But exactly how many current IndyCar drivers will
take the Green flag?
This is just what I gleamed over the Christmas
Holidazes’ initially, As Bloggers Never Sleep! With the remaining TBA Driver
names drip-drip-dripping in like a thousand points of lights, or whatever…
Which obviously, I’ve attempted to update to
the best of my Humble knowledge, prior to the green flag being waved tomorrow
morning at 10:40AM Pacific.
Grand Touring Prototype (GTP)
As of New years, hopefully Y’all aren’t still
holding your breath over Dale Coyne announcing His two IndyCar drivers, Are
Yuhs? Since these two IndyCar seats were the only place that Romain Grosjean
could possibly secure for this year.
As Grosjean’s current “Day Job” appears to be
piloting the No. 63 Lamborghini SC63 now campaigned by Riley Motorsports during
the five Michelin Endurance Cup rounds.
As the Indianapolis Star’s Nathan Browne noted at Prema’s “launch” party. The announcement of Romain Grosjean as the team’s IndyCar reserve driver signals He won’t be racing in IndyCar this year…
Meanwhile, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) will dip
into its newly forged technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing by utilizing
Cheeps’ top two IndyCar champions. As Scotty thee “Iceman 2.0” Dixon along with
MSR IndyCar Ace Felix-the-Cat’ (Rosenqvist) will race in the lead No. 60 Acura.
Whilst Alex Palou will join the No. 93 MSR entry.
Le Mans Prototype (LMP2)
The LMP2 category is filled with current,
former and hopeful IndyCar drivers. Beginning with Andretti Global’s Colton
Herta racing in the CrowdStrike by APR Racing’s No. 04 with IndyCar hopeful Toby
sowery. as part of its drivers lineup.
Aspiring IndyCar driver Hunter McElrea will
once again drive for TDF Racing, in their #11 Oreca. As McElrea has been part
of its winning crew the last two races, i.e.; Indianapolis’s Battle on The
Bricks and Petit Le Mans.
Prema Racing’s Callum Ilott joins the brand new
#73 Prat Miller Motorsports lineup. Moonlighting in former RLLR driver Pietro
Fittipaldi’s new season ride.
Whilst I was wonderin’ if Christian Rasmussen, who was part
of the winning LMP2 Era Motorsport entry last year would return to the High
Banks ‘O Daytona this January?
Learning on January 2nd that the Dane’ would
now make up part of the most popular and colourful Spike-the-Dragon’s AO Racing
No. 99 entry, with Dane Cameron, PJ Hyett and Johnny Edgar lobbing “fireballs”
at the competitors, Hya!
GTD Pro/GT Daytona
Team Penske’s ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin
joins NASCAR driver The Giz’, ergo Shane van Gisbergen. Along with Trackhouse
Racing Development Driver Connor Vilisch, the reigning Rolex 24 and Sebring 12
Hours LMP2 winner. Plus perennial “Gentleman” racer Ben Keating in the No. 91
Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R.
As the foursome will race in the GTD Pro
category in a Trackhouse Racing and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) TF
Sport collabouration. With Keating also racing aboard the No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen
Motorsports LMP2 entry.
Arse-sumin’ that Andretti Global’s (Kyle) Kirk’
Kirkwood will once again be Moonlighting aboard one of the Vasser Sullivan
Lexus RC F GT3 entries. Presumably the No. 14 entry?
Before the intravenous drip ‘O driver
announcements confirmed on January 8th that Kirkwood would not only continue
His endurance specialist role aboard the No. 14, contesting the Michelin
Endurance Cup rounds. But would pull “Double Duty” between the team’s Nos 12
and 14 entries at Daytona.
Townsend Bell will be the No. 14’s fourth
driver at Daytona
. Seeing T-Bell’ returning to the cockpit after
a few years on the sidelines. Giving us the Battle of Colour commentators in
GTD Pro between Bell and thee Mayor ‘O Hinchtown, nee JamesHinchcliffe in the
Pfaff Motorsports No. 9 Lamborghini Huracan. With T-Bell’ continuing His
announcing duties with NBC at Daytona…
Whilst doing my yearly Rolex 24 previews Ad
Nauseam, ahead of the full driver lineups being revealed. I noticed that Kenny Habul’s
now 75 Express, previously SunEnergy1 Mercedes Benz-AMG GT3 Evo had one of its
#75 drivers listed as TBA.
Naturally this made me wonder if Will Power,
who was supposed to race with fellow Aussie’ Habul two years ago before His
wife Liz got horribly sick. Would somehow be the mystery driver this January?
Although doubtful, this is what us IndyCar Bloggers think of over the insidious
Offseason. Having scribbled about Habul’s and Power’s Australian racing
exploits previously…
Noting how Power, who’d recovered fully from
His Broken Ribs Go Karting escapade during the previous Fall. Had mused about how
He used to be competing against Team Boss Kenny Habul Wayback during His
Formula ford days Down Under.
As Habul’s crowning moment in formula ford was
finishing on the Podium with Will at the 1999 Australia Formula ford support
race at Surfers Paradise. Where Kenny finished third in a Sprint Qualifying
race for that year’s Gold Coast Indy 300 which Power won.
Although Kenny’s No slouch behind the wheel,
having won the Bathurst 12 Hours in 2022 and outright in 2023. Along with being
a multi-times Intercontinental GT Challenge Champion…
Yet my pipe dream was all for naught. With the
announcement of Jules Gounon announced as the fourth driver for the #75 entry
on the updated Rolex 24 entry list published on January 9th. But may be some
year, DJ WillyP’ will finally make His Rolex 24 debut, Eh?
As
Power says He just wants to focus upon driving this season, even though it’s a
contract year. And Yeah, He’s heard the rumours about some fresh face Punk
nearly half His age driving for Foyt wanting His seat next year. Saying the
Kid’s only got a handful of top ten finishes, but whatever…
Power
says He wants to race in IndyCar a further five years, along with Sports Car
and perhaps even NASCAR someday. Along with presumably both the Rolex 24 and 24
Heurs du Mans.
As that’s All I’ve got for current IndyCar drivers participating this year. With eight drivers making up nearly one third of the 25, Err 26 confirmed IndyCar entries as of January 13th. As what are you doing announcing a driver this early Dale Coyne?
