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Chaves Confirmed To '500' Ride With New Team

The worst kept secret in INDYCAR was finally announced...

Napa Returns With Rossi

A.J. Foyt Racing announced...

Carpenter Signs Pigot

Ed Carpenter Racing announced...

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

7-Eleven Reunites With Kanaan

Chip Ganassi Racing announced Tuesday morning the addition of 7-Eleven to Tony Kanaan's sponsor lineup in 2017. 7-Eleven was with Kanaan for a very successful run at Andretti Autosport from 2003 to 2010, including a 2004 championship run.

Following the 2010 season, 7-Eleven made the decision to leave IndyCar racing. The move left Kanaan and Andretti Autosport without sponsorship to back the No. 11 car, forcing the two to separate.

The Brazilian made the move to KV Racing for the next 3 seasons, which included a long-coveted Indianapolis 500 win in 2013. Following the retirement of Dario Franchitti, Kanaan jumped to Chip Ganassi Racing to replace his good friend in the No. 10 entry.

7-Eleven will rejoin Kanaan in an associate sponsor role at St. Pete, Long Beach, Indianapolis and Texas.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to be back in the 7-Eleven family," said Kanaan. "7-Eleven was my home for most of my career in INDYCAR and they were with me for 14 out of my 17 wins. It’s definitely special to have them with me to celebrate my 20th INDYCAR season and I’m looking forward to getting them to victory circle again like we did many times in the past."

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

NAPA Returns With Rossi


Andretti Autosport announced Wednesday morning the return of NAPA Auto Parts to the sidepods of Alexander Rossi's entry this season.

The auto parts retail chain first got on board with Rossi last May. The small investment was a good one as the rookie went on to win the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500. They continued their sponsorship through the next round in Belle Isle, but didn't return the rest of the season.

The sponsorship deal is for 7 races including St. Pete, Long Beach, INDYCAR Grand Prix in Indianapolis, Indy 500, Road America, Watkins Glen and Sonoma.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Carpenter Signs Pigot For Partial Season

Ed Carpenter Racing announced Tuesday morning the signing of Spencer Pigot to the team's No. 20 entry for the road and street course events this season.

Pigot ran 9 of the 11 non-ovals in 2016, including the final 7 in the ECR No. 20. The young American kicked off the season with a 3-race deal driving the 2nd car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan in St. Pete and the two events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

After 2 years of running the entry full-time, entering the 2014 season Ed Carpenter split the driving duties between oval and road/street courses. Mike Conway ran the non-ovals that season, winning twice.

Luca Filippi took over driving duties in 2015, finishing with 4 top 10s including a 2nd place finish in Toronto.

The No. 20 car didn't run in St. Pete, Long Beach, Alabama, or the IMS road course last season. Pigot then took over in Detroit to run the remaining 7 non-ovals, finishing with 2 top 10s.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Dallara Extended Through 2020

INDYCAR announced Thursday morning at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit a contract extension with Dallara. The new contract has Dallara providing the current IR-12 chassis through the 2020 season.

INDYCAR says the bodywork, set to start competition in 2018, will be unveiled "soon".

*UPDATED* INDYCAR has released concept drawings of the 2018 bodywork:


According to the release: 
The images revealed will not be what the cars wind up looking like in 2018, but they provided the first public direction of the process.
More details will be given at the Phoenix open test in April with a complete display car being the goal for the Indy 500 in May. The car is expected to test this summer.



Wednesday, January 11, 2017

INDYCAR Releases Race Times

INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the Verizon IndyCar Series, announced Wednesday afternoon the race times and networks for each of the 17 events in 2017.

In addition to the races, ABC will broadcast both days of Indianapolis 500 Qualifications 4-6pm.

Sunday March 12 - St. Pete - 12-3 - ABC
Sunday April 9 - Long Beach - 4-7 - NBCSN
Sunday April 23 - Barber - 3-6 - NBCSN
Saturday April 29 - Phoenix - 9-midnight - NBCSN
Saturday May 13 - Indy - 3:30-6 - ABC
Sunday May 28 - Indy - 11-3:30 - ABC
Saturday June 3 - Belle Isle - 3:30-6 - ABC
Sunday June 4 - Belle Isle - 3:30-6 - ABC
Saturday June 10 - Texas - 8-11 - NBCSN
Sunday June 25 - Road America - 12:30-3:30 - NBCSN
Sunday July 9 - Iowa - 5-8 - NBCSN
Sunday July 16 - Toronto - 3-6 - NBCSN
Sunday July 30 - Mid-Ohio - 3-6 - NBCSN
Sunday August 20 - Pocono - 2-6 - NBCSN
Saturday August 26 - Gateway - 9-midnight - NBCSN
Sunday September 3 - Watkins Glen - 1-4 - NBCSN
Sunday August 17 - Sonoma - 6:30-9:30 - NBCSN

*All times are Eastern

Monday, January 9, 2017

Keith Urban To Play Legends Day

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced Monday morning that Keith Urban will be headlining the Firestone Legends Day Concert the night before the Indianapolis 500.

Urban was originally scheduled to ride in Mario Andretti's "Honda Fastest Seat in Sports" 2-seater at the Indy 500 last May, but had to drop out due to a back injury. Urban was replaced by Lady Gaga.

Country artists Dustin Lynch and Clayton Anderson will open for the Grammy winner.

Tickets go on sale January 16th.