t wait for the season to start!”

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Christian’s already CONFIRMED teammates will be fellow sophomores Christian Bogle and Nolan Siegel and rookie Wyatt Brichacek.

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[MarkyS]

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Dale Coyne Racing fills the seat vacated by Sebastien Bourdais…

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Announced today, DCR has a pilot for the # 18 Honda and it’s going to be Spain’s Alex Palou, who just completed a rookie season of Japanese Super Formula racing, where he pulled in Rookie of the Year and 3rd in the points with a WIN and 3 poles, driving for TCS Nakajima Racing.

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Alex Palou

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Prior to 2019 the 22-year-old competed in in the Japan Formula 3 Championship, finishing 3rd in that series, with 3 WINS and 5 poles. Before heading to Japan, Alex raced in Europe in GP3, debuting in 2015 with Campos Racing. Prior to that he placed 3rd in the Euroformula Open Championship and was Vice-Champion in the Spanish Formula 3 Championship, so this kid has been good in open wheel since his European karting days.

What makes this all possible is that Alex has what both IndyCar veterans Sebastien Bourdais and James Hinchcliffe didn’t - the economic backing of a sponsor. In this case it’s Japanese executive Kazumichi Goh for whom Alex drove this year in Super GT, concurrent with his Super Formula drive for TCS Nakajima. The partnership is extensive enough for the team to be called Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh in the case of the # 18.

Kazumichi Goh

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Said Alex of the news, “I’m very excited about coming to America to race Indy cars. I’m grateful for all that have helped me get to this point of my career and especially Dale Coyne and Mr. Kazumichi Goh for giving me this opportunity.”
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We note that Alex is but one more of the great youth parade that IndyCar will be experiencing in 2020. (see post # 774). Still to be confirmed for Coyne’s # 19 car is fellow youngster Santino Ferrucci, who MAY be the guy to be helped by team owners Jimmy Vasser and James Sullivan in 2020, making his car the Honda for Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan - the tag Bourdais drove under for the last two years.

Santino Ferrucci

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Welcome, Alex!
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[MarkyS]

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Last Wednesday was the birthday of Paul Tracy…

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One of our favorite people in the sport got a year older, as “the Chrome Horn” hisownself turned 51 years old and probably no wiser…but that’s exactly the way we like him.

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The many faces of Paul Tracy over decades of exceptionalism

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Today, Tracy is one of the most popular TV commentators in motorsports, but the racing stats on “The Thrill from West Hill” - that’s Toronto, Canada’s West Hill - couldn’t be more clear as to driving talent. The Champion of ARS (now Indy Lights) in 1990, with 7 poles and 9 WINS for Lanford Racing, Tracy moved into the big cars in 1991 and over the next 16 years drove in CART, Champ Car and IndyCar for Dale Coyne Racing, Penske Racing, Newman-Haas, Team Kool Green and Forsythe, collecting 26 poles and 31 WINS, as well as the series title for Player’s Forsythe Racing in 2003, driving a Panoz DP01 with Cosworth power.

In 2002 Tracy finished the Indy 500 in 2nd place…or 1st place, depending on whom you ask, as there was a huge controversy over whether or not he passed Helio Castroneves BEFORE a yellow light for a wreck came out. The IRL gave the WIN to Castroneves but half the crowd gave it to Tracy.

The crash, which was not in the two drivers’ sight, did happen before Tracy made the pass but the yellow didn’t come out until just after the pass, so both drivers were still racing hard when the pass was made.
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Watch Tracy’s take:

Paul Tracy 2002 Indy Controversy

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And here is proof of Tracy’s assertion:

Paul Tracy, Helio Castroneves, 2002 - Pass or Not?

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So, the question then becomes do you get penalized for passing after a wreck happens on a track or for passing after a yellow is called for that wreck? Race fans will ALWAYS differ on this one.

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Our favorite Paul Tracy race - We were there to watch Tracy go from dead last, after having to pit twice for a new nose, to WIN the last Cleveland Grand Prix in 2007. All done with race passes, It was an epic job of slicing and dicing through the competition.

Our favorite Paul Tracy moment - After taking a pole, one of Tracy’s adversaries commented that he would hound Tracy until he would crack under the pressure. Tracy responded something to the effect that, “The only crack involved will be the crack of my ass, which he will see all day long.” Tracy made good on that, too.

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And that’s exactly why we love Paul Tracy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PT!!

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[MarkyS]

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Ed Jones lands on his feet in DTM for 2020…

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The 2016 Indy Lights Champion from Dubai recently lost his IndyCar ride for Ed Carpenter Racing, after a season with them, following a season with Chip Ganassi Racing, which followed his rookie season with Dale Coyne Racing. But he WILL be driving in 2020 after all, as he has secured a ride in the European-based DTM series for WRT Team Audi Sport in 2020, committed to only their 2nd year in the series.

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Ed (left) with new teammate Fabio Scherer and their Audi RS 5 DTM

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DTM is Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, which is a touring car series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe. This is the highly-competitive series that Robert Wickens was in just prior to moving over to IndyCars.

Said Ed, “I look forward to joining WRT Team Audi Sport and the DTM in 2020. This is a series I have been watching closely in the past, very appealing, with high-level competition and great racing.

“Audi has won the title last year, WRT has done a great maiden season, and now the objective is to be on the podium, and if everything goes well, to go for a win. I know it is going to be tough, but we have everything to grow and perform well.”

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Great to see you won’t be idle in 2020. Now, make us proud!

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[MarkyS]

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We have Katherine Legge’s partner in crime located…

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…as she tries again to steal the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Back in post # 779 we noted that IndyCar driver Katherine Legge will join Christina Nielsen for the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the GEAR Grasser team, driving a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 in the GTD class for the full season.

We also noted that Indy Car driver Ana Beatriz (aka “Bia” Figueiredo) will also join the team at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta for the four Michelin Endurance Cup races. But what we didn’t know is who would be the usual 4th driver for Daytona - the 24-hour race of the four races.

CONFIRMED now, it will be Colombian Formula One test driver for Alfa Romeo, Tatiana Calderón - a former Indy Pro 2000 driver.

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Tatiana Calderón

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As we said, the 26-year-old drove 2 seasons of Indy Pro 2000 (then called “Star Mazda”) for Juncos Racing in 2010 and 2011, with a best finish of P3, twice. Since then she has competed in several junior open wheel series, such as Formula 3, GP3 and Formula 2, with varying degrees of success. Her best series was MRF Challenge 2000, where she was Vice-Champion in 2015-2016 to Champion Pietro Fittipaldi.

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Tatiana and her Juncos Racing Elan Star Mazda rotary

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Said Tatiana about her return to North America, "The Rolex 24 is one of the most exciting and challenging races in the world. I’m looking forward to being part of it. Coming back to America where I started my international career is quite special. I can’t wait to drive on the famous Daytona banking for the first time.”

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Tatiana’s Daytona mates, left to right, Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen and Ana Beatriz

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Now, here’s the most exciting thing about all this for us. There is a RUMOR that Tatiana is also looking at a possible season of Indy Lights in 2020…possibly with her old teammates at Juncos Racing. STAY TUNED!

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[MarkyS]

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Nikita is going for the big move to Indy Lights in 2020…

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Announced today, Road to Indy veteran Nikita Lastochkin is going to be a rookie in Indy Lights in 2020, driving for Canadian powerhouse team Exclusive Autosport in their # 90 IL-15 Dallara, thanks to his long-time sponsor Russkaya Mekhanika, the largest manufacturers of off-road vehicles and snwmobiles in Russia.

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We gotta say this isn’t much of a surprise, as Nikita drove for the team in 2019 in Indy Pro 2000, with a good season in that highly-competitive series, coming in 6th in the standings. In addition, Nikita was the only driver in an Exclusive car at the recent Indy Lights test at Sebring, where he impressed us by turning in the 3rd fastest time on Day One, besting some hefty talents. (see posts # 790 and # 791).

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Nikita at Sebring - impressive

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Said the 28-year old Moscow native, “'I am extremely happy to be able to work things out and make the step up to Indy Lights. It is a humbling experience every time I get in the car, since I could not imagine how I was going to make it this far a few years ago. ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way’ is what they say, and my plan is to just keep working hard and see how far we can take it.

"Exclusive Autosport is going to be my home on the Road To Indy for the second year and I am confident we are going to be able to make it a great debut in the new series. Michael and Kimberly Duncalfe have been amazing in building a team that I am happy to be a part of. Our first test at Sebring went well, we have a great group of people together for the Lights program and I am very excited for my first Indy Lights start in St. Pete.”

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2020 is shaping up to have the biggest field of Lights drivers in many years and Nikita is helping to make that happen. Good luck Nikita!!

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[MarkyS]

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The Off Season threads wishes you and yours, a…

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DragonSpeed will return to the fight in 2020 in IndyCar and in LMP2…

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The successful Euopean SportsCar and endurance team, helmed by England’s Elton Julian, has announced their intention to compete for the full season of IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the LMP2 class, starting at the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona, which the team WON in 2019. But more important to us, they have also announced their intention to field an IndyCar at 6 events for 2020. They will be their 2nd appearances at St. Petersburg and the Indy 500, and first-time visits to Long Beach,Texas, Mid-Ohio, and Laguna Seca.

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the DragonSpeed # 81 Chevrolet with Ben Hanley driving at the Indy 500 in 2019

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Julian has NOT named a driver for the 2020 IndyCar yet. In 2019 British endurance racer Ben Hanley drove for the team at St. Pete, Alabama and the Indy 500, and was scheduled for two more races, but had visa problems that kept him out of the country for the rest of the season, following Indy. For 2020 the team MAY use a road course expert for St. Pete, Long Beach, Mid-Ohio and Laguna Seca, while hiring an oval expert for Indy and Texas.
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Elton Julian (left) and drivers Ben Hanley and Henrik Hedman (right)

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Less important to us, but important to the team, they have committed to the entire 6-race season of LMP2-class racing in the WeatherTech series, intending to again field an ORECA 07 Gibson with Hanley and Henrik Hedman in the car, and with Harrison Newey and Colin Braun added in specifically for Daytona. What makes that good is the constant presence of the DragonSpeed team guys in the States, and that makes the 6-race presence in IndyCar all the more likely to pan out.

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The DragonSpeed ORECA 07 Gibson - a full season ahead.

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The IMSA LMP2 class has needed more commitments for full seasons from teams and this is one that also helps IndyCar.

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[MarkyS]

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GREAT NEWS!!!

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last night, Emma Davies Dixon gave IndyCar driver Scott Dixon the best Christmas gift ever, as she delivered the couple’s first SON!

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"Hello son…We’re so happy you’re here"

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A big CONGRATS to Scott, Emma and big sisters Poppy and Tilly Dixon!!

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[MarkyS]

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IndyCar driver James Davison is gettin’ busy in 2020…

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The 33-year-old Australian announced last week that he will drive in both NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 in 2020 - only the 3rd driver to do so in a single year, following the lead of Danica Patrick last year and Kurt Busch in 2014.

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James Davison

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"Davo" will be partnered with Byrd Racing for the Indy 500 effort and with Brodie and Susan Hayward of Hayward Motorsports for the Daytona 500. Davison will also compete in select Sprint car events under the Hayward Motorsports banner.

Davison has four starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, including three races for Joe Gibbs Racing, where his best finish was fourth at Mid-Ohio in 2017, though he has led races, as well. In 2019 he finished the Indy 500 in 12th place - his best of 5 starts - driving from a P15 start for Dale Coyne Racing with Byrd, Holinger, Belardi - yet another of his several affiliations with Byrd racing.

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Davison at Indy in 2019

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Last weekend it was announced that JD will ALSO drive a Riley Mk. 30 Gibson LMP2 car for Rick Ware Racing in the LMP2 class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, teamed with Cody Ware, Mark Kvamme and Jonathan Hoggard. The car is one of 7 LMP2s entered for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 and the only non-ORECA chassis. (Cars MUST be in “the Roar” in order to run in the Rolex 24 at Daytona).

The team plan is to complete the entire 2020 Michelin Endurance Cup, with Davison, Kvamme and Ware confirmed in the Riley for the four-round North American championship. Rick Ware Racing is principally a NASCAR team, and they have also decided to put James in their Sprint car for the 2021 Daytona 500.

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The Rick Ware Racing Riley for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

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And just this weekend, Byrd Racing announced that JD will ALSO drive for them in America’s great Midget racing event, the 2020 Chili Bowl Nationals in mid-January, alongside teammate and fellow IndyCar driver Conor Daly.

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JD Davison will join Conor Daly for Byrd at the Chili Bowl Nationals.

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Like we said, JD is gettin’ busy!

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UPDATE!

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David Byrd of Byrd Racing has announced that THREE IndyCar drivers will be at the Chili Bowl Nationals to compete in Byrd Racing-affiliated Midgets this January, as young American Santino Ferrucci will make his Midget debut in a Byrd & Scott Petry-supported Boss midget for Jody Rosenboom.

David Byrd explained how Ferrucci got his shot in the car - he simply ASKED for the opportunity. Following the BC39 Midget race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this fall, in which Conor participated, “Santino asked me how Conor got to run the Midget and I told him because he was one of the only IndyCar guys willing and able to give it a shot. Santino said he wanted to do it, too …”

So, this Fall, Santino and Davison were taken to Canyon Speedway in Peoria, just northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, where they were both given about 100 laps in a 410 Sprint Car to be better prepared for the Chili Bowl. Davison has raced Silver Crown cars on pavement before, at Salem and at Lucas Oil Raceway Park, but both he and Santino are stone-cold rookies on the dirt.

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Santino (right) with the Byrd / Petry boys at Canyon Speedway.

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And this is why we so much like this kid. He is GAME!
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M

[MarkyS]

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2020 is looking GREAT so far!..

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Let’s celebrate a new year, a new season of IndyCar, the first race weekend of 2020 coming right up and 8,000 views of the thread!

Happy New Year from the Off-Season thread!

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