2011 IndyCar Series
| 2011 {{{series}}} season | |
|---|---|
| File:Izodindycar.png | |
| Season | |
| Races | TBA |
| Start date | TBA |
| End date | TBA |
| Awards | |
| Drivers' champion | TBA |
| Teams' champion | TBA |
| Rookie of the Year | TBA |
| Indianapolis 500 winner | TBA |
The 2011 Izod IndyCar Series[1] season will be the 16th season of the IndyCar Series and the 100th season of American open wheel racing. Its premier event will be the 95th Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Sunday, May 29. It will be the final season of the "spec era" in American open wheel racing.
Series News
- The 95th Indianapolis 500 will be the third race of the three-year long Centennial era, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 100th anniversary of the first Indy 500.
- Sunoco will become the official fuel of the series starting in 2011 and running through 2014. Sunoco will work with APEX-Brasil and UNICA to provide ethanol for the series.[2]
2011 series schedule (confirmed venues only)
Oval
Temporary Circuit
Road Course
Schedule development
Existing contracts
- The Indy Racing League will announce the 2011 schedule on Friday 10th September.
- The São Paulo Indy 300 has a contract through 2019.[3]
- The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will continue through 2013.[4] City officials look to extend the contract through 2014.[5]
- Iowa Speedway is finalizing a two-year extension through 2011.[6]
- Infineon Raceway signed an extension through the 2011 season.
- An agreement has been signed with the city of Long Beach to extend the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach to 2015 with an option through 2020.[7]
- Barber Motorsports Park signed a three-year deal through 2012.[8]
- Mid Ohio has a contract through 2011[9]
- The Octane Racing Group, who promotes the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada and the NASCAR Nationwide race at Circuit Gilles Villenueve, will take over as promoters of the Honda Edmonton Indy, having agreed a three-year extension.
New/Returning Races
- The Baltimore Grand Prix will debut on September 2-4 2011. The event will take place 2.4 mile street course around the Inner Harbor and Oriole Park at Camden Yards.[10]. The contract runs through 2015[11]
- A race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH will return on August 14 in 2011, with an official announcement to take place prior to the June 27th, 2010 NASCAR race at the facility. The track last held an IRL event in 1998 and has since been sold to Speedway Motorsports, which has IRL races at Texas, Kentucky, and Infineon.[12] The original date was set for July 31, but was moved following the 2011 NASCAR schedule realignment.[13]
- The Milwaukee Mile will return in 2011, with an official announcement to be made on September 10th.[14]
Possible races
- IRL CEO Randy Bernard said that the Izod IndyCar Series is targeting potential returns to Phoenix International Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the Milwaukee Mile. Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith says he's hoping for Las Vegas to be the season finale. [15]Talks are also underway that could put Auto Club Speedway in Fontana back on the schedule.[12] He plans for a 17 or 18 race schedule with a near 50/50 split of ovals to road/street courses.[16]
- The Indianapolis Star's Curt Cavin reported on August 13th, 2010, that the races at International Speedway Corporation tracks Watkins Glen, Kansas, and Homestead are not expected to return in 2011. The race at Chicagoland Speedway is expected to return.[17]
Team and driver chart
- This chart reflects confirmed championship participants ONLY. All drivers will compete in Honda-engined, Firestone-shod, Dallara chassis. (R) reflects an IZOD IndyCar Series rookie.
| Team | # | Drivers | Sponsor(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Team Penske
|
3 |  Hélio Castroneves
|
TBA | |
| 6 |  Ryan Briscoe
|
TBA | ||
| 12 | TBA | TBA | ||
| Target Chip Ganassi Racing
|
9 | TBA | Target | |
| 10 | TBA | Target | ||
| Andretti Autosport
|
7 | Danica Patrick
|
GoDaddy.com | |
| 11 | Tony Kanaan
|
TBA | ||
| 26 | Marco Andretti
|
Venom Energy | ||
 FAZZT Race Team
|
77 | Alex Tagliani
|
TBA | |
| TBA | TBA | TBA | ||
| Newman/Haas Racing
|
02 | TBA | TBA | |
| 06 | TBA | TBA | ||
| Panther Racing
|
4 | TBA | U.S. National Guard | |
| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
|
22 | TBA | TBA | |
| 24 | TBA | TBA | ||
| A.J. Foyt Enterprises
|
14 | TBA | TBA | |
| KV Racing Technology
|
5 | TBA | TBA | |
| De Ferran Dragon Racing
|
2 | TBA | TBA | |
| 21 | Davey Hamilton
|
TBA | 4 races: Indy 500, Texas, Iowa, New Hampshire | |
| Dale Coyne Racing
|
18 | TBA | TBA | |
| 19 | TBA | TBA | ||
| HVM Racing
|
TBA | TBA | TBA | |
| TBA | TBA | TBA | ||
| Conquest Racing
|
34 | TBA | TBA | |
| 36 | TBA | TBA | ||
| AFS Racing
|
27 |  Adam Carroll (R)
|
Automatic Fire Sprinklers | |
| Walker Racing Partners
|
TBA | TBA | TBA | |
| Part time entries | ||||
| Team REDLINE Xtreme
|
TBA | TBA | REDLINE Xtreme Energy Drink | Indy 500 only; in conjunction with an "established team", TBA on October 5th. |
Team and driver news
- Team Penske: Team Owner Roger Penske told the Indianapolis Star that the plan for 2011 is to remain a 3-car team, although at present he does not have full sponsorship for all 3 cars.[18] Shell will join the team as an associate sponsor for all 3 cars in 2011, replacing Mobil 1 as the associate. The #3 and #6 cars, currently without a primary sponsor, could also adopt the Shell Team Penske moniker.[19]Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe have multi-year contracts that cover the 2011 season and Will Power is expected to re-sign.[20]
- Andretti Autosport: Tony Kanaan was signed to a multi-year deal with AGR before the 2009 season and his contract runs through 2012. The team expects to resign sponsor 7-Eleven to a new deal, but it is not a given according to owner Michael Andretti.[21]. Danica Patrick's contract with the team runs through 2011 with an option for 2012[22] Marco Andretti will be in the 2nd year of a 4-year contract with the team in 2011 along with his sponsor Venom Energy[23][24]. Michael Andretti is seeking sponsorship for Ryan Hunter-Reay to return as a full-time driver in 2011.[25]
- FAZZT Race Team: Driver Alex Tagliani is in the 2nd year of a 4-year contract with the team.[26]. The team is committed to running a 2nd full-time car in 2011[27] according to manager Rob Edwards. Team co-owner Andre Azzi told a Montreal newspaper that the second driver will be Canadian as he wanted FAZZT to be a Canadian team. He mentioned Paul Tracy as one of the top contenders.
- Bryan Herta Autosport: The team is seeking sponsorship to expand its one car Indy-only effort from 2010, with the ultimate goal of fielding two cars in 2011.[19]
- AFS Racing: Team owner Gary Peterson announced that he had purchased a car and will enter a car for the full season in 2011. [28]
- De Ferran Dragon Racing: Driver Raphael Matos signed a "multiple year" contract with the team before the 2009 season. It is unclear if the current deal continues through 2011.
- Team REDLINE Xtreme: On 7/28/10 VPX Sports announced a partnership with newly formed SH Racing for entry into the 2011 Indianapolis 500, the driver has yet to be named.[29]The team plans on revealing its car and team partnership on October 5th.
- Walker Racing Partners:Greg Beck, Steve Sudler, and Derrick Walker have joined forces for a 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series effort under the banner Walker Racing Partners. [30]
- Panther Racing: 2010 team driver Dan Wheldon confirmed in a Kentucky post-race interview that his contract expires after this season and he is unlikely to return. Team owner John Barnes is unsure if the team will run 1 or 2 cars in 2011.[31] Numerous reports are indicating that Graham Rahal will replace Wheldon in 2011.
- Chip Ganassi Racing:
- A. J. Foyt Enterprises:
- HVM Racing:
- Dale Coyne Racing:
- Conquest Racing:
- KV Racing Technology:
- Vision Racing:
- Dreyer & Reinbold Racing:
- Condor Motorsports:
- Newman/Haas Racing:
- Rahal Letterman Racing:
- Sarah Fisher Racing:
- Forsythe Racing:
References
- ^ IndyCar lands Title Sponsor, indystar.com, November 3, 2009
- ^ "Sunoco to Become Official Fuel of Indy Racing League in 2011". IndyCar Series. Business Wire. 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
- ^ "Brazil and its drivers pumped as IndyCar invades Sao Paulo". usatoday.com. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ^ "Event Extension". indycar.com. 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
- ^ "Grand Prix is a winner for St. Petersburg". indycar.com. 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ "Back for more in '10". IndyCar.com. 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ Oreovicz, John (2008-04-16). "Champ Car finale signals new start for Long Beach Grand Prix". ESPN. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ "Indy Car race coming to Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama". al.com. 2009-07-26. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ "Is time running out on reviving Cleveland's tradition of open-wheel racing?". Elton Alexander. Cleveland Plain Dealer. 2010-07-11. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
- ^ "Series roars into Baltimore in 2011". indycar.com. 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
- ^ "Details of Baltimore Grand Prix expected Wednesday". baltimoresun.com. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
- ^ a b "IndyCar returning to New Hampshire". IndyStar.com. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (2010-08-11). "New Hampshire 2011 race set for Aug. 14". IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League. Retrieved 2010-08-11.
- ^ http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/102381544.html
- ^ http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/39538-smiand-39-s-smith-lobbies-for-las-vegas-2011-finale/
- ^ "The Way It is New Hampshire & IndyCar's evolving schedule". gordonkirby.com. 2009-06-28. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
- ^ http://www.indystar.com/article/20100813/SPORTS0109/8130330/1052/SPORTS01/Are-there-enough-fans-for-Brickyard-Cup-race-in-Kentucky
- ^ "Wilson conserves his tires". indystar.com. 2010-07-18. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
- ^ a b "Shell Oil Company and Penske Racing Announce Alliance". penskeracing.com. 2010-04-21. Retrieved 2010-04-21. Cite error: The named reference "Penske Shell" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ http://www.indystar.com/article/20100820/SPORTS0107/8200375/1052/SPORTS01/IndyCar-leader-Power-unconcerned-about-2011-contract
- ^ http://www.indystar.com/article/20100829/SPORTS0107/8290382/1052/SPORTS01/Owners-still-worried-about-2012-car-costs
- ^ Beer, Matt (2009-11-30). "Andretti announces new Patrick deal". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
- ^ "Venom Energy Drink Signs Multi-Year Sponsorship With Andretti Autosport". PR Newswire. Venom Energy. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
- ^ "Marco Andretti, the Twitterview". Pressdog. Pressdog. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2010-06-17.
- ^ Kekis, John (2010-07-07). "Carroll gets IndyCar shot with Andretti Autosport". Associated Press. USA Today. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (2009-08-28). "Newest entrant". IndyCar Series. Indy Racing League. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ http://www.racer.com/ask-fazzt-your-indycar-questions-answered/article/177981/
- ^ http://www.racer.com/afs-plans-full-time-indycar-graduation/article/176794/
- ^ http://pressdog.typepad.com/dogblog/2010/07/team-redline-xtreme-aims-at-indy-2010.html
- ^ http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2010/08/beck-sudler-walker-together-for-11.html
- ^ http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-marshall-pruett-who-will-replace-dan-wheldon-in-2011