Tweet
by gordonkirby
The final two months of last year witnessed the most powerful wave of good news for Indy car racing we've seen in many years. It started with Chevrolet's announcement in November that it will return to Indy car racing in 2012 as an engine supplier in partnership with Ilmor and an 'aero kit' builder too. A few days later Lotus also announced 2012 engine and 'aero kit' programs and in early December Roger Penske's team announced a slew of new sponsors as Shell/Pennzoil, IZOD, Meijer and Auto Club of America join Verizon with Team Penske's three-car operation.
Penske's sponsorship blockbuster was followed by Panther Racing announcing that 2009 Indy Lights champion JR Hildebrand will drive Panther's National Guard car this year. Hildebrand, 23 on January 3rd, is a home-brewed talent who has shown his stuff in the lower formula. Hildebrand won the Formula Russell championship in 2004 and the FF2000 title in '06 before moving into Indy Lights. Replacing 2005 Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon was a tough choice for John Barnes but he's made a good move with Hildebrand--good for the team, sponsor and the sport overall.
A few days later, just before Christmas, Chip Ganassi announced he's created a new two-car team for a pair of promising young Americans, Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball. Service Central/NovoNordisk Chip Ganassi Racing will run Rahal and Kimball out of drag racer Don Prudhomme's shop in nearby Brownsburg. Ganassi's new team will operate at the races beside the existing championship-defending Target/CGR team with everyone sharing information so Rahal and Kimball should have every opportunity to run at or near the front.
The final two months of last year witnessed the most powerful wave of good news for Indy car racing we've seen in many years. It started with Chevrolet's announcement in November that it will return to Indy car racing in 2012 as an engine supplier in partnership with Ilmor and an 'aero kit' builder too. A few days later Lotus also announced 2012 engine and 'aero kit' programs and in early December Roger Penske's team announced a slew of new sponsors as Shell/Pennzoil, IZOD, Meijer and Auto Club of America join Verizon with Team Penske's three-car operation.
Penske's sponsorship blockbuster was followed by Panther Racing announcing that 2009 Indy Lights champion JR Hildebrand will drive Panther's National Guard car this year. Hildebrand, 23 on January 3rd, is a home-brewed talent who has shown his stuff in the lower formula. Hildebrand won the Formula Russell championship in 2004 and the FF2000 title in '06 before moving into Indy Lights. Replacing 2005 Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon was a tough choice for John Barnes but he's made a good move with Hildebrand--good for the team, sponsor and the sport overall.
A few days later, just before Christmas, Chip Ganassi announced he's created a new two-car team for a pair of promising young Americans, Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball. Service Central/NovoNordisk Chip Ganassi Racing will run Rahal and Kimball out of drag racer Don Prudhomme's shop in nearby Brownsburg. Ganassi's new team will operate at the races beside the existing championship-defending Target/CGR team with everyone sharing information so Rahal and Kimball should have every opportunity to run at or near the front.
Comment