Indycar News & Rumors. - Page 209

**bjohnsonsmith** · 5 Oct 2020, 18:38 (Ref:4008734)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Even RM doesn’t sound too optimistic for oval future

https://racer.com/2020/10/05/miller-...penskes-fault/

Some very interesting comments from Roger Penske, in that article and it doesn't all sound like doom and gloom.

“Depending on what happens with COVID, we’ve got to be flexible,” said Penske. “I think St. Louis would run two races if necessary, and we’ve got the Speedway road course for a backup plan if needed. Kentucky and Chicago (both dropped from the 2021 NASCAR schedule) might be an option some day, and there could be a resurgence in some of these ovals that aren’t going to be used (by NASCAR).”

S griffin · 5 Oct 2020, 20:34 (Ref:4008745)

I can tell from those comments that Penske is passionate on keeping oval racing in this series and he will do whatever he can. He just needs to wait for the right time due to the current uncertainty in the world

mstets · 6 Oct 2020, 04:24 (Ref:4008783)

Wondering if Penske is just biding his time for the purchase of IA Speedway. The racing has been great there, it's easily worked into the schedule over several months time. I'm hoping that it can come back.

**joeb** · 6 Oct 2020, 12:03 (Ref:4008824)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstets

Wondering if Penske is just biding his time for the purchase of IA Speedway. The racing has been great there, it's easily worked into the schedule over several months time. I'm hoping that it can come back.

Agree on the good racing there, I've always enjoyed watching Indycars on that small track.

I have no idea how the monetary side of running a track works. If Nascar couldn't make ownership work there, how will anyone else?

broadrun96 · 6 Oct 2020, 16:13 (Ref:4008856)

Plus there are rumors of VERY high tax bill due that's been deferred for a long while. Penske's due diligence this summer at Iowa supposedly didn't go well when they looked in to the track if you believe so of the Indy Star guys.

mstets · 7 Oct 2020, 05:23 (Ref:4008942)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Plus there are rumors of VERY high tax bill due that's been deferred for a long while. Penske's due diligence this summer at Iowa supposedly didn't go well when they looked in to the track if you believe so of the Indy Star guys.

Property tax has been deferred? Sounds like an additional obstacle that needs to be overcome. Still hoping that Iowa can be returned to the schedule.

broadrun96 · 12 Oct 2020, 21:38 (Ref:4010234)

Who's AMSP going after for 2021? Askew let go after St Pete, he's still not cleared to drive in the event.

https://racer.com/2020/10/12/amsp-to...st-petersburg/

gert · 12 Oct 2020, 21:51 (Ref:4010237)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Who's AMSP going after for 2021? Askew let go after St Pete, he's still not cleared to drive in the event.

https://racer.com/2020/10/12/amsp-to...st-petersburg/

Sergio Perez?
It is rumoured they (AMSP) are interested and have approached him

--

Am I right if I think there was no Indy Lights championship this year?
If that's true, then they most likely won't pick up a rookie, so that would mean:
* someone who is Indycar right now
* one of "the old guys" (Castroneves, Montoya) or one of the free agents (Hinchcliffe)
* an outsider: Perez

I don't think one of the older guys would be a good bet for a full season seat. Hinchcliffe is, but he was sacked and may not want and is/was tied to Honda anyway
Not sure if people like Daly, Pigeot and similar are the ones they are after. Maybe someone like Veekay if he considers ASPM an upgrade over ECR?

S griffin · 13 Oct 2020, 07:31 (Ref:4010302)

Perez I'm sure wouldn't say no to Indycars, but his chances depend on how much he wants to stay in F1 and I'm sure he's not eager to leave at this time. Frankly I would be surprised if we don't still see him in F1 next season

No there was no Indy Lights championship which was a massive shame, it can be even more of a competitive series than the big Indycars (apart from the Indy 500, the most competitive of them all)

Who knows who will take the seat now? Depends who they feel would work well for them. Castroneves I can see there, but I'm not sure what Montoya would do, I'm not sure he's all that keen to return to Indycars. He's probably happy where he is atm. Hinchcliffe could happen though. Perez, we'll see, but I'd much rather see him in McLaren in F1. If only...

It depends too who wants to commit to a whole season. It was a shame what happened to Hinch, will he be back fulltime? It would be a massive shame if a talent like him wasn't seen in Indycar racing anymore, whether the Indy 500 or any other race for that matter. It's a mystery who they will go for. Plenty of names out there, but how much would they want to go there? Veekay could be worth a punt, I can see him giving it a chance

gert · 13 Oct 2020, 09:14 (Ref:4010334)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Perez I'm sure wouldn't say no to Indycars, but his chances depend on how much he wants to stay in F1 and I'm sure he's not eager to leave at this time.

That probably depends on whether he want to stay in F1 for the sake of being in F1, or move on and find a series (Indycar, WEC, ... whatever) where he can compete at the front.

His prospects for success in F1 are looking bleak: he may end up at Haas or Sauber/Alfa and sit near the back of the grid.
Or maybe, just maybe he can get the 2nd Red Bull - the one that got a single podium in the last 32 starts - and play rear gunner for Verstappen.

I think his chances at F1 success are over and if he is looking for success he may better start looking somewhere else.

**joeb** · 13 Oct 2020, 12:19 (Ref:4010367)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gert

Sergio Perez?
It is rumoured they (AMSP) are interested and have approached him

--

Am I right if I think there was no Indy Lights championship this year?
If that's true, then they most likely won't pick up a rookie, so that would mean:
* someone who is Indycar right now
* one of "the old guys" (Castroneves, Montoya) or one of the free agents (Hinchcliffe)
* an outsider: Perez

I don't think one of the older guys would be a good bet for a full season seat. Hinchcliffe is, but he was sacked and may not want and is/was tied to Honda anyway
Not sure if people like Daly, Pigeot and similar are the ones they are after. Maybe someone like Veekay if he considers ASPM an upgrade over ECR?

I thought maybe they would pick somebody with experience. Castroneves or the likes would be able to bring experience from a championship winning team to the Arrow guys. Would that be enough to get Pato contending for the championship next year? I don't know, but maybe two young guns wasn't quite enough.

broadrun96 · 13 Oct 2020, 15:29 (Ref:4010406)

Well Hinch is likely out, he's a Honda guy and there's an opening at Andretti so I'd expect there first.

Perez I'd guess would be their first choice, likely brings money and they know him in the organization.

For experience and car setup advice I could see Helio but can he bring enough? JPM I think is done in Indy, out of the seat a decent but of time now. Doubt TK for his retirement lap, think they'd want a couple year guy. It will likely be the hottest seat for driver's to want after Andretti even with the team's struggles at times.

gert · 14 Oct 2020, 09:01 (Ref:4010550)

Not Perez, Hinchcliffe or Castroneves for ASPM, but Rosenqvist.
Didn't see that coming...

https://www.autosport.com/indycar/ne...-arrow-mclaren

**bjohnsonsmith** · 14 Oct 2020, 09:30 (Ref:4010564)

Ganassi already have Dixon under contract and Marcus Ericsson was apparently set to stay with Ganassi, plus they had also signed Jimmie Johnson for 2021, just for road and street courses. Ganassi weren't ever going to field four cars and with Askew looking very doubtful, that would seem the logical move for Rosenqvist and for SPAM.

S griffin · 14 Oct 2020, 09:32 (Ref:4010565)

Good choice in Rosenqvist, he's more than capable

**joeb** · 14 Oct 2020, 10:40 (Ref:4010590)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gert

Not Perez, Hinchcliffe or Castroneves for ASPM, but Rosenqvist.
Didn't see that coming...

https://www.autosport.com/indycar/ne...-arrow-mclaren

I gotta say that surprised me too. He does bring experience to the team, just not a ton of Indy experience. Overall great driver pairing for aspm!

**chunterer** · 14 Oct 2020, 12:24 (Ref:4010608)

Magnussen linked to Meyer Shank?

Alongside or instead of Harvey?

Could see Hinchcliffe, Daly or even further current but potentially soon to be out of a drive F1 guys looking.

NaBUru38 · 14 Oct 2020, 13:52 (Ref:4010622)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Ganassi had also signed Jimmie Johnson for 2021, just for road and street courses

What if Ganassi signs Hélio for ovals?

**bjohnsonsmith** · 14 Oct 2020, 14:45 (Ref:4010632)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

What if Ganassi signs Hélio for ovals?

There are only 4 oval races next year but I'm sure Hélio would want to do the 500 and get that elusive 4th win.

Hawkwood · 14 Oct 2020, 14:46 (Ref:4010633)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

What if Ganassi signs Hélio for ovals?

According to rumours, Kanaan is being thought of that oval seat.
Although, we've had some surprises already, so who knows.

RWill2073 · 14 Oct 2020, 16:30 (Ref:4010661)

Ganassi is weird top team. Only one competitive car, pay drivers, and the only other top level talent now leaves for a lower level team. Odd. Though I'm sure spam will be a top level team moving g forward, just seems odd that ganassi can't even keep 2 competitive drivers together, whereas Penske does 3-4. Also, this means no additional entry for Johnson? Its dixon and ericson full time only with Johnson part time?

Remember when ganassi had Kanaan park it mid race without the car being damaged? That was odd, too. I just dont get that team sometimes. Other than having an all time great for a long time now.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 14 Oct 2020, 17:11 (Ref:4010675)

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWill2073

Ganassi is weird top team. Only one competitive car, pay drivers, and the only other top level talent now leaves for a lower level team. Odd. Though I'm sure spam will be a top level team moving g forward, just seems odd that ganassi can't even keep 2 competitive drivers together, whereas Penske does 3-4. Also, this means no additional entry for Johnson? Its dixon and ericson full time only with Johnson part time?

Remember when ganassi had Kanaan park it mid race without the car being damaged? That was odd, too. I just dont get that team sometimes. Other than having an all time great for a long time now.

Johnson is only going to do the road and street courses. However, I would be surprised if he didn't race in the 500.

S griffin · 14 Oct 2020, 17:14 (Ref:4010677)

I’m sure Johnson would be very keen to do the 500

broadrun96 · 15 Oct 2020, 12:34 (Ref:4010809)

I don't think Mrs Johnson is so keen on him doing the 500. Every time I've heard him asked it's hinted around as the reason

**bjohnsonsmith** · 24 Oct 2020, 15:10 (Ref:4012422)

McLaughlin is set for a full-season in 2021, with Team Penske running a four-car lineup.

https://www.indycar.com/News/2020/10...Full-Time-2021

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