IndyCar Silly Season

Marshall Pruett wrote:

IndyCar: Silly Season Update No. 1

But for a few drivers looking to maintain or possibly upgrade their current situations, this year's IndyCar's Silly Season will likely be remembered for stability rather than blockbuster moves.
As RACER's Robin Miller recently revealed, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports' Simon Pagenaud is the biggest name on the free agent board, and while there are a few others in need of a new contract, the four-time race winner will dictate how the Silly Season plays out.
"Once we know what Simon's doing and where he goes, I expect the rest of the seats to fall in place," said one driver who's following Pagenaud's movements.
At the top of the list, two of IndyCar's Big 3 teams, Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, are set to return with the same lineups. All four of Ganassi's drivers are under contract through at least 2015, and the same is true for Roger Penske's trio.
Penske holds the strongest driver package in the series right now with Helio Castroneves leading the championship, Will Power close behind in second and Juan Pablo Montoya in fifth. All three have won for The Captain, and with JPM locked in for 2015, the threesome should be even more effective once the Colombian has a year of experience to draw from. Roger has the team everyone wants to be a part of, but sadly, there's no vacancy until 2016 arrives and even that date could be pushed back if JPM remains interested.
Stability can also be found with the defending series champions. 2013 title winner Scott Dixon is a lifelong Ganassi employee, and Charlie Kimball, who is in his fourth season with the team representing sponsor Novo Nordisk, has quickly become a company man. But the conversation starts to shift when we at the other two Ganassi seats and their status 12 months from now.
Newcomer Tony Kanaan has been on a hot streak of late and will be in the No. 10 Target Chevy through 2015, and the same is true for Ryan Briscoe in the No. 8 NTT Data Chevy. Although there's no indication the team is looking to make a change, Ganassi will need to decide whether they want to extend those two contracts into 2016, or consider their options with whoever's on the free agent market. For the drivers in the paddock with hopes of driving for Chip, the stampede begins next year.
And then there's the question of availability. Many of this year's top free agents will have new multi-year contracts signed in the coming weeks and months, and that bodes well for Kanaan and Briscoe... unless some of the bigger free agents sign one-year deals to keep their options open with Ganassi.
pagenaud2Pagenaud is a perfect example of a top-tier driver with a series of hard decisions to make. He was rumored to be on Ganassi's short list, but signing Simon (or any other free agent) would require Ganassi to reach into his pocket and buy TK or Briscoe out their contract at the end of the season. For those who know Chip, he's accustomed to earning money, not spending it, which makes the buy-out scenario hard to fathom.
If Pagenaud wants to drive for Chip, he'd be wise to sign a one-year deal with Schmidt and start negotiating on 2016 after the ink has dried. It's also worth noting that as the closest thing Honda has to a factory driver, a move to Chip's House of Chevy would sever many close relationships within Honda Performance Development.
After Simon's Champ Car career crumbled along with the series, it was Honda that came to the rescue, pairing Pagenaud with Gil de Ferran's Acura ALMS team in 2008. They were also invaluable in helping to kick start his IndyCar career. Simply put, there are genuine ties between Pagenaud and Honda that run deeper than most driver/manufacturer combos, and crossing the line to represent the Bowtie would carry a significant personal and professional toll.
Thinking long term, Simon would be a perfect fit in the No. 10 car and could easily spend a decade alongside Dixie in a Target car, but the timing is far from optimal at the moment and it would be a bit messy on the interpersonal front.

Of the Big 3, Andretti Autosport is the only one with a serious chance of having different tenants next year. The Pagenaud-to-Andretti story continues to evolve each day; I awoke Monday to have two well-placed members of the IndyCar paddock telling me it's a done deal, but it isn't.
Granted, it could eventually happen, but you could also see Simon back with team owners Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson as part of a new multi-year deal. In fact, the odds are leaning in that direction at the moment and all three are believed to have opened a dialogue on drafting a new contract.
If you were Pagenaud and had to weigh the pros and cons, the first question to ask is whether you'd find more success as one of two SPM drivers or as one of four or five Andretti pilots. Going strictly by the numbers, Andretti's Ryan Hunter-Reay has won three races for the AA team this year, and he's closely followed by Pagenaud with two wins for SPM. Granted, one of RHR's win came at the Indy 500, and Pagenaud certainly wants the best shot to have his face immortalized on the Borg-Warner trophy. In that regard, Andretti would seem to hold the upper hand.
The next question would involve the environment offered by both teams, and despite their Big 3 status, could Andretti match the everything-we-do-is-built-and-geared-for-you home that SPM has created for the Frenchman? SPM general manager Rob Edwards, race engineer Ben Bretzman, crew chief Don Oldenburg and the rest of the No. 77 Honda team live and breathe to make Pagenaud a success. Advantage SPM.
The last question involves earning potential, and with both owners known for their frugal spending habits, it's unlikely Pagenaud would earn significantly more money from either contract. That's a draw.
Provided Simon wants a change of view, Andretti would certainly be the No. 1 option to choose within the Honda family, but it's debatable whether that change of scenery would significantly alter his competitive situation. Heading into Mid-Ohio, Pagenaud's fourth in the standings, three points shy of taking third from RHR.
If the past two seasons have taught us anything, it's that SPM has risen to a level where they live among the Big 3, and that only complicates matters for Simon. If he was driving for one of the minnows, moving to Andretti would be a no-brainer, but on almost every front switching camps would appear to be more of a lateral move than a practical upgrade.
He's also heading into the final month of the 2014 championship, and with the title still within his grasp, it's doubtful Pagenaud would let contract negotiations become a distraction. Andretti and SPM still need to put the requisite funding together to put a multi-year deal in front of Pagenaud, and it's highly unlikely the situation will be resolved until after the season finale in Fontana.
hinchA more interesting scenario on the Pagenaud-to-Andretti story involves James Hinchcliffe, who has occupied the No. 27 entry since 2012. Like RHR, Hinch is also seeking a new deal, and one report even positioned the three-time race winner as venturing out to test free agency. A more accurate description would be of the Canadian and the Andretti team needing more time to get the funding together before a new contract can be tendered.
Hinchcliffe isn't silly enough to test free agency this year, making any suggestion he's on the lookout for a better deal comically short-sighted. As I noted with Pagenaud, all the prime seats, other than the one Hinch currently occupies, are filled. With the No. 27 Honda ride open at the moment, Pagenaud will be mentioned as a successor until a deal is concluded and if you're a fan of betting, put your money on Hinch returning to Andretti in 2015.
The Andretti team has also expressed an interest in expanding to five cars next year, and with RHR, Carlos Munoz, Marco Andretti and Hinch/Pagenaud filling the first four cars, a fifth car could happen if one or both of the team's Indy Lights drivers can muster the money to graduate.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, slotting Pagenaud into a fifth car is also an option. As Michael Andretti recently told RACER, it's too early to rule anything out: "Do we want to keep Hinch? Yeah. Would we love to have Pagenaud here? Yeah. There's a lot of different things that could happen, so stay tuned."

Working down the roster of teams, Mikhail Aleshin will be back with SPM, and thanks to the rookie's remarkable pace – especially on ovals – and close working relationship with Pagenaud, the team would be even stronger next year with both drivers continuing in the close-knit program.
Provided Simon signs a new contract to stay with the team, Hinch's return to Andretti would become a formality. A prized seat at SPM – one that's coveted by most free agents – would also be taken off the market.
If, for whatever reason, things go sideways between Pagenaud and SPM, the team has an obvious replacement in Hinchcliffe, whose strong ties to Honda through Honda Canada are well known. Honda favorite Justin Wilson would also be a perfect fit for the team.
KVSH/KV AFS/KV LMNOP Racing has Toronto Race 1 winner Sebastien Bourdais locked into a multi-year deal, and that's nothing but a good thing for both sides. KVSH team owners Kevin Kalkhoven, Jimmy Vasser and James Sullivan have transformed the program into a contender at every venue, and "Sulli" is now looking at expanding to two KVSH entries next season.
He's the best sponsor finder in the paddock, fields his own Global Rally Cross team with Nelson Piquet Jr. as his driver (Piquet's leading the GRC championship, and wouldn't be moved over to a second KVSH Indy car, according to Sulli), and tends to make things happen when he sets his mind to it. It's hard to put a percentage on a second KVSH entry coming to fruition, but it's worth keeping an eye on during the offseason.
KV AFS driver Sebastian Saavedra, who enjoys the unwavering support from Automatic Fire Sprinkler owner/sponsor Gary Peterson, has had an unfulfilling string of results since joining the program, yet they are happy with the team, want to continue, and KV echoes the sentiment.
With the KVSH side of the team on the rise and Sulli's interest in adding a second car for 2015, it will be interesting to see whether the program expands to three cars, remains at two, and if Saavedra and Peterson will continue to fit into KV's overhaul without an uptick in overall competitiveness.
WilsonProvided a second KVSH entry materializes, drivers like Hinchcliffe or Justin Wilson would give the team a lot of firepower to place alongside Bourdais.
Wilson and the Dale Coyne Racing team have weathered a trying year, and the Englishman always ranks as one of the most prized free agents in the IndyCar paddock, but with so few openings to pursue, the three-time IndyCar Series race winner is likely set for his fifth season with DCR.
His teammate, Colombian rookie and Houston Race 1 winner Carlos Huertas, has shown promise on occasion and even expanded his current program to include ovals. It's unclear whether Huertas will return in 2015, yet based on his performances so far and the budget he has at his disposal, DCR could hold onto both drivers and build the continuity it so often lacks.
Ed Carpenter wants to keep going with Mike Conway in their ride sharing program with the No. 20 Chevy, and provided Mike isn't lured away with a full-time World Endurance Championship sports car ride, it's a partnership that needs to continue. Minus Conway, Oriol Servia and Luca Filippi could be amenable to such an arrangement, and both would deliver for the team.
A.J. Foyt Racing is talking with Takuma Sato about a possible return for a third season in the No. 14 Honda. The team is always also looking to add a second car and as we noted on Tuesday, it is also interested in fielding an Indy Lights entry.
Buried down between Carlos Huertas and Sebastian Saavedra in the standings, Sato's mired in a disappointing season which makes listing him as a lock to drive the No. 14 somewhat of a challenge. Finishing fifth at Toronto Race 2 was a welcome change of fortune for Taku, and hopefully the trend continues, but if he were to depart the No. 14, the team would be overflowing with suitors.
From within the Honda family, Hinchcliffe and Wilson come to mind as options, and Oriol Servia, Luca Filippi and James Davison could be quality solutions.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan's Graham Rahal will be back with the team next season, and with a second entry to fill, RLL has a rarity on its hands – an open seat with a full staff of mechanics and engineers capable of fielding a front-running program. Based on the near total lack of available drives, I'd expect RLL to command plenty of interest from funded drivers looking to make the jump from Europe, or from Indy Lights drivers trying to land a ride in the big series.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing's Josef Newgarden is under contract for 2015, and could command interest from other teams if and when he moves on. Bryan Herta Autosport's Jack Hawksworth has been a revelation this year – he's only one point behind Newgarden in the standings – and the team has expressed an interest in picking up his option for 2015.
Dennis Reinbold intends to make a return next year, yet other than running the Indy 500, the veteran team owner isn't sure of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing's upcoming activities. DRR ran Sage Karam in the Indy 500 through a partnership with Ganassi Racing, and could field the 2013 Indy Lights champion on Aug. 30 at Fontana. The Byrd family will make its long awaited return to the Indy 500 next year, and has signed USAC star Bryan Clauson along with support from KV Racing for an endeavor known as "KVSH/Jonahthan Byrd's Racing."
Finally, plenty of young talent will be looking for homes in the IndyCar Series next year, yet few are known to have the kind of budget required to land a full-season drive. RACER will cover their chances in a future Silly Season update.

Cardinals5 wrote:Indycar's reluctance to extend past August is a problem. I would say Pocono's best chance at selling out the track is a late August or early September race instead of right in the middle of two NASCAR dates. They really can't move Pocono around much right now, so it looks like it's either stick with July 4th weekend or drop the track from the schedule entirely.

I don't know, really. I guess we'll have to see later on. I have my doubts Pocono remains on the schedule.

Alpineopossum wrote:It sounds like Mosport would be a one year replacement for Toronto, with Toronto being back in 2016. But the big news for 2016 is the Boston race, which is spearheaded by mayor Marty Walsh. I really hope this is happening.

Wikipedia wrote:A race is supossed [sic.] to take place in Venezuela, at the Aeropuerto La Carlota.

crl wrote:Get your tickets now, Gabe:

http://www.indycar.com/News/2014/09/9-18-Brasilia-joins-2015-race-lineup

crl wrote:Get your tickets now, Gabe:

http://www.indycar.com/News/2014/09/9-18-Brasilia-joins-2015-race-lineup

Milan655 wrote:Any news for Luca Filippi?

Robin Miller (Racer Magazine) wrote:
Rocky Moran Jr. to test for Schmidt Peterson Motorsport!

In 2001 and 2002, there was a flock of U.S.-born talent in the Toyota Formula Atlantic series. Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty, Joey Hand and Rocky Moran Jr. were young, fast and ready to move up into CART.Moran-Montreal02
Unfortunately, CART went bankrupt after 2002 and only RHR got to take that next step into Champ Car. Gurney and Fogarty teamed to become a formidable combo in sports cars while Hand went from ALMS to the DTM.
Moran, who captured the last Atlantic race of 2001 at Laguna Seca and then the Montreal race in 2002 (RIGHT) , went back to go-karts as he and his father, Rocky, built a state-of-the-art track in California. He returned to sports car racing in 2011 driving alongside Bruno Junqueira but now he’s finally going to get a shot at his goal in life. An Indy car.
Moran-portrait“I ran into Sam Schmidt at Fontana last month and we worked out a deal so I’m going to test on the road course at Homestead next Monday or Tuesday,” said Moran. “Just getting to test makes me feel like I’ve won the lottery and I can’t wait.
“I think Bruno is going to be there and I’ve been talking to RHR and he’s given me some tips. Next week can’t get here soon enough.”  
Now a married man with three children, the 34-year-old Californian understands it’s a longshot and he knows the drill.
“I know a lot of people have forgotten about me but I know I can do it,” he continued. “The hardest part is finding funding so I’m spending a lot of time doing that. By no means is this a ride, it’s just a test, but it allows me to get my foot back in the door and get in a car.”
His dad, a three-time starter in the Indianapolis 500, was driver coach in Star Mazda in 2012 for Jack Hawksworth, who had an impressive rookie campaign this year in IndyCar.
“Dad and I watch every IndyCar race and it’s what I love most and what I’ve always aspired to do,” said Moran. “I’m hopeful of doing a handful of races next year and we’ll see what happens.
“But my goal is to make this the Rocky comeback story of IndyCar.”

A really bad translator wrote:CARACAS Rodolfo "Speedy" Gonzalez took on Monday 22 September, the challenge of testing in IndyCar at Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham in Alabama with strong desire to learn in this new category.
Rodo strong and steady, but very cautious as everything was new, the car, grade, track and the team that was working. In the first exit on the track he focused in knowing a little truck and go driving it slowly to make adjustments and do a good job as pilots and a specialist in the circuit were pending Creole.
's comments were former Formula 1 is testing, a few timers were alert to the actions of the Venezuelan and its development in a different category to all who acted in motorsport, including Formula One team as third driver and Marussia angloruso endurance Le Mans Series .
Rodolfo "Speedy" Gonzalez came to the IndyCar Series test on Monday September 22 at the door, Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, invited by Dayle Coyne Racing team, and from the moment it began to roll in their first round focused its work on knowing specific details of the behavior of powerful machines on a scenario that does not look anything like the others, everything is new, different scenarios to GP2 and F1, however, took good advantage of the spin at high speeds in command of a fireball in a category considered the fastest and most spectacular motorsport world.
Rodolfo said at the conclusion of the first round the cars are very similar to Formula One, but the steering wheel is assisted, but manually and must work hard to master the machine with high pressure force G, but he liked his first experience in IndyCar, because he likes big challenges, learn new things and was able to demonstrate their skills to the team Dayle Coyne Racing, although the temperature the track was quite high and as rolled many cars it was no sticker and therefore took special care of the behavior of rubbers. Speedy was invited to test in the United States after excel in Four Hours of Paul Ricard in France, as the pilot of Murphy team leader prototypes that rolled during the race category LPM2 over two hours and went up to the podium in third after a win that almost was holding and ran away because his teammate Nathanael Berthon received penalty that snatched them victory. Fuente NP

Alpineopossum wrote:Also Indycar.com reported that we may see Vitor Meira of all people back in a car for the new race in Brazil.

RetrogradeRenegade wrote:Robin Miller is pretty convinced that Pagenaud is going to drive a 4th car for Penske next year. I'm not so certain, but if I was Pagenaud, that would be the only thing I'd consider leaving Schmidt for.

crl wrote:Charlie Kimball got married over the weekend, and newly-ordained Hinch officiated the ceremony.

BWardboy88 wrote:I seriously think Simona De Silvestro needs to come back to IndyCar. Considering that her dream of racing in Formula 1 has gone down the drain, it would be great to see her back in the Series in 2015.

Alta wrote:

BWardboy88 wrote:I seriously think Simona De Silvestro needs to come back to IndyCar. Considering that her dream of racing in Formula 1 has gone down the drain, it would be great to see her back in the Series in 2015.

http://en.espnf1.com/sauber/motorsport/story/177167.html What Mr.BWard is referring to.

It seems like for Simona F1 is the ultimate goal and she plans on still trying to find a way in and Indycar was just a stepping stone for her, kind of reminds of the rumors i hear about Huertas as he's apparently trying to find a way into F1 as well.

Alpineopossum wrote:I could see Briscoe still landing someplace as it's not that late in the year and he showed real speed at the end of this year. That said it's a great oppertunity for Sage Karam, and it's GREAT to see young American talent in a top flight ride.

If I had to guess I'd say that Hinch will probably stay with Andretti.

flyingturns89 wrote:

Alpineopossum wrote:I could see Briscoe still landing someplace as it's not that late in the year and he showed real speed at the end of this year. That said it's a great oppertunity for Sage Karam, and it's GREAT to see young American talent in a top flight ride.

If I had to guess I'd say that Hinch will probably stay with Andretti.

Rumors are that Hinchcliffe is replacing Pagenaud at Schmidt Peterson.

flyingturns89 wrote:

Alpineopossum wrote:I could see Briscoe still landing someplace as it's not that late in the year and he showed real speed at the end of this year. That said it's a great oppertunity for Sage Karam, and it's GREAT to see young American talent in a top flight ride.

If I had to guess I'd say that Hinch will probably stay with Andretti.

Rumors are that Hinchcliffe is replacing Pagenaud at Schmidt Peterson. Can't blame him, he was 12th in points in 2014 with only one podium, a third place finish at Mid-Ohio.

As for Briscoe, I can't imagine that he'll have a ride in IndyCar much longer. He's not a consistent winner, and he didn't even have a podium this year.