2010 Silly Season Roundup

After what can only be described as an eventful, if not crazy, off-season the 2010 Izod IndyCar Series Season just about set to roll off. Testing for the “big series” concluded last week at Barber Motorsports Park, and was preceded by a slew of driver and team announcements for the season, relieving some concerns about car count for this coming season.

However, unfortunately, some major names remain with rides, either full-time or part-time, with less than a month before the season opener in Brazil. Time still remains for those to negotiate deals, but it’s running out fast.

With that said, who is driving what in 2010?


Team Penske/Penske Racing

Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves, and Will Power all return with Roger Penske, with power now running the full season, after running part-time in 2009. With all three teams remarkably quick in testing, this group appears to be the team to beat heading into 2010.

One significant note, however, is the loss of Phillip Morris as a sponsor. You’ll notice that all three cars now adorned with a primarily white and black livery, as long-speculated separation between the two entities came to fruition over the winter. Still, there seems to be nothing of concern with Roger Penske’s outfit.


Target Chip Ganassi Racing

Dario Franchitti and Scott both return for 2010 after taking home a 2009 championship (Franchitti). Surprisingly, both seemed to struggle somewhat at Barber; Dixon could do no better than fifth on either day, while Franchitti only barely made the top ten on day one, and crashed on day two.

However, little says they’ll be behind the eight ball for long; Ganassi’s team has been one of best of this century, and it’s tough to think they won’t have the struggles behind them come Brazil.

Remember, also, that Dixon didn’t start the 2009 season well at all (two crashes at St. Pete and Long Beach), but did find himself a title contender at year’s end. Expect the same in 2010.


Andretti Autosport

This group is somewhat of an enigma. Michael Andretti become sole owner of the team over the winter, and the Izod sponsorship brought veteran Ryan Hunter-Reay into the team. Throw in the addition of Tom Anderson to run the competition side, and things seemed to be shaping up nicely for the once dominant outfit.

Yet, testing was not as successful as one might think. The best they could do was eighth quickest, with coming from Marco Andretti on the second day.

While it is always difficult to judge pace in testing, with every team’s agenda being different, the apparent lack of speed from them is a major point of interest. Is it a fluke, or are things a little dire in Andretti’s camp?


KV Racing Technology

Running only one full-time team in 2009, Jimmy Vasser and Kevin Kalkhoven have come in locked and loaded for 2010. Signing Takuma Sato and E.J. Viso, with James Rossiter also in the mix for a third car, KV may have three full-time entrants. Add a part-time deal for Paul Tracy, and this squad is on the cusp on challenging the “big dogs.”

Testing for them was a big success. Both Sato and Viso were fast, and James Rossiter seemed to grasp the car fairly quickly. If they can build on their 2009 success, then this group might be the biggest challenge for Penske and Ganassi.

And given, the aggressive propensities of Sato and Viso, it could be very fun to see them battle at the front of the grid.



Luczo Dragon Racing/de Ferran Motorsports

With the two teams merged into one, Raphael Matos will see a teammate, in the form of Davey Hamilton, for select races in 2010.

Much is expected from the second year driver, though testing was a struggled, with the best result being on 15th on day one. Still, this team has shown strength on ovals at given times, and can certainly give Matos, and Hamilton, fast equipment. It’s just matter of the drivers getting the most out of it.


Panther Racing

Remaining a one-car operation so far, Dan Wheldon will return to driver for the team that brought him into the Izod IndyCar Series. After an up-and-down 2009, many believed that Wheldon was unhappy with the team. But, that seems to water under the bridge, as the Briton remains their driver.

They didn’t run at Barber, but their 2009 performance indicates that, on their day, they can challenge for wins. For them, it’s a matter of staying mistake-free, and capitalizing on others’ errors rather than outright speed, which didn’t quite match the “big two” from last year.

Still, expect some success for this group, especially at Indianapolis, where Wheldon and Panther always seem to shine


Note: Gorgio Pantano has been rumored to join the team, but this bit of news has gone quiet recently.


Conquest Racing

Only able to run select races in 2009, Eric Bachelart’s team has been able to put together a full-season deal with former Indy Lights driver Mario Romincini.

And, while partnering a young driver with a fledgling outfit rarely produces success, this combination came out firing in Barber.

Romincini cracked the top ten on day two, a nice accomplishment given he hadn’t driven on IndyCar before this week. A force on ovals last in the Indy Lights, Romincini might be this year’s standout rookie.



Dreyer and Reinbold Racing

A team that many expect to challenge for wins in 2010, they upgraded their driver lineup by adding Justin Wilson to be Mike Conway’s teammate. They’ve also added Ana Beatriz for the Brazil event, with additional races a possibility.

Both Wilson and Conway were very fast at Barber, with Wilson running in the top five on both days. All things say that this team could well capture a win in 2010.


Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

Many thought that this team might field three cars for 2010, with Hideki Mutoh and Alex Lloyd joining the incumbent Graham Rahal. However, McDonalds pulled its sponsorship, leaving Rahal a free agent, and Alex Lloyd’s HER partnership has apparently fizzled, leaving only Mutoh as the team’s driver for 2010.

Solid on both test days, Mutoh ran tenth and ninth at Barber, a solid effort for the Chicago based team. Expectations are that they should build on 20098 successes and possibly reach victory lane in 2010.

While losing Rahal will definitely hurt, Mutoh seems ready to pick up where Rahal left off in 2009.

Note: Alex Lloyd, via twitter, announced he has signed with a team for 2010, and will be testing at Sebring later this week. However, he has yet to announce which team that is.


FAZZT Racing

Alex Tagliani will be driving a car for a consortium of owners, led by Andree Azzi, Jim Freudenberg, and Jason Priestly. Not a part of the Barber test, the performance of this team remains a mystery heading into the season.


Sarah Fisher Racing

The IRL’s former “Most Popular Driver” continues to build a team of her own, expanding to two cars, albeit both as part-time efforts, for 2010. Jay Howard joins her and will drive the No. 66 Dallara-Honda.

Testing proved cumbersome for both, as they landed last of the 20 drivers on each day, but given that ovals are Fisher’s preference, and that Howard has not driven an IndyCar in nearly two years, it isn’t surprising.


Dale Coyne Racing

With a new partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, Dale Coyne’s team looks like it may have two cars for this season. However, no drivers have been announced.

Rumors say that Alex Lloyd could be a driver, along possibly J.R. Hildebrand. Milka Duno and Johnathan Summerton have also been mentioned in some circles.



HVM Racing

Robert Doornbos, thought to have a deal with Keith Wiggin’s group, has been very quite recently, and was not at the open test in Barber. Simona de Silvestro piloted the car, and actually was quicker than Danica Patrick on the second day. Expect de Silvestro to be announced as the team’s driver for this season. Doornbos might be going elsewhere.


Rahal/Letterman Racing

Unable to compete in 2009, Bobby Rahal and David Letterman’s outfit continues to try and field a car, even if only for Indianapolis.

Given the current “free agent” status of Graham Rahal, many believe that Bobby Rahal and crew will put a deal together for Graham this season. Nothing has been announced yet, but the young Rahal has been reporting via twitter than he still keeping IndyCar his biggest priority and believes there is an “opportunity” for this season. Stay tuned.


Notable Free Agents

Graham Rahal, Buddy Rice, Oriol Servia, Robert Doornbos, J.R. Hildebrand, Milka Duno, Ed Carpenter, A.J. Foyt IV, Johnathan Summerton, John Edwards, Bruno Junqueira, Mario Moraes, Mario Dominguez, Richard Antinucci