IndyCar 2013 Silly Season

KevinWI

KevinWI

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Robin Miller reporting in his latest racer.com piece:

- Tony Kanaan is close to signing with Ganassi for next year. (What happened to JGR and NASCAR?)
- GoDaddy has informed Andretti Autosport they will not be returning as the primary sponsor on the #27 car next year.
- James Hinchcliffe has a serious competitive offer from a rival (non-Andretti) team.

Sounds like Andretti is rushing to put together a sponsorship deal to make an offer to Hinchcliffe.
 
Hinch has probably been offered TK's seat at KV racing. He's gold as an endorser (if that's a word :), hopefully some blue-whale-sized Canadian corporation will jump on, eh?
 
National Guard is leaving Panther and going to Rahal's team next season http://www.racer.com/national-guard...rman-lanigan-racing-from-2014/article/316046/

Teams so far
Ganassi (4) Kanaan, Franchitti, Dixon, Kimball
Penske (3) Montoya, Power, Castroneves
Andretti (2) Hunter Reay, Andretti
Schmidt/Hamilton (2) Pageneaud, Vautier
Rahal (1) Graham Rahal
Sarah Fisher Racing (Newgarden)



Other rumors -
Sarah Fisher is talking with Ed Carpenters team about merging and fielding a two car effort
Jay Penske is still hopeful to run two cars next season but he has told Bourdais and Savaadra to explore other options
Dale Coyne is close to securing the funding to bring Justin Wilson back
Panther Racing wants to sign Servia but they lost there National Guard sponsorship
 
Not surprised about Panther and National Guard.

As far as GoDaddy, shame on them. They finally have a driver worth a damn and they are leaving while probably looking for any empty room on Danica's car. **** them.

Hope that Hinchecliffe's offer is better than KV racing. Not impressed with what they've supplied TK.
 
Update silly season as of October 19th

2013-14 Indycar silly season

Confirmed rides

Chevy (9) -

Ganassi (4) – Dixon, Franchitti, Kimball, Kanaan
Penske (3) – Castroneves, Power, Montoya
KV Racing (1) – Bourdais
Ed Carpenter Racing (1) – Carpenter

Honda (6) -

Andretti Autosport (3) – Hunter-Reay, Andretti, Hinchcliffe
Schmidt (1) – Pagenaud
Rahal Letterman (1) – Rahal
Sarah Fisher/Hartman (1) – Newgarden

Unconfirmed teams for next season

Panther Racing (1) – Briscoe or Servia. Team wanted to expand to 2 cars but with the lose of National Guard they are lucky to field the one car.

KV Racing (Car #2) – Simona de Silvestro. Simona supposedly has sponsorship but she is checking her options before returning to the team.

Barracuda Racing (Cars 1,2?) - Luca Filippi, Jr Hildebrand. Team is looking to expand to a two car team. Filippi and Hildebrand are both rumored to be rumored to going to Barracuda.

Andretti Autosport (Car #4) – EJ Viso or Carlos Munoz. Viso is in serious legal trouble right now in Venezuela. Citgo is likely leaving as Viso's partner. Andretti is trying to find the money to put Munoz in this car next season.

Dale Coyne Racing (Cars #1 and #2) – Justin Wilson, Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann, Simona de Silvestro, Stefan Wilson and James Jakes. Wilson is nearly a lock considering his history with the team. The other 4 drivers it will be amount bringing a the biggest pay check. Don't expect an announcement from this team until after new years but they will put two cars on the grid.

Schmidt (Car #2) – Vautier or Karam. Schmidt lost HP as a sponsor but will keep two cars. Panenaud is confirmed but car #2 could go to either Vautier who struggled in his rookie season or Sage Karam who won the Indy Lights championship.

Dragon Racing (Cars #1 and 2?) - Saavedra. The team lost it's sponsorship and best driver Bourdais. Saavedra brought money to the team last year to run the full season so he may do the same this season as well. Team will struggle to put 2 cars on the grid next season, don't expect any announcement from them soon.

AJ Foyt Racing (Cars 1 and 2) – Takuma Sato and Conor Daly. Just as the past few seasons Foyt is looking to expand to a second car. Right now they have ABC Supply sponsorship for the #14 so the first car will be on the grid. Foyt seemed to want Sato back mid season but with late season issues Daly's name has been thrown in the mix. Team will likely run a 2 nd car at Indy though.

Rahal Letterman (Car #2) – James Jakes, Katherine Legge, Simona de Silvestro. These team ran last year with James Jakes. Rahal has confirmed a 2 nd car next but expect it to go to who can bring in the biggest check.

Sarah Fisher/Hartman (Car #2) – Lucas Luhr. Fisher is fighting hard to have a 2 car team next season. Right now Luhr would likely be the driver.

Ed Carpenter (Car #2) – Stefan Wilson, James Davidson, or Peter Dempsey. Carpenter is also looking to expand to a 2 car team. Unfortunately all options for a 2 nd car would only be able to afford part time rides.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing (Car #1?) - Team shut down after Indy last season leaving Servia out of a job. The team still has a shop that is open and they are searching hard for at least a car on the grid part time.

Lazier Brothers Racing (Car #1?) Buddy or Jaques Lazier – Purchased the team last year a couple weeks prior to Indy. Ran the 500 and never heard from them again. Team could possibly run the 500 this year with one of the brothers or the car/engine could be sold off.

Drivers still searching for a ride for 2014

Justin Wilson
Simona de Silvestro
Takuma Sato
Katherine Legge
Pippa Mann
Stefan Wilson
Carlos Munoz
EJ Viso
Sage Karam
Alex Tagliani
Ana Beatriz
James Jakes
Tristan Vautier
Lucas Luhr
Buddy Lazier
Jaques Lazier
Townsend Bell
JR Hildbrand
Luca Filippi
Conor Daly
Sebastian Saavadera
James Davidson
Peter Dempsey
Oriol Sevia
Ryan Briscoe
Mike Conway
James Rossiter
Buddy Rice
Bertrand Baguette
Alex Llyod
Jay Howard
Michel Jourdain Jr.
Bruno Junqueira


I will post new silly season updates through the off season
 
Interesting IndyCar news, cross-posted from NASCAR section.
Stewart Fan said:
Hornish not interested in replacing Franchitti: Sam Hornish Jr. said Friday he has no interest in returning to IndyCar to replace Dario Franchitti at Target Chip Ganassi Racing. Hornish said the team reached out to his representatives this week when Franchitti was told by doctors he can no longer race because of the risk of injury is too great. "I expressed I was very grateful even for the call," Hornish said. "A door opens and the reason still stands to not do it. It's just any time I've had a thought or thought about that at all, it's been like very minimal." Even though he heads into Saturday's final Nationwide Series race of the season with no job lined up for 2014. Hornish believes he should have a Cup ride next year. "I definitely feel I belong in the Cup Series," Hornish said. "Taking the step back was to prove what I've known for a long time: given the equipment, the right people around me, what I would be capable of. Because I'd been so successful on the IndyCar side, I was going to pick up the car and carry it on my back if it wasn't good enough."(Associated Press)(11-16-2013)
Click to expand...
 
I wonder if Ganassi wishes things had turned out different with Montoya. Montoya going back to IndyCar in the Target car would have wrapped up everything with a bow.
 
Silly season update November 20th

Team and drivers confirmed for the 2014 season

Chevy (8) -
Ganassi (3) – Dixon, Kimball, Kanaan
Penske (3) – Castroneves, Power, Montoya
KV Racing (1) – Bourdais
Ed Carpenter Racing (1) – Carpenter/Conway (Carpenter Ovals, Conway Road and Street)

Honda (8) -
Andretti Autosport (4) – Hunter-Reay, Andretti, Hinchcliffe, Munoz
Schmidt (1) – Pagenaud
Rahal Letterman (1) – Rahal
Sarah Fisher/Hartman (1) – Newgarden
AJ Foyt Racing (1) – Sato

Indy 500/Part time teams (1)
Lazier Brothers Racing (1) - Buddy Lazier. (Team made an announcement on there Facebook page that they will run Indy with Buddy Lazier in 2014 and they also have hopes of running at Pocono and Fontana).

Unconfirmed teams for next season

Ganassi (Car #4 Dario's Replacement) – Immediately following Franchitti's announcement that he would retire several names are already being thrown around as possible replacements. Justin Wilson, Briscoe, Servia, Simona, Bruno Senna, Tagliani, Karam, Newgarden (may opt out of Sarah Fishers team to drive for Ganassi). Paul di Resta the cousin of Franchitti may also be considered to drive the #10 car. Tagliani is going to test the car during the off season.

Panther Racing (Cars #1 and 2) – Briscoe or Servia. There is word that Panther has signed Briscoe to a contract but they are with holding an announcement till a full season sponsor is signed. A second car may run at Indy.

KV Racing (Car #2) – Simona de Silvestro, Servia, Karam or Griener. Mikael Griener will test with KV racing at Sebring. Sage Karam is negotiating with both KV and Schmidt to try to secure a 2014 full season ride.

Barracuda Racing (Cars 1,2?) - Luca Filippi, Jr Hildebrand. Team is looking to expand to a two car team. Filippi is in contract negotiations with Herta to drive the #98 car in 2014.

Andretti Autosport (Car #5) – EJ Viso, James Jakes or Gabby Chaves. Viso is in serious legal
trouble and looks to be headed else where. Andretti Autosport VP said that Munoz is signed to be the 4 th driver at Andretti with an outside possibility of the team running a 5 th car full season. Gabby Chaves may receive money from Citgo which was Viso's sponsor to drive a 5 th Andretti car.

Dale Coyne Racing (Cars #1 and #2) – Justin Wilson, Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann, Simona de Silvestro, Stefan Wilson, James Jakes, Vautier and Arie Luyendyk Jr.. Justin Wilson is presumed to drive one of the Coyne cars unless he signs with Ganassi. The other drivers it will be about bringing a the biggest pay check. Don't expect an announcement from this team until after new years but they will put two cars on the grid. Arie Luyendyk Jr is test driving a Dale Coyne Indycar at Sebring. Vautier has also inquired about possibly driving for Coyne.

Schmidt (Car #2) – Vautier, Karam, or Aleshin. Schmidt lost HP as a sponsor but will keep two cars. Panenaud is confirmed but car #2 could go to either Vautier who struggled in his rookie season or Sage Karam who won the Indy Lights championship. Karam is in negotiation's with both Schmidt and KV Racing to try and get a full time ride. Mikhail Aleshin the 2010 Formula Renult 3.5 champion tested with Schmidt at Sebring. Tristan Vautier has admitted his chances of returning have dwindled.

Dragon Racing (Cars #1 and 2?) - Saavedra?. The team lost it's sponsorship and best driver Bourdais. Saavedra brought money to the team last year to run the full season so he may do the same this season as well. Team announced they intend to run atleast 1 car at the two races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That could indicate that Dragons 2 full season cars are no longer on the grid come March. Also Marshal Pruett said Dragon Racing has laid off several employees following the Fontana race.

AJ Foyt Racing (Car # 2) – Conor Daly. Just as the past few seasons Foyt is looking to expand to a second car. Foyt said he would like to bring Daly back in 2014 hopefully in a full time driving role but he would need a lot of help to make that happened. Team will likely run a 2 nd car at Indy though.

Rahal Letterman (Car #2, 3) – James Jakes, Katherine Legge, Simona de Silvestro, or Jack Hawksworth. This team ran last year with James Jakes. Rahal has confirmed he will run a 2 nd car next season full time. Team is also hopeful to run a 3 rd car in select races. Jack Hawksworth will test the car at Sebring.

Sarah Fisher/Hartman (Car #2) – Lucas Luhr or Simona de Silvestro. Fisher is fighting hard to have a 2 car team next season. Right now Luhr would likely be the driver. Simona has also inquired about driving a possible 2 nd Sarah Fisher car.

Ed Carpenter (Car #2) – Stefan Wilson, James Davidson, or Peter Dempsey. Carpenter is also looking to expand to a 2 car team. Unfortunately all options for a 2 nd car would only be able to afford part time rides.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing (Car #1?) - Team shut down after Indy last season leaving Servia out of a job. Update Robbie Buhl has said his team has sponsorship to run the Indy 500. They are also exploring options to race in a handful of other races in 2014.

Fan Force United (Car #1) – They announced they are looking to run a full season in Indy Lights and the Indy 500 in 2014. Possibly in conjunction with another team to share resources.

Drivers still searching for a ride for 2014 and there speculative possibilities.

Justin Wilson (Ganassi or Dale Coyne)
Simona de Silvestro (Ganassi, KV, Coyne, Rahal Letterman, Sarah Fisher)
Katherine Legge (Rahal Letterman)
Pippa Mann (Coyne)
Stefan Wilson (Panther or Coyne)
EJ Viso (Andretti or Sportscars)
Sage Karam (Ganassi, KV, or Schmidt)
Alex Tagliani (Test w/Ganassi)
Ana Beatriz (Coyne)
James Jakes (Andretti, Coyne, Rahal)
Tristan Vautier (Schmidt or Coyne)
Lucas Luhr (Sarah Fisher Racing)
Jaques Lazier (Lazier Brothers Racing)
Townsend Bell (Indy 500 1 off)
JR Hildbrand (Barracuda Racing)
Luca Filippi (Barracuda Racing)
Conor Daly (Foyt)
Sebastian Saavadera (Dragon or Indy Lights again)
James Davidson (Panther)
Peter Dempsey (Panther)
Oriol Sevia (Panther, KV, or Ganassi)
Ryan Briscoe (Panther or Ganassi)
James Rossiter (KV or Europe)
Buddy Rice (No plans)
Bertrand Baguette (Sports Cars)
Alex Llyod (Sports Cars)
Jay Howard (Sports Cars)
Wade Cunningham (?)
Michel Jourdain Jr. (Indy 500 1 off possibility)
Bruno Junqueira (Sports Cars)
Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Test w/Coyne)
Mikael Griener (Test w/KV)
Jack Hawksworth (Test w/ Rahal Letterman)
Gabby Chaves (Andretti)
Mikhail Aleshin (Test w/Schmidt)
Paul di Resta (Ganassi)
Bruno Senna (Ganassi)

The Sebring test on Nov. 18th added a lot more possible team driver combinations speculation.

I will continue to update the silly season thread through out the off-season and likely do a month team and driver update post like this once a month.
 
It looks like Simona has good prospects. I think she is a good driver and would like to see how she does in a top tier ride.
 
Wow, that's a pretty long list of drivers looking for a ride next year.
 
Marcingak said:
Wow, that's a pretty long list of drivers looking for a ride next year.
Click to expand...

True. Indycar has had that problem for years. There are a lot of talented drivers who rise through the ladder system they have only to get a very limited opportunity in the series. Drivers like Jay Howard, Alex Lloyd, Wade Cunningham and Conor Daly, spent years in Indy Lights racking up impressive results but when it came to moving up to the Indycar they could not secure full time rides or if they did it was on a bottom feeder team. It doesn't help that most teams seek out drivers that pay out of pocket for their ride or come in with there own personal sponsorship like James Jakes I believe his family owns Acorn Stair Lifts. What it does do is give drivers who seaked out an F1 career an alternative. Mike Conway I believe was a test driver in F1 years ago but he chose to come to America to drive in Indycar and has run fairly well on road courses . Same with Takuma Sato. The problem now is what good is Indycars feeder series? Tristan Vautier won the 2012 Indylights title and was given a million dollars from the series to help him move up to Indycar. Sure he may not have had a good rookie season but he can still have a successful career, look at Kimball he was pretty bad when he first came to Indycar now he run's pretty consistent week in and week out. But what's to happen to Tristan Vautier now? He doesn't have the million bucks so does he get kicked to the curb and run out of the series like Lloyd, Howard and Cunningham?
 
wilson89 said:
Ganassi will hold a press conference tomorrow regarding his driver line for 2014. Right now everyone is saying Kanaan to the #10 and Briscoe to the #8
Click to expand...
Ganassi is a tool, but TK deserves a chance in a top tier ride. There's going to be some stout competition at the front of the grid next year. I'm already looking at going to Indy the first two weekends, including Friday practice before pole day qualifying.
 
Silly Season update for December 20th

Confirmed rides

Chevy (9) -

Ganassi (4) – Dixon, Kimball, Kanaan, Briscoe
Penske (3) – Castroneves, Power, Montoya
KV Racing (1) – Bourdais
Ed Carpenter Racing (1) – Carpenter/Conway (Carpenter Ovals, Conway Road and Street)

Honda (10) -

Andretti Autosport (4) – Hunter-Reay, Andretti, Hinchcliffe, Munoz
Schmidt (2) – Pagenaud, Aleshin
Rahal Letterman (1) – Rahal
Sarah Fisher/Hartman (1) – Newgarden
AJ Foyt Racing (1) – Sato
Dale Coyne Racing (1) – Justin Wilson

Indy 500/Part time teams (1)

Lazier Brothers Racing (1) - Buddy Lazier. (Team made an announcement on there Facebook page that they will run Indy with Buddy Lazier in 2014 and they also have hopes of running at Pocono and Fontana).

Unconfirmed teams for next season

Panther Racing (Cars #1 and 2) – Servia, Simona, or Jakes. Ryan Briscoe reportedly had a contract in place but the team released him. A 2nd car full time car no longer looks possible but it is likely they will run a 2nd car at Indy.

KV Racing (Car #2) – Simona de Silvestro, Servia, Karam, Griener or Tagliani. Mikael Griener will test with KV racing at Sebring. A Jimmy Vasser interview with Racer Magazine, he mentioned that Tagliani and Simona are currently the front runners for the second car.

Barracuda Racing (Cars 1,2?) - Luca Filippi, Jr Hildebrand and James Jakes. Team is looking to expand to a two car team. Filippi is in contract negotiations with Herta to drive the #98 car in 2014. Team is also in talks with James Jakes to run a 2nd team car.

Andretti Autosport (Car #5) – EJ Viso, James Jakes or Gabby Chaves. Viso is in serious legal trouble and looks to be headed else where. Andretti Autosport VP said that Munoz is signed to be the 4th driver at Andretti with an outside possibility of the team running a 5th car full season. Gabby Chaves may receive money from Citgo which was Viso's sponspor to drive a 5th Andretti car.

Dale Coyne Racing (Car #2) – Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann, Simona de Silvestro, Stefan Wilson, James Jakes, Vautier, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Francisco Dracone, Sam Bird, Jack Hawksworth and Giuseppe Cipriani. Justin Wilson is presumed to drive one of the Coyne cars as he signed a 3 year contract with the team prior to the start of the 2013 season. The other car will likely be about bringing the biggest pay check. Don't expect an announcement from this team until after new years but they will put two cars on the grid. Arie Luyendyk Jr is test driving a Dale Coyne Indycar at Sebring. Vautier has also inquired about possibly driving for Coyne. Dracone crashed during his test at Sebring. Simona and Sam Bird are the two drivers the team are seeking out the most according to Marshal Pruett. December 18-19 th test at Sebring had Jack Hawksworth and Giuseppe Cipriani testing their cars.

Schmidt (Car #3) – Vautier, Townsend Bell. Schmidt two car full season team of Pagenaud, and Mikhail Aleshin has already been announced. Team is looking for a 3rd car to run at Indy. Tristan Vautier and Townsend Bell would be the obvious choices since they have past experience with Schmidt.

Dragon Racing (Cars #1 and 2?) - Saavedra?. The team lost it's sponsorship and best driver Bourdais. Saavedra brought money to the team last year to run the full season so he may do the same this season as well. Team announced they intend to run atleast 1 car at the two races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That could indicate that Dragons 2 full season cars are no longer on the grid come March. Also Marshal Pruett said Dragon Racing has laid off several employees following the Fontana race.

AJ Foyt Racing (Car # 2) – Conor Daly. Just as the past few seasons Foyt is looking to expand to a second car. Foyt said he would like to bring Daly back in 2014 hopefully in a full time driving role but he would need a lot of help to make that happened. Team will likely run a 2nd car at Indy though.

Rahal Letterman (Car #2, 3) – James Jakes, Simona de Silvestro, Jack Hawksworth, Oriol Servia, or Lucca Filippi . This team ran last year with James Jakes. Rahal has confirmed he will run a 2 nd car next season full time. Team is also hopeful to run a 3 rd car in select races. Jack Hawksworth tested the car at Sebring in Nov. Oriol Servia and Lucca Filippi are now also considered as possibilities according to Marshall Pruett.

Sarah Fisher/Hartman (Car #2) – Lucas Luhr. Fisher has yet to confirm weather the team is driving a Chevy or Honda powered engine and all plans for a second car are put on hold until the engine situation is settled. Luhr is under contract with Muscle Milk Picket Racing to drive sportscar in 2014.

Ed Carpenter (Car #2) – Stefan Wilson, James Davidson, or Peter Dempsey. Carpenter is also looking to expand to a 2 car team. Unfortunately all options for a 2 nd car would only be able to afford part time rides.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing (Car #1) - Team shut down after Indy last season leaving Servia out of a job. Update Robbie Buhl has said his team has sponsorship to run the Indy 500. They are also exploring options to race in a handful of other races in 2014.

Fan Force United (Car #1) – They announced they are looking to run a full season in Indy Lights and the Indy 500 in 2014. Possibly in conjunction with another team to share resources.

Drivers still searching for a ride for 2014 and there speculative possibilities.

Simona de Silvestro (Panther, KV, Coyne, Rahal Letterman)
James Jakes (Panther, Andretti, Coyne, Rahal, Barracuda)
Luca Filippi (Barracuda Racing, Rahal Letterman)
Pippa Mann (Coyne)
Stefan Wilson (Panther or Coyne)
EJ Viso (Andretti or Sportscars)
Sage Karam (KV)
Alex Tagliani (Test w/Ganassi, KV)
Ana Beatriz (Coyne)
Tristan Vautier (Schmidt or Coyne)
Jaques Lazier (Lazier Brothers Racing)
JR Hildbrand (Barracuda Racing)
Conor Daly (Foyt)
Sebastian Saavadera (Dragon or Indy Lights again)
Peter Dempsey (Panther)
Oriol Sevia (Panther or KV)
James Rossiter (KV or Europe)
Gabby Chaves (Andretti)
Sam Bird (Coyne)
Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Test w/Coyne)
Mikael Griener (Test w/KV)
Jack Hawksworth (Test w/ Rahal Letterman, and Test w/ Coyne)
Giuseppe Cippriani (Test w/ Coyne)
Francisco Dracone (Test w/Coyne)
James Davidson (Panther/ confirmed to drive sports cars, is looking to run Indy 500)
Lucas Luhr (Sarah Fisher Racing/ Under contract with Muscle Milk Picket Racing in Sprtscars)
Townsend Bell (Driving Level 5 Ferrari 458 in sports cars, Indy 500 possible)
Michel Jourdain Jr. (Indy 500 1 off possibility)
Bertrand Baguette (Sports Cars)
Alex Lloyd (?)
Jay Howard (?)
Bruno Junqueira (Confirmed to drive sports cars)
Paul di Resta (Expressed interest in Indycar)
Narain Karthikeyan (Expressed interest in Indycar)
Bruno Senna (N/A refused to drive in oval races but has show interest in Indycar)
Katherine Legge (Joined Delta Wing program doubtful to drive in Indycar)
Buddy Rice (No plans)
Wade Cunningham (?)
 
SuperTex14 said:
Ganassi is a tool, but TK deserves a chance in a top tier ride. There's going to be some stout competition at the front of the grid next year. I'm already looking at going to Indy the first two weekends, including Friday practice before pole day qualifying.
Click to expand...
No trip to Indy for the GRAND PRIX OF INDIANAPOLIS?
 
KevinWI said:
No trip to Indy for the GRAND PRIX OF INDIANAPOLIS?
Click to expand...
I'm going down (from Chi-town) for that weekend (road race Saturday, opening day for the real track Sunday) if not traveling for work, then back the next Friday for 500 final practice and Pole Day. Let me know if you go, too; maybe we can have a pop at Union Jack's.
 
SuperTex14 said:
I'm going down (from Chi-town) for that weekend (road race Saturday, opening day for the real track Sunday) if not traveling for work, then back the next Friday for 500 final practice and Pole Day. Let me know if you go, too; maybe we can have a pop at Union Jack's.
Click to expand...
For sure, but don't know if I'll make it down there yet this year.
 
Hearing on Twitter that ABC/ESPN has hired Allen Bestwick to be the play-by-play man for IndyCar next year.

I like AB. But can he call an open-wheel race?
 
Andretti liveries are out:

25+Car+2014_No-C-Store_01-12-B.png


27+Car+-+UFD+2014+-+01-09-A.png


28+RC+Car+2014_01-12-A.png


Cinsay+IndyCar+2014_01-12-N.png


http://www.racer.com/andretti-autosport-reveals-2014-indycar-liveries/article/329152/
 
January Silly Season update Jan 22nd

Sadly there have been no new confirmations in the past month. So I will just try and add and clear up some team and drivers news/notes that has happened.

Unconfirmed teams for next season

Full time -

Rahal Letterman (Car #2) – James Jakes, Simona de Silvestro, Jack Hawksworth, Oriol Servia, Luiz Razia or Lucca Filippi . This team ran last year with James Jakes. Rahal has confirmed he will run a 2 nd car next season full time. Jack Hawksworth tested the car at Sebring in Nov. Oriol Servia and Lucca Filippi are now also considered as possibilities according to Marshall Pruett. Luiz Razia is talking with Rahal.

Panther Racing (Cars #1) – Servia, Simona, Peter Dempsey, Jakes or Carlos Huertas. Huertas will be testing the car for Panther at Sebring.

KV Racing (Car #2) – Simona de Silvestro, Servia, Karam, Griener, Tagliani or Saavedra. Mikael Griener will test with KV racing at Sebring. A Jimmy Vasser interview with Racer Magazine, he mentioned that Tagliani and Simona are currently the front runners for the second car. Luiz Razia is talking with KV. Marshall Pruett says Sebastian Saavedra is talking with KV about being team mates with Bourdais once again.

Barracuda Racing (Cars 1,2?) - Luca Filippi, Jr Hildebrand, James Jakes or Sage Karam. Team is looking to expand to a two car team. Filippi is in contract negotiations with Herta to drive the #98 car in 2014. Team is also in talks with James Jakes to run a 2nd team car. Luis Razia is talking with Herta, as is Indy Lights champion Sage Karam.

Dale Coyne Racing (Car #2) – Ana Beatriz, Pippa Mann, Simona de Silvestro, Stefan Wilson, James Jakes, Vautier, Arie Luyendyk Jr., Francisco Dracone, Sam Bird, Jack Hawksworth and Giuseppe Cipriani. Justin Wilson is presumed to drive one of the Coyne cars as he signed a 3 year contract with the team prior to the start of the 2013 season. The other car will likely be about bringing the biggest pay check. Don't expect an announcement from this team until after new years but they will put two cars on the grid. Arie Luyendyk Jr is test driving a Dale Coyne Indycar at Sebring. Vautier has also inquired about possibly driving for Coyne. Dracone crashed during his test at Sebring. Simona and Sam Bird are the two drivers the team are seeking out the most according to Marshal Pruett. December 18-19 th test at Sebring had Jack Hawksworth and Giuseppe Cipriani testing their cars. Luiz Razia is talking with the team.

Part Time

Rahal Letterman (Car #3) – Team is looking to run a 3 rd car in select races.

AJ Foyt Racing (Car # 2) – Conor Daly. Just as the past few seasons Foyt is looking to expand to a second car. Foyt said he would like to bring Daly back in 2014 hopefully in a full time driving role but he would need a lot of help to make that happened. Team will likely run a 2 nd car at Indy though.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing (Car #1) - Team shut down after Indy last season leaving Servia out of a job. Update Robbie Buhl has said his team has sponsorship to run the Indy 500. They are also exploring options to race in a handful of other races in 2014.

Andretti Autosport (Car #5) – Andretti Autosport reveled their 4 full time cars in January. A 5 th full time car will not happen but they could run a part time ride or an Indy 500 one off like they did with Munoz last season. Side note HVM returned to partner with Andretti they are running Munoz car. Kurt Busch has stated that Andretti has made him an offer to drive a 5 th car at Indy, but he would need to get Chevys permission since Andretti now drives Honda.

Schmidt (Car #3) – Vautier, Townsend Bell. Schmidt two car full season team of Pagenaud, and Mikhail Aleshin has already been announced. Team is looking for a 3 rd car to run at Indy. Tristan Vautier and Townsend Bell would be the obvious choices since they have past experience with Schmidt.

Dragon Racing (Car #1) - Saavedra?. The team lost it's sponsorship and best driver Bourdais. Saavedra brought money to the team last year to run the full season so he may do the same this season as well. Team announced they intend to run atleast 1 car at the two races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That could indicate that Dragons 2 full season cars are no longer on the grid come March. Also Marshal Pruett said Dragon Racing has laid off several employees following the Fontana race. Is now confirmed the team will not run a full season and they only have the intention of running 1 car at the two races at Indy.

Sarah Fisher/Hartman (Car #2) – Simona. Fisher has yet to confirm weather the team is driving a Chevy or Honda powered engine and all plans for a second car are put on hold until the engine situation is settled. Simona may bring money to the team if she chooses to sign with Sarah Fisher. Team has used a Honda engine during off season testing.

Ed Carpenter (Car #2) – Stefan Wilson, or Peter Dempsey. Carpenter is also looking to expand to a 2 car team. Unfortunately all options for a 2 nd car would only be able to afford part time rides.

Fan Force United (Car #1?) – They announced they are looking to run a full season in Indy Lights and the Indy 500 in 2014. Possibly in conjunction with another team to share resources. No word on the team since late October.

Drivers still searching for a ride for 2014 and there speculative possibilities.

Simona de Silvestro (Panther, KV, Coyne, Rahal Letterman, Sarah Fisher)
James Jakes (Panther, Coyne, Rahal, Barracuda)
Luca Filippi (Barracuda Racing, Rahal Letterman)
Pippa Mann (Coyne)
Stefan Wilson (Panther or Coyne)
Sage Karam (KV or Barracuda)
Alex Tagliani (Test w/Ganassi, KV)
Ana Beatriz (Coyne)
Tristan Vautier (Schmidt or Coyne)
Jaques Lazier (Lazier Brothers Racing)
JR Hildbrand (Barracuda Racing)
Carlos Huertas (Test w/Panther)
Conor Daly (Foyt)
Sebastian Saavadera (Dragon or Indy Lights again)
Peter Dempsey (Panther or Ed Carpenter Racing)
Oriol Sevia (Panther or KV)
Sam Bird (Coyne)
Luiz Razia (Barracuda, Coyne, KV and Rahal Test/Indy Lights)
Jack Hawksworth (Test w/ Rahal Letterman, and Test w/ Coyne, Indy Lights?)
Townsend Bell (Driving Level 5 Ferrari 458 in sports cars, Indy 500 possible)
Kurt Busch (Andretti Indy 500 only)


Following drivers have less than about a 10% chance of finding a ride this year.

EJ Viso (Sportscars)
Gabby Chaves (Testing Indy Lights)
Paul di Resta (Racing in DTM)
Mikael Griener (Test w/KV)
Narain Karthikeyan (Expressed interest in Indycar)
Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Test w/Coyne)
Giuseppe Cippriani (Test w/ Coyne)
Francisco Dracone (Test w/Coyne)
James Davidson (confirmed to drive sports cars, is looking to run Indy 500)
Lucas Luhr (Under contract with Muscle Milk Picket Racing in Sprtscars)
Michel Jourdain Jr. (Indy 500 1 off possibility)
Bertrand Baguette (Sports Cars)
Alex Lloyd (?)
Jay Howard (?)
Bruno Junqueira (Confirmed to drive sports cars)
Bruno Senna (N/A refused to drive in oval races but has shown interest in Indycar)
Katherine Legge (Joined Delta Wing program doubtful to drive in Indycar)
Buddy Rice (No plans)
Wade Cunningham (?)
James Rossiter (No longer talking with Indycar teams)
 
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