2018 IndyCar Series explained
The 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series was the 23rd season of the Verizon IndyCar Series and the 107th official championship season of American open wheel racing. The premier event was the 102nd Indianapolis 500, with Takuma Sato entering as the defending Indianapolis 500 winner. Josef Newgarden entered the season as the defending National Champion.
The season marked the debut of a new universal aerokit, replacing the manufacturer-designed kits used from 2015 to 2017.
It was the final season for Verizon Communications as the series sponsor as well as being the final season that the series was broadcast by both ABC and NBC Sports. A new series sponsor was introduced and NBC became the sole broadcaster for the series beginning in the 2019 season.
Honda won the engine manufacturer's championship for the first time since 2005 as an engine manufacturer competitor. Robert Wickens won Rookie of the Year despite missing the final three races after the season was overshadowed by a near life ending crash by Wickens at the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono that left him paralyzed. James Hinchcliffe won the most popular driver award.[1] Will Power won the 102nd Indianapolis 500. Scott Dixon won his fifth IndyCar title, and is now second to A. J. Foyt's all-time record for United States open wheel titles. Dixon won three races over the course of the season.
Series news
- On October 20, 2017, Verizon Communications announced that it would exit its title sponsorship deal for the series after the 2018 season. This will not affect its vehicle sponsorship with Team Penske.[2]
- PFC became the IndyCar Series' brake caliper supplier beginning in the 2018 season.[3]
- Kyle Novak was confirmed as Race Director on January 5, replacing Brian Barnhart, who left to become president of Harding Racing. The three-man stewarding panel of Dan Davis, Arie Luyendyk and Max Papis, introduced when Barnhart was first named Race Director, will remain intact.[4]
- On March 21, 2018, NBC Sports (which serves as the existing cable rightsholder of the series through NBCSN) announced that it would become the sole television rights-holder of the IndyCar Series from 2019 through 2021, replacing the previous split between ABC and NBCSN. Eight races per season will air on NBC, including the Indianapolis 500.[5] [6] [7]
Technical changes
- All IndyCar Series machines feature an all-new universal bodywork, inspired by CART's 1990s and 2000s bodywork, but still keep the Dallara DW12 chassis base. This new chassis configuration is dubbed the IR18, and will be used until at least 2022. For the first time since the 1996 Indy Racing League and 2007 Champ Car seasons respectively, cars will have a roll hoop without an airbox.[8] [9]
- All IndyCar Series entrants will begin utilizing F1-style LCD steering wheel display dashes, a new Cosworth CCW Mk2 steering wheel with a configurable display unit, and new electronic components.[10] The current Cosworth-Pi Research Sigma Wheel Display dash had been used since the 2000 season will be retired permanently, but several teams will opt to keep the old Cosworth Sigma Wheel Display dash for one more season due to cost reasons.
- Due to the reduced amount of downforce produced by the 2018 spec aerokits, Firestone introduced new rain tires to improve grip in wet conditions for road/street races.[11]
- In the next step to increase driver safety through cockpit protection, IndyCar announced that Scott Dixon would test a windscreen, a possible alternative to the 'halo' device used by Formula One, at ISM Raceway on February 8.[12]
Confirmed entries
The following teams, entries, and drivers have been announced to compete in the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season. All teams will use a spec Dallara DW12 chassis with UAK18 aero kit and Firestone tires.
| Team | Engine | No. | Driver(s) | Round(s) |
|---|
| A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Chevrolet | 4 |  Matheus Leist[13] | All |
| 14 | Tony Kanaan[14] | All |
| Foyt with Byrd / Hollinger / Belardi | 33 |  James Davison[15] | 6 |
| Andretti Autosport | Honda[16] | 25 |  Stefan Wilson[17] | 6 |
| 26 |  Zach Veach[18] | All |
| 27 | Alexander Rossi[19] | All |
| 28 | Ryan Hunter-Reay[20] | All |
| 29 |  Carlos Muñoz[21] | 6 |
| Andretti Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian | 98 | Marco Andretti | All |
| Carlin | Chevrolet | 23 | Charlie Kimball[22] | All |
| 59 | Max Chilton | All |
| Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | 9 |  Scott Dixon[23] | All |
| 10 |  Ed Jones[24] | All |
| Dale Coyne Racing | Honda | 19 |  Zachary Claman DeMelo[25] | 1, 3–6, 9–12 |
| 2, 13–17 |
| Santino Ferrucci[26] | 7–8 |
| 39 | 16–17 |
| 63 | Pippa Mann[27] | 6 |
| Dale Coyne Racing dba Thom Burns Racing | 17 | Conor Daly[28] | 6 |
| Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan | 18 |  Sébastien Bourdais[29] | All |
| Dreyer & Reinbold Racing | Chevrolet[30] | 24 | Sage Karam[31] | 6 |
| 66 | J. R. Hildebrand[32] | 6 |
| Ed Carpenter Racing | Chevrolet | 13 | Danica Patrick[33] [34] | 6 |
| 20 | Jordan King[35] | 1, 3–5, 7–8, 10, 12–13, 16–17 |
| Ed Carpenter | 2, 6, 9, 11, 14–15 |
| 21 | Spencer Pigot[36] | All |
| Harding Racing | Chevrolet | 8 | | 17 |
| 88 | Gabby Chaves[37] | 1–11, 15–16 |
| Conor Daly[38] | 12–14 |
| Colton Herta[39] | 17 |
| Juncos Racing | Chevrolet | 32 |  René Binder[40] [41] | 1, 4, 7–8, 12–13 |
| Kyle Kaiser[42] | 2–3, 5–6 |
 Alfonso Celis Jr.[43] | 10, 16 |
Michael Shank Racing with Schmidt Peterson
Meyer Shank Racing with Schmidt Peterson | Honda | 60 | Jack Harvey[44] | 1, 3, 6, 13, 16–17 |
| Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing | Honda | 15 | Graham Rahal[45] | All |
| 30 |  Takuma Sato[46] | All |
| Scuderia Corsa with RLL | 64 |  Oriol Servià[47] | 6 |
| Schmidt Peterson Motorsports | Honda[48] | 5 | James Hinchcliffe[49] | All |
| 6 | | 1–14 |
| Carlos Muñoz[50] | 16–17 |
| SPM / AFS Racing | 7 | Jay Howard[51] | 6 |
| Team Penske | Chevrolet | 1 | Josef Newgarden[52] [53] | All |
| 3 | Hélio Castroneves[54] | 5–6 |
| 12 | Will Power | All |
| 22 | Simon Pagenaud | All | |
Team changes
Chip Ganassi Racing announced that the team will scale down to a two-car team for the first time since 2010 due to cost efficiency, with Scott Dixon remaining at the No. 9 car.[55] CGR announced on October 25, 2017, that 2017 IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year Ed Jones would drive the No. 10 car in 2018, replacing Tony Kanaan.[56]
Team Penske also downsized to three cars, due to Hélio Castroneves moving to Team Penske's WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team from the 2018 season onwards. However, Castroneves returned for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 with Team Penske for a one-off appearance.[57]
Michael Shank Racing competed in six races in the 2018 season with driver Jack Harvey, with a technical partnership with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.[58] The team was renamed Meyer Shank Racing on April 6, 2018, after Sirius XM CEO Jim Meyer joined as a team co-owner.[59]
Carlin entered the series with two full-time Chevrolet-powered entries for the 2018 season, running ex-Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball.
Harding Racing confirmed a full-time schedule with Gabby Chaves after running part-time in 2017.[37] Indy Lights driver Santiago Urrutia was signed as the teams' second driver, but the team backflipped on the deal before the season started.[60] Brian Barnhart was named president of the team on November 29, leaving his post as president of race operations and race director of IndyCar.[61] Following the Road America round, Barnhart confirmed rumours that they wish to expand to fielding two cars as early as the latter part of the 2018 season, specifically naming Sonoma. He further confirmed the team was in talks with several drivers including current Indy Lights drivers.[62]
Lazier Partners Racing did not enter the Indianapolis 500 for the first time since 2012 due to crash damage incurred at the 2017 Indianapolis 500 by Buddy Lazier to their only car.
Driver changes
After winning the 2017 Indy Lights championship, Kyle Kaiser participated in four IndyCar events in 2018 with Juncos Racing, including the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Grand Prix.[63] [64] On January 5, 2018, Juncos announced Formula V8 3.5 driver René Binder would contest the races in St. Petersburg, Barber, Mid-Ohio, and Toronto, with an entry at Detroit being confirmed later.[41]
After competing at Barber for Ed Carpenter Racing as a replacement for J. R. Hildebrand and at the Indianapolis 500 for A. J. Foyt Enterprises in 2017, Zach Veach made his full-season début with Andretti Autosport, replacing Takuma Sato.
After competing in road and street courses only for Ed Carpenter Racing in 2017, Spencer Pigot made his full-season début with the team, replacing J. R. Hildebrand in the No. 21 car. Former Formula 2 driver Jordan King will drive the No. 20 on road and street courses.
2017 Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato left Andretti Autosport after only one season with the team, and returned to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2018 season.
Stefan Wilson joined Andretti Autosport to return to the Indianapolis 500 for the first time since 2016.
After spending four seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, Tony Kanaan switched to A. J. Foyt Enterprises for the 2018 season.[14]
After six seasons in the German Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, Robert Wickens made the switch to IndyCar to drive the No. 6 car for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, replacing Mikhail Aleshin. Wickens previously replaced Aleshin in the first practice session at Road America in 2017, but did not get to compete in the race. Wickens suffered severe injuries in a crash at the 2018 ABC Supply 500 and was forced to miss the rest of the season. Due to damage incurred in the crash, the #6 car was withdrawn for the next race at Gateway. On August 29, SPM announced Carlos Muñoz as Wickens' replacement in the #6 car at the Portland and Sonoma rounds.[49]
On November 16, 2017, A. J. Foyt Enterprises announced that Brazilian Indy Lights driver Matheus Leist would drive the No. 4 car in 2018, replacing Conor Daly. Leist became the youngest IndyCar Series rookie since Marco Andretti in 2006.
After six seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR, Danica Patrick announced intentions to return to the Indianapolis 500 for the first time since 2011.[65] The 2018 Indianapolis 500 was the last race of Patrick's professional career.[66] She will run a third entry for Ed Carpenter Racing, carrying sponsorship from former long-time partner GoDaddy.[67]
After spending one season with A. J. Foyt Enterprises, Carlos Muñoz rejoined Andretti Autosport for the Indianapolis 500.
On February 6, 2018, 2017 World Series Formula V8 3.5 champion Pietro Fittipaldi was announced to drive the #19 for Dale Coyne Racing in seven races, including the 2018 Indianapolis 500. The #19 was driven by Zachary Claman DeMelo, who partook in the 2017 Indy Lights season with Carlin and the 2017 GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, in the other 10 events. On May 4, Fittipaldi was injured in a crash while qualifying for the 2018 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. DeMelo took over the #19 for both Indianapolis races and Texas, while Trident Formula 2 driver and Haas F1 test driver Santino Ferrucci was signed for the two Detroit races.
On March 1, 2018, it was confirmed that Nazareth, Pennsylvania native Sage Karam would return to race in the 102nd Indianapolis 500 for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. This was the 3rd straight and 4th total Indianapolis 500 between them. The primary sponsor for Karam's car was WIX Filters.
On March 6, 2018, it was announced Conor Daly would be drive in the 102nd Indianapolis 500. He raced for Thom Burns Racing with Air Force as the primary sponsor.
On March 20, 2018, it was announced Pippa Mann would drive a 4th car for Dale Coyne Racing at the Indianapolis 500, with sponsorship from Donate Life Indiana.[68]
On April 12, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing announced that J. R. Hildebrand would drive for the team in their second entry into the Indianapolis 500.[32]
On April 13, 2018, it was announced that Jonathan Byrd's Racing, Hollinger MotorSport, and Belardi Auto Racing would work in conjunction with A. J. Foyt Enterprises to field a car for James Davison for the Indianapolis 500.[15]
On May 10, Juncos Racing announced that Alfonso Celis Jr. would make his IndyCar debut with the team at Road America.[43] On August 3, the team announced that Celis would also compete at Portland.[69]
On July 10, Harding Racing announced that Conor Daly would replace Gabby Chaves for round 12 in Toronto. The team also stated that they would experiment with their driver lineup for the remainder of the season in preparation for 2019. They want to test current top three Indy Lights drivers Colton Herta, Santiago Urrutia and Patricio O'Ward, the latter having already received a seat fitting with the team. Nevertheless, Chaves is expected to return to the track in 2018 and remain under contract as the team's driver through 2019. Daly would be confirmed for the Mid-Ohio round on July 24.[70] On September 2, it was announced that 2018 Indy Lights champion Patricio O'Ward and 2018 Indy Lights runner-up Colton Herta would make their IndyCar debuts with Harding at the final round at Sonoma.
Schedule
| Rd. | Date | Race name | Track | City |
|---|
| 1 | March 11 | Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | Streets of St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg, Florida |
|---|
| 2 | April 7 | Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix | ISM Raceway | Avondale, Arizona |
|---|
| 3 | April 15 | Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach | Streets of Long Beach | Long Beach, California |
|---|
| 4 | April 22/23* | Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama | Barber Motorsports Park | Birmingham, Alabama |
|---|
| 5 | May 12 | IndyCar Grand Prix | Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course | Speedway, Indiana |
|---|
| 6 | May 27 | 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Speedway, Indiana |
|---|
| 7 | June 2 | Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Corporation | Belle Isle Park | Detroit, Michigan |
|---|
| 8 | June 3 |
|---|
| 9 | June 9 | DXC Technology 600 | Texas Motor Speedway | Fort Worth, Texas |
|---|
| 10 | June 24 | Kohler Grand Prix | Road America | Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin |
|---|
| 11 | July 8 | Iowa Corn 300 | Iowa Speedway | Newton, Iowa |
|---|
| 12 | July 15 | Honda Indy Toronto | Exhibition Place | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|---|
| 13 | July 29 | Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | Lexington, Ohio |
|---|
| 14 | August 19 | ABC Supply 500 | Pocono Raceway | Long Pond, Pennsylvania |
|---|
| 15 | August 25 | Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Valvoline | Gateway Motorsports Park | Madison, Illinois |
|---|
| 16 | September 2 | Grand Prix of Portland | Portland International Raceway | Portland, Oregon |
|---|
| 17 | nowrap | September 16 | Indycar Grand Prix of Sonoma | Sonoma Raceway | Sonoma, California | |
|---|
Oval/Speedway
Road/Street course
Schedule changes and notes
- On September 26, 2017, Phoenix International Raceway's name was changed to ISM Raceway after a $100 million sponsorship deal with Ingenuity Sun Media, or ISM.
- Watkins Glen was dropped from the calendar, after only two races since its return in 2016. The round was replaced with a race at Portland International Raceway, after an 11-year absence since Portland's last Champ Car event.
- The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City was explored as a possible host of a race in August, but the deal was not put together and the race was not put on the calendar.[71]
- The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama was started on April 22 and was stopped due to rain on lap 22. The race was resumed on April 23.
Results
Points standings
- Ties are broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.
Driver standings
- The Indianapolis 500 and Sonoma rounds award double points.
- At all races except the Indy 500, the number 1 qualifier earns one point. At double header races, the fastest qualifier of each qualifying group earns one championship point.[74]
- Entrant-initiated engine change-outs before the engines reach their required distance run will result in the loss of ten points.
- NOTE: The distance run will be based on the total distance raced by that entrant with the engine in question, regardless of driver.
| | Color | Result |
|---|
| Gold | | Winner | | Silver | 2nd place | | Bronze | 3rd place | | Green | 4th & 5th place | | Light Blue | 6th–10th place | | Dark Blue | Finished
(Outside Top 10) | | Purple | Did not finish | | Red | Did not qualify
(DNQ) | | Brown | Withdrawn
(Wth) | | Black | Disqualified
(DSQ) | | White | Did Not Start
(DNS) | Race abandoned
(C) | | Blank | Did not
participate | |
| In-line notation | | Bold | Pole position
(1 point; except Indy) | | Italics | Ran fastest race lap | *| style="background:#F2F2F2;" align="center" |Led most race laps
(2 points)|-| style="background:#F2F2F2;" align="center" |DNS | Any driver who qualifies
but does not start (DNS),
earns half the points
had they taken part. | | 1–9 | Indy 500 "Fast 9" result,
with points as follows:
9 points for 1st
8 points for 2nd
and so on down to
1 point for 9th. | | c | Qualifying canceled
no bonus point awarded | | Rookie of the Year | | Rookie | |
| |
Entrant standings
- Based on the entrant, used for oval qualifications order, and starting grids when qualifying is cancelled.
- Only full-time entrants, and at-large part-time entrants shown.
Manufacturer standings
- All manufacturer points (including qualifying points, race finish points, and race win bonus points) can only be earned by full-season entrants.[75]
- The top two finishing entrants from each manufacturer in each race score championship points for their respective manufacturer. The manufacturer that wins each race will be awarded five additional points, which can be determined through bold in-line notation.
- At all races except the Indy 500, the manufacturer who qualifies on pole earns one point. At the Indy 500, the fastest Saturday qualifier earns one point, while the pole position winner on Sunday earns two points. It can be determined through italic in-line notation. But, in Gateway, as qualifying was rained out, no point will be awarded for pole position.
- The manufacturer with the most points from each race is noted by an asterisk (*).
- For every full-season engine used during the Indy 500 that reaches 2,000 total miles run, the manufacturer earns bonus points equal to that engine's finishing position in the race.
- Ties are broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc.
Notes and References
- Web site: Fan Favorite Driver Voting for 2018 . January 30, 2020 . September 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180927155301/https://www.indycar.com/2018/FanFavorite2018 . dead .
- Web site: Malsher. David. Verizon to quit as IndyCar title sponsor, remain with Penske. Motorsport.com. October 20, 2017. October 20, 2017.
- Web site: Malsher. David. How PFC stepped up braking performance for 2018 IndyCar. Motorsport.com. October 20, 2017. October 20, 2017.
- News: IndyCar Confirms Novak as Race Director. Racer.com. January 5, 2018. January 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180106005800/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/146591-indycar-confirms-novak-as-race-director. January 6, 2018. dead.
- News: The Indy 500 will soon have a new TV network. Indianapolis Star. March 21, 2018. en.
- News: NBC Sports Grabs Indianapolis 500 Rights From ABC After 54 Years. Steinberg. Brian. March 21, 2018. Variety. March 21, 2018. en-US.
- News: How IndyCar-NBC deal will affect local Indy 500 blackout. Indianapolis Star. March 21, 2018. en.
- Web site: Malsher. David. 2018 IndyCar aerokit concepts unveiled. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. January 12, 2017. January 12, 2017. January 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170114185136/http://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/2018-indycar-aerokit-concepts-unveiled-864966/. dead.
- Web site: 2018 IndyCar aerokit concepts unveiled. IndyCar.com. IndyCar.com. July 24, 2017. July 24, 2017.
- Web site: New electronics coming with 2018 bodywork. Pruett. Marshall. Racer.com. June 22, 2017. June 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170625004243/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/141658-new-electronics-coming-with-2018-bodywork. June 25, 2017. dead.
- Web site: Malsher. David. Firestone to introduce new rain tire for 2018 IndyCar. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. January 9, 2018. January 9, 2018.
- Web site: INDYCAR to conduct first on-track test of windscreen on Feb. 8. Indycar.com. February 2, 2018. February 4, 2018.
- Web site: Matheus Leist confirmed for IndyCar graduation with Foyt. November 16, 2017. May 28, 2018.
- Web site: Ayello. Jim. 2 of the biggest names in IndyCar team up as Tony Kanaan joins A.J. Foyt Racing. indystar.com. The Indianapolis Star. October 5, 2017. October 5, 2017.
- Web site: Miller. Robin. Davison 500 entry confirmed in third Foyt car. April 13, 2018. April 13, 2018. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20180414233758/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/148667-davison-500-entry-confirmed-in-third-foyt-car. April 14, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Miller. Robin. Pruett. Marshall. Robin Miller (journalist). Andretti, Rossi staying with Honda. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. August 28, 2017. August 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171030043442/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/143592-andretti-rossi-staying-with-honda. October 30, 2017. dead.
- Web site: Ayello. Jim. Stefan Wilson officially joins Andretti Autosport for 2018 Indy 500. indystar.com. The Indianapolis Star. October 5, 2017. October 4, 2017.
- Web site: Zach Veach signs with Andretti Autosport through 2020. David. Malsher. September 11, 2017. September 11, 2017. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. November 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171119130416/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/zach-veach-signs-with-andretti-autosport-through-2020-951896/. dead.
- Web site: Smith. Luke. Marco Andretti Confirmed in No. 98 Andretti-Herta IndyCar Entry. motorsports.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. December 6, 2017. December 6, 2017.
- Web site: Malsher. David. Andretti Autosport re-signs Ryan Hunter-Reay, DHL. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. September 18, 2016. Sonoma, California. September 18, 2016.
- Web site: Andretti Autosport – CARLOS MUÑOZ COMPLETES ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT INDY 500 LINEUP. December 18, 2017. May 28, 2018.
- Web site: Carlin enters IndyCar with two-car team for Kimball, Chilton. Tom. Errington. December 12, 2017. December 12, 2017. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network.
- Web site: Miller. Robin. Robin Miller (journalist). MILLER: 2018's most wanted. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. July 18, 2017. July 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171020220101/http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/142417-miller-a-million-moving-parts. October 20, 2017. dead.
- Web site: Chip Ganassi Racing Signs Ed Jones for its Verizon IndyCar Series Program. chipganassiracing.com. October 25, 2017. October 25, 2017.
- News: Fittipaldi confirms seven-race deal with Dale Coyne Racing. Motorsport. February 6, 2018. en. February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207122223/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/pietro-fittipaldi-indycar-coyne-indy-1002706/. dead.
- News: American Santino Ferrucci to race Paysafe car in Detroit. Dale Coyne Racing. May 18, 2018. en.
- News: Mann confirms DCR Indy 500 ride. RACER. March 20, 2018. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320165924/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/148182-mann-confirms-dcr-indy-500-ride. March 20, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Daly rejoins Coyne for Indy 500 with Thom Burns Racing and USAF. David. Malsher. March 6, 2018. March 6, 2018. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network.
- News: Weaver. Matt. Dale Coyne, Sébastien Bourdais already planning 2018 championship run. June 28, 2017. Autoweek. Crain Communications. June 28, 2017.
- WIX Filters. March 1, 2018. We're excited to support @DRRIndyCar driver, @SageKaram at the 102nd #Indy500! The young racer will drive the No. 24 DRR @TeamChevy Dallara. Looking forward to a great year. #WIXIndy . WIXFilters. 969233195077120003.
- Web site: Karam confirmed at Dreyer & Reinbold for Indy 500. David. Malsher. February 28, 2018. February 28, 2018. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. March 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180301044341/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/karam-confirmed-at-dreyer-reinbold-for-indy-500-1010071/. dead.
- Web site: Hildebrand lands second Dreyer & Reinbold Indy 500 seat. Tom. Errington. April 12, 2018. April 12, 2018. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. June 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616053803/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/hildebrand-lands-second-dreyer-reinbold-indy-500-seat-1025348/. dead.
- News: Danica Patrick to race final Indy 500 with Ed Carpenter Racing. Motorsport.com. February 14, 2018. en. June 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142135/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/danica-patrick-to-race-final-indy-500-with-ed-carpenter-racing-1005078/. dead.
- Web site: Patrick ready for the spotlight again at Indianapolis 500. March 7, 2018. May 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041533/https://racing.ap.org/article/patrick-shifting-gears-return-indianapolis-500. March 8, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Jordan King joins Ed Carpenter Racing for part-season IndyCar campaign. Smith. Luke. January 4, 2018. Crash.net. January 4, 2018.
- Web site: Ed Carpenter Racing elevates Spencer Pigot to full-time for 2018 IndyCar season. Brie. Rentz. September 13, 2017. September 13, 2017. edcarpenterracing.com. Ed Carpenter Racing.
- Web site: Pruett. Marshall. Harding confirms full 2018 IndyCar season with Chaves. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. January 12, 2018. January 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114231732/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/146716-harding-confirms-full-2018-indycar-season-with-chaves. January 14, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Miller. Robin. Daly to replace Chaves in Toronto as Harding shakes up lineup. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. July 10, 2018. July 10, 2018.
- Web site: Harding to field O'Ward, Herta at Sonoma. Robin. Miller. September 2, 2018. September 2, 2018.
- Web site: Austrian Rene Binder joins Juncos Racing for partial Verizon IndyCar season. juncosracing.com. January 5, 2018. January 5, 2018. April 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180402105439/http://www.juncosracing.com/austrian-rene-binder-joins-juncos-racing-for-partial-verizon-indycar-season/. dead.
- Web site: Stritzke. Heiko. Malsher. David. Binder extends Juncos deal to six IndyCar races. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. March 28, 2018. March 28, 2018. March 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180329054219/https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/binder-extends-juncos-deal-to-six-indycar-races-1019921/. dead.
- Web site: KAISER, JUNCOS RACING REVEAL FOUR-RACE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES PLAN FOR 2018. IndyCar.com. October 19, 2017. October 19, 2017.
- Web site: Alfonso Celis Jr. Advances to the Verizon IndyCar Series with Juncos Racing. May 10, 2018. May 10, 2018. Juncos. May 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511013045/https://www.juncosracing.com/2018/05/10/alfonso-celis-jr-advances-to-the-verizon-indycar-series-with-juncos-racing/. dead.
- Web site: Harvey, Shank, Schmidt Peterson teaming for six races in 2018. May 28, 2018.
- Web site: Malsher. David. Graham Rahal on why his season has been both brilliant and brutal. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. June 29, 2017. June 29, 2017.
- Web site: Mihai. Marian. 2017 Indy 500 Champion Takuma Sato Returns to RLL. rahal.com. Rahal. September 20, 2017. September 20, 2017.
- Web site: Scuderia Corsa joins Rahal for Servia Indy 500 entry. Photo. Marshall Pruett / Image by IMS. www.racer.com. en-gb. March 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180309234450/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/147888-scuderia-corsa-joins-rahal-for-servia-indy-500-entry. March 9, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Pruett. Marshall. Penske, SPM to lead 2018 bodykit development. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. July 13, 2017. July 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170806062904/http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/142259-penske-spm-to-lead-universal-bodykit-development. August 6, 2017. dead.
- Web site: Malsher. David. Schmidt Peterson confirms Wickens to partner Hinchcliffe in IndyCar. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. October 18, 2017. October 18, 2017.
- Web site: Munoz to sub for Wickens at Schmidt Peterson in Portland. Verizon. IndyCar Series. August 29, 2018. August 29, 2018. IndyCar. INDYCAR.
- Web site: Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. HOWARD REJOINS SPM WITH PARTNER ONE CURE FOR 102ND RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500. March 23, 2018. March 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180324101722/http://spmindycar.com/2018/03/23/howard-rejoins-spm-with-partner-one-cure-for-102nd-running-of-the-indianapolis-500/. dead.
- Web site: Pruett. Marshall. New chapter likely for Castroneves with Honda DPi. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. July 8, 2017. Newton, Iowa. July 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170812031119/http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/142124-new-chapter-likely-for-castroneves-with-honda-dpi. August 12, 2017. dead.
- Web site: Josef Newgarden to run champion's No. 1 in 2018. November 1, 2017. May 28, 2018.
- Web site: Motor racing: Castroneves moves to sports cars, Indy 500 still in plans. reuters.com. Reuters. October 4, 2017. October 5, 2017.
- Web site: Pruett. Marshall. Ganassi confirms IndyCar reduction to two cars. Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc.. September 21, 2017. September 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170921004859/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/144358-ganassi-confirms-indycar-reduction-to-two-cars. September 21, 2017. dead.
- Web site: Pryson. Mike. Chip Ganassi Racing signs IndyCar Rookie of the Year Ed Jones. Autoweek.com. October 25, 2017. Crain Communications, Inc.. October 26, 2017.
- Web site: Hélio Castroneves Joins Team Penske's IMSA Lineup. teampenske.com. Team Penske. October 4, 2017. October 4, 2017.
- Web site: Harvey, Shank, Schmidt Peterson teaming for six races in 2018. May 28, 2018.
- Web site: Indycar Racing News - Meyer joins Shank as MSR team co-owner . April 6, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180406231955/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/148478-meyer-joins-shank-as-msr-team-co-owner . April 6, 2018 . dead .
- Web site: Santiago Urrutia says IndyCar got another black eye with O'Ward . AutoRacing1 . 12 February 2019 . February 12, 2019.
- News: Barnhart Joins Harding Racing. Miller. Robin. Racer.com. Racer Media and Marketing, Inc.. November 29, 2017. November 29, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171129211336/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/146017-barnhart-joins-harding-racing#. November 29, 2017. dead.
- News: Harding looks to add second car later this season. Pruett. Marshall. Racer.com. Racer Media and Marketing, Inc.. June 24, 2018. June 26, 2018.
- News: Telitz wins Indy Lights race, Kaiser crowned champion. IndyCar.com. September 22, 2017.
- Web site: Kyle Kaiser advances to the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series with Juncos Racing – Juncos Racing. www.juncosracing.com. October 19, 2017. May 28, 2018. October 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171020032432/http://www.juncosracing.com/kyle-kaiser-advances-to-the-2018-verizon-indycar-series-with-juncos-racing/. dead.
- Web site: Danica Patrick says this will be last full-time season as a driver. Long. Dustin. November 17, 2017. NBC Sports. November 17, 2017.
- Web site: Danica Patrick to end racing career at next year's Indy 500. Pockrass. Bob. ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. November 17, 2017. November 17, 2017.
- News: APNewsBreak: GoDaddy to sponsor Patrick in 'Danica Double'. January 18, 2018. Auto Racing. January 18, 2018. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180223112337/https://racing.ap.org/article/apnewsbreak-godaddy-sponsor-patrick-danica-double. February 23, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Mann confirms DCR Indy 500 ride. Mann. RACER Staff/Images by Abbott/LAT; Pippa. www.racer.com. en-gb. March 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320165924/http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/148182-mann-confirms-dcr-indy-500-ride. March 20, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Celis to get second IndyCar outing at Portland. Pablo. Elizalde. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network.
- Web site: Harding confirms Daly for Mid-Ohio. Racer.com. Racer Media and Marketing, inc.. July 24, 2018.
- Web site: Malsher. David. China, Mexico, among four possible new IndyCar races. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. May 8, 2017. May 8, 2017.
- The qualification format for this race featured two separate qualification groups, with the fastest qualifier in each group earning a championship point; the faster of the two group fastest qualifiers would then start on pole, while the other would start from the outside of the front row. Andretti set the fastest overall lap, and was awarded the pole position. Scott Dixon set the fastest lap in the other qualifying group, and was also awarded a championship point.
- The qualification format for this race featured two separate qualification groups, with the fastest qualifier in each group earning a championship point; the faster of the two group fastest qualifiers would then start on pole, while the other would start from the outside of the front row. Rossi set the fastest overall lap, and was awarded the pole position. Robert Wickens set the fastest lap in the other qualifying group, and was also awarded a championship point.
- Web site: 2017 IndyCar Series rulebook. Verizon IndyCar Series. 149. June 4, 2017.
- Web site: 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series Official Rulebook. May 29, 2018. IndyCar Series. September 15, 2018.
