As I’m 98% certain that “Free Agency” began on
August 1st…
Prior to is it just TO’ Up North, Eh? Err
Toronto Qualifying, I scribbled the following Silly Season conjecture below.
Since Thanks to Alex Palou, whose simply continues Shitting Gold Bricks! Seems
like we’re All more interested in the 2024 Silly Season vs. finishing the
Championship this year, Eh?
Which obviously Palou’s
totally turned next year’s “silly Season” upside down and on it’s Head with His
decision to now stay at Ganassi instead! Making me wonder if Marcus Ericsson
will wind up in the Arrow McLaren No. 6 ride instead?
And that was before Palou’s “Midas” touch saw
His Front wing being Held intact by just some sponsor Deckels for nearly
40-laps, Aye Karumba!
As I came up with at least One-third of the
field being replaced or in different Homes next year. But think I can get to at
least 11 drivers On the Bubble! As here’s my list, albeit Don’t know if Thars’
been any earth shattering announcements since I’ve been Out ‘n Aboot’ since
Iowa. Like Take Off eh!
A.J. foyt Enterprises
No changes expected. Since possibly the series
most popular rookie on the Grid Benjamin Pederson brings the Sexton
sponsorship? And The Great Santini’, aka Santino Ferrucci definitely returns.
Well I’m guessing whomever this Global
Motorsports Group that Pederson runs for supposedly in Sammamish, WA seems to
have money, and who else would Hire Him?
Andretti Autosport
Devlin DeFrancesco had already been announced
as leaving at season’s end, prior to Toronto. Whilst Romain Grosjean is
definitely on the Hot Seat. And guessing that Marcus Ericsson takes over the
No. 28 DHL ride, since Grosjean’s stock seems to be continuously Freefalling!
And that was before the Frenchman said that the wheel had “slipped” outta His
Hands on the Bumpy Streets of Toronto, Butterfingers!
Thus, I’m guessing it’s a good thing that
Romain’s already signed to drive the Factory Lamborghini SC63 Le Mans Daytona
Hybrid (LMDH) IMSA GTP Prototype next year, or will He be seeing FIA World
Endurance Championship duty instead? Leaving just the No. 29 open for somebody
new to take over.
Arrow McLaren
Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi are both
staying. And the worst kept secret is Alex Palou bringing His Astor Cup and
taking Felix-the-Cat’ Rosenqvist’s No. 6 ride.
Chip Ganassi Racing
Alex Palou is leaving CGR as soon as the Laguna
Seca season finale finishes! And most likely Marcus Ericsson’s gone too.
Leaving Cheep’ with at least two seats to fill. Marcus Armstrong wants to
remain as a Full season driver next year, but needs to come up with more cash.
So I’ll say there’s just two open seats at Ganassi to fill, with Armstrong
continuing. But don’t know who winds up
here?
According to Racer’s Marshall Pruett; Don’t expect
former FIA Formula 2 driver Robert Shwartzman to find His way to Ganassi. Even
though He had a promising test, Pruett says Shwartzman’s lined-up for some
Ferrari Sports Car Gig instead…
Dale Coyne Racing
David Malukas announced He was leaving during
the Mid-Ohio weekend. And Sting Ray Robb seems most likely gone, since He Ain’t
exactly moving the “Needle”.
As it’s always interesting to see who Coyne
picks from obscurity to fill His rides. Although I can somehow “See” Sparky’,
nee Devlin DeFrancesco filling Robb’s seat…
Ed Carpenter Racing
Count Dracula’, ergo Rinus VeeKay has one more year
on His current ECR contract. Hey, that’s the new nickname I came up with for
thee Nedierlander’ after spearing Alex Palou in the Pits during the Indy 500.
Not to mention many drivers, including ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin aren’t
impressed with His Herky Jerky driving style!
Arse-suming the dude! Nee Ryan Hunter-Reay
won’t return to the No. 20 cockpit and we’ll have to wait ‘n see who’s left
available for Fast Eddie to Hire? But Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) would be a
good, solid Hire here…
Juncos Hollinger Racing
“Team Leader” Callum Ilott moves onto a “Bigger
‘n Better” IndyCar team, whomever that is? While Augustin Canapino returns for
His second year.
Ilott could land at either Ganassi or Andretti,
which I think the latter would be a better fit, although Ilott and Armstrong
are good friends, Ilott Don’t have any money to give Cheep! And Meyer shank
Racing wouldn’t be a bad place either…
Meyer Shank Racing
Scuttlebutt suggests that it’s a mere formality
before Toronto IndyCar rookie Tom “the Bomb” Blomquist replaces Hulio’ for next
year. With Helio Castroneves going to MSR’s sports Car team and running a
“One-off” Indy 500 entry next year.
Think Pageantry’, nee Simone’ ergo Simon
Pagenaud’s also gone from MSR next year, and also moves to sports Cars
fulltime. And would be a much better choice over Hulio! But it’s worth noting
that Mikey A’ and Wayne Taylor are expanding to two Acura GTP entries next year
and Simon’s got a long history with Honda. So I’ll pencil Him in in one of the
Acura’s next year…
Thinking this is Malukas’s best bet to “Move”
forward on the Grid.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Graham Rahal and the driver No Fenders Offical’
Photographer Carpets’ nicknamed Looney Guard or was that supposed to be
Christian Lundgaard, Hya! Will both return to RLLR next year. Odd man out is Jack
Not Bloody Nige Harvey! Who I think will be hard pressed to remain in IndyCar
next year.
As I’d like to see reigning Indy Lights champion
Linus Lundqvist get the nod, but guessing it’ll be a Pay Driver landing here,
and Linus don’t have any dineor…
Yet following Toronto Marshall Pruett noted that
Lundqvist is “inching” Closer to a possible three race Dealio towards season’s
end, including the Gateway Oval and two other Road/Street Course races. As I’m
guessing that Lundqvist makes His IndyCar debut with RLLR…
Team Penske
The only IndyCar team 100% definitely not
making any changes. And won’t have a driver vacancy until DJ WillyP’, aka Wonderful
Will (Power) leaves for Sports Cars.
As that’s what I’m aware of, but Don’t have a Clue who’s gonna fill what seat or going where? As we’ll just have to wait ‘n see who’s the first announcement…
