Silly Season--IRL, 2006

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Seat Predictions, 5 October 2005

Post by mlittle » Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:46 am

Based on current information, here is a current guesstimation on what the 2006 IndyCar Series will look like...(with notes where appropriate)

1}Andretti-Green Racing:Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon, Dario Franchitti, Bryan Herta. While only TK is confirmed for 2006, the odds are high that all four drivers will be back for 2006.

2}Marlboro-Team Penske:Sam Hornish, Jr., Helio Castroneves. The only Toyota-powered team that's been competitive this year, no changes are expected at this time.

3}Panther Racing:Tomas Scheckter, Tomas Enge. Just following this team's enough to make anyone's head spin. Currently, rumor has it that they were headed for ChampCar, then rumor had it they weren't(and vice versa....)Add to that the fact that Chevy is gone after Fontana this year(meaning they'll need a new engine), and you have a very confused situation.

4}Rahal-Letterman Racing:Danica Patrick, Vitor Meira, Buddy Rice. While the team's been seemingly snakebit this year, all three drivers are expected back for 2006.

5}Fernandez Racing:Scott Sharp, Kosuke Matsuura. No changes expected here, unless enough funding can be found for team owner Adrian Fernandez to make a one-off appearance at Indy.

6}Vision Racing:Ed Carpenter(?). Rumor-mill reports have owner Tony George selling off his team or moving it to the Rolex Sports Car Series in 2006. With no sponsorship in sight for 2006, Carpenter may be driving for his career at Fontana.

7}Target/Ganassi Racing:Scott Dixon, Giorgio Pantano(?), Jaques Lazier(?), Ryan Briscoe(?). If, as expected, he runs teams in both CC and the IRL, the question becomes...who drives for the Chipster where? All seats are open at the moment.

8}Dreyer & Reinbold:Roger Yasukawa(?), Thiago Medieros(?), Jeff Simmons(?). Like Vision Racing, D & R has sponsorship woes for 2006. As with CC's Dale Coyne Racing, whoever brings money to the table, chances are, will get the ride for 2006.

9}A.J. Foyt Racing:A.J. Foyt, IV, Larry Foyt(?-Indy only), Jeff Bucknum(?-road courses). Let's see. No engine supplier for 2006, no major sponsor for 2006, and they ran Foyt-IV on the ovals and Bucknum on the road courses. Like with TGR, it's guesswork right now as to who drives for A.J.-Jr in 2006.

10}Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing:Jimmy Kite(?), Paul Dana(?). For a team that once fielded 2000 IRL champion Buddy Lazier, the team, like Foyt Racing, is a backmarker trying to survive. As with TGR, its' guesswork as to who drives for EHR in 2006.

11}Team Cheever:Patrick Carpentier, Alex Barron(?). Red Bull recently informed owner Eddie Cheever that to keep Red Bull sponsorship, the team might be forced to move to ChampCar in 2006. That said, only Carpentier's seat is safe...for now, at least.

No. of Confirmed Seats:2
No. of Probable Seats:19-21
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Foyt IV to be Released from Foyt Racing

Post by mlittle » Sat Oct 08, 2005 10:32 am

Scratch the name of A.J. Foyt, IV, from your lists of who will drive the #14 ABC Supply Dallara in 2006, as A.J. Foyt Racing announced today that there will be a new driver in the car. In making the announcement team owner A.J. Foyt, Jr., praised grandson A.J. IV on his progress as a driver but said that the time had come for him to "spread his wings", presumably referring to A.J.IV's desire to race in NASCAR in 2006. No word from team sources as to who will take the driver's seat in 2006.

Here is the link to the story...
www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/indycar/20044/
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Delphi Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Post by mlittle » Sun Oct 09, 2005 11:09 am

The primary sponsor for IRL IndyCar Series driver Scott Sharp, Delphi Corp., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit, mich, Friday after Delphi execs. and representatives of the United Auto Workers union failed to agree on several cost-cutting measures to keep the company running. Spun off from General Motors in 1999, the company said that it would continue to run unless given instructions by the court. The reason this is in the silly season thread is that most bankruptcy courts, seeing as a company like Delphi could potentially layoff hundreds of employees, aren't likely to allow them to continue an auto-racing sponsorship....not until the company's solvent again. Fernandez Racing may have to find Sharp a new sponsor for 2006. :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
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An Epidemic of Uncertainty

Post by mlittle » Mon Oct 17, 2005 3:07 pm

With the end of any racing season, there's always uncertainly, but in the IndyCar paddock today, as we go into silly season mode, it's almost at epidemic levels. Take Panther Racing.....An IRL stalwart since its' 96-97 long season, the team recently found out that they are losing Pennzoil as the sponsor for Tomas Scheckter. In the words of Panther co-owner Gary Pedigo:
We've got some issues that but we hope to have a handle on things in 30 days. We've got some partial deals in the works but nothing certain.
Likewise for Team Cheever owner Eddie Cheever, who told ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little that Red Bull had indeed pulled their sponsorship of his team after this year. He added that "If they're strategy has changed, it could affect us but we've had a great relationship." :shock:

Another piece of uncertainly centers around Rahal-Letterman Racing's Vitor Meira. The "Invisible Man" of the three-driver team, Meira was told by unnamed sources that the team may not keep him unless John Menard, whose sponsorship on Meira's car(Menards) essentially kept Meira with the Ohio-based team for 2005, finds more money to provide for RLR.

Also on the uncertainty train is A.J. Foyt, Jr, who has to:A)find a new driver for 2006, and B)find a new engine supplier. B's easy...Honda, since TRD won't welcome him back at all.

Back over at Cheever, driver Alex Barron essentially put himself on the chopping block by publicily questioning the series and team's future direction. Patrick Carpentier, who left CC's Forsythe team to race for Cheever, isn't sure where he'll be either.

Likewise, Tomas Enge, whose Rockstar sponsorship was predicated on Tomas Scheckter staying w/Panther, so if Scheckter goes.....

So...as you can see, if the first day of the off-season is like this, imagine what the off-season itself will be like. Hold on, for there's turbulence ahead... :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
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Re: Sato Headed to IRL in 2006?

Post by <T-K> » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:01 pm

mlittle wrote:You can thank the geniuses over at autoracing1.com for this silly season rumor. Apparently, they're convinced that Takuma Sato, unless he finds an F1 ride for 2006 outside of BAR-Honda, will head to the U.S. and compete in the 2006 IndyCar Series season with a Honda-backed team, with the teams either being Andretti-Green Racing or Rahal-Letterman Racing. I'd "file 13" this rumor, for one reason.....neither team should have any openings, and the only way Honda brings Sato over is if either adds a seat to their team(giving AGR five cars, RLR four cars). Then again....no one expected Toyota to "send" Ryan Briscoe over, so anything is possible.

There's also a mention of it over at grandprix.com(here's the link.... www.grandprix.com/ns/ns15651.html ), so it might have a little traction. :shock: :shock: :shock:
I can only imagine the carnage he would cause....I dont think its a smart move to hire him.....

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Post by <T-K> » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:11 pm

Do you have any more info on what Thomas Sheckter is doing next season ???????

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Post by Julian Mayo » Fri Oct 21, 2005 1:44 am

Sato is ...supposedly....heading up the driver list for the mysterious Honda "B"team, hic :drink:
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Post by <T-K> » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:52 am

Julian Mayo wrote:Sato is ...supposedly....heading up the driver list for the mysterious Honda "B"team, hic :drink:
"Supposedly" being the operative word....

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Post by mlittle » Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:35 am

Do you have any more info on what Tomas Scheckter is doing next season???????
Right now, it's up in the air, T-K. Panther Racing, whom Tomas currently drives for, is A}without an engine supplier(Chevy left after Fontana...), B}without either Pennzoil or Rockstar Energy Drink as sponsors, and C}what series(IRL/ChampCar) will they be in next year. I'd have more info on the subject, but nothing's definite at the moment.
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Post by <T-K> » Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:44 pm

mlittle wrote: C}what series(IRL/ChampCar) will they be in next year.
One question....

If Panther Racing were to make a move to the Champ car series, would they take their current drivers with them?? (well, do you think they will??)
mlittle wrote: without an engine supplier(Chevy left after Fontana...), B}without either Pennzoil or Rockstar Energy Drink as sponsors
I'm sure for a large racing team like that, securing sponsors shouldnt be too much of a problem...should it??

and secondly, can they not sign a deal with honda or toyota for next year?

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Post by mlittle » Fri Oct 21, 2005 7:32 pm

2-part posting, T-K....

1}If Panther were to switch series, chances are that they would take Schekcter with them, but George and Co. would try to keep them in the IRL, possibly by helping them with sponsor support of some variety.

2}Part of your second question's answered in part 1; as for the engine situation, chances are it will be Honda. It's a shame Chevy left, T-K; they gave Scheckter and Enge probably the most powerful engine(horsepower-wise) in the IndyCar Series this year and yet the bow-tie boys could only give them one win(Scheckter at Texas). Considering the seething antipathy of team co-owners Gary Pedigo and Doug Boles towards Toyota, I doubt TRD'll supply them in 2006.
Last edited by mlittle on Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by <T-K> » Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:59 pm

mlittle wrote:2-part posting, T-K....

1}If Panther were to switch series, chances are that they would take Schekcter with them, but George and Co. would try to keep them in the IRL, possibly by helping them with sponsor support of some variety.

2}Part of your second question's answered in part 1; as for the engine situation, chances are it will be Honda. It's a shame Chevy left, T-K; they gave Scheckter and Enge probably the most powerful engine(horsepower-wise) in the IndyCar Series this year and yet the bow-tie boys could only give them one win(Scheckter at Texas). Considering the seething antipathy of team co-owners Gary Pedigo and Doug Boles, I doubt TRD'll supply them in 2006.
So its basically a lose-lose situation ..... :?:

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Post by mlittle » Sat Oct 22, 2005 1:02 am

Pretty much, T-K. :(
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Seat Predictions, 21 October 2005

Post by mlittle » Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:31 am

Here are the current seat predictions for the 2006 IRL IndyCar Series season.....

1}Andretti-Green Racing: Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon, Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti. No changes expected at present.

2}Marlboro-Team Penske: Sam Hornish, Jr, Helio Castroneves. Ditto for MTP; no changes at present.

3}Panther Racing: Tomas Scheckter, Tomas Enge, Vitor Meira(?). Reports from Rahal-Letterman Racing point to them fielding a two-car team, which puts Meira on the outside. John Menard, whose lumber/hardware co., Menards, is one of Meira's car sponsors, used to co-own Panther prior to 2004, so if he returns, Meira may follow. No other changes at the moment.

4}Rahal-Letterman Racing: Danica Patrick, Buddy Rice, Vitor Meira(?). Unless sponsorship dollars can be found for Meira's car, the team may drop to two cars for 2006. No other changes at present.

5}Aguri Fernandez Racing: Scott Sharp, Kosuke Matsuura. No changes expected at the moment.

6}Vision Racing: Ed Carpenter(?), Jeff Ward(?), Ryan Hunter-Reay(?). Hunter-Reay, formerly with CC's Rocketsports team, was seen in Fontana with George and some members of Vision Racing, so stay tuned on this one.

7}Target/Ganassi Racing: Scott Dixon, Giorgio Pantano(?), Jaques Lazier(?), Ryan Briscoe(?), Vitor Meira(?). Change the team in #3 that Meira is looking at if sponsor woes develop, and the same reasoning applies. No other changes at present.

8}Dreyer & Reinbold: Roger Yasukawa(?), Thiago Medieros(?), Jeff Simmons(?). No changes at the moment.

9}A.J. Foyt Racing: Jeff Bucknum(?). No changes at present.

10}Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing:Paul Dana. Thursday, the team confirmed that Paul Dana, injured during practice for the 89th Indy 500 in May 2005, will return with the team for 2006.

11}Team Cheever: Patrick Carpentier, Alex Barron(?). No changes expected, unless the team drops Barron or drops to a one-car outfit.

No. of Confirmed Seats:3
No. of Open Seats:18-21
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Seat Predictions, 4 November 2005

Post by mlittle » Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:54 am

Here are the current seat projections for 2006....(NOTE:the number inside the parentheses next to each team is to note the no. of cars each team is expected to field in 2006)

1}Andretti-Green Racing(4):Tony Kanaan, Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti, Dan Wheldon(?). All reports indicate that instead of Williams, Wheldon may be going to BMW as a Friday test driver. There's also talk of him possibly headed to Target/Ganassi Racing; no other changes at the moment.

2}Marlboro-Team Penske(2):Sam Hornish, Jr., Helio Castroneves. The team's expected to announce that 2006 will be their last year with Marlboro, as the final provisions of the 1998 U.S. Master Tobacco Settlement, prohibiting tobacco sponsorship in all sporting events, will "kick" in, beginning in 2007.

3}Panther Racing(2):Tomas Scheckter, Tomas Enge, Vitor Meira(?). No changes at present.

4}Rahal-Letterman Racing(2-3):Danica Patrick, Buddy Rice, Vitor Meira(?). No changes at the moment.

5}Aguri Fernandez Racing(1-2):Scott Sharp, Kosuke Matsuura(?). Reports are pointing to an end in the partnership btwn. Aguri and team owner Adrian Fernandez, which could reduce the team to a 1-car effort.

6}Vision Racing(1-2):Ed Carpenter, Jeff Ward(?), Ryan Hunter-Reay(?), P.J. Chesson(?), Jeff Simmons(?). With actor Patrick Dempsey as a co-owner in the team now, they're expected to field a 2-car effort for 2006. Who will fill the second car, though, is anyone's guess.

7}Target/Ganassi Racing(2-3):Scott Dixon, Giorgio Pantano(?), Jaques Lazier(?), Ryan Briscoe(?), Vitor Meira(?), Dan Wheldon(?), Wade Cunningham(?). If the team stays with three cars, then I'd say Briscoe and Wheldon get the seats, otherwise.....who knows at the moment.

8}Dreyer & Reinbold(1):Roger Yasukawa(?), Thiago Medieros(?), Jeff Simmons(?). No changes at the moment.

9}A.J. Foyt Racing(1):Jeff Bucknum(?), Felipe Giaffone(?). No changes at the moment.

10}Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing(1):Paul Dana. No changes at the moment.

11}Team Cheever(1-2):Patrick Carpentier, Alex Barron(?). No changes at the moment.

2 new teams(or possible new teams) have entered their names, provisionally, for 2006.

Prov.1}Matt Young Mtrspts.(1):Thiago Medieros(?), Jeff Simmons(?), Buddy Lazier(?). This team may run a limited schedule for 2006, similar to what EuroInternational is doing in the CCWS.

Prov.2}Robby Gordon Racing(1-2):Vitor Meira(?), Dan Wheldon(?). This one catches the most attention, for a couple of reasons. First, if Robby Gordon can catch a steady supply of Honda engines through his current NASCAR engine builder, Menard Engineering, he might try doing what Roger Penske did with Toyota(they build the engines...he repairs and maintains them). Second, one of his NASCAR sponsors is Jim Beam, which could be a lure to bring Wheldon on-board. Finally, one of his other NASCAR sponsor is Menards, currently Meira's IRL sponsor. If(and I mean, IF) Gordon can convince John Menard to ditch Panther and join him, then Meira could be headed there also.

No. of Confirmed Seats:3
No. of Open/Potential Seats:19-24(likely 17-21)
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