That was more entertaining than I remember Laguna Seca races of the past being. Pagenaud's strategy cost himself the championship. Newgarden was lucky to hold on.

Now that Newgarden has 2 championships he doesn't have anything really to prove. He should move to F2 and see if he can get his foot in the door for an F1 drive. He's never going to get a chance to move up by staying in Indycar.

I doubt he's going anywhere without a 500 win.

Quote:

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Among the other Foyt-related items that could change prior to the 2020 season, it's unclear whether Kanaan will return to the No. 14 Chevy, or seek opportunities elsewhere in the paddock. Leist, who entered IndyCar with Foyt in 2018, is considered a long shot to stay with the team owned by the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

https://racer.com/2019/09/24/foyt-teams-offseason-makeover-begins/

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There's talk Ganassi may run a fourth car. It makes sense with his sports car program shutting down. So the good news in that is that we're potentially talking 26-28 full time entries in the series next year.

Pato O'Ward has been dropped from the Red Bull junior driver program after three Superleague Formula (formerly Japanese F3000) races. He looks to now be a favorite for the other full time McLaren seat alongside Hinchcliffe. Speaking of Hinch, I'm in disbelief that he will actually drive for McLaren next year. McLaren wants a younger talent in the seat and Hinch likes his Honda deal. It seems like a really bad fit, especially for just a year. That seems like the next McLaren disaster waiting to happen.

Quote:

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. Kurt Busch said talks are progressing with Chip Ganassi Racing on a contract extension and that he also has talked with the team about possibly running another IndyCar race.

...

Busch also said that "some of my talks with Ganassi are about an IndyCar."

He was the 2014 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year after finishing sixth for Andretti Autosport. Busch also noted that with talk of a possible IndyCar/NASCAR weekend in the future, he would be interested in running that IndyCar race, depending on where it would be.

...

Busch, 41, isn't the only Cup driver who is interested in driving an IndyCar at some point. Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson has expressed an interest in running an IndyCar on a road course. Kyle Busch also has expressed an interest in running an IndyCar.

Source

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2020 car tests.

Quote:

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MILLER: Can Foyt find its way out of the shadows?

It was painful to watch A.J. Foyt's team slog along in 2019, qualifying in the back and running mid-pack or worse at most races. Tony Kanaan's average starting spot was 20th and the 2013 Indy 500 winner ranked 15th in the final point standings, while teammate Mattheus Leist was 19th and last among the full-timers in the NTT IndyCar Series.

Super Tex got so disgusted he quit coming to races after Toronto, and longtime sponsor ABC Supply announced it would only back the No.14 car at Indianapolis in 2020.

For a team steeped in tradition whose owner is a paddock icon and whose veteran driver remains a fan favorite, it wasn't good for IndyCar. And the fear was that Super Tex might either cut back to one car, or simply close the doors.

But thankfully, the irascible 83-year-old is coming back in 2020, fielding two cars, is likely keeping T.K. for his farewell tour, and is looking for the next Colton Herta.

"Look, we sucked and it couldn't be much worse, but I'm not going anywhere," said Foyt from one of his Texas ranches over the weekend. "Hell, this is my life and it's Larry's (Foyt) life, and we just have to find a couple of good people to help turn this thing around. And I want to get a young driver that's hungry like I was."

Source

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Sounds like the super memorable IndyCar career of Leist is over.

Hinchcliffe Contract Terminated; Pato O'Ward & Oliver Askew to drive for Arrow McLaren SP

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The Arrow McLaren SP team's initial foray into IndyCar racing is going to be young, fast and full of promise.

RACER.com has learned that Pato O'Ward and Oliver Askew are expected to be named this week as the team's 2020 drivers in the NTT IndyCar series.

It gives the new partnership of Arrow, McLaren's Zak Brown, Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson the last two Indy Lights champions, but it leaves fan favorite and veteran James Hinchcliffe out of a ride, as RACER has speculated for the past few months.

Source

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Two very inexperienced drivers in the seats. I think they needed a veteran in the other car and this is probably not a good move. Even further then that, I think it again shows McLaren's overconfidence in it's ability to engineer the cars. Really looks like they didn't learn.

Michael Cannon to be Scott Dixon's Engineer

Quote:

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Michael Cannon has joined Chip Ganassi Racing as Scott Dixon's new race engineer. Cannon comes to the No. 9 Honda program after leading Dale Coyne Racing rookie Santino Ferrucci to an impressive debut where the young American placed 13th in the standings.

Source

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This almost certainly makes Dixon the favorite to win the title next year, in my mind. Michael Cannon is one of the best on the grid and large reason why Simona de Silvestro ran well years ago and recently why Coyne was punching above its weight. Conversely, this is a huge blow to Coyne and Ferrucci, even if unsaid.

Rahal and Coyne Interested in Hinchcliffe

Quote:

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NTT IndyCar Series team owners Bobby Rahal and Dale Coyne both told NBCSports.com Tuesday morning they are interested in talking to popular driver James Hinchcliffe, who has been released by Arrow McLaren Racing SP.

However, both team owners admitted it will be very difficult to find the necessary sponsorship dollars to increase their respective teams to three-car operations this late in the offseason.

Although the NTT IndyCar Series season does not begin until the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 15, 2020, this is the time of year that teams need to have next season's plans in place. For a team expanding in car count, that means hiring additional crew members and ordering extra equipment.

Source

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With his Petro-Canada money and his Honda deal, it seems likely that he'll find a landing spot, to me.

Waking up to the news that Penske bought the series and IMS is insane

Quote:

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Hulman and Co has sold the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the IndyCar Series, IMS Productions and associated subsidiaries to Penske Entertainment Corp.; a subsidiary of Penske Corp.

The sale was jointly announced by both parties on Monday morning.

No further details have been released, although Hulman and Co President and CEO Mark Miles, Tony George and Roger Penske are scheduled to speak to the media later this morning.

Source

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Abstractly, I'm pretty sure this makes the split meaningless.

Like many things Indycar, I need Robin Miller to explain this to me.

Quote:

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MILLER: The biggest and best story in 50 years

One of Dan Gurney's favorite phrases when discussing the present or future fortunes of his beloved IndyCar racing was: "Nobody is going to make any difference unless he's got some skin in the game." The Big Eagle knew from where he spoke, because it was his famous White Paper that was the impetus for CART taking over from USAC in the late 1970s to bring American open-wheel racing into the 20th century.

And it was Roger Penske, with financial support from Pat Patrick, that took the lead and secured CART a TV contract, tracks to race on and put together a staff and a plan. Like Gurney, he knew IndyCar racing was floundering outside of the Indianapolis 500, so he put his money where he mouth was and where his passion always bubbled over.

Kinda like right now.

The fact Penske purchased IMS and IndyCar isn't just the biggest news of the 50 years I've covered this sport, it's also the best news. Because if anyone can make IndyCar more relevant 11 months of the year, increase the purses for the Indy 500 and the series, secure another engine manufacturer, and put the right people in the right places with a master plan for success, it's The Captain.

https://racer.com/2019/11/04/miller-the-biggest-and-best-story-in-50-years/

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Read that article this morning. Definitely a positive.

Quote:

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Having slammed reports he is set to switch to DTM, Nico Hulkenberg is now being linked with an Indycar drive for 2020.

The experienced German has been left without a cockpit for 2020 after being dumped by Renault.

Hulkenberg has also been linked with Formula E, but now Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said he might have been offered an Indycar seat by Ed Carpenter Racing.

Earlier, 32-year-old Hulkenberg said: "Ovals are not something that attract or strike me.

"I have a lot of respect for the drivers who do that, but it's just not my thing. You can count that out."

Source

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Quote:

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Renault F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg, who has previously dismissed rumors that he is heading to the German touring car series DTM, is reportedly in the running for at least a partial NTT IndyCar Series ride for 2020.

Source

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Oops wrong topic

Growing possibility that Alonso pairs with Andretti for 2020

Quote:

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Alonso has held an ambassadorial role with McLaren since stepping away from its F1 program at the end of 2018 which also included plans for him to drive in selected tests to help with development of both this year's Formula 1 car and its 2020 design. The two-time F1 world champion also attempted to qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 with McLaren but failed to do so, and has since been rallying with Toyota. Brown said there are no guarantees that McLaren's partnership with Alonso will continue into 2020.

"He is under contract this year," Brown said. "Not next year. At the end of this year, we'll have a conversation about what the future may or may not look like. We've got an IndyCar team now, we continue to look at WEC. We've got Mika Hakkinen on a long-term contract as an ambassador, so I think we'll sit down with Fernando at the end of the year and just talk about what does he want to do moving forward, what do we want to do moving forward, and is there something there working together that makes sense."

https://racer.com/2019/11/11/talks-looming-over-alonsos-mclaren-future/

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Quote:

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Michael Andretti admits he's talked to Fernando Alonso about running the 2020 Indianapolis 500, but right now it's a long way from being a done deal.

"We've talked about it and I'd love to have him drive for us again. But a lot of things would have to happen," said Andretti, who gave the Spaniard his first IndyCar ride at Indianapolis in 2017.
"He has to decide what he wants to do and he could still end up with McLaren; but there's other stuff," Andretti added. "It's a possibility, but not a good possibility."

The "other stuff" is, of course, the Honda roadblock. After referring to his Formula 1 motor as a "GP2 engine" during his final year with Team McLaren, the two-time world champion fell out of favor with the Japanese automaker. In his return to IMS last May with McLaren, Alonso was in a Chevrolet because Honda refused to power either the team or driver.

https://racer.com/2019/11/08/alonso-andretti-for-2020-indy/

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I was trying to do a little early Christmas shopping and I have to say I am very disappointed in IndyCar's merchandise selection. It is basically the leftovers from the season. They're missing a great opportunity by not having new merchandise ready for Christmas/next season...

The usually don't come out with new stuff until February. That said, if you're looking for something driver-specific, you can go to the team's website and there's a good chance you'll find some merch there too. I can't remember if it's Nu Era or Lids, but they have a contract with them too and there should be a few items there too. Check the IMS store too.

All that to say, it's scattered around.

Edit: You're a Rossi fan, right? http://www.shopandretti.com

I am - I find it funny Andretti is still selling Sato gear

IndyLights Runner-up Rinus VeeKay to drive full-time for Ed Carpenter Racing

Quote:

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Ed Carpenter Racing announced today that 19-year-old Dutch driver Rinus VeeKay will join the NTT IndyCar Series as the full-time driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet for the 2020 season. VeeKay joins ECR after a meteoric rise through the Road to Indy ranks and a second-place finish in the 2019 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship. As VeeKay begins his Indy car career, he will benefit from the guidance of team owner Ed Carpenter, who will be driving in his 18th season.

Source

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I think we'll see Hinch part-time next year.

Miller's mailbag hinted that Kimball and Kanaan could be sharing a car at Foyt next year, with the second seat going to a ride-buyer.

And now Bourdais is out at Coyne, likely to be replaced by a pay driver.

I could see Bourdais and Hampson making a play on a fourth Ganassi entry. I do think there will be one.

If not there, Hinch vs. Bourdais for the third RLLR seat.

Edit: Hearing Bourdais may be a Pugeot factory driver for WEC. He just tested with Coyne at Sebring, so this is very sudden.

Quote:

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11/22/2019 JDC-Miller MotorSports 2020 DPi Program.

For Immediate Release: Mustang Sampling Racing joins JDC-Miller MotorSports for 2020/2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship Cadillac DPi program.

Savage, MN (November 22nd, 2019) Minnesota based JDC-Miller MotorSports announced today that it has entered into a partnership with Mustang Sampling, LLC to field the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R in the 2020 and 2021 seasons of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.

The group also confirmed their full-season driver lineup with two-time series champion Joao Barbosa and four-time Champ Car champion Sbastien Bourdais, set to contest the 2020 season in JDC-Miller's No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing entry.

https://www.jdcmotorsport.com/News_JDC.htm

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So Bourdais to IMSA.

That's big news!

Listen to the song of our people
https://instagr.am/p/B19MDfjhBfi

I'm ready for next season...

Daly to drive the #20 ECR car on the road and street circuits + a third car at Indy.

PENSKE
------------
#12 - Power
#1 - Newgarden
#22 - Pagenaud

ANDRETTI
---------------
#27 - Rossi
#28 - Hunter-Reay
#26 - Veach
#98 - Andretti
#88 - Herta
#25? - Fernando Alonso (Indy-only)

GANASSI
-------------
#9 - Dixon
#10 - Rosenqvist
#8?- Ericsson

COYNE with VASSER/SULLIVAN
---------------------------------------------
#18 - Palou
#19 - Ferrucci (Still rumored to be ride-shopping)

FOYT
--------
#14 - Kanaan (rumored to be shared ride with Kimball)
#4 - ??? (likely highest bidder)

ARROW McLAREN SP
-----------------------------
#? - Askew
#? - O'Ward

RAHAL LETTTERMAN LANIGAN
---------------------------------------------
#30 - Sato
#15 - Rahal
#? - Hinchcliffe? (Maybe Indy-only, maybe part-time, maybe full-time)

ED CARPENTER
-----------------------
#20 - Carpenter (ovals)/Daly (Road/Street)
#21 - Veekay

MEYER SHANK
---------------------
#60 - Harvey

CARLIN
-----------
? (Likely ride-share to highest bidder)
?? (Likely ride-share to highest bidder)/Chilton (Road/Street)

DRAGON SPEED
-----------------------
#81 - ? (Part-time)

DREYER & REINBOLD
-----------------------
#24 - Sage Karam (Part-Time)
#48 - J.R. Hildebrand (Indy-only)

JUNCOS
------------
?? (Indy-only? Part-time?)

SCUDERIA CORSA
---------------------------
? (Indy-only?)