INDIANAPOLIS – On Friday afternoon, some wild NTT IndyCar Series Silly Season news came out of left field. If you thought that Roger Penske buying out the Hulman George Family was shocking, well buckle up, this is just as earth shattering too.

Dale Coyne Racing has released Sebastien Bourdais out of his contract for the 2020 season. Yes, the same Bourdais who’s won four open wheel championships and 37 races, is out of a ride.

What’s scary about this is, Bourdais has a contract in place with DCR for 2020. It’s just the sign of the times I guess. James Hinchcliffe also had a contract in place for 2020 too. Spencer Pigot had a handshake agreement with Ed Carpenter Racing. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had a contract with Roush Fenway Racing for 2020 too in the NASCAR world as well.

All of these drivers, despite having deals in some way with their respective teams for 2020, were released. Why?

It’s simple. For all but Hinchcliffe, it’s mostly all about money. Bourdais, had some but it fell through and Dale Coyne Racing is like most of these other teams in the sport and need money far more than talent.

Bourdais has spent his last three seasons with DCR and has put them on the map in terms of being competitive. The Frenchman has won twice in three years to go along with five podiums too.

DCR as at their best with Bourdais and now they have to let him go. It’s just this day and age of racing. I don’t like it and neither do most others too.

Talent wise, Bourdais, Hinchcliffe, Conor Daly and Pigot have earned the right to be full time paid drivers and not have to worry about funding. Unfortunately, that’s not the state of racing anymore.

This business model is broke and backwards. Too many talented drivers are pushed aside for others that have less talent but a bigger bank account. Racing is moving towards a rich kids club and not a major sport.

With that being said, where does Bourdais turn? He landed an IMSA ride as a result.