The View From The Hairpin - 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series

[Viper99]

IF Lotus sponsors Newman/Haas it would be a very smart decision for them to sponsor a car for Bourdais, it's no secret he wants to go back to N/H as soon as possible but at the moment there is no sponsor...also don't take for granted that if Lotus and N/H join forces that they would be a slow team let's not forget this is Newman/Haas they've been fast with every new combination they've raced in any series even Indycar also didn't they win a couple of races being Swift's only team in their first season?

[Josh Knight]

Why would Red Bull enter the ICS when they pulled out of NASCAR

[Justhalc]

Why would Red Bull enter the ICS when they pulled out of NASCAR

IndyCar is cheaper, and maybe they think they can get more for their money/do better...similar to how they are doing in F1

[thehairpin]

List updated with SSM to Honda rumor from Pagenaud/SSM thread.

[Fro]

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...ring-for-2012/

Tagliani is a free agent, not under contract to Schmidt for 2012.

Schmidt would like to be a 2-car team in 2012. Tagliani coming back in 2012 is possible if they can find the money but it sounds like they're going to be after the best drivers/ridebuyers (depending on the funding they can dig up).

[Indycar5700]

On his radio show last night Cavin said Honda loves Sarah Fisher Racing

[The Stickman]

On his radio show last night Cavin said Honda loves Sarah Fisher Racing

At first I thought that was an interesting comment, as I was expecting SFR to have to take any last minute deal they could get. But thinking about it there is some sense to that.

[Todd Gack]

On his radio show last night Cavin said Honda loves Sarah Fisher Racing

I'd be shocked if SFR isn't with Honda in 2012.

Honda helped SFR get their team started from scratch.

Honda will likely be with KV too. Sato being 1 reason. Its also where Servia could land, if LOTUS gets Newman/Haas (which is the expectation and one that Cavin completely forgot about/didn't mention last night).

Chevy gets Penske, Panther and Andretti for sure.

[martyrothrules]

Honda's dance card is getting filled up very quickly! No surprise since you hear nothing but good things about HPD, Erik Berkman and the entire Honda team.

You would think that Bryan Herta Autosport and Honda would have a lot of interest in becoming partners... especially if BHA plans on running Dan next year.

Thinking out loud... a team with Wheldon and Pagenaud would be quite stout. Dan can tutor Simon on the ovals and Simon can help Dan sharpen his road/street course skills. Not sure if BHA is planning on being more than one care though.

[KEX2]

On his radio show last night Cavin said Honda loves Sarah Fisher Racing

I also heard that
"Blue horseshoe loves Blue Star Airlines"

[Davis]

I've heard that none of the engine manufacturers want to supply more than 10 engines for next year. That'll keep a good balance during the course of the season, but where are the additional engines going to come from for the 500 (with hopefully 40+ cars attempting to qualify again next year)?

[railroad]

I've heard that none of the engine manufacturers want to supply more than 10 engines for next year. That'll keep a good balance during the course of the season, but where are the additional engines going to come from for the 500 (with hopefully 40+ cars attempting to qualify again next year)?

Good question. Being the high-profile race that it is, I suspect manufacturers will make an exception so all entries will have adequate engine supplies. Welcome to the forum, too!

[WillMazeo]

I've heard that none of the engine manufacturers want to supply more than 10 engines for next year. That'll keep a good balance during the course of the season, but where are the additional engines going to come from for the 500 (with hopefully 40+ cars attempting to qualify again next year)?

I have this same doubt

[thehairpin]

list updated to correct Tagliani status and reflect recent engine rumors.

[Muskie4041]

I really think Honda and Chevy are just posturing about the 10 engine thing. When Lotus flames out they'll be there to save the day, at a higher cost of course.

[Indycar5700]

I heard this 3rd hand so take it with a grain of salt, but there is a rumor that Penske is in talks with Keith Wiggins to make HVM a Penske "B" team for 2012. The team would be 2 cars, run by Keith, with Simona and a current Penske driver, likely Briscoe.

[Fro]

I heard this 3rd hand so take it with a grain of salt, but there is a rumor that Penske is in talks with Keith Wiggins to make HVM a Penske "B" team for 2012. The team would be 2 cars, run by Keith, with Simona and a current Penske driver, likely Briscoe.

It'd be strange for Penske to make Wiggins the Penske B-Team over Derrick Walker, Jay Penske, or Gil de Ferran.

[JACKHOLE]

I just hope they can produce 33 cars by next may!

Thanks, JACKHOLE

[nzirl]

I really think Honda and Chevy are just posturing about the 10 engine thing. When Lotus flames out they'll be there to save the day, at a higher cost of course.

Except Lotus isnt flaming out. Ive been following Lotus Motorsports expansion over the last year with interest. Their finances have been sorted for the time being. Judd are currently building the Lotus badged indycar engine.

Funny how a few malicious rumors made by a couple of bitterly jealous individuals in the formula one world about Lotus have suddenly become fact.

[thehairpin]

Except Lotus isnt flaming out. Ive been following Lotus Motorsports expansion over the last year with interest. Their finances have been sorted for the time being. Judd are currently building the Lotus badged indycar engine.

Funny how a few malicious rumors made by a couple of bitterly jealous individuals in the formula one world about Lotus have suddenly become fact.

The big issue I see for Lotus is what quality of teams they get beyond their "anchor" team (likely Newman-Haas). Seems like Chevy and Honda are ahead of the game and snapping up all (with the likely exception of N-H) the front-runners and mid-packers.

They'll be there, more than likely, but whether they'll be supplying more than 2 cars with a chance to win a race is the question.

[ptclaus98]

It'd be strange for Penske to make Wiggins the Penske B-Team over Derrick Walker, Jay Penske, or Gil de Ferran.

Why? HVM is a team that's been running this year, all year. Walker, Dragon and De Ferran haven't.

[Fro]

The big issue I see for Lotus is what quality of teams they get beyond their "anchor" team (likely Newman-Haas). Seems like Chevy and Honda are ahead of the game and snapping up all (with the likely exception of N-H) the front-runners and mid-packers.

They'll be there, more than likely, but whether they'll be supplying more than 2 cars with a chance to win a race is the question.

We won't know that until we know which teams are going to compete in 2012 for sure. If there's some new teams with solid funding they certainly can win races with a new car.

[vintage]

I heard this 3rd hand so take it with a grain of salt, but there is a rumor that Penske is in talks with Keith Wiggins to make HVM a Penske "B" team for 2012. The team would be 2 cars, run by Keith, with Simona and a current Penske driver, likely Briscoe.

Another Simona/Penske fantasy.

[numetalbizkit]

This is based on a few rumors I heard from various people:
Newman Haas: Factory Lotus backing, retains Hinchcliffe, signs Hulkenburg or Wheldon, and nameless third driver.
KV Racing Technology: Sato stays with Honda bucks, Viso stays with his bucks, and then Servia signs on to replace TK.
Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Tony Kanaan sings on with Itaipava and GEICO, Pagenaud sings on Honda bucks, and Alex Tagliani is 50/50.

[thehairpin]

ARCHIVE LIST: AUGUST 1, 2011 (First guesses at squad size for some teams)

Current Full-Time Teams
Chip Ganassi Racing (?-Honda)
Andretti Autosport - 3-4 (?-Chevrolet) - M. Andretti, Hunter-Reay, Conway?, ?
Team Penske - 2-3 (?-Chevrolet) Castroneves, Power, Briscoe?
KV Racing Technology - 3 (?-Honda) Viso, Sato, Servia?
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (?-?)
Dale Coyne Racing (?-?)
Conquest Racing (?-?)
Sam Schmidt Motorsports - 2-3 (?-Honda) - Kanaan?, Pagenaud?, Tagliani (has sponsor $ confirmed, but may end up elsewhere)
Panther Racing (?-Chevrolet?) - Hildebrand
A.J. Foyt Enterprises (?-Honda) - Meira
HVM Racing (?-?)
Newman-Haas Racing (Team Lotus?) - 2-3 (?-Lotus?) - Hinchcliffe?/Hulkenberg?, Kanaan?/Servia?, ?

Current Part-Time/One-Off Teams
Sarah Fisher Racing (?-Honda?)
Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan Racing (?-?)
Bryan Herta Autosport (?-Honda?) - Wheldon?, Pagenaud?
Highcroft Racing (?-Honda)
SH Racing (Team REDLINE Xtreme) (?-?)
AFS Racing (?-?)

Potential New Teams
Wayne Taylor Racing (Dallara-Chevrolet)
Tony Stewart Racing (?-Chevrolet)
Red Bull Racing (?-?)
Walker Racing (?-?)
Kingdom Racing (?-?)

Aerokits
Dallara
Chevrolet
Lotus
Honda
Oreca - rumored

Engines - list final for 2012
Chevrolet
Lotus
Honda

[thehairpin]

This is based on a few rumors I heard from various people:
Newman Haas: Factory Lotus backing, retains Hinchcliffe, signs Hulkenburg or Wheldon, and nameless third driver.
KV Racing Technology: Sato stays with Honda bucks, Viso stays with his bucks, and then Servia signs on to replace TK.
Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Tony Kanaan sings on with Itaipava and GEICO, Pagenaud sings on Honda bucks, and Alex Tagliani is 50/50.

Thanks! List updated accordingly!

[nzirl]

Just a couple of thoughts on TK. Lotus seem to be very keen on TK, his car carries the most Lotus branding, and it features heavily on the Lotus Motorsport website. I'd think Lotus would be keen to retain him as a driver, with whatever team takes the Lotus factory backing next year. Surely they have seen the difference he has made at KV. Also is GEICO tied to KV? or would they consider following TK wherever he should go?

[fleshwound_NPG]

I heard this 3rd hand so take it with a grain of salt, but there is a rumor that Penske is in talks with Keith Wiggins to make HVM a Penske "B" team for 2012. The team would be 2 cars, run by Keith, with Simona and a current Penske driver, likely Briscoe.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense he links with an Indy-based team. Monkey see monkey do I suppose (Ganassi). Also like Ganassi he can get the Indiana team discount and ship those parts/chassis to his primary shop in NC. Other spare parts would be there for him during the Month of May as well.

Would be interesting if it was Helio the one Penske sends to that particular team, since he started out with Bettenhausen (the forerunner to HVM). Coming full circle.

Also it expands the Chevy lineup, making one less team that can have his precious Ilmor twin turbo and future Chevy aero-kit.


...but I doubt this will happen anyways. Never does Penske make a decision that benefits open wheel racing and its fans like that.

[piercey]

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense he links with an Indy-based team. Monkey see monkey do I suppose (Ganassi). Also like Ganassi he can get the Indiana team discount and ship those parts/chassis to his primary shop in NC. Other spare parts would be there for him during the Month of May as well.

Hold up, I thought CGR was still very much based in Indianapolis. I know the NASCAR team moved down to NC after the merger, but the IndyCar and Grand-Am ops are still in Indy, right?

...but I doubt this will happen anyways. Never does Penske make a decision that benefits open wheel racing and its fans like that.

Yes, how dare he look out for himself! That horrible, horrible person!

[fleshwound_NPG]

Hold up, I thought CGR was still very much based in Indianapolis. I know the NASCAR team moved down to NC after the merger, but the IndyCar and Grand-Am ops are still in Indy, right?



Yes, how dare he look out for himself! That horrible, horrible person!

Yes, CGR is acutally Indy....was thinking of EGR (Earnhardt/Ganassi), which is from NC.

Yes he looks after himself and only himself, hence the 15 Indy 500's he's won.