But good thingy’ its not Maple syrup. Especially
since Thars’ Bloody Tarif’s upon its Big, Bwutiful’ Maple syrup, Oh Never Mind!
Uhm, pass the syrup…
Naturally, once again after I’d finished my
last round of belated IndyCar News, Wayback’ on November 19th; in
the following linke below, Shazam!
Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) confirmed what most
of us were expecting. One day after Mick Schumacher and company tested upon
Mother Speedway’s road course. JHR announced Rinus VeeKay as its new lead
driver for 2026, replacing Conor Daly. With Marshall Pruett noting that VeeKay
was only confirmed for 2026, with many coveted “top” IndyCar cockpit openings
for 2027.
While there was also no mention of Sting Ray
Robb, whose manager Peter Rossi keeps banging on about His two year contract.
Yet I’d say perhaps they should look at how Callam Ilott’s contractual
obligations went at JHR. Not to mention forgotten Argentinian Augustin Canapino’s
premature dismissal…
Yet I had a strange thought upon what appears
to be a sideways move for VeeKay going to JHR. Perhaps Dale Coyne was unwilling
to give Rinus a one year extension and allow Him to test the water in 2027?
Since I tend to recall Coyne not allowing
Sebastien Bourdais to exit DCR early in order to move to Chip Ganassi Racing.
Forcing le Hamburgular’ to stay put at the Coyne with Vasser Sullivan Racing
outfit instead, just Sayin’.
Meanwhile, as of the October 13th IMS road
course test. You’d have to say with A.J. Foyt Enterprises testing Indy NXT
runner-up Caio Collet a second time, He seemed to be a pretty good favourite to
remain in the No. 4 He piloted during the test outing next year.
As Foyt confirmed the 23yr old Brazilian as its
second driver on November 6th, with Collet piloting its No. 4 entry.
Having subsequently learned that Collet is a
former Alpine Academy member, albeit totally overshadowed by Oscar Piastri.
With Collet toiling in F3 between 2019-22, before moving Stateside.
The No. 4 Foyt entry sounds quite colourful.
Being backed by Combitrans Amazonia, a Brazilian transport company. And
sporting the Brazilian hues of green, blue and yellow next year.
Will Power, who sits in limbo due to Team
Penske refusing to release Him before the end of the year, knocked off some of
the rust by racing at Mother Speedway. But more upon that later.
Although I did spot His name mentioned in the GTD
ranks during the Nov 14-16 Daytona IMSA test session…
Also dabbling in Sports cars. Meyer Shank
Racing’s Marcus Armstrong made the trip home to race alongside His Pops’. With
Marcus joining father Rick in the South Island Endurance Series season finale.
With the pair sharing a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car in the three hour “Enduro” at
Highland Motorsports Park.
And if Romain Grosjean does return to Coyne
next year, it won’t be with former race engineer Olivier Boisson. As the
Frenchman signed with Arrow Mclaren to become its new Head of Dampers, joining
the growing cadre of former Tony Kanaan colleagues…
Exiting Stage Left, Err Arrow McLaren was Brian
Barnhart and Kyle Sagan. Both moving to Rahal Letterman Lanigan racing, (RLLR)
whom Barnhart’s worked previously with Jay Frye; when both worked for IndyCar.
As Barnhart becomes the team’s Senior VP of
Operations, and will also serve as Graham Rahal’s Race Strategist.
Sagan becomes the team’s Pit Stop Manager, a
role He’s held at Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren previously. As RLLR
seeks to improve in this area…
Meanwhile, arguably the Hottest driver on the
potential 2027 Free Market has taken Himself off the board. With Kyle Kirkwood
signing a multi-year contract extension to remain at Andretti Global.
As Pruett muses how His boy “Kirk” (Kirkwood)
is a bit of a throwback, ‘Ol School type of driver. Choosing to remain loyal to
those who’ve helped Him get where He is.
As Kirkwood’s also remained loyal with Vasser
Sullivan Racing’s IMSA GTD Pro program as its Endurance “Specialist” the past
six years. After the team threw Him a lifeline to stay active during the
COVID-19 cancellation of Indy Lights in 2020.
As I especially enjoyed the part about Kirkwood
taking those of His crew available, and
their families for a Caribbean Fishing trip. Well done Kyle!
As this leave only the No. 6 Arrow Mclaren as
the biggest opportunity ride-wise for 2027, since I still think Dennis Hauger’s
being prepped for the No. 28 Andretti Global ride. Along with Arse-suming David
Malukas has a multi-year contract aboard the No. 12 Team Penske entry.
Making me think that the 2027 Silly Season
won’t be that silly. But then again, neither was this year’s 2026 supposed to
be as Silly as it became!
Lastly, just learned that RLLR has become the
new “Service” provider for McLaren in IMSA GTD Pro next year, and will campaign
a single McLaren 720s, with plans to increase to a two car entry in 2027.
As the team will run the No. 59 next season for
the start of its multi-year arrangement. With the number paying homage to
McLaren’s 24 Heurs du Mans victory in 1995.
Then upon November 20th, RLLR announced that
former Team Penske Engineer and Arrow McLaren Team Principal Gavin Ward has
signed to work for them, starting off with the loose title of Special Advisor.
Thus, just prior to Thanksgiving, we found ourselves with just two seats still “available” for next year, i.e.; Dale Coyne Racing and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. With the possibility of the second Juncos Hollinger Racing seat of Sting Ray Robb’s potentialy available…
