Tag: Meyer Shank Racing

Armstrong Signs with Meyer Shank Racing

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Marcus Armstrong signed with Meyer Shank racing this morning. It was an expected move and keeps Armstrong affiliated with Chip Ganassi racing since MSR will have a technical partnership with Ganassi in 2025.

The official announcement from MSR:

Marcus Armstrong Joins Meyer Shank Racing for 2025 INDYCAR Season

Pataskala, Ohio (19 September 2024) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) will add a new face to its 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES stable with the addition of Marcus Armstrong who will run the No. 66 MSR entry alongside current MSR driver Felix Rosenqvist. 

Coming from a strong open wheel background that includes F4, Formula 3 and Formula 2, Armstrong is now looking to build on his first two seasons of INDYCAR competition as he joins MSR in 2025. 

Armstrong was quick to adapt to the INDYCAR series, earning Rookie of the Year in 2023 despite only contesting the road course rounds, taking five top tens in his 12 starts.

The New Zealander added ovals to his INDYCAR calendar in 2024, running the full 17-points paying races this past season, taking three top five finishes including his first INDYCAR podium  in Detroit.

“I’m very proud to be joining Meyer Shank Racing in 2025,” said Armstrong. “I had a great feeling when I met both Mike Shank and Jim Meyer, their passion for performance and meticulous work ethic was obvious from our first conversation and I want to thank them both for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone at MSR over the off-season with the goal of hitting the ground running at the first race of the season in St Pete.

“This year I got closer to where I want to be performance wise, including oval racing for the first time and I’m looking forward to continuing to push up the order with MSR. We want to be at the front, fighting for wins and I believe we have the recipe to do it.”

MSR, which will be entering its ninth season running in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, is eager to build on its momentum from the 2024 season which saw the team qualify in the top six, 15 times and finish in the top ten, 10 times. MSR team co-owner, Mike Shank is confident that with the addition of Armstrong for 2025, the team is in a position to produce consistent results next year.

“We’re very excited to welcome Marcus onboard,” said Shank. “He’s really shown a lot of growth and consistency in his first two years in INDYCAR, which is really difficult to do. This series is probably one of the most competitive series out there and he has proven himself to be a real contender. We are going to do everything we can to give him the car and the tools to produce results next year.”

With the 2024 season closing out this past weekend, MSR will begin preparations right away to be ready for the 2025 season opener in St. Petersburg in March. 

Shank Aligns with Ganassi; Lee Replaces Diffey in NBC Booth

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Kyle McInnes photo

Some long rumored changes in the Indycar landscape have become official.

Meyer Shank racing will form a technical alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing beginning in 2025, ending a multi year partnership with Andretti Global. Mike Shank told Marshall Pruet of RACER magazine that the new association was a matter of alignment with both the Indycar and IMSA side of his operation. Shank heaped praise on his team’s affiliation with Andretti Global, and he had no issues with anything during their partnership.

Meyer Shank has one open seat for 2025, the 66 currently driven by David Malukas, who has signed with A. J. Foyt for next season. The car has become more attractive to free agents with the new partnership with Ganassi.

Diffey Heads to NASCAR; Lee Takes Over

As expected, long time Indycar booth anchor will move to NBC’s NASCAR coverage as the lead booth announcer. Diffey has called Indycar races on television for more than a decade. While some fans don’t care for his style, I was fine with him. Thanks, Leigh, for all you’ve done for Indycar.

Veteran Kevin Lee will assume the anchor duties for the rest of the season. Lee does a fine job in the times he has filled in for Diffey, and I hope Fox picks him up as the lead when they take over Indycar broadcasts in 2025. Keeping him will make me dread the switch a bit less.

Malukas Leads Practice

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

David Malukas continued his great run since joining Meyer Shank Racing by turning the fastest lap in the first practice at World Wide Technology Raceway. He edged Colton Herta by four tenths of a second.

The Andretti Global cars topped the charts in the first half of the session, but Herta was the only one who maintained his position.

Scott McLaughlin and Will Power were third and fourth fo Team Penske.

Alex Palou had the fifth fastest lap.

The session was stopped just once when linus Lundqvist stalled off of turn two.

Qualifying begins at 3:20 Central time.

Qualifying order is in inverse order of entrant points.

Results:

Malukas to Meyer Shank for Rest of Season

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Editor’s note: Come on Indycar. I’m supposed to be on vacation. Anyway here is some good Indycar news from MSR.

David Malukas Joins Meyer Shank Racing 

Set to race the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda for remainder of INDYCAR Season

Pataskala, Ohio (XX June 2024) – David Malukas will race in the Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda for for the remainder of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starting with the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on June 23. Ahead of his debut race with the team, Malukas will gain experience with MSR at the test at Milwaukee Speedway on June 11th.

Meyer Shank Racing will look to build momentum with the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda entry, which will be driven in this weekend’s Xpel Grand Prix at Road America by Helio Castroneves.

“This whole process has been extremely difficult on myself and (team co-owner) Jim Meyer,” said Mike Shank. “There were so many things for us to consider as we need to do everything we can to make up ground in the championship and Leader Circle standings. We are pleased to have David (Malukas) join us as he has both experience and potential and we are looking forward to having him join us starting in Milwaukee for the test and then going racing with him at Laguna.”

Malukas had his 2024 plans change following a pre-season training injury, and the young American-Lithuanian racer is eager to open the next chapter in his INDYCAR career with MSR.

“I am extremely grateful to Jim Meyer, Mike Shank and the entire Meyer Shank Racing team for the opportunity to finish out the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season,” said Malukas. “Despite setbacks earlier this year, I have been diligently focusing on my recovery, putting in the necessary effort and dedication to get back to peak condition. I am ready and excited to be back in the car, aiming to make the most of this chance and deliver strong performances for the team and our supporters. This opportunity means a great deal to me, and I am determined to repay the faith shown in me with my best efforts on the track.”

Meyer Shank Racing thanks Tom Blomqvist for his efforts through the first six INDYCAR events and the Brit remains a part of the MSR family. 

Meyer Shank Racing heads to Road America this weekend with Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) currently ninth in the championship points standings. Castroneves will sub one again in the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda for the Road America weekend.

MSR: Castroneves In, Blomqvist Out for Detroit and Road America

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Helio Castroneves will drive car 66 for Meyer Shank Racing at Detroit and Road America, replacing Tom Blomqvist. Castroneves,49, is part owner of the team and drove a third entry for MSR in the Indianapolis 500 last Sunday, finishing 20th.

Tom Blomqvist

Blomqvist drove the car in the first five races of the season, with a best finish of 15th at St. Petersburg. He drove for Meyer Shank in IMSA previously but has had a difficult time in Indycar. Blomqvist spun in the first turn of the Indianapolis 500 triggering a three-car accident.

The team emphasized that Blomqvist is still part of the team. MSR is expected to return to IMSA in 2025, and he will likely be one of their drivers.

After Road America, the team will evaluate the situation. Could this be the opening David Malukas needs to return to the series?

Vautier to Drive Car 51

In a day of driver announcements, Tristan Vautier will drive car 51 for Dale Coyne Racing at Detroit. DCR has used a revolving number of rivers in their cars in 2024. Vautier was 2013 Indycar Rookie of the Year. He last drove for DCR in 2017. Vautier spent 2023 in the LeMans series.

Vautier will be the fourth driver of the 51 this season.

Rosenqvist Wins Long Beach Pole

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Photo by Kyle McInnes

It was only a matter of time before Felix Rosenqvist would win a pole this season. That time was 39 ten thousandths of a second. Rosenqvist nipped Will Power by that much and will start the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach at the front of the field.

In the three Indycar events in 2024, Rosenqvist started second at St. Pete, Was on the pole for his heat race and the front row of the feature at Thermal, and now has his third front row start of the season. Rosenqvist now has six career poles. Today’s pole is the first for Meyer Shank Racing

It has been quite a resurgence for Rosenqvist this year. He has been in contention in every event. His switch to Meyer Shank Racing after some frustrating years at Arrow McLaren has rejuvenated the Swedish driver.

Will Power came back after a disastrous morning practice session. He brushed the wall and damaged the left rear tire and underwing. Power returned only to make nose first contact with the wall and cause a red flag with a bit less than nine minutes left.

Notes

The anticipated three Penskes versus three Andrettis didn’t materialize. Team Penske had just Will Power and Josef Newgarden in the final round. Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson made the fast Six for Andretti.

Rosenqvist and Alex Palou were the only preliminary round leaders to make the final session.

Team Penske did not lead any sessions this weekend, but they could lead the one that counts the most tomorrow.

Pato O’Ward’s fade from leading Friday’s practice is puzzling. Are we looking at another year of unfilled promise from Arrow McLaren? Alexander Rossi is the team’s highest starter tomorrow in 13th.

The Long Beach Grand Prix released a notice announcing that all reserved seats for tomorrow’s race have been sold. Only general admission is available.

Tomorrow’s schedule in Eastern time:

Noon- Warm up (30 Minutes) Peacock

3 pm- Televison network coverage USA, Peacock

3:30- Green flag

Meyer Shank Signs Rosenqvist

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The team needed to get younger, but I don’t think they envisioned it happening quite so fast.

From earlier:

Pagenaud, MSR Part Ways

Pagenaud, MSR Part Ways

The announcement from Meyer Shank this morning:

Meyer Shank Racing Signs Felix Rosenqvist

Race-winning veteran joins expanded INDYCAR effort in multi-year program

Pataskala, Ohio (5 September 2023) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) will expand its NTT INDYCAR SERIES program in 2024, and has signed Felix Rosenqvist to a multi-year agreement with the team. Rosenqvist will bring his pace and experience as he teams up with Tom Blomqvist for MSR’s full-season two-car campaign. MSR is also growing its program to support a third entry for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 for Helio Castroneves.

In addition to Castroneves’ Indianapolis 500-only effort, the team recently announced that the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner has joined the MSR ownership group as a minority partner, serving as driver coach and team ambassador. 

Since joining the INDYCAR SERIES in 2019, Rosenqvist has established himself as a proven race winner who will look to continue to build his racing resume with MSR starting in 2024.

“I’m super excited to start the next chapter of my INDYCAR career together with MSR,” said Rosenqvist. “This will be a great opportunity for myself and MSR to elevate and get to the next level together. I’m also pretty excited to get to work with my old friend Tom (Blomqvist) again. I’m ready to start working together and getting the next season started.”

Next year’s INDYCAR season will see MSR have a complete reset with an all-new driver lineup as the Ohio-based team sets its sights on a successful 2024 season and beyond.

“We’re very excited to have our 2024 INDYCAR plans finalized and to welcome Felix (Rosenqvist) to the team,” said Mike Shank. “Felix has been someone that has been on our radar for quite some time now and everything lined up this year to work something out with him. It’s no secret that we’ve had a difficult season, with some things out of our control and some things in our control. I think we are all looking forward to resetting completely, starting over and getting to work.  I think Tom and Felix will work great together and really feed off of each other. We will also have Helio with us at every race to provide his feedback and advice which will be an added bonus, so I think we’re in for a solid year ahead.”

Meyer Shank Racing will close out its NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign this coming weekend with the series finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Blomqvist will make his third INDYCAR start this weekend on board the No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda in place of Simon Pagenaud at Laguna with Castroneves finishing out his final full-season INDYCAR race in the No. 06 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda.

Co

Pagenaud, MSR Part Ways

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Simon Pagenaud released this message on Twitter 9(now known as X)

As Simon continues his recovery, it appears his best chance for 2024 in Indycar may be a 500 one off.

Pagenaud won the Indianapolis 500 in 2019. He also won the Indy Grand Prix that year in a great drive to overtake Scott Dixon on a wet track.

The 2016 series champion ran 207 races combined with Champ cCar and Indycar. He won 15 times in Indycar, with his first win coming at Belle Isle in 2013.

Pagenaud had success while driving for Schmidt Peterson Racing, winning the inaugural May Grand Prix on the IMS road course in 2014.

I hope we haven’t seen the last of Pagenaud in Indycar, and I wish him a full recovery.

Pagenaud Will Not Return This Season; Blomqvist to Drive Final Two Races

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News always breaks while I am in transit.

Simon Pagenaud sent out this statement earlier:

It has been difficult seeing Simon on the sidelines the last half of the year. I hope he has a full recovery. Pagenaud’s prospects for a ride in Indycar for 2024 are slim. I hope Meyer Shank can find a spot in their IMSA program for him.

It is strange to envision Indycar next season without either Helio Castroneves or Simon Pagenaud.

Tom Blomqvist

Tom Blomqvist is currently a driver in Meyer Shank’s IMSA Acura. he drove the Honda Indy Toronto in Pagenaud’s place and has signed to drive the 06 full time in Indycar in 2024.