2018 IndyCar news/misc. stuff

donthaveanickname said:
Binder is done, Ferrucci probably as well.
https://www.motorsport.com/us/indyc...-new-guidelines-for-eligible-drivers/3152714/
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Not sure how I feel about this.

I think racing series should have some general barrier to entry...not just being able to bring a pay check or build a car. NASCAR did not benefit when a geriatric Morgan Shepherd raced in the Cup Series in took out Joey Logano. IndyCar did not benefit when Francesco Dracone was mowing down pit crew members while being five seconds off the pace. But when guys like Leist, De Melo, Wickens, even Jordan King...would not have qualified automatically, I'm not sure it's worth the trouble. I imagine they would've been given dispensation to race, but then what's the point of the system? Binder (and Alfonso Celis Jr., also for Juncos) obviously aren't competitive IndyCar drivers, but I don't think they're Dracone level of bad either. And they help a team like Juncos get up on their feet in the series.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Not sure how I feel about this.

I think racing series should have some general barrier to entry...not just being able to bring a pay check or build a car. NASCAR did not benefit when a geriatric Morgan Shepherd raced in the Cup Series in took out Joey Logano. IndyCar did not benefit when Francesco Dracone was mowing down pit crew members while being five seconds off the pace. But when guys like Leist, De Melo, Wickens, even Jordan King...would not have qualified automatically, I'm not sure it's worth the trouble. I imagine they would've been given dispensation to race, but then what's the point of the system? Binder (and Alfonso Celis Jr., also for Juncos) obviously aren't competitive IndyCar drivers, but I don't think they're Dracone level of bad either. And they help a team like Juncos get up on their feet in the series.
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A 107 or 110% rule for qualifying might help in IndyCar.
 
LewTheShoe said:
Dixon to remain with Ganassi
Despite speculation that involved the much-rumored McLaren IndyCar team, Andretti Autosport and even Team Penske, Scott Dixon has agreed terms to remain at Chip Ganassi Racing....

https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/dixon-to-remain-with-ganassi/3158146/?nrt=86

There was no word on whether a one-year deal or longer. So the McLaren flirtation might resume next year??
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More info here: http://www.chipganassiracing.com/Ne...th-Chip-Ganassi-Racing-Beginning-in-2019.aspx
 
Hmmmm.



DkU-lWUU0AEMyvO.jpg
 
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LewTheShoe said:
Dixon to remain with Ganassi
Despite speculation that involved the much-rumored McLaren IndyCar team, Andretti Autosport and even Team Penske, Scott Dixon has agreed terms to remain at Chip Ganassi Racing....

https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/dixon-to-remain-with-ganassi/3158146/?nrt=86

There was no word on whether a one-year deal or longer. So the McLaren flirtation might resume next year??
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rd45usa said:
More info here: http://www.chipganassiracing.com/Ne...th-Chip-Ganassi-Racing-Beginning-in-2019.aspx
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The official release - and accompanying comments from Chip and Scott - indicate that it's a multiyear deal. Robin Miller, for what he's worth, still says it's believed to be one year plus options. RACER's initial report Sunday night indicated it was for one year. I guess we'll find out for sure towards the end of 2019?

https://racer.com/2018/08/13/miller-dixons-much-deserved-bidding-war/

Kiante said:
@FLRacingFan is livid right now, so much for Penske picking him up.

:XXROFL:
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lol At least the guy won't be winning any more than he already does - I think he really outperforms the equipment at CGR. He and Penske would be on another planet.

As far as Scott's partner...sounds like Chip is still trying to figure out Rosenqvist's FE deal. Or maybe poach one of the other Mercedes DTM drivers soon to have some free time on their hands? All I know is Jones hasn't done much better than he did at DCR last year.

Ganassi weighing options for No.10
https://racer.com/2018/08/14/ganassi-weighing-options-for-no-10/
 
^ Not sure it's wise for IndyCar to sh!t on the porch of a long-time loyal partner such as TMS to chase a dalliance with COTA. If they truly believe COTA would be a mega-event sustainable over the long haul... then OK, kiss TMS goodbye and cast your lot with COTA. If they don't have that true conviction, a deal with COTA as a trial balloon could prove very costly.
 
LewTheShoe said:
^ Not sure it's wise for IndyCar to sh!t on the porch of a long-time loyal partner such as TMS to chase a dalliance with COTA. If they truly believe COTA would be a mega-event sustainable over the long haul... then OK, kiss TMS goodbye and cast your lot with COTA. If they don't have that true conviction, a deal with COTA as a trial balloon could prove very costly.
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I'm of the opinion that COTA is not that great of a circuit as it's made out to be, and doesn't really seem to fit the profile of an IndyCar road course. And there's no guarantee it would be a success as most events there have already fizzled out and gone away. And while TMS is an important venue that I hope stays on the calendar, I don't think it needs the geographical exclusivity year-round that it's gotten for so long. There have been numerous rumblings that the series has had interest from San Antonio and OKC regarding street circuits, and presumably they haven't been able to make any progress due to the exclusivity deal. The venues are far enough apart and enough space on the calendar that they should be able to make way for multiple events in the region.
 
Wonder how this going to play out on Sept.8 at IMS, sponsor of Xfinity race.
LILLY DIABETES 250
 
Wow, can't believe it's been ten years ago Champcar/IRL merger. Old Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain on the merger.
 
2019 schedule announced. COTA in March as the season's second race, Laguna Seca the new finale. The absence of an early season oval to replace Phoenix is unfortunate. Hopefully the unified coverage on NBC networks will provide better continuity and flow to the season.

March 10 St Petersburg
March 24 Circuit of The Americas
April 7 Barber Motorsports Park
April 14 Long Beach
May 11 Indianapolis road course
May 26 Indianapolis 500
June 1-2 Detroit (double-header)
June 8 Texas
June 23 Road America
July 14 Toronto
July 20 Iowa
July 28 Mid-Ohio
August 18 Pocono
August 24 Gateway
September 1 Portland
September 22 Laguna Seca

https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/indycar-confirms-cota-reveals-2019-schedule/3171157/?nrt=86
 
If Hinch and Wickens both stay, Schmidt Peterson could be a racing force in the future.

:)
 
FLRacingFan said:
I was fine with COTA being added until I heard they want to run one of the Mickey Mouse touring car layouts. No, thank you. Grand prix circuit or bust. I am also begging and pleading for Richmond to materialize in 2020.

https://racer.com/2018/09/04/cota-evaluating-track-modifications-for-indycar/
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I'm not so sure that is a bad idea. I'm not throwing the baby out with the bath water until I watch the race. :idunno: Experts put that course together, all of the courses, none of them were an afterthought.
 
StandOnIt said:
I'm not so sure that is a bad idea. I'm not throwing the baby out with the bath water until I watch the race. :idunno: Experts put that course together, all of the courses, none of them were an afterthought.
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Moot point now since it sounds like they've decided to run the full course. I think they'll be pretty racy especially in the second sector (which is probably what would've been cut).

IndyCar plans to use COTA's F1 configuration
https://racer.com/2018/09/13/indycar-plans-to-use-cotas-f1-configuration/

Among other news, Spencer Pigot re-signed with ECR and RLL plan to continue to with Taku.

https://racer.com/2018/09/13/pigot-returns-to-ecr-for-2019/

https://racer.com/2018/09/10/rahal-expects-satos-return-for-2019/
 
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