Especially with
the two new drivers Arrow McLaren has just signed taking All the Wind out of
the Sails…
Like did we just have an IndyCar race devoid of
any major distractions, minus whoever’s next to drive for Dale Coyne and
Company on their Driver rotisserie wheel?
Naturally, after I’d finished penning several
Blog stories for your consumption here upon No Fenders prior to El Stupidio
BOOM BOOM Fourth ‘O July! (And the Mid-Ohio race) Darth Vader, Err Mr. Zackery
Brown struck again! As my favourite quote regarding Zak Brown is Colton Herta
saying Zak’s Cuthroat, He’s A Businessman!
Isn’t it Ironic? That Brown has no trouble
jettisoning drivers like Der Helmut’ (Marco) tossing out cold bathwater at Red
Bull. But when a driver spurns Him, you’d better run for the Hills, leave the
Country and assume a new identity!
Since Arrow McLaren drop kicked promising
IndyCar rookie Theo Pourchaire Kerbside in order to make room for Nolan Siegel
beginning at Laguna Seca! In what seems a case of Brown & Company wanting
to “lock-up” Siegel before another rival IndyCar team had a chance to get Thar mitt’s
upon Him…
As that was a pretty good assessment before
reading IndyStar’s Nathan Browne’s article about how Richard Dean, co-owner of
United Autosport raved about Siegel to Brown over the 24 Heurs du Mans weekend.
Where the team won the LMP2 category with Nolan driving.
And Tony Kanaan simply said you need to get
this “Kid” now! With Kanaan noting that Siegel was more mature than He was at
age 19!
And with the Californian Kid already being on
their radar for 2025, McLaren opted to sign Siegel to a multi-year contract
beginning at Laguna Seca, with a full season IndyCar assault next year.
Coupled wit the fact that Pourchaire’s still
“tied” to the Sauber F1 Team as a test and reserve driver. With DL500 “Band
leader” David Land pointing out how “we” don’t know if Pourchaire was on a
race-to-race; No P2P Jokes here! Uhm race-to-race contract or what His contract
with McLaren specified…
As Pourchaire’s IndyCar career was way too
brief for any decent ‘Sample” size, but He seemed to genuinely enjoy being an
IndyCar driver, who I hope gets another chance! Even if Coyne seems to be the
only option available…
Hence, I believe that the three biggest
remaining names on the “Open” market for 2025 (prior to Mid-Ohio) are Alexander
rossi, Christian Lundgaard and Rinus VeeKay. Although rossi obviously wants to
stay at Arrow McLaren, with the only one replacing Him being Lundgaard by my
reckoning…
Yet during the Sunday morning Laguna Seca
warm-up session, IndyCar Radio’s Davey Hamilton implied from what He was
hearing, Rossi was signed at McLaren for next year.
Meaning if true, then Lundgaard will obviously
remain at RLLR with only VeeKay being undecided. But a move to JHR if possible?
Seems like just a sideways step…
Arse-sumedly you’d have to say that the top
three IndyCar teams seats are already secured for next year, i.e.; Penske,
Ganassi and Andretti. With McLaren being the “best” option available.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is obviously
hoping to hold onto Lundgaard, whose their best driver. With the interesting
part being Bobby Rahal wishing to get their fourth driver Juri Vips into a few
races this year. And wanting to find Him a seat for next year…
I’d be very surprised if anything changed at
Meyer Shank Racing for 2025. As Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) is the team leader.
While David Malukas should only get stronger over the remainder of the season,
putting His wrist injury behind hem. Having a very impressive debut at Laguna
Seca being the toughest upon His still improving wrist…
Ed Carpenter Racing is a bit of a wildcard.
Although you’d expect ECR wishing to keep Rinus VeeKay, who I really don’t
think has any options to go elsewhere next year?
Rookie Christian Rasmussen is a bit of a “loose
cannon”, but what’s that old adage about slowing down a fast driver vs. trying
to get one to speed up, Eh? And if Rasmussen can settle down and quit crashing
so much, He should be fine at ECR, who need to give Him a Full season ride.
Juncos Hollinger Racing is a bit of a mess
right now. Obviously trying to settle down after the Augustin Canapino social
media maelstrom! As you’d thin the team would wish to retain Romain Grosjean.
While Canapino could be a liability, as I don’t think He brings any sponsorship
to the team? So there could be at least one seat open here next year…
And that just leaves us with A.J. foyt
enterprises and Dale Coyne Racing and Company.
Santino Ferrucci has been a very nice fit at
Foyt, whilst Sting Ray Robb brings a massive, rumoured $9 million budget! So
hard to see them going anywhere next year.
While Dale Coyne is the master of the revolving
door philosophy of driver employment. Although Theo Pourchaire would be a good
fit in one of Coyne’s two seats, while Jack Harvey has given the team
stability. Although Harvey hasn’t exactly lit-up the field during this year’s
races. But is this just another sign of how DCR’s truly running on a shoestring
budget and cannot afford to tear-up equipment!
So there you have it. Meaning obviously much
will change next year that I’m not aware of. Like where does Jacob Abel land if
He manages to overcome Louis foster for this year’s Indy NXT Championship? Although Louis Foster seems to
be on “fire” right now and the odds on favourite to win the title entering
Mid-Ohio.
And where would Foster go next year in Indy
Cars since Andretti’s already filled up, unless they still have their fourth
Honda engine lease? Which is the lone, extra remaining Honda lump that others
are chasing…
And that’s without even knowing what drivers
from Formula 2 are sniffing around the paddock for a future IndyCar ride? As
don’t forget Prema Racing arrives next year with two Bowtie’ entries. Although
they’ll have to apparently compete against two Ganassi drivers to race next
year when the El Stupidio Charter system takes effect.
As Formula 1 doesn’t need No Stinkin’ Charter’s! And how has that improved NASCAR’s competition. Especially now that Stewart Haas Racing’s thrown in the towel. Making Y’all wonder how much those four Charters will be worth, Eh?
