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NTT IndyCar news and information

  • NBC Sports, INDYCAR Announce 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Broadcast Start Times

    NBC Sports, INDYCAR Announce 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Broadcast Start Times

    INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Jan. 10, 2022) – NBC Sports and INDYCAR have announced the broadcast start times for the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, which will feature a record 14 races on broadcast network NBC, headlined by the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 29 at iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with coverage on NBC beginning at 11 a.m. (ET).

    The first six races of the season will air on NBC, including the season opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding at noon (ET) Sunday, Feb. 27.

    NBC Sports will also present the third consecutive year of the INDYCAR-NASCAR doubleheader July 30-31 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, with the INDYCAR race at noon (ET) Saturday, July 30 on NBC.

    Highlights of NBC Sports’ 2022 INDYCAR schedule include:

    • The 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 29, on NBC, with coverage beginning at 11 a.m. (ET).
    • The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach returns to NBC at 3 p.m. (ET) Sunday, April 10.
    • The third consecutive year of the INDYCAR-NASCAR doubleheader at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course the weekend of July 30-31, with the INDYCAR race on Saturday, July 30 on NBC.
    • The much-anticipated second iteration of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville, and first presentation of the race on network television, will air at 3 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Aug. 7 on NBC.
    • The season-ending Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will be presented at 3 p.m. (ET) Sunday, Sept. 11 on NBC.

    Peacock will exclusively stream an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race for the first time in 2022 when the Honda Indy Toronto race will be held at 3 p.m. (ET) Sunday, July 17. Peacock will simulstream all races airing on NBC and all qualifying and practice sessions, as well as coverage surrounding the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Indy Lights races, race day warmups and full-event replays of 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races also will be available on Peacock.

    NBC Sports’ 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES coverage schedule:

  • INDYCAR, Motorsport Network Team Up To Launch Global Fan Survey

    INDYCAR, Motorsport Network Team Up To Launch Global Fan Survey

    INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Jan. 10, 2022) – INDYCAR and Motorsport Network today launched the 2022 Global INDYCAR Survey, in partnership with Nielsen, aimed at capturing the views of racing fans around the world toward the sport.

    The survey is expected to be the largest NTT INDYCAR SERIES fan survey of its kind, operating in 11 languages across Motorsport Network’s flagship Motorsport.com website.

    “Our domestic and international reach has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by the fiercely competitive nature of our sport and the bold athletes and personalities who make up our world-class NTT INDYCAR SERIES field,” said SJ Luedtke, INDYCAR vice president of marketing. “Thus, it’s the perfect time to survey our global fan base and gather input on ways to further deliver an exceptional and entertaining product. We see our fans as our most important partners in the growth of our sport and look forward to hearing from them through this important effort carried out in partnership with the team at Motorsport Network.”

    This is the first global fan survey for INDYCAR and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Motorsport Network leads the way in this field, recently completing the F1 Global Fan Survey in partnership with F1 in October 2021.

    In addition to identifying the fans’ favorite drivers, teams and racetracks, the INDYCAR survey aims to gather fans’ input on a wide range of topics, including viewing habits, live attendance and media consumption; opinions about future changes to improve the sport and insights into key issues beyond the racetrack such as the environment, diversity and inclusion. There are also questions on fan engagement and the growth of gaming and eSports given that an INDYCAR video game is currently being developed in partnership with Motorsport Games; a brand-new franchise that is eagerly anticipated by racing and gaming fans and is expected to launch in 2023 on Xbox and PlayStation consoles and PC.

    “We are looking forward to hearing from the global INDYCAR SERIES fans who will provide some great insight into the INDYCAR universe and how it can continue to expand and grow, and connect with its audience,” said James Allen, president of Motorsport Network. “With our industry-leading track record in this field, Motorsport Network is the ideal partner to spearhead this survey of NTT INDYCAR SERIES fans, given our global relevance as a leading digital platform, our extensive INDYCAR coverage across the network, not to mention the recent success we’ve had with the F1 global survey, which showed that 29% of F1 followers on our platforms also follow INDYCAR.”

    The 2022 Global INDYCAR Survey is open to anyone over the age of 16 and will run for three weeks, kicking off Monday, Jan. 10 and running through Saturday, Jan. 29, with the key findings due to be announced at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding in late February.

    About Motorsport Network

    Every month approximately 60 million dedicated users visit a Motorsport Network digital property, to buy, to learn, to be entertained or simply to feed their passion for cars and racing. We sit at the heart of the Racing and Automotive industries and provide authoritative thought leadership as well as unique experiences to our customers. We take them on a customer journey that encompasses news and insights, events, tickets, games and eSports, so we leverage the network effect to add value to their experience. We use our in-house technology and modern data tools to continuously test, learn, and improve. Our processes, content creation, and products are constantly evolving to better serve our audience, clients, and partners.

    About Nielsen

    Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a leading global data and analytics company that provides a holistic and objective understanding of the media industry. With offerings spanning audience measurement, audience outcomes and content, Nielsen offers its clients and partners simple solutions to complex questions and optimizes the value of their investments and growth strategies. It is the only company that can offer de-duplicated cross-media audience measurement. Audience is EverythingTM to Nielsen and its clients, and Nielsen is committed to ensuring that every voice counts. An S&P 500 company, Nielsen offers measurement and analytics service in nearly 60 countries. Learn more at www.nielsen.com or www.nielsen.com/investors and connec

  • Indianapolis 500-Winning Team Owner Kalkhoven Dies at 77

    Indianapolis 500-Winning Team Owner Kalkhoven Dies at 77

    INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022) – Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Kevin Kalkhoven, who also played a major role in the reunification of North American open-wheel racing among other racing-related ventures, died Jan. 4. He was 77.

    Kalkhoven was co-owner, with CART champion Jimmy Vasser, of the No. 11 Hydroxycut KV Racing Technology-SH Racing Chevrolet that Tony Kanaan drove to an emotional victory in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

    Kanaan’s first Indy 500 win was the highlight of more than a decade of team ownership for Kalkhoven, who fielded teams in the Champ Car World Series and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for many champions and stars of the sport, including Kanaan, Vasser, Will Power, Cristiano da Matta, Paul Tracy and Sebastien Bourdais. Kalkhoven’s teams – known as PK Racing, PKV Racing and KV Racing Technology – earned seven victories between 2003-16 in major North American open-wheel competition.

    Ownership of various racing teams was only part of Kalkhoven’s deep involvement in motorsports that started after a very successful career as a business executive in fiber-optic telecommunications networks and as a venture capitalist.

    Kalkhoven, a native of Adelaide, Australia, joined Gerald Forsythe and Paul Gentilozzi to purchase the assets of CART in late 2003 and formed the Champ Car World Series. In November 2004, Kalkhoven and Forsythe bought iconic racing powertrain company Cosworth Engineering from the Ford Motor Company.

    In February 2008, Kalkhoven and then-INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George completed extensive negotiations that reunified North American open-wheel racing after 12 years of two competing series. The final Champ Car race took place in April 2008 at Long Beach, California, an event co-owned at the time by Kalkhoven and won by Power in a KV Racing Technology entry.

    Kalkhoven was a noted philanthropist. He served on the board of directors of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, which benefits children with serious illness. He also was an avid aviator, with a commercial pilot’s license and experience in a variety of aircraft, including Gulfstream intercontinental jets.

    Statements from Roger Penske, Mark Miles about Passing of Kevin Kalkhoven

    INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022) – Statements from Roger Penske and Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles about the passing of Indianapolis 500-winning team owner and motorsports executive Kevin Kalkhoven, who died Jan. 4 at age 77:

    “Motorsports has lost one of its true leaders. Kevin Kalkhoven had a great passion for open-wheel racing, and his vision and support helped guide the sport through some turbulent times. As a leader of the Champ Car World Series, Cosworth Engineering and the KV Racing Technology team, Kevin had an incredible impact on INDYCAR. Our thoughts are with the Kalkhoven family and Kevin’s many friends and colleagues that are coping with his loss.” – Roger Penske

    “I met Kevin in 2013, and we quickly developed a personal friendship and a lot of common ground in racing. In many ways, winning that year’s Indianapolis 500 with Tony Kanaan must have been the highlight of his racing life. I’m sure he didn’t come back down to earth for many months. Kevin was a colorful, forceful personality who constantly brought new ideas to the table in an effort to grow the sport. I will miss him.” – Mark Miles, President and CEO, Penske Entertainment Corp.

  • David Malukas joins Dale Coyne Racing for 2022 IndyCar season

    David Malukas joins Dale Coyne Racing for 2022 IndyCar season

    In a joint partnership with HMD Motorsports, Dale Coyne Racing announced that David Malukas will be joining the organization and drive the No. 18 Dallara-Honda on a full-time basis for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.

    Malukas, a 20-year-old native from Chicago, Illinois, with dual nationality (American and Lithuanian), is coming off a full-time campaign in the Indy Lights with HMD Motorsports, where he notched seven victories, seven poles, 16 podiums and a runner-up result in the final standings.

    “I am very happy to join Dale Coyne Racing for my first season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Malukas said. “It has been my dream since a little kid to get to this point, and I am thrilled to get it started with this team. After my first test with DCR, I felt right at home. They are like family already, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish. Bring on 2022!”

    The 2021 Indy Lights season was Malukas’ second in the series after competing in the series in 2019 with BN Racing and HMD Motorsports, where he achieved two podiums and a sixth-place result in the final standings.

    In 2020, Malukas competed in the Formula Regional Americas Championship, where he claimed two victories, 15 podiums and a runner-up result in the final standings. He also spent 2016-18 competing in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, the ADAC F4 Championship, the USF2000 National Championship and the Pro Mazda Championship. During the 2018 Pro Mazda Championship season, he achieved three victories, three poles, six podiums and a fourth-place result in the final standings.

    The 2022 racing season will mark Malukas’ first campaign in the IndyCar circuit. He experienced his first drive in an IndyCar at Barber Motorsports Park with Dale Coyne Racing in October, where he was the fastest competitor during the testing session and was pleased with his run. He then participated in a second IndyCar testing session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Team Penske in November.

    “I’ve been following David in Indy Lights, and I was very pleased by what I saw,” Dale Coyne, team owner of Dale Coyne Racing, said. “He had a remarkable season, and then he impressed everyone when we tested him back in October. It was his first time in an Indy car, and he was the fastest one at the test, even ahead of a veteran driver. And, on top of it all, he comes from right down the road in Chicago, so it’s a perfect fit for us to run David next season. We’re also excited about our new partnership with HMD Motorsports. We can’t wait to start building on this relationship, and we’re looking forward to a successful season together.”

    “Having the HMD Motorsports name in INDYCAR was a goal that we had set several years ago and is the first step in the overall plan for the future,” HMD Motorsports General Manager Mike Maurini, general manager of HMD Motorsports, added. “INDYCAR is experiencing major growth, and HMD is able to be involved at the right time for our drivers and partners. Tying the successful Indy Lights program, and business, to an INDYCAR effort gives the HMD name a ladder to the upper echelon of open wheel racing in North America. The goal is to continue to win in Indy Lights, expand and grow a commercial side of the business and advance drivers up into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.”

    Malukas’ entrance to IndyCar and to Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports comes less than a week after Dale Coyne Racing parted ways with Vasser Sullivan Racing following a four-year partnership. It also comes after Dale Coyne Racing signed two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato to pilot the No. 51 Honda in a partnership with Rick Ware Racing for the 2022 season.

    David Malukas’ first campaign in an NTT IndyCar Series season is set to commence at the Streets of St. Petersburg for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on February 27, 2022.

  • JIMMIE JOHNSON TO MAKE NTT INDYCAR SERIES OVAL DEBUT IN XPEL 375 AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

    JIMMIE JOHNSON TO MAKE NTT INDYCAR SERIES OVAL DEBUT IN XPEL 375 AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

    • Johnson earned track-record seven NASCAR Cup Series victories at No Limits, Texas during legendary stock car career
    • XPEL 375 moves from summer heat to second race on 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar
    • Progressive American Flat Track motorcycle racing invades Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on March 19

    FORT WORTH, Texas (Dec. 15, 2021) – Jimmie Johnson’s announcement to run the full NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule in 2022 means the March 20 XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway will be the first time the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will compete on an oval track in America’s premier open-wheel series where he earned a track-record seven victories.

    Johnson will attack the No Limits, Texas 1.5-mile quad-oval against the likes of six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and TMS track record five-time winner Scott Dixon, two-time champion and 2019 TMS winner Josef Newgarden, 2021 TMS race winner and San Antonio resident Patricio “Pato” O’Ward and 2021 series champion Alex Palou.

    Johnson and his No. 48 Chip Ganassi Racing team made its initial INDYCAR oval laps at Texas Motor Speedway during a private test session on Aug. 30. His NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie season in 2021 consisted of only the schedule’s 12 road courses races.

    “To know that I could come here [Texas Motor Speedway] and test and experience it as a driver was important to me,” said Johnson at the time. “Let’s go to the tough one. It’s one thing by myself. I feel like I can control my environment, and I’m very thankful that I’m able to go out here and do it.

    “I know where I am, I know what to do, I know the line around this place, and even down to simple things like knowing where the hotel was last night or knowing how to drive into the tunnel and get into the infield. There’s been some small wins that are nice to have.”

    The XPEL 375 is the second race of the 17-race 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, moving off its traditional summer event date. A complete weekend schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

    Progressive American Flat Track returns to the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track after a year’s absence on Saturday. A full schedule of handlebar-to-handlebar action will take place in the Mission SuperTwins, AFT Production Twins, and AFT Singles classes. Tickets will go on sale soon.

    TICKETS
    Tickets for the March 20 NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL 375 start at $30 (kids’ tickets are just $10) are on sale now at https://www.texasmotorspeedway.com/events/xpel-375/.

    Tickets for Texas Motor Speedway’s 2022 major event season on are sale now at https://www.texasmotorspeedway.com/events/season-tickets/.

    SOCIAL MEDIA
    Keep track of all of Texas Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the speedway website and TMS mobile app.

    About Texas Motor Speedway:
    Texas Motor Speedway is among the largest sports stadiums in the United States and features an array of amenities such as the world’s largest TV that make it one of the premier venues in the world of sports. The 1.5-mile superspeedway located in Fort Worth hosts all three NASCAR national series as well as the NTT IndyCar Series among its various races and specialty events throughout the year. Since opening in 1997, Texas Motor Speedway has generated an annual economic impact of approximately $300 million to the North Texas region. Texas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, LLC, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

  • Jimmie Johnson set for full-time IndyCar campaign in 2022

    Jimmie Johnson set for full-time IndyCar campaign in 2022

    Following his inaugural season in open-wheel competition as a part-time competitor, Jimmie Johnson will be returning to the NTT IndyCar Series as a full-time competitor in Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 48 Dallara-Honda in 2022.

    The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion made an appearance on NBC’s Today Show, where he made the announcement of his racing plans for the upcoming season. In addition, he unveiled the No. 48 Honda that he will be competing in for the new IndyCar season sponsored by Carvana, which returns to sponsor Johnson in all but one of the 17-race schedule. The American Legion will sponsor Johnson at Iowa Speedway in July.

    “I’m really excited about this next chapter of my career and competing in the No. 48 with Carvana for the 2022 season,” Johnson said. “The safety of these cars has come so far, and after I tested the ovals at Texas and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I realized this was a challenge I wanted to undertake. I’m thankful for Chip, Carvana and all who made this possible.”

    “Last season was so incredible for me and I made a lot of progress, so I know I can be competitive on tracks that I have experience on,” Johnson added. “I can’t wait to be part of the Indianapolis 500, it’s a childhood dream come true.”

    Johnson made his inaugural presence in the IndyCar Series this past season following a 19-career in NASCAR highlighted with a record-tying seven championships and 83 career victories, including two Daytona 500s, a record-setting four All-Star Races and four Brickyard 400s. After inking a two-year deal with Chip Ganassi Racing and Carvana to compete in the IndyCar circuit, beginning in 2021, Johnson contested only on the road course events during his first IndyCar season while sharing the No. 48 Honda with two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan, who competed during the oval events.

    During his 12-race schedule to the 2021 IndyCar’s 16-race schedule, Johnson recorded an average-finishing result of 21.1 with his best on-track result being 17th twice during the final two IndyCar events of the 2021 season in September: the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach at California’s Long Beach Street Circuit.

    In August, Johnson made his IndyCar debut on an oval circuit at Texas Motor Speedway during a testing session. Two months later, he participated in the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he passed the rookie test. The pass means that he will compete in the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 in May, which will mark his inaugural presence in one of motorsports’ iconic events.

    Photo by Simon Scoggins for SpeedwayMedia.com.

    “We are very happy about Jimmie running the whole 2022 season and that Carvana will be on nearly all of those races,” Chip Ganassi, team owner of Chip Ganassi Racing, said. “I am looking forward to seeing Jimmie get back on the track after having a year under his belt. With all the experience he has on ovals from his NASCAR career and adding it to his 2021 experience in an Indy car, we think the INDYCAR ovals will play right into his strength. I can’t wait for the 2022 season to begin.”

    “Chip Ganassi Racing and Jimmie Johnson are ideal partners, and we’re excited to watch Jimmie race the full season in 2022,” Ryan Keeton, chief brand officer of Carvana, added. “Our entire Carvana crew is inspired by Jimmie’s commitment as he’s forged this new path in his racing career. Carvana has always stood for challenging the status quo, and we see that same drive and passion in Jimmie.”

    With his IndyCar plans for 2022 set, Johnson will headline Chip Ganassi Racing’s four-car lineup for the upcoming season that includes former Formula One competitor Marcus Ericsson, six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and the reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou. Tony Kanaan, who competed on a part-time basis with Ganassi in 2021, has yet to announce his racing plans for 2022.

    Jimmie Johnson’s first full-time campaign in the NTT IndyCar Series is set to commence at the Streets of St. Petersburg for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on February 27, 2022.

  • PPG Named Official Paint and Finishing Supplier of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NTT INDYCAR SERIES

    PPG Named Official Paint and Finishing Supplier of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NTT INDYCAR SERIES

    INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Dec. 13, 2021) – PPG (NYSE: PPG) has reached an agreement to become the Official Paint and Finishing Supplier of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

    As part of the multiyear agreement, PPG is also the Official Sponsor of Indianapolis 500 qualifying weekend. Drivers will compete for the prestigious Indianapolis 500 pole and one of the coveted 33 spots in the field for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 at IMS.

    “PPG is one of the most loyal and trusted partners in the history of our sport, and we’re proud to pair IMS and INDYCAR with such an iconic and globally recognized brand,” Roger Penske said. “Like us, PPG is built on quality and leadership in the marketplace with a strong tradition of excellence spanning more than a century. We look forward to seeing and supporting PPG’s sponsorship activation, especially during Indy 500 qualifying weekend.”

    “We are excited to continue and further expand our relationship with racing and specifically with the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Michael McGarry, PPG chairman and chief executive officer. “PPG paints, coatings and specialty materials have been used throughout racing for decades, and now to have them be part of the future INDYCAR SERIES and IMS experience is an exciting opportunity. Our company purpose is ‘to protect and beautify the world,’ and this partnership will provide opportunities to bring this to life in new and colorful ways.”

    The partnership revives a relationship between PPG, IMS and INDYCAR that began decades ago. PPG served as the title sponsor of the INDYCAR SERIES from 1980 to 1997. The company sponsored the Indianapolis 500 Pole Award and was an Indy 500 contingency sponsor from the mid-1970s until the late 1990s. PPG sponsored the winner’s trophy for the NASCAR Brickyard 400 at IMS from its inaugural race in 1994 through 2000.

    PPG has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Team Penske in both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and NASCAR, dating back to 1984 when PPG provided the paint for Team Penske’s numerous race cars. Today, PPG’s involvement with the team includes primary sponsorship of Team Penske’s cars in both INDYCAR and NASCAR.

    PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

    At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 75 countries and reported net sales of $13.8 billion in 2020. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

    We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

  • Dreyer & Reinbold Racing unveils driver lineup for 2022 Indy 500

    Dreyer & Reinbold Racing unveils driver lineup for 2022 Indy 500

    Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will be fielding two NTT IndyCar Series entries in the 106th annual running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway scheduled for May 29, 2022, with Sage Karam set to return to the organization and being a teammate to newcomer Santino Ferrucci.

    Karam will be retaining driving responsibilities of the No. 24 Dallara-Chevrolet while Ferrucci will be piloting the No. 23 Dallara-Chevrolet for the team.

    Karam, a 26-year-old native from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and the 2013 Indy Lights champion, is coming off a seventh-place result in the 2021 Indianapolis 500, which marked his career-best result in his eighth start in the 500, seventh with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

    Karam, whose racing career started with karting and includes the U.S. F200 National Championship, the Star Mazda Championship, Indy Lights and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, made his IndyCar debut in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 with Dreyer & Reinbold, where he finished in ninth place. After campaigning on a part-time basis with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2015, where he earned his first podium after finishing in third place at Iowa Speedway in July, he spent the next four seasons making one IndyCar start in the Indy 500 and in Dreyer & Reinbold’s No. 24 Chevrolet. During the 2019 season, he made two starts for Carlin. He then campaigned in four IndyCar events with Dreyer & Reinbold in 2020, all occurring at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Through 2021, Karam has made 24 career starts in the IndyCar circuit.

    In addition to the Indy 500, Karam spent the 2021 season competing for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in Nitro Rallycross and for Jordan Anderson Racing in four NASCAR Xfinity Series events and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. In Nitro Rallycross, he achieved five victories and a runner-up result in the final standings, In NASCAR, he notched a season-best 16th-place result at Bristol Motor Speedway in September in the Xfinity circuit and a 32nd-place result at Martinsville Speedway in October in his lone Truck start.

    “Doing more ovals in NASCAR this year has helped mentally prepare more to stay focused for the longer races,” Karam said. “The potential to improve in that area is there. We just need to nail down a few things. We are coming off of a high from last year, and the goal is to be even better in the 2022 Indy 500.”

    Ferrucci, a 23-year-old native from Woodbury, Connecticut, is coming off a part-time IndyCar campaign with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, where he competed in five events and achieved a season-best result of sixth place twice (Indy 500 in May and Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Race No. 1 at The Raceway on Belle Isle in June). The sixth-place result at Indy marked his third consecutive top-10 result in three career starts in the 500.

    Ferrucci, whose racing career also started with karting and includes the Formula 3 European Championship, GP3 Series and Formula 2 Championship, made his inaugural presence in IndyCar during the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader feature in June for Dale Coyne Racing, where he finished 22nd and 20th. He then campaigned on a full-time IndyCar basis for Dale Coyne Racing in 2019, where he finished a season-best fourth place three times on the track, achieved the Indy 500 Rookie-of-the-Year title after finishing seventh in May and concluded the season in 13th place in the final standings. In 2020, Ferrucci finished in fourth place in the 2020 Indy 500 and settled in 13th place in the final standings for a second consecutive season.

    Through 2021, Ferrucci has made 40 career starts in the IndyCar circuit.

    In addition to IndyCar, Ferrucci campaigned on a part-time basis in the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season for Sam Hunt Racing, where he achieved four top-15 results, including a season-best 13th-place result at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, in seven starts.

    “I am super thrilled to join DRR,” Ferrucci said. “Nothing is better than being a part of a team that has such a high work ethic. The team’s attention to detail is comparable to top teams in the series. In my last two ‘500’ races, we’ve been in the hunt to win, and I think I have grown a lot as a driver to understand that patience is needed to win. DRR has a great car and proved it last year with a seventh-place finish.”

    Since making their inaugural presence in the IndyCar Series as a two-car team in 2000, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing have fielded a total of 43 cars through 23 consecutive Indy 500s. Robbie Bhul recorded the team’s first and only IndyCar victory to date at Walt Disney World Speedway in January 2000. The team’s last full-time season to date was in 2012 when Oriol Servia drove the No. 22 car to four top-five results, including a fourth-place result in the Indy 500 and a 13th-place result in the final standings. Since the early stages of the 2013 season, the team scaled down to field a single car entry only in the Indy 500 on an annual basis.

    From 2018 to 2020, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing fielded two cars in the Indy 500 for Karam and J.R. Hildebrand before returning as a single-car team for Karam in this year’s Indy 500.

    “Our team is eager to get back to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Dennis Reinbold, team owner of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, said. “We believe the talent of these drivers will be important in helping the team achieve the ultimate goal of winning ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ We, at DRR, have been improving our Indy 500 program with the singular goal of winning the race. Sage and Santino have exceptional talent and are key components for us to achieve the goal.”

    Ferrucci and Karam are set to compete for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 29, 2022, which will mark the sixth event of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.

  • Takuma Sato joins Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing for 2022 IndyCar season

    Takuma Sato joins Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing for 2022 IndyCar season

    Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing announced that Takuma Sato will be joining the organization as a full-time driver of the team’s No. 51 Dallara-Honda for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.

    Sato, a 44-year-old native from Tokyo, Japan, is a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 with six victories, 14 podiums, 10 poles and 902 laps led in 198 career starts (12 seasons) in the IndyCar circuit. He is coming off four full-time seasons with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, where he achieved his second Indy 500 victory in 2020 along with four victories, one pole, eight podiums and a career-best seventh-place result in the final standings in 2020. His first Indy 500 victory occurred in 2017 when he competed for Andretti Autosport and became the first Japanese competitor to win the 500.

    “I am extremely excited that we were able to work out a deal with Dale, Rick and everyone at Dale Coyne Racing,” Sato said. “With Honda an integral part of Dale Coyne Racing, it seemed like a great fit. The team has proven year after year that they are very competitive on all types of circuits. Particularly the speed that team has shown in recent years at the Indy 500 were very impressive. I am really looking forward to working with my new environment and can’t wait to get started.”

    Sato replaces Romain Grosjean and Pietro Fittipaldi, both of whom shared the No. 51 Honda throughout the 16-race schedule in 2021. Grosjean is set to compete as a full-time IndyCar competitor for Andretti Autosport while Fittipaldi will remain as a test and reserve competitor for Uralkali Haas F1 Team for the upcoming season.

    Prior to making his inaugural presence in IndyCar competition in 2010 with KV Racing Technology, Sato, whose racing career started with karting, campaigned in seven seasons in Formula One (2002-2008). Making 90 career starts, he notched his first and only podium in F1 competition in the 2004 United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he finished in third place while driving for Lucky Strike BAR Honda team. He went on to conclude the 2004 F1 season in a career-best eighth place in the final driver’s standings.

    Following his debut season in IndyCar in 2010, Sato spent another season with KV Racing before joining Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, where he earned two podium results. He then swapped to A.J. Foyt Enterprises in 2013, where he earned his first career victory in IndyCar competition at the Streets of Long Beach, California, in April. He would continue to compete with A.J. Foyt Enterprises through 2016 before campaigning in his first and only full-time season with Andretti Autosport in 2017. Sato’s transition to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2018 marked a reunion for the driver and the team, which spanned through this season until it was announced in early October that the Japanese competitor will not be remaining with the team for the 2022 season.

    “Takuma has shown that he is one of the best drivers to ever race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Dale Coyne, team co-owner, said. “Winning the famed Indianapolis 500 twice, we look forward to competing with our package of a good car with a great driver in the ‘500’ next year. All of us on our team welcome the very talented Mr. Sato into our fold for 2022.”

    “I am excited to have Takuma join the Dale Coyne Racing with RWR family for 2022,” Rick Ware, team co-owner, added. “Takuma’s experience within motorsports is extensive, not just in the United States, but around the world. With Takuma’s experience, and vast knowledge of the cars, we are really looking forward to stepping up the program and having a successful season, and maybe even add another Indianapolis 500 win to his list of achievements.”

    With a new team to call home for the upcoming IndyCar season, Sato is also primed to achieve a milestone start in what will be his 13th season in IndyCar competition. By competing in the Genesys 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on March 20, he will make his 200th career start in the IndyCar circuit.

    Sato is set to make his debut with Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing at the Streets of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and to commence the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season on February 27.

  • Dalton Kellett remains at A.J. Foyt Racing for 2022 IndyCar season

    Dalton Kellett remains at A.J. Foyt Racing for 2022 IndyCar season

    A.J. Foyt Racing announced that Dalton Kellett will be remaining with the organization and as driver of the No. 4 Dallara-Chevrolet sponsored by K-Line Insulators USA for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.

    Kellett, a 28-year-old native from Stouffville, Ontario, Canada, is coming off his first full-time IndyCar season with A.J. Foyt Enterprises, where he finished in the top 20 six times and achieved a career-best result of 12th place at the World Wide Technology Raceway in August before settling in 23rd place in the final standings.

    “I’m very excited to be back with AJ Foyt Racing for the 2022 season!” Kellett said. “We are looking forward to the year and continuing to build on the momentum from 2021. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be back in the number 4 Chevrolet. A.J., Larry, our team partners, and K-Line have made this a possibility, so I am very thankful for them. Looking back at 2021, we had moments of promise and some encouraging results, we need to enter the 2022 season on that trajectory. The schedule looks very exciting this year, some familiar tracks returning [looking at you Iowa] and I can’t wait to be racing in front of the hometown crowd in Toronto!”

    The 2022 IndyCar season will mark Kellett’s third in the series after making his debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course circuit in July 2020, where he competed in seven additional events throughout the season.

    “It’s great to have Dalton continuing with the team in 2022,” Larry Foyt, team president of A.J. Foyt Racing, said. “He made some solid progress in his first full season in the NTT INDYCAR Series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can accomplish next season. He is a true team player and a great ambassador for AJ Foyt Racing.”

    Prior to IndyCar competition, Kellett, who started his racing career through snowmobile and go-karts, competed in the 2011 Ontario Formula Ford Championship season and spent the next two seasons competing in the U.S. F2000 National Championship with Pabst Racing Services. He then competed in the Pro Mazda Championship during the following three seasons (Team Pelfrey in 2013-14 and Andretti Autosport in 2015) before moving up to the Indy Lights series in 2016 with Andretti Autosport. From 2016 to 2018, Kellett recorded five podium results with Andretti and a best-career points result of seventh place in 2018 before joining Juncos Racing for the 2019 Indy Lights season along with making select WeatherTech SportsCar Championship starts. In Indy Lights, he finished in the top 10 in all 18 scheduled races and achieved his sixth career podium result at the Exhibition Place in Toronto, his home country, before finishing in seventh place in the final standings.

    Kellett will be a teammate to Kyle Kirkwood, the reigning Indy Lights champion and the first competitor to achieve a championship throughout the Road to Indy program. Kirkwood will be piloting the No. 14 Dallara-Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Racing.

    With his plans for the upcoming season set, Kellett’s third season in IndyCar competition with A.J. Foyt Racing will commence at the Streets of St. Petersburg for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on February 27, 2022.