“On the Move”
There were a flurry of driver moves heading into the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, including a full makeover at Arrow McLaren SP with the addition of the two most recent Indy Lights champions. Oliver Askew, the 2019 champ, and Pato O’Ward, the ’18 champ, replace James Hinchcliffe and Marcus Ericsson for the organization. Ericsson moves over to Chip Ganassi Racing to join Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist as the team expands from two to three cars. Hinchcliffe announced in January that he has backing from tech company Genesys that will allow him to compete in the GMR Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May, and possibly more 2020 events. Rinus VeeKay, the 2019 Indy Lights championship runner-up, landed a ride with Ed Carpenter Racing as did Conor Daly. Daly will share the No. 20 entry with team owner Ed Carpenter and is slated to compete in all the road/street course events as well as an additional team entry in the Indianapolis 500. Dale Coyne Racing bid farewell to Sebastien Bourdais and replaced the four-time Champ Car World Series champion with Super Formula Rookie of the Year Alex Palou. Colton Herta moves from the Harding Steinbrenner Racing one-car team to the fifth full-time entry for Andretti Autosport, following a merged effort that will be known as Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport. Charlie Kimball, who ran a partial schedule for Carlin last season, will run a full season in the No. 4 entry for AJ Foyt Racing. The No. 14 Foyt entry will be split among Kanaan, Bourdais and Canadian rookie Dalton Kellett. Finally, Team Penske announced last week that reigning Virgin Australia Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin will make his series debut in the GMR Grand Prix at IMS. McLaughlin, who will be attempting to win his third consecutive series championship for DJR Team Penske in 2020, is participating in the COTA test. |