| December 2011 |
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New Commerical Division President for IndyCar
Dec 1 - Terry Angstadt has resigned as Commercial Division President and will be succeeded by Marc Koretzky, who joined INDYCAR in May as
Director of Corporate Business Development. Koretzky will oversee sales, business planning and development, marketing, public relations and
organizational operation.
Dec 1 - Terry Angstadt has resigned as Commercial Division President and will be succeeded by Marc Koretzky, who joined INDYCAR in May as
Director of Corporate Business Development. Koretzky will oversee sales, business planning and development, marketing, public relations and
organizational operation.
Koretzky, 35, most recently managed all non-racing events surrounding the
IndyCar Championship in Las Vegas in October.
Previously, the New Orleans native worked in conjunction with the NFL as
Director of Operations for multiple Super Bowl Committees and was an
independent lead consultant to the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee for
the NCAA Men & Women's Final Four Basketball Championships.
Also, because of increasing demands on the Competition and Operation
division, INDYCAR will split the responsibilities of President of Operations
and Race Director into separate positions. Brian Barnhart will remain
President of Operations, overseeing the operational and logistical areas,
while INDYCAR is reviewing candidates to fill the position of Race Director.
IndyCar Championship in Las Vegas in October.
Previously, the New Orleans native worked in conjunction with the NFL as
Director of Operations for multiple Super Bowl Committees and was an
independent lead consultant to the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee for
the NCAA Men & Women's Final Four Basketball Championships.
Also, because of increasing demands on the Competition and Operation
division, INDYCAR will split the responsibilities of President of Operations
and Race Director into separate positions. Brian Barnhart will remain
President of Operations, overseeing the operational and logistical areas,
while INDYCAR is reviewing candidates to fill the position of Race Director.
Haas Calls It Quits
Dec 1 - Newman/Haas Racing will not contest the IZOD
IndyCar Series in 2012. The team just had one of their
best seasons since they made the switch to IndyCar.
James Hinchcliffe, one of the hot shoes from Canada,
earned the Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 while Oriol
Servia finished fourth in the standings this year.
“The economic climate no longer enables Newman/Haas
Racing to participate in open wheel racing at this time,”
said Carl Haas, owner and co-founder of Newman/Haas
Racing per the team's official statement.
NHR had top stars of open-wheel racing who took multiple
victories and championships since 1983 when Carl Haas
and the late Paul Newman formed the team. Their driver
list over the years has been very impressive and includes
those who spent time in Formula One before and after
their time spent in the American-based Indy cars.
Their first title came in their second season with Mario
Andretti in 1984 and Mario's son, Michael Andretti followed
up with the second championship in 1991. Nigel Mansell
was considered a rookie in the CART series despite his
Formula 1 career; the Briton took the title in 1993 in his
rookie season.
Dec 1 - Newman/Haas Racing will not contest the IZOD
IndyCar Series in 2012. The team just had one of their
best seasons since they made the switch to IndyCar.
James Hinchcliffe, one of the hot shoes from Canada,
earned the Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 while Oriol
Servia finished fourth in the standings this year.
“The economic climate no longer enables Newman/Haas
Racing to participate in open wheel racing at this time,”
said Carl Haas, owner and co-founder of Newman/Haas
Racing per the team's official statement.
NHR had top stars of open-wheel racing who took multiple
victories and championships since 1983 when Carl Haas
and the late Paul Newman formed the team. Their driver
list over the years has been very impressive and includes
those who spent time in Formula One before and after
their time spent in the American-based Indy cars.
Their first title came in their second season with Mario
Andretti in 1984 and Mario's son, Michael Andretti followed
up with the second championship in 1991. Nigel Mansell
was considered a rookie in the CART series despite his
Formula 1 career; the Briton took the title in 1993 in his
rookie season.
New Driver for Sarah Fisher Racing
Dec 7 - Reigning Indy Lights series champion Josef
Newgarden is getting an Izod IndyCar Series ride for his
21st birthday. Sarah Fisher Racing on Wednesday
confirmed that Newgarden will join the team for the 2012
season. Newgarden will drive the No. 67 car, a
continuation of the program that won its first race in
October with Ed Carpenter at the wheel at Kentucky
Speedway.
Carpenter left the team at the end of the season to form
his own IndyCar operation, Ed Carpenter Racing. That
organization will be led by Derrick Walker.
Newgarden, a native of Nashville, Tenn., was a Team USA
Scholarship winner in 2008, via which he went to Europe
for seasons in British Formula Ford and GP3 (with Carlin
Motorsports). He spent this year with the top Indy Lights
program, Sam Schmidt Motorsports, winning the
season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla., plus four
more races en route to the season title.
Dec 7 - Reigning Indy Lights series champion Josef
Newgarden is getting an Izod IndyCar Series ride for his
21st birthday. Sarah Fisher Racing on Wednesday
confirmed that Newgarden will join the team for the 2012
season. Newgarden will drive the No. 67 car, a
continuation of the program that won its first race in
October with Ed Carpenter at the wheel at Kentucky
Speedway.
Carpenter left the team at the end of the season to form
his own IndyCar operation, Ed Carpenter Racing. That
organization will be led by Derrick Walker.
Newgarden, a native of Nashville, Tenn., was a Team USA
Scholarship winner in 2008, via which he went to Europe
for seasons in British Formula Ford and GP3 (with Carlin
Motorsports). He spent this year with the top Indy Lights
program, Sam Schmidt Motorsports, winning the
season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Fla., plus four
more races en route to the season title.
At New Hampshire Motor Speedway in August, Newgarden
became the first Indy Lights driver since 2006 to lap the
field. He also won races at Indianapolis, Iowa and
Edmonton.
Team owner Sarah Fisher has not announced a primary
sponsor since losing Dollar General to Joe Gibbs Racing's
NASCAR program, but she said announcements will come
soon. She also has not announced an engine deal for next
season, though she indicated that has been arranged.
became the first Indy Lights driver since 2006 to lap the
field. He also won races at Indianapolis, Iowa and
Edmonton.
Team owner Sarah Fisher has not announced a primary
sponsor since losing Dollar General to Joe Gibbs Racing's
NASCAR program, but she said announcements will come
soon. She also has not announced an engine deal for next
season, though she indicated that has been arranged.
New Driver for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
Dec 8 - Sam Schmidt Motorsports has hired Simon
Pagenaud to race for them in IndyCar next season.
Pagenaud filled in for drivers at two IndyCar events this
year. After winning the Atlantic Series in 2006, he raced in
CART and then Le Mans.
Dec 8 - Sam Schmidt Motorsports has hired Simon
Pagenaud to race for them in IndyCar next season.
Pagenaud filled in for drivers at two IndyCar events this
year. After winning the Atlantic Series in 2006, he raced in
CART and then Le Mans.
New Driver for AJ Foyt Racing
Dec 20 - AJ Foyt Racing has hired 2011 Long Beach
Grand Prix winner Mike Conway to drive the No. 14 ABC
Supply Honda in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.
Conway, who won the Long Beach Grand Prix in his 26th
IndyCar start, brings strength on the road courses to the
team. In 2011, he qualified in the top-10 six times on the
road and street circuits, which is also where his four top-10
finishes came.
Conway made his first start in the IZOD IndyCar Series in
2009 driving for Dreyer-Reinbold. Towards mid-season he
began capitalizing on his brilliant potential with several top-
10 finishes before scoring his first podium –a third place
finish at California’s challenging Infineon Raceway.
In 2010, he was in position to post his fourth top-10 finish
in six starts but on the final lap of the Indianapolis 500, he
collided with a suddenly slowing Ryan Hunter-Reay,
launching Conway into the catchfence resulting in season-
ending injuries to his leg and back.
Signing with Andretti Autosport in 2011, Conway dispelled
all doubts about his return to the cockpit with a strong
fourth place qualifying run in the season opener in St.
Petersburg and an incredible drive in the Long Beach
Grand Prix. In that race, he qualified third but dropped to
21st after a problem on the first pit stop. Conway fought
his way back to lead the final 14 laps after executing a
couple of textbook passes on frontrunners Ryan Briscoe
and Dario Franchitti, who finished second and third.
Dec 20 - AJ Foyt Racing has hired 2011 Long Beach
Grand Prix winner Mike Conway to drive the No. 14 ABC
Supply Honda in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.
Conway, who won the Long Beach Grand Prix in his 26th
IndyCar start, brings strength on the road courses to the
team. In 2011, he qualified in the top-10 six times on the
road and street circuits, which is also where his four top-10
finishes came.
Conway made his first start in the IZOD IndyCar Series in
2009 driving for Dreyer-Reinbold. Towards mid-season he
began capitalizing on his brilliant potential with several top-
10 finishes before scoring his first podium –a third place
finish at California’s challenging Infineon Raceway.
In 2010, he was in position to post his fourth top-10 finish
in six starts but on the final lap of the Indianapolis 500, he
collided with a suddenly slowing Ryan Hunter-Reay,
launching Conway into the catchfence resulting in season-
ending injuries to his leg and back.
Signing with Andretti Autosport in 2011, Conway dispelled
all doubts about his return to the cockpit with a strong
fourth place qualifying run in the season opener in St.
Petersburg and an incredible drive in the Long Beach
Grand Prix. In that race, he qualified third but dropped to
21st after a problem on the first pit stop. Conway fought
his way back to lead the final 14 laps after executing a
couple of textbook passes on frontrunners Ryan Briscoe
and Dario Franchitti, who finished second and third.
En route to Conway’s burgeoning IndyCar career, the 28-
year-old Briton won several championships, triumphing in
British Karting, the 2004 Formula Renault UK Series as
well as the British F3 International Series in 2006. Conway
captured the Macau Grand Prix in 2006.
In 2007 and 2008, Conway raced in the very competitive
GP2 Series (previously named Formula 3000), the feeder
series to Formula 1. Conway, who won a sprint race in the
streets of Monaco in 2008, also served as a test driver for
the Honda Formula 1 team during that time.
year-old Briton won several championships, triumphing in
British Karting, the 2004 Formula Renault UK Series as
well as the British F3 International Series in 2006. Conway
captured the Macau Grand Prix in 2006.
In 2007 and 2008, Conway raced in the very competitive
GP2 Series (previously named Formula 3000), the feeder
series to Formula 1. Conway, who won a sprint race in the
streets of Monaco in 2008, also served as a test driver for
the Honda Formula 1 team during that time.
IndyCar Schedule Changes
Dec 22 - The IZOD IndyCar Series again presents the
most diverse schedule in motorsports with the challenges
of races on temporary street circuits, permanent road
courses, superspeedways and short ovals in four countries.
IndyCar returns to Belle Isle road course in Detroit this
June for the first time since 2008.
They are also returning to the 2-mile oval in Fontana
California, now called the Auto Club Speedway. It will be a
night race next September.
IndyCar will venture to China for the first time for a street
race.
The Japan race at Motegi was dropped from the schedule.
Dec 22 - The IZOD IndyCar Series again presents the
most diverse schedule in motorsports with the challenges
of races on temporary street circuits, permanent road
courses, superspeedways and short ovals in four countries.
IndyCar returns to Belle Isle road course in Detroit this
June for the first time since 2008.
They are also returning to the 2-mile oval in Fontana
California, now called the Auto Club Speedway. It will be a
night race next September.
IndyCar will venture to China for the first time for a street
race.
The Japan race at Motegi was dropped from the schedule.
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