Eric Smith

5 key newsworthy items heading into the Bommarito Automotive Group 500

MADISON, Ill — Since the NTT INDYCAR SERIES last raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 12, a lot has happened leading into Sunday afternoon’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, INDYCAR Radio Network). Here’s what you may have missed.

INDYCAR Tests 2024 Package

While we have 3 races left of the 2023 season, that’s not stopping INDYCAR from not having one eye still towards the future. Last week, they took 2 cars (1 Honda, 1 Chevy) down to Sebring for a two-day test with the 2024 twin-turbocharged V-6 engines to play.

Will Power drove a Penske Chevrolet while Scott Dixon piloted a Chip Ganassi Racing Honda entry around the 1.7-mile, 8-turn circuit.

Per INDYCAR, they cranked out over 800 laps testing out the new hybrid technology that will debut next season.

By all accounts, the test went really well as they’ll take the next steps to further get this ready for 2024.

Marcus Ericsson druing the Music City Grand Prix – 2023. Photo Credit: INDYCAR Media Site

Silly Season

Marcus Ericsson and Andretti Autosport announced this past week that they have come to an agreement for the 2024 season and beyond. No word yet on if Ericsson will drive the 28 or the 29 entry but they did make it known that it won’t be the 26 or 27 with Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood coming back.

That opens up a seat at Chip Ganassi Racing with silly season really about to ramp up.

David Malukas discussed his 2024 plans on Wednesday saying that he’s 100% confident in his ride for 2024, a statement he wasn’t saying earlier this month. He said he can’t announce or discuss anything at this moment but we’ll likely learn more once the season is over.

In saying that, he notes that Ericsson’s move to Andretti has no effect on his status or his plans for 2024 either.

As more and more rides are starting to become clearer for 2024, stay tuned for more announcements to come…

Alex Palou looks on during practice on the streets of Nashville. Photo Credit: INDYCAR Media Site

Palou Being Sued By McLaren

The Indy Star reported that Alex Palou has been served a suit against him from McLaren Racing as the drama will take place in England courts. McLaren isn’t after Palou and his services any longer for 2024, which is a silly season nugget, but they’re suing him for breach of contract and payments already made.

They’re suing him for reportedly $20-$30 million. It’s a massive storyline that the points leader, one who can clinch his second title in three years this weekend even, is being taken to court for a second straight season.

All signs now point to Palou staying put in his No. 10 Dallara-Honda for 2024 and beyond leaving the top two dominoes in silly season now being in the rear view mirror.

However, is this now a distraction for Palou to finish off an impending championship?

Canapino Heads Home

With an off week between Indy and Gateway, rookie Agustin Canapino went home to Argentina to run a race in the Turismo Carretera touring car series. He ran at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez in Buenos Aries. It’s a race that he finished 12th in.

The car donned the similar colors as his INDYCAR and with Canapino in the field, fans flocked in droves to see him race. It opened up the door for maybe more discussions of having INDYCAR show up to the South American country for a points paying race or exhibition event.

Linus Lundqvist practicing on the streets of Nashville. Photo Credit: INDYCAR Media Site

Harvey OUT, Daly In, Lundqvist Back With MSR

Last week it was announced that Jack Harvey’s tenure with RLL has come to an end. The team will cycle through drivers for the final 3 races with Conor Daly being tabbed as Harvey’s replacement for Gateway. They don’t have anyone in mind yet for next week in Portland or a week later for the season finale in Laguna Seca, but they know it won’t be Harvey as he was let out of his contract early.

Also, Meyer Shank Racing announced on Monday that Simon Pagenaud will miss his 7th consecutive race while dealing with the effects of a head injury suffered in the July 1 practice crash at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. As a result of Daly being with RLL now, defending Indy NXT champion Linus Lundqvist is back in the No. 60 Dallara-Honda for the third straight race.

Ryan Hunter-Reay is still in Daly’s old ride, the No. 20 Dallara-Chevrolet for ECR which means 3 cars will have replacement drivers in them on Sunday.

Ironically enough, all 3 are fighting for leaders circle placement too.

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