TBK-Light.com

More Silly Season from the Indy Star this time - https://eu.indystar.com/story/sports/mo ... 868502002/

tl;dr
-Backs up what Pruett said about Penske - they will remain at 4 cars for next year but Pagenaud's new contract may see him sent to the Porsche program for 2023. If Pagenaud wants to stay in the series, SPAM is probably his best bet, although he would need to find money for a third car there.
-Both of SPAM's current drivers are under contract, but the team has already proven that their contracts are not worth much more than the paper they are written on and FRosen's performances may have him poised over the trapdoor.
-The only Ganassi driver not under contract is Palou and there is obviously no lack of desire on the part of either party to get a deal done in good time.
-Andretti does want Grosjean to replace RHR, but only if he is committed to running the full calendar. Grosjean himself may not want to leave Coyne. Kyle Kirkwood is next in line if Grosjean is a 'no', or if Hinch goes as well. Hinch is in a slightly stronger position as Genesys seem committed to him and they are paying the bills.
-Coyne are happy with Ed Jones - the lack of good results is not being blamed on him.
-RLLR are still working towards a third car - the #45 will run at most of the races left this year with a view to trying out some other drivers (some curiousity as to who - both da Costa and Askew are ruled out), although Ferrucci remains at the top of the pile courtesy of his 100% record of top 10 finishes. Sato is out of contract but Honda money should keep him safe.
-Special Ed believes he has Veekay under lock-and-key, and sponsorship permitting he also wants to give Daly a full-time drive whilst turning out a third car for himself on the ovals, which may also turn into a full-time car with another driver sharing it.
-Foyt has an option on Bourdais and are working out the finances before activating it. Kellett brings good money but his development seems to have stalled, and RoKIT are starting to put more of their money to use (see Calderon's test at Mid-Ohio).
-2 cars is still the plan for Meyer-Shank, with Harvey likely staying put and Helio's schedule being upgraded.

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

It doesn't appear to be exclusive, so hopefully we won't have any LeMans type fiascos in the other sims.

edit: nevermind
https://motorsportgames.com/motorsport- ... to-market/

I really hope Penske can figure out how to do what NASCAR does in regards to their game & sim content w/ having both Motorsport Games & iRacing involved. The LeMans fiasco (feat the official LM24 eSports event having a $2k entry fee) has been real bad

Ferrucci will attempt to extend his streak of top 10s in the #45 at Nashville.

------

Somehow, Penske has convinced Comcast to put 12 races on the main NBC channel for next year.

https://racer.com/2021/07/19/indycar-nb ... extension/

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

What do you mean by that?

_________________

13 races on NBC next year. Rest on peacock or USANetwork

NBC contract renewed
https://www.indycar.com/News/2021/07/07 ... -Agreement

13 races on NBC network, 2 races exclusively on Peacock Premium, 2 to 3 (projected) races on USA (judging by Penske's stance on around 17 to 18 races), all TV races simulcast on Peacock; 3 races with Spanish language commentary offered on Telemundo Deportes (season opener, Indy 500 & season finale).

practice & qualifying + Indy Lights races continues on Peacock

(please let that mean a ad-free option is available)

I'm not too familiar with the US TV situation, but I guess that's some good news?

_________________
"An idea whose time has come cannot be stopped by any army or any government"


3x TBKL rFactor Hillclimb champion

It's great news. Over 2\3rds of the races are going to be shown on a channel that everyone in the US can watch.

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

Did a bit of a research, to get a look as to what this deal compares to others in the past:

If there are 18 races next year, that'd mean that 72% of the races will be shown in network TV.

In 2001:

- CART had 9 races in ABC (41%), rest in cable (ESPN/ESPN2). 2 were shown tape delayed (I think both european races).
- IRL had 6 races in ABC (46%), rest in cable (ESPN/ESPN2)

In 1995 (pre split):

- 11 races were shown in ABC (65%), rest in ESPN/ESPN2.

I think it's a good deal.

TL;DR IndyCar scored from the complete opposite side of the field or court - especially after some bleak rumors with NBCSN shutting down (mainly due to the loss of the NHL rights to ESPN & Turner)

the main downside with the 2 exclusive races on Peacock is that it will hinder a portion of the fanbase from watching - especially those with terrible internet/cell service (or) folks that prefer legacy mediums (i.e. cable or antenna TV etc.)

Helio full time for Shank next year in the #06

TBA on driver for the #60 - as Harvey will not return

I hope Harvey has a ride lined up. Clearly has a lot of pace but has been unlucky in a few races. Andretti maybe?

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

Sounds like Harvey might be in line for the possible AA shake-up? Either RHR or Hinchcliffe (or both) must be gone and insiders know it. It's the only thing that makes sense why Harvey would back off from a Shank extension.

_________________
07.04.1968 - Flower of Scotland when will we see your like again?
01.05.1994 - We'll never forget...

Not Andretti but Rahal, to replace Sato.

https://racer.com/2021/07/22/rll-emergi ... or-harvey/

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

Vasser and Sullivan are also considering trying their luck with a different team.

https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news ... p/6635388/

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

oh my, silly season indeed

It's good that Indycar is in a period of increasing the amount of cars involved atm because otherwise it'd be outright weird that all these old guys are hanging around or coming back and hogging a seat a young driver could take...

_________________
RIP Birmingham Wheels: here's some of the crash videos I recorded when it was there:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIaKIE ... 5t9d5PvoHA

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/paulhadsley