In 2006, Team Penske and Target/Chip Ganassi Racing dominated the IndyCar Series as the four drivers, Sam Hornish Jr, Dan Wheldon, Helio Castroneves, and Scott Dixon owned the top four spots in the championship standings. It is likely that Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing will continue to be the two premier teams in the IRL as neither organization underwent any major changes. However, expect some other teams to step up their program and possibly gain on Penske and Ganassi.
Andretti-Green Racing added the ever-popular Danica Patrick to their roster that already consisted of Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan, and Dario Franchitti. Patrick will replace the parting Bryan Herta, and will carry the Motorola sponsorship. Kanaan finished 6th in the final IRL championship standings with Andretti and Franchitti finishing 7th and 8th respectively.
Patrick’s move to Andretti-Green Racing is an upgrade from her previous team at Rahal Letterman Racing, where she finished 9th in the final Indy Racing League championship standings.
Patrick’s former teammate Buddy Rice also departed the Rahal Letterman organization. Rice has moved on to the Dreyer Reinbold Racing operation. Rice finished the 2006 IRL season 15th in the championship standings. Joining Rice at Dreyer Reinbold Racing is Sarah Fisher.
Jeff Simmons and Scott Sharp will fill the seats at Rahal Letterman Racing.
Vitor Meira will remain at Panther Racing/Super Aguri Racing in 2007. Meira finished 5th in the 2006 Indy Racing League standings.
A.J. Foyt IV joins Vision Racing for the 2007 season.
A.J. Foyt Racing hopes to rebound from a less than stellar 2006 campaign with driver Darren Manning behind the wheel. A.J.’s son Larry, a former NASCAR driver, will assume the day-to-day management role.
On the technical side of things, it is expected that all teams will use the Dallara chassis in 2007 instead of Panoz. Additionally, the IRL will no longer use the methanol-based fuel as it will be replaced with 100-percent fuel-grade ethanol.
Who Will Win the 2007 IndyCar Series Championship? Dan Wheldon. 2006 champion Sam Hornish Jr will be tough to beat again in 2007, but he will have more on his plate this season. Hornish will dabble in NASCAR Busch Series racing this season, and possibly NASCAR Nextel Cup. Wheldon has the talent and resources to put together another championship season for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Who Will the 2007 Indianapolis 500? Marco Andretti. The youngster came oh-so-close last year to winning the Indianapolis 500, only to be denied by Sam Hornish Jr on the final stretch. With a full year under his belt, Andretti will win multiple races in 2007, including the prestigious Indianapolis 500.
Projected Top Ten Finishers in 2007
1. Dan Wheldon
2. Helio Castroneves
3. Sam Hornish Jr
4. Marco Andretti
5. Vito Meira
6. Tony Kanaan
7. Scott Dixon
8. Danica Patrick
9. Dario Franchitti
10. Jeff Simmons
