The IndyCar season is set to begin on February 27 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. IndyCar burst onto the scene last year because it became known as a league where any driver can win at any given race. This is not the case in a sport like Formula One, where only the top teams have a chance.
IndyCar fans are a unique group of individuals that love to bet on the races. If you are one of these individuals, make sure to utilize an online casino to place your bets. The best bet to place currently is the NTT IndyCar Series champion, which was won by Alex Palou last season.
The series is wide open once again, and there are a lot of young guns looking to show their stuff. Before you place a wager, it’s essential to understand some of the latest offseason developments occurring heading into the year.
Juan Pablo Montoya Rejoins Arrow McLaren SP
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Juan Pablo Montoya is rejoining the IndyCar circuit at Indianapolis with the goal of winning his third Indy 500 title. Montoya is one of the best drivers in the history of automobile racing and has stayed in business, despite no longer being full-time in any league.
Montoya won at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing in 2000 and 2015. He also drove for Arrow McLaren SP in the 2021 Indianapolis 500, finishing ninth.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, who has been put on the map through the F1 documentary Drive to Survive, released a statement on Tuesday with the announcement.
He said, “Juan Pablo is an institution in motorsport, with two Indianapolis 500 victories and an impressive Formula One career with multiple wins for McLaren. He adds experience that really benefits our team, giving us another driver with the potential to win anytime he steps into the car.”
Montoya, who is from Columbia, is known for his versatility in the car. He is one of the most experienced drivers, winning Formula One, IndyCar, and NASCAR races.
He is also a win at the Le Mans 24 Hour race away from winning the Triple Crown of Motorsport. This consists of victories at the Monaco Grand Prix or F1 Championship, Indianapolis 500, and the Le Mans race.
Montoya will join full-time Arrow McLaren SP drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist for two races. The races besides the Indianapolis 500 will be the Indianapolis Grand Prix on May 13.
Montoya said, “I’m excited to return to Indianapolis with Arrow McLaren SP and Mission, to once again compete in a race that holds a special place in my heart – the Indianapolis 500. I think we have a real shot at competing at the front of the field and challenging for the win.”
Winter Testing
It’s very hard to win in IndyCar, not as a full-time driver. The full-time drivers are with their team all year, which helps build chemistry. Winter testing has begun for IndyCar, and it took place at Sebring International Raceway.
IndyCar has a lot of restrictions on testing, so most teams will be limited before the first race of the year occurs at St. Petersburg. The first drivers to test were Meyer Shank Racing’s Helio Castroneves and Simon Pagenaud, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s Christian Lundgaard. Lundgaard will have more opportunities because of his rookie status.
A.J. Foyt Racing and Team Penske will conduct testing on a single car for each team on January 19. There are 24 cars scheduled to test again at Sebring International Raceway in the middle of February. This is when most cars will start to ramp up for the 2022 season.
All testing is on road courses at this point. Oval testing will not be conducted until after St. Petersburg. The first oval will be the season’s second race at the XPEL 375 at Texas Motor Speedway.
