As it sure seems like it ramped-up at Road America…
During the Gateway weekend, IndyCar Radio spent
the entire weekend saying how one of IndyCar’s Silly Season Drivers had been
taken off the board. With the announcement of Christian Rasmussen’s contract
extension at ECR. Arse-sumedly the standard two year “multi-year” contract.
Have to say my level of following IndyCar and
motor racing in general has taken a dip this season, so I’m outta the loop on
latest rumours.
Initially, I only knew of three drivers who were out of
contract at season’s end, i.e.; Josef Newgarden, Marcus Ericsson and Nolan
Siegel. While thought I heard on Marshall Pruett’s podcast that Marcus
Armstrong’s contract is up? While noting that Rinus VeeKay has a one year
Dealio’ with Juncos Hollinger Racing, with an option for a second year. But
Marshall claimed He didn’t know who got to trigger the extension; team or
driver?
Have read scuttlebutt suggesting that Newgarden
wants out of Team Penske, which seems very strange to me. As nobody leaves
Penske; Penske dismisses the drivers instead. Although I suppose you could say
that DJ WillyP’ walked away from Team Penske. But only after they didn’t seem
to want to keep Will Power anymore…
If true, and I’m having a hard time believing
this, obviously the vacant Team Penske seat would be the biggest seat available
on the grid. So I guess that Newgarden would be the biggest domino waiting to
fall.
Second biggest is Marcus Ericsson’s plight of
remaining at Andretti global. As I’ve long thought that some who call Him the
“Norwegian Nightmare”, aka Dennis Hauger’s current Dale Coyne Racing adventure
is just a tune-up before joining the Andretti Mothership.
Yet Pruett made a compelling argument for
Andretti Global standing pat with the Swede, who was ninth in the championship
at the halfway point. (Gateway) So does Andretti Global give Ericsson a one
year extension? And Hauger remain with Coyne a second year?
Definitely feel that Nolan Siegel’s time at
Arrow McLaren will come to an end, especially with Tony Kanaan having said He
needed to finish tenth in this year’s championship.
Believe I read/heard something making me wonder
about McLaren Formula 1 reserve driver Leonardo
Fornaro waiting in the wings?
Reportedly, the reigning FIA Formula 2 champion
will test an McLaren IndyCar after season’s end, when driver evaluation testing
days can take place. Although team principal tony Kanaan said don’t read too
much into it, Fornaro’s focus if Formula 1. But TK’ would like to see how
Fornaro handle’s an IndyCar…
Forgot that Christian Lundgaard’s also out of
contract at season’s end. But this one seems a slam dunk for staying at Arrow
McLaren. (Especially after His second win of the season at Road America) As it
just Mwah who finds it interesting the team shifted master strategist Kyle
Moyer onto Lundgaard’s timing stand this season from Siegel’s car…
Then I suppose Romain Grosjean at Coyne could
be on a one year contract? And Junco’s Sting Ray Robb seemingly is on a
year-to-year deal. But I have zero clue who’s available or will potentially
fill these seats? Especially since I’m awaiting Marshall Pruett’s next Silly
Season installment like many…
Shazam! Tuning into IndyCar Radio’s Friday
first IndyCar practice session from Road America, Mark Gravelly’ James brought
up Pruett’s June 19th Silly Season article apparently making waves in the
IndyCar paddock.
Michael Young talked to Arrow McLaren Team
Principal Tony Kanaan on the subject, who was totally uncomittal – saying He’s
just focused on winning and the weekend. But He’s been in that position before
and wants to help everybody…
Along with Team Penske’s Tim Cindric;
ScottyMac’s (McLaughlin) Strategist. With cindric’s answer being the best.
Noting how a long time ago He learned to not believe everything you read.
Yet the babble over Newgarden wanting “Out” of
Team Penske seems to be picking up momentum, as I’ve now had a second person
tell me this rumor…
While obviously, only time will tell how close
to the mark Pruett’s June report was? With the biggest gossip being over
Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) on the move, most likely to Andretti Global as
Marcus Ericsson’s replacement.
Not to mention apparently big changes taking
place over the ownership structure of Juncos Hollinger Racing, so stay tuned
Race Fans!
Then after having put this story to “bed”, naturally news broke Wednesday (June 24th) that MSR had officially confirmed Rosenqvist’s departure from the team at season’s end. With Felix headed either to Andretti Global or Arrow McLaren…
