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Post by Buck on Feb 11, 2019 15:28:04 GMT -8
The feel good story of 2019 doesn’t feel too good right now. The terrific teenage tandem of Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta won’t be teammates in the NTT IndyCar Series after all. It basically boils down to the fact there isn’t enough money for Harding Steinbrenner Racing to field two cars for the 2018 Indy Lights champ and second-generation talent. O’Ward saw the handwriting on the wall and asked to be released from his contract with Mike Harding, which was granted earlier today. Herta (pictured above at Sonoma last fall) is at Circuit of The Americas for spring training Tuesday and Wednesday and appears set to continue with the team. racer.com/2019/02/11/miller-harding-steinbrenner-herta-oward-and-harsh-realities/
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Post by montybriscoe on Feb 11, 2019 16:58:22 GMT -8
Kind of sucks. Apparently Steinbrenner's involvement only solidifies one car and everyone knows he and Herta are joined at the hip.
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Post by burkell777 on Feb 12, 2019 7:40:46 GMT -8
Don’t the Indy light champ get money from the road to Indy and at least 3 races? Or did that stop when Mazda pulled out after last year??
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Post by Buck on Feb 12, 2019 8:14:41 GMT -8
That is still true...
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Post by cosmos on Feb 17, 2019 3:27:58 GMT -8
He has a million to spend from MRTI, but he wants to do a full season...if I were him I'd take Andretti's 8 race offer and see what happens..
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Post by Buck on Mar 6, 2019 13:39:36 GMT -8
The IndyCar rookie class of the 2019 season is unusually deep and features several drivers who could easily make huge impacts right away. The 2019 IndyCar rookie class is perhaps one of the most talented and deep rookie classes if not the most talented and deep rookie class that the sport has seen in quite some time. A total of four rookies are set to compete full-time in the sport this season, and they are all in positions to potentially make big impacts. In fact, it is not hard to imagine any one of these four drivers getting to victory lane at least once throughout the 17-race 2019 season, which is scheduled to begin this Sunday, March 10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Given the backgrounds and past experiences that each of these four drivers have had, it seems fairly safe to say that the battle for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award will be an intense one and that the championship battle may even feature a rookie or two (or more) who not many people expect to be immediate championship contenders. Let’s have a look at each of the four rookies who are set to make their respective debuts as full-time IndyCar drivers in the 2019 season. beyondtheflag.com/2019/03/05/indycar-unusually-deep-rookie-class-2019/
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Post by Buck on Mar 7, 2019 15:28:18 GMT -8
Reigning Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires champion Patricio O’Ward will compete in 13 NTT IndyCar Series races this season for Carlin. The 19-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico, will be in the team’s second car for 12 races and in a third entry at the 103rd Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented drivers over the years, many of whom now race in the NTT IndyCar Series, Formula One and Formula E to name a few, and in Pato I really see a spark similar to some of our highest achieving alumni,” said Trevor Carlin, the team principal. “He’s a hugely promising talent who deserves this opportunity and has a massive amount of potential. As a young Chevy team, we are incredibly driven and excited to help him achieve his goals in this 2019 program.” O’Ward captured the 2018 Indy Lights crown by winning nine races, earning a $1.1 scholarship to advance to the NTT IndyCar Series this year with three guaranteed races including the Indianapolis 500. He made his NTT IndyCar Series debut in the 2018 season finale, reaching the Firestone Fast Six when he qualified fifth and finished the race an impressive ninth for Harding Racing. O’Ward’s first race with Carlin will be at the INDYCAR Classic, March 22-24 at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. He will team with Max Chilton at all 13 races, as well as with Charlie Kimball at the Indy 500. Kimball is scheduled to drive the second Carlin entry in the races where O'Ward will not compete. “I’m so excited to get this 2019 NTT IndyCar Series season underway and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that Trevor Carlin has given me to drive for his Indy car team and Team Chevy,” O’Ward said. “I’m just thankful that he and the whole Carlin team really believe in me, and I’ll give it my all to show them that I’m ready to tackle any challenges ahead of us starting in a few weeks at COTA." www.indycar.com/News/2019/03/03-07-OWard-to-Carlin-2019-12-races
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Post by montybriscoe on Mar 7, 2019 16:58:19 GMT -8
Great news for Pat'O!
Guess this means no RC Enerson.
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