The first 2011 Silly Season driver/team thread

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Originally Posted by Chamoo

Would it be fair to say PT probably has an inside line on one of those cars?

I would think that PT and Wheldon will be heavily considered. PT due to the connection at KV with Vasser, and Wheldon with the British connection to Lotus.

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Takuma's back for next year and look for him to be joined by a British driver, Wheldon has thrown his name in, but the best British driver is Justin Wilson and the guys at KV would love to work with him.

Also KV isn't run by fools, if they have the opportunity to put a driver in a seat and not expect him to bring any money they are going to go after the best guy they can get. Yes this was the year of ride buyers, but when they had sponsorship they put Will Power and Oriol Servia in their cars. If Lotus is paying full freight for two cars they're going to go for the best driver available. I think Sato has shown enough flashes of speed to merit a second year and driver continuity is a big thing in the sport. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go after Graham Rahal, Wilson Ryan Hunter Reay or even Sebastien Bourdais as both Jimmy and Kevin hold Seabass in high regard.

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Originally Posted by MDS

Takuma's back for next year and look for him to be joined by a British driver, Wheldon has thrown his name in, but the best British driver is Justin Wilson and the guys at KV would love to work with him.

Also KV isn't run by fools, if they have the opportunity to put a driver in a seat and not expect him to bring any money they are going to go after the best guy they can get. Yes this was the year of ride buyers, but when they had sponsorship they put Will Power and Oriol Servia in their cars. If Lotus is paying full freight for two cars they're going to go for the best driver available. I think Sato has shown enough flashes of speed to merit a second year and driver continuity is a big thing in the sport. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go after Graham Rahal, Wilson Ryan Hunter Reay or even Sebastien Bourdais as both Jimmy and Kevin hold Seabass in high regard.

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If Lotus wants to maximize their bang for the buck and KV want to keep the carnage down, they lose Sato....

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Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

If Lotus wants to maximize their bang for the buck and KV want to keep the carnage down, they lose Sato....

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I'll call it right now, just thought about it, James Hinchcliffe in a KVRT car in 2011. He can bring some money to the table, not enough to cover a full ride, but it would complement what Lotus is bringing in.

I think Sato is getting a seat, he's part of the deal (he's Honda's after all) and Lotus wants to sell its new Evora in Japan...and who knows he may calm down. Maybe. He does have talent but always has brain fade.

Wilson would be an excellent choice....even if Lotus is Malaysian now everyone thinks it's British. I like Wheldon but Justin is a better driver.

I'm hoping to see at least one driver/team announcement this weekend at Homestead, but haven't heard anything yet. Here are some notes

Paul Tracy was rumored to be close to a deal with D&R for next year but the team informed him that he Bia would be driving at Homestead via text message... needless to say that pissed Paul off and he went public about that, so not sure how much the bridges got burnt in the process.

Jonathan Summerton is Homestead

Dillion Battistini is going to drive for Bryan Herta in what is effectively a tryout for next year.

Sebastien Saavedra will have some people from Derrick Waller's FIL team around him this weekend.

Talk about ending with a wimper! After racing in front of one of the worse crowds anyone can remember, and even a worse TV audience, one has to ask why?

But if money comes about and teams show up next year, here is the latest:


Andretti Autosport
Marco
Danica/TBD
TBD/TK
TBD

-Look for a major team shake up if they do not get all their funding back for 2011. Word is they are not getting all their funding back, and major changes are in place with only Marco being set.

Danica is being pulled hard by GD and NASCAR to go full time to NASCAR with her running at Indy only. This should be decided prior to speedweeks.

TK has been granted a release (it he wants), as 7-11 is either gone or reducing its funding.

If the team keeps 7-11 look for Marco or RHR to pick it up ont their car.

Penske Racing/Team Penske Racing
Power
HCN
TBD/Briscoe

Power and HCN are a lock.

The third seat could be open, several drivers have talked to Cindric and the Capt. Justin Wilson might have an inside edge, as he barely lost out to Power, but RHR, Rahal, and Kanaan could end up in this prized seat. Briscoe went in and agreed to a lower price and might retain the seat.


Target Chip Ganassi
Dixon
Dario-?
TBD/TK

For the third straight year, the team is trying to get sponsorship for a third car, and the talk is they might just have it. RHR, Rahal, JR might have the inside track as the goal is to get an american in the seat.

IF TK is available, and the money is there, Chip might finally land the driver he has been after for some time.

Some talk of Dario retiring has surfaced as well. IF he does retire, look for Chip to secure TK in a second.

A.J. Foyt Enterprises
Vitor

KVRT
Ride buyer ~1
Ride buyer ~2
Ride buyer ~3

Bring a check, and make it out to Dallara. Sato, Mutoh in play, as is anyone else with a check.

Panther
TBD1
TBD2

Ed Carpenter did himself well, and could end up in a second car, even if on a part time basis. Graham has first dibs on the seat. If he passes (and it looks like he has) look for Wilson or RHR. Kanaan might also be a long shot.

de Ferran Dragon Racing
TB1
TB2

Time has passed with Matos and the team is looking for a solid leader. Wilson, RHR, Rahal and Pagenaud. One interesting note has Simona in the second car, though it might be a rent a ride.

HVM
TBD

Money is a huge issue, and this could end up being a last minte deal.

Conquest
Baguett/TBD
TBD

Baguett has secured his place for next year, but funding is very tight. The team hopes to keep key people in place.

FAZZT
Tagliani
TBD

Pagenaud has a chance for the second seat.

Newman Hass
Rahal 1
TBD 2

The team is looking to get backing for two cars, and would welcome Wilson and Rahal. Too early to tell.

Dreyer and Reinbold Racing
Conway
TBD2
TBD 3

Money and ride rides buyers fill this team out. Wilson might be back.

AFS Racing
TBD

AFS could be the fourth AA car, with RHR in the seat. Too early to tell.

Sarah Fisher Racing
Fisher/TBD

Part time team unless more funding is found, and looking to rent the car for road races. That is IF funding can be found.

Dale Coyne Racing
Ride buyer 1
Ride buyer 2

Possible

Walker Racing Partners
TBD

Hope Derrick can get funding for a car. Pagenaud would be his first choice. That old money thing is the key.

Bryan Herta Autosport
TBD

Unless funding is found, Indy only.

Rahal
TBD

Servia if funding can be found.

New Team A
TBD

EE...why not mention of Tracy as potentials at DRR & KV? He publicly stated he's talking to them both and they're just short a portion of the sponsorship. Seems those would be good updates on your list. (And by the way I'll have my fingers crossed that it's KV full-time next year)

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Originally Posted by TURN3

EE...why not mention of Tracy as potentials at DRR & KV? He publicly stated he's talking to them both and they're just short a portion of the sponsorship. Seems those would be good updates on your list. (And by the way I'll have my fingers crossed that it's KV full-time next year)

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I think PT and DRR will never be friends again after what happened before Homestead. I heard that PT was pretty close with Team Red Xtreme (it was something like that). But so far that team only confirmed Indy next year.

Also, not that anyone will care, but Sebastien Saavedra is pretty sure to paradrop in somewhere. He is very involved with Walker so that might be something.

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Originally Posted by Lousada

1. I think PT and DRR will never be friends again after what happened before Homestead.

2. Also, not that anyone will care, but Sebastien Saavedra is pretty sure to paradrop in somewhere.

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1. They are still "friends". D&R did exactly what they did for EVERY other race after Indy for the #24. They took the best check for the seat. Conway paid for much of that ride and when he went away, most of that car's funding went away with him. PT knew the deal for Homestead. He bought his way into the seat for a few races too.

2. His family checkbook will probably get him something. Its gotten him this far.

Its still way early, but a few possibilities that EE didn't mention:


Walker/Beck- Summerton. I heard this might be a done deal.

Fisher- Hildebrand (Sarah may retire or just run Indy next year). JR fits Dollar General well and he fits that team well.

Panther- 2nd car could go a number of different ways. Simona is a possibility. Carpenter is as well (for ovals). If Wheldon starts a team, Ed is a possibility with DW as well (Dan and Ed got along great this year). Kanaan could figure in with Wheldon's team as well (with strong Honda backing). That's if, Wheldon's team even gets off the ground.


Also, if AA loses 7-11 and TK (which looks to be the case) and if RHR goes to Panther in the #4 car (which could happen) and Dale Patrick takes Go-Daddy to NASCAR Nationwide full-time with Indy as her only Indy Car race (which also could happen), then could Andretti Autosport be in serious jeopardy for 2011? At least of falling to midpack (at best) status?

I think this could be the team, that Wilson ends up for 2011. He brings a sponsor (Z-Line), so that will get him about anywhere he wants to go. Marco, Wilson and Adam Carroll as the full-timers, with DP running Indy only in the 4th car.

I'd also expect a deal to be worked out, where TK keeps the #11 whereever he lands. Its become his number and that should be a priority for the sport for driver recognition/marketing.