'09 IndyCar Series Silly Season Thread

[LittleAlguy]

With the recent news regarding Franchitti and Wheldon, I thought it would be neat to have one. As news comes through the off-season, I'll amend this to reflect confirmations with additions and deductions.

Penske (2)- Power (as long as Helio is unavailable), Briscoe
Ganassi (2 or 3)- Dixon, Franchitti, Lloyd?
AGR (4)- Kanaan, Andretti, Patrick, Mutoh
Vision (2) - Carpenter, Hunter-Reay
Panther (1)- Wheldon
N/H/L (2 or 3) - Doornbos, Rahal, Duno?
RLR (1)- ? (Indy only?)
KV (1) - Moraes, (2nd car Indy on?)
D&R (1 or 2) - Conway, Bell?
Conquest (2) - Tagliani, Camara? (or a shared ride?)
Coyne (2)- Junqueria, Wilson
Foyt (1)- Meira
HVM (1 or 2)- Viso, ?
Rubicon-PCM (1) - ?
? Team France (bought from Roth) (2) - N. Philippe?, R. Philippe?
SFR (part-time?) (1) - Fisher
Luczo-Dragon (1) - Matos
? Forsythe (1 or 2) - Hinchcliffe?/Martinez?/Garza? (they've raced for the Atlantics team, might be in FIL instead)
? Walker (1) - Tracy?
Beck-3G (1) - Barrett

I know someone from Forsythe mentioned an IndyCar ride but I'm holding off until there's something more confirmed. Hopefully, Walker gets something going part- or full-time. I'm betting PCM could get something going next year but I'm playing conservative after them cutting back on their schedule steadily as this season progressed. Roth has said that he would not want to be just a team owner so if he decides he's had enough, I doubt we'll see any car from him.

If anyone wants to add in anything (confirmations I may have missed, rumors, etc.) just add them. :)

[ÜberDoober]

Forsythe, NHL, KV, Coyne, PCM... It sounds like Champ Car is back in action! :)

Keep digging, LittleAl. Great stuff!

[ÜberDoober]

Here's one not posted:

Robert Doornbos, who won twice in Champ Car as a rookie in 2007, is telling friends he’s got an IndyCar ride for ’09, so we can only assume it’s with Keith Wiggins, his old boss who is expanding to two cars (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/miller-block-party//P3/#) next year

Not sure about oval racing but had a couple impressive runs in CC. Former F1 driver too.

[LittleAlguy]

Notes (going by my recollections/what I've heard/gut):

Normal font (no question mark) - Confirmed
Italics - Probable
Normal font (question mark) - Possible

Of course, status can change. If I wrote this a week ago, I'd would have given Wheldon a "probable".

Other drivers of note (not an exhaustive list): Raphael Matos, Richard Antinucci, Wade Cunningham, Jay Howard (if released from Roth contract), Alex Lloyd (if loaned by Ganassi), Nelson Philippe, Dan Clarke, Buddy Lazier

As far as the extra car rumors, I feel many will end up being Indy-only rides. Which ones, I don't know?

[LittleAlguy]

AR1 has a rumor of a one-car team with Greg Beck involved starting next season. (http://www.autoracing1.com/rumors.asp?tid=7137)

My guess is that Roger Yasukawa would be a favorite for the ride if it materializes given recent experience with Beck.

[LittleAlguy]

Hmm, Meira replacing Scheckter at LDR?

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/miller-a-home-at-ganassi//P2/

On another note, I can never figure Forsythe out.

[LittleAlguy]

Notes:

-Pantano has expressed interest in IndyCars if an F1 seat isn't coming.

-Tags looks to be back at Conquest for '09 according to this: http://www.conquestracing.com/documents/8002-Conquest-IRL-9-4-08.pdf

[LittleAlguy]

Two signings from Cavin (http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2008/09/sept_25_indycar_signings.html):

- Vitor to Foyt. Probably not the ride he hoped for but as Manning showed on occasion, they seem to have a decent enough car to be competitive on the road/street courses.

- Stanton Barrett to Beck. :eek: This is quite a surprise.

[LittleAlguy]

- AFS Racing's Gary Peterson has interest in moving up to the ICS. (http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1O48da36c06ca24911.cde page 6) There's obviously the big leap from "interest" to actually doing it but I hope something works out for him and can bring Matos with him if no other ride materializes for Rafa.

[LittleAlguy]

-Speaking of Rafa, Cavin believes that he may have a deal soon with either Luczo-Dragon or KV (http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2008/10/oct_2_on_newman_matos_and_vass.html).
If it's with KV, that may be bad news for Will Power. I have mixed feelings since I'm a big believer in Rafa but Will can drive as well. The last thing you want to see is a talented driver get booted for another while the booted driver sits as the less talented continue to get rides.

[LittleAlguy]

- Rafa confirmed at LDR (http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=12668) multi-year deal, too. I wish him well. :)

[LittleAlguy]

- Roth is going bye-bye (http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/419845). I don't know about you, but the article is so one-sided. Even though his talent relative to the other IndyCar drivers wasn't anything to write home about, he did do a decent job putting together an operation and hopefully, a team can buy into it. I also hope Jay Howard's stock hasn't totally been shot as a result of these circumstances. He deserves a ride somewhere if not in IndyCar a good sports car team.

[LittleAlguy]

- Remember Rubicon Race Team? They were at Indy with Max Papis. Curt Cavin on Trackside mentioned that they have some sponsors lined up for a full-time ride next season. I hope this come to fruition and that someone from Indy Lights or Atlantics gets that seat.

[LittleAlguy]

- SFR full-time? http://16thandgeorgetown.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/sarah-fisher-racing-full-time/ (http://16thandgeorgetown.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/sarah-fisher-racing-full-time/)

[LittleAlguy]

- Trouble for KVRT? http://mvn.com/indyracingrevolution/2008/11/kv-racing-tech-in-trouble-as-craig-gore-quits.html (http://mvn.com/indyracingrevolution/2008/11/kv-racing-tech-in-trouble-as-craig-gore-quits.html) Worrisome news :ack2:

[LittleAlguy]

- Speaking of which, I'll have to turn a couple of confirmeds into possibles: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-free-agents-abound/ (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-free-agents-abound/) There was also a discussion between team owners and TG regarding concerns about the series. Hopefully, something good and tangible came out of that discussion that can be implemented for the '09 season and beyond.

[LittleAlguy]

- http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72219 I can't stand long offseasons. :(

[LittleAlguy]

- http://16thandgeorgetown.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/viso-doornbos-with-rides-in-09/ I won't list Viso and Doornbos as confirmed until HVM announces it but I have a feeling this will be the driver lineup in '09.

[LittleAlguy]

- http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2008/12/kv_racing_solidiering_on.html Good news, it seems, for KVRT. :)

[LittleAlguy]

Recent items:
-Doornbos close to signing with N/H/L
-According to Robin Miller, Helio will be replaced this season as Penske with an announcement soon.
-Joint effort between Rubicon and PCM?
-Another Robin rumor: Moraes to KVRT
-Possible Philippe-owned team that is using Roth's equipment?

Glad to see some interesting developments even if seats aren't yet FULLY confirmed.

[LittleAlguy]

Moraes confirmed at KVRT: (http://www.openwheelworld.net/us/news/6578/KV_Technology_announces_Moraes_for_09/)

Power takes Helio's seat...for now: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090112/SPORTS0107/90112077

[LittleAlguy]

- Mike Conway agrees to terms with D&R: http://www.indycar.com/news/?story_id=13025

[ÜberDoober]

Hey LittleAlguy! Thanks for keeping things going while we have been on vacation.

Things aren't looking good. I suspect more will fall out.

Sponsorless Rahal-Letterman team doubtful for IRL season
Bobby Rahal said Thursday that he is "reasonably sure" his race team will participate in this year's Indianapolis 500, but it is doubtful it will be involved in the entire IndyCar Series season because of lacking sponsorship.

Rahal Letterman Racing, which is based in Hilliard, Ohio, had Ethanol as its sponsor last year and won the July race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International with Ryan Hunter-Reay driving, but that funding will not be available from the promoters of the corn industry.

Full Story Link (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl/2009-01-29-rahal-letterman_N.htm?csp=34)

[LittleAlguy]

No problem, UberDoober.

A couple of other teams cut back on staff (KV, Conquest). Teams have done that as temporary measures to save money but if nothing happens soon enough sponsorship wise, they'll be permanent.

On the positive side, Dale Coyne did a well-regarded engineer to its staff. Also, it seems as though the Indy Lights series is getting along pretty well as far as potential car count. Not to mention the racing has been exciting. I realize that much of the cost of competing in IndyCar is as much staff-related (crew, PR, etc.) as it is material related (engine leases, tires, spare parts) but whatever can be taken from Lights should be applied to the big cars if possible.

[LittleAlguy]

- Duno at N/H/L!!??! (http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-milka-duno-and-robert-doornbos-to-newman-hass-lanigan/)

- Rubicon adds Rice (unofficial) (http://www.rubiconraceteam.com/deck/buddy.html)

[LittleAlguy]

- Doornbos official at N/H/L : http://www.mynameisirl.com/2009/02/hollands-long-national-nightmare-is.html

- Conquest might share a car between Camara and Tags.

[LittleAlguy]

- Wilson at Dale Coyne? http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-justin-wilson-joins-dale-coyne-says-miller/ What a combo that would be with JW and Junky! Perhaps Coyne might get that long-awaited first win if this comes true.

[HeadDoober]

We interrupt this thread to congratulate LittleAlguy for taking the 2008 Doober of the Year award!

:yrok1:

Please resume normal forum operations.

[ÜberDoober]

Well, we are finally getting closer to some racing! Now, I have some decisions to make and some money to spend. :mad:

First of all, my television in the living room blew up so I pulled the one out of my office, where I usually watch racing, to replace it. I've been getting by with a Hauppauge TV tuner/PVR thingy in my 2nd desktop computer.

Not the greatest setup but it has worked okay but now I have to decide what to do about watching Indycar racing on television. The Versus channel is not a part of our standard cable package. :( It also isn't part of my standard digital cable package either. :mad:

The first thing I will have to do is sign up for whatever "sports" package I need to get VS. With only one digital cable box in the house, that means I'll be tied to the living room when Indycars are on. This won't make my g/f and Xbox'in grandson very happy.

My next option would be to also add another digital cable box for my office (DooberCave) but I don't know how well it work with my computer TV card, if at all? It's an additional monthy charge, of course. If it doesn't work with the computer, then I'm looking at taking the office TV back from the living room and then buying a new one for out there.

Since everything has gone flat panel and the selection of analog tube sets is limited and crappy and we need a big screen in the living room, It's looking like $850 to $1000 to get a freakin' television!

Add that to the add-on sports package $$, the extra charge for another digital box and whatever it costs to put a new tele in the family room, I'm screwed.

I'll figure something out. Will the Indycar website still be showing the races live like they have in the past? I'd hate to think that's all I'm going to get. Somebody call me the waaambulance!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g223/EKron/waambulanceat4.jpg

<edit>

Hey! Congrats on your D.O.T.Y. thing! Very cool! (and thanks a lot)

[LittleAlguy]

Thanks, UberDoober. :D

So sorry to hear about your plight. :( They should have the live feed available w/ IMS Radio audio again (they had live feed of testing but it was just a track cam). However, they discontinued with the subscription Race Director that they had last year. It did its job alright but the one Champ Car had was a little better (more user friendly and efficient) though I'm sure they could have made improvements if they kept with it.

[ÜberDoober]

UPDATE!!!

So I finally got around to calling my cable company and at least the first part of the plan is going well. :)

Adding a sports tier that includes Versus is a whopping THREE BUCKS a month more! I signed up immediately and just checked the tv in the living room with digital cable and it works!

On top of that, getting a second digital box for DooberVille HQ add only $8 bucks a month. While I had the guy on the line, I dropped our Stars movie tier saving $14.00 per month. So, I now have VS, will be able to watch it in the office with another digital box AND still save three dollars a month.

Now, I just have to figure out how to justify spending $800.00 on a 40"+ HD tv for the living room? :blink: I know it would make the Xbox awesome but all I've played since Christmas is Rock Band 2. I have found a 27" tube tv for about $200 but then it just puts me further away from a big flat screen.

Guess I have a few weeks to get it sorted but time is running out! April 4th will be here in a heartbeat! At any rate, I've made progress! :coolshades:

[LittleAlguy]

That's great to hear. :thumbup1:

As far as silly season, Ryan Hunter-Reay will be testing for HVM though in a separate test from the league-sanctioned event at Barber. A few other teams won't be there but will test elsewhere (mini-editorial: though it's a test, I think they're missing out given that Barber has supposedly promoted the test days heavily). Tags is hoping to get a deal done to have a full-season run with Conquest (http://mvn.com/indyracingrevolution/2009/03/alex-tagliani-moving-closer-to-a-deal.html). I know there was confirmation earlier but apparently not so. I guess you can't rely on everything on the 'net. :ack2:

[ÜberDoober]

According to Robin Miller: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-robin-millers-birmingham-notebook/

Testing resumes Monday but it appears Milka Duno is looking for a ride. She had practiced with Newman/Haas/Lanigan at Homestead last month and the team had cleared space in its shop to run three cars but evidently her funding fell short of what had been promised.

Terrible driver, rolling chicane, blah, blah, blah but it's too bad. I like women drivers and think it's good for the sport. Kind of. :winky: Where's the Chavez Ethanol money?

[LittleAlguy]

Something tells me she'll find a ride soon enough. I'd be shocked if she's not at Indy at the very least. Too bad it seems as though that seems to be a common theme "Wait 'til Indy." Not that Indy-based programs or plans are bad but there are 16 other races. :winky:

Looks like RHR may well get a ride: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-hunter-reay-joins-georges-vision-racing-says-miller/

Someone on the Speed boards mentions how this seems quite similar to when Forsythe said he'll run just one car and then had a last minute ride for Dominguez.

Funny how HVM seems to have gotten the shaft as far as a 2nd car (that is, if you take all the rumors at face value). Perhaps Duno could go there? Team Venezuela perhaps? :D