INDYCAR News and Notes – Dec. 11, 2015
1. Daly Finally Achieves Full-Time Ride with Dale Coyne Racing: Conor Daly has included the hashtag #NEVERGIVEUP in many of his tweets in recent years. It “makes sense now,” he says.
Daly, who has competed in six Verizon IndyCar Series races with three teams since 2013, has pursued a full-time ride “for years.” His persistence and race craft displayed in spot opportunities this past season were rewarded Dec. 11, when Daly was named to drive the No. 18 Honda for the full 2016 season with Dale Coyne Racing. The announcement came on the INDYCAR stage at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis.
Coyne also announced that four-time USAC champion Bryan Clauson will drive a Dale Coyne Racing-prepared Honda in association with Jonathan Byrd’s Racing in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May. The Coyne team plans for two full-season Verizon IndyCar Series entries and a fourth entry for the Indianapolis 500.
“It’s an amazing thing to think that I actually get to prepare for races before the weekend,” said the 23-year-old Daly, who won the 2010 Star Mazda championship and was a race winner in the 2011 Indy Lights season before pursuing open-wheel opportunities in Europe. “I haven’t actually competed in a full season of racing since 2013. There was a really scary time in my career so it’s incredible to finally be able to get this break.
“Just excited to work; to finally be able to put away the sponsorship books and cold calls and just be able to work at what I know, what I can do and what I love to do, which is driving and all the aspects of Indy car racing.”
Daly, 23, broke into the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2013, driving in the Indianapolis 500 for AJ Foyt Racing. He was pressed into action in April 2015 at Long Beach as a substitute driver in a Coyne car, then drove in four races as the replacement for the injured James Hinchcliffe in a Schmidt Peterson Motorsports entry. The Noblesville, Ind., resident had a best finish of sixth at second race of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit doubleheader, led his first laps in the series and was running at the finish in five races.
“I had to go in and make the best of every situation because I never knew what would happen next,” he said. “So when I got the opportunity at Long Beach last year or the chance to fill in for James, I had to give my absolute best and focus on doing everything perfect.”
Meanwhile, Clauson will attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 for a third time. The 100th Running is part of the 26-year-old Noblesville, Ind., resident’s plan to drive in 200 open-wheel races in 2016.
“I’m excited to be returning to the Speedway in 2016 with the support of the Byrd family, the Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality & Restaurant Group and Cancer Treatment Centers of America,” Clauson said. “I hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship between two groups of passionate supporters of open-wheel racing. The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is the centerpiece of what is a very busy schedule for me in 2016 and I’m eager to get on track and build on the things that we learned this year.”
2. Aleshin Returning to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2016: Mikhail Aleshin, who competed for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 17 races during the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season and the 2015 series finale, will rejoin the team for the 2016 season.
Aleshin, 28, of Moscow, qualified 14th and finished 10th at Sonoma Raceway in August – his first race in the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports-prepared Honda with the road/street course aerodynamic package since a practice crash curtailed his 2014 season.
“I’m very happy about the agreement between Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and the SMP Racing Russian driver development program,” said Aleshin, who will drive the No. 7 Honda. “I had an unbelievable experience with the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2014 and I can’t wait to be back in this great series. I’m very motivated and 100 percent ready to win.”
In his first Indy car racing season in 2014, Aleshin recorded a best finish of second at the second race of the Grand Prix of Houston doubleheader among seven top-10 finishes. He led laps in three races. Aleshin qualified eighth for the season finale at Auto Club Speedway, but he did not start the race because of injuries sustained in a crash in the final practice session.
3. Montoya Likes His Likeness on Borg-Warner Trophy: Juan Pablo Montoya did an animated double take after locating the bas relief image from his 2000 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race win and comparing it to the likeness affixed to the base of the Borg-Warner Trophy for his 2015 victory.
“I think I’ve aged gracefully,” he said.
Montoya, whose sterling-silver likeness was unveiled Dec. 9 during a ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, was the 102nd face added to the iconic trophy.
He became the ninth two-time winner of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” with a thrilling victory in the No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. After starting 15th and having on-track issues that placed him near the rear of the field midway through the 200-lap race on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Montoya came back to take the lead for good on Lap 197 and hold off teammate Will Power by 0.1046 of a second. He is the 16th winner of the 500 Mile Race for Team Penske and owner Roger Penske.
“It is special to win it for Roger and what it means to everybody at Team Penske,” Montoya said. “My face is on the trophy, but really everybody that worked on the car is there. It’s a huge team effort, and most people don’t realize how much the team is part of it.”
The Borg-Warner Trophy, which is permanently on display at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum, features the face of all Indianapolis 500 Mile Race winners, including two years in which co-drivers assisted the primary driver to Victory Lane, and track owner Anton “Tony” Hulman.
Montoya was fresh off a win and a runner-up finish at his annual Carrera De Estrellas charity karting event in Colombia. He topped a star-filled field that included three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year Gabby Chaves, race winner Carlos Munoz, Sebastian Saavedra and action sports star Travis Pastrana to win the opening race Dec. 5 around the Autodromo de Tocancipa, near Bogota. In the Dec. 6 finale, GP2 competitor Julien Leal held off Montoya and Chaves to take the win, after which the entire field of drivers climbed the fence to thank the Colombian fans who attended the races and raised money for the Formula Sonrisas (Formula Smiles) Foundation, led by Montoya and his wife, Connie.
4. Chris Kyle Frog Foundation Partners with Team Murray: PIRTEK Team Murray, which will enter the No. 61 car driven by Matthew Brabham in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis in May, announced Dec. 10 that it will join with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation to provide an integrated program serving military and first responder families.
The Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, established in 2014, serves military and first responders through interactive experiences that enriches family relationships. Taya Kyle, founder of the organization that honors her late husband – U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, author of the autobiography “American Sniper” and the inspiration for the movie of the same name – will be the team’s official ambassador.
Taya Kyle joined Brabham and team principal Brett Murray at the INDYCAR stage at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis to unveil the Chevrolet-powered car that will be prepared by KV Racing Technology.
“The Chris Kyle Frog Foundation is honored and incredibly excited to be a part of PIRTEK Team Murray and the 100-year tradition rooted in excellence that is the Indianapolis 500,” she said. “Team owner Brett Murray and many of those involved with PIRTEK Team Murray are close friends of my sister, Ashley, and her family in Australia. We’re humbled that Brett has presented the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation this opportunity and look forward to working with the team to leverage our programs.”
The car’s No. 61 reflects the year in which Brabham’s grandfather, Jack, first raced in the Indianapolis 500, when he ushered in the rear-engine revolution.
5. Steak ‘n Shake Returns as Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Sponsor: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing co-owner Bobby Rahal announced Dec. 10 that Steak ‘n Shake restaurants will return as the primary sponsor of the No. 15 Honda at five Verizon IndyCar Series races in 2016. Maxim Magazine branding also will continue to be prominently featured on the race car driven by Graham Rahal.
“We are very pleased that Steak ‘n Shake will be back with us in 2016,” Bobby Rahal said during the announcement on the INDYCAR stage at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis. “The 2015 season was a great one for us both on track and off and our partnership with Steak ‘n Shake was one of the many highlights. We are looking forward to building on that success together in 2016.”
Graham Rahal earned two victories among six podium and 10 top-10 finishes in the 16 races, and was a championship contender entering the season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Rahal, 26, of New Albany, Ohio, placed a career-high fourth in the driver standings.
Among the 2016 races that the Steak ‘n Shake branding will be prominent on the No. 15 entry is the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29. Bobby Rahal won the race in 1986.
“I’m not a betting man, but I might go to Vegas,” Bobby said. “(Graham) won his SCCA National Championship 30 years after I won mine. He won at Mid-Ohio this year 30 years after my first win at Mid-Ohio. This is 30 years at Indy coming up; I think I’m going to place a bet.”
6. USF2000 Chassis Design Unveiled: Andersen Promotions revealed designs of the new Tatuus USF-17 chassis on the INDYCAR stage at the Performance Racing Industry trade show Dec. 10 in Indianapolis. The state-of-the-art car will serve as the foundation for a rejuvenation of the first two steps on the Mazda Road to Indy – the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
The prototype car, which will meet the latest FIA safety requirements, will be unveiled in May, prior to the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, and will undergo a rigorous test program before being released to teams in advance of the 2017 USF2000 season. The cost of the USF-17 chassis – not including engine, wheels and dampers – is $51,400. As an additional cost benefit to teams and drivers moving up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder, the same chassis will be used as the basis of the new Pro Mazda car that will race for the first time in 2018.
“Although the current USF2000 car has performed well for so many years, it’s time to turn the page and provide our teams and drivers with something even better,” said Dan Andersen, owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “The Tatuus USF-17 will offer exceptional value and performance, and we are delighted to partner with this great car company to launch the next generation of USF2000 race cars.
“This car is unmatched in quality, safety and performance for its cost, and we expect it to be well-received by our teams and drivers. With the next generation Pro Mazda race car following this design, the value is further enhanced for teams and drivers. It’s an exciting time for the Mazda Road to Indy.”
7. Of Note: The Indy car that will be “dropped” New Year’s Eve during the countdown to welcome in 2016 was unveiled Dec. 11 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The car will remain on display at the home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers until the Dec. 31 event. … The Grand Prix of Boston powered by LogMeIn announced a partnership with Global Partners’ Alltown convenience stores and ExxonMobil that help veterans, active military and first responders in the New England area attend the event. Approximately 50,000 tickets will be given away for Freedom Friday events on Sept. 2, which features the first on-track activity for the inaugural Grand Prix of Boston, as well as family-friendly activities around the Grand Prix site. … McLaren Applied Technologies, which supplies electronic components for Verizon IndyCar Series chassis and engines, was the recipient of the inaugural Pioneering and Innovation Award during the Autosport Awards gala Dec. 6 in London. … Canadian Garett Grist, who finished third in the 2015 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires with three race wins, will return for a third season in 2016 with Juncos Racing. Grist will be teammates with Australia’s Jake Parsons, America’s Will Owen and Argentina’s Nicholas Dapero. … RJB Motorsports and Metalloid Corporation announced that American driver Michai Stephens will join SCCA champion Clint McMahan as the Michigan-based team steps full-time into the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda in 2016.
Sources: Mike Kitchel, Verizon IndyCar Series PR