NOTE: Tonight I am scheduled to appear on Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee. Show airs from 8pm-10pm EST on 1070 the Fan. Live streaming can be found here.
Leader Circle Spots Handed Out
Yesterday, 22 Leader Circle spots were handed out, an increase from 20 in 2012. 19 team finished in the top 22 in entrant points, while Sarah Fisher-Hartman, HVM and Dragon Racing were each award a spot for being the next three in 2012 entrant points. With HVM being awarded a spot, it all but confirms the team will be back in 2013, after the Lotus debacle put the teams continuation in IndyCar in question.
Of these 22 spots, three have drivers yet to be named. HVM and two Dale Coyne entries, although Justin Wilson is believed to be returning to the team. Rumors have been out there that Katherine Legge may be loaned to HVM from Dragon for 2013.
The second Schmidt-Peterson entry and second Rahal-Letterman-Lanigan entry are the only announced team outside the Leader Circle so far. A fourth Andretti and a second Dragon are expected to join Vautier and Jakes as non-Leader Circle teams. Other potential non-Leader Circle teams for 2013 are a fourth Ganassi entry and Michael Shank Racing.
Allmendinger to test an IndyCar for Penske
It has been a little over 6 years since AJ Allmendinger last raced an open-wheel car for Forsythe Racing at the penultimate round of the 2006 Champ Car season at Surfers Paradise. Now, the past race winner is looking to start act two. Allmendinger has a test scheduled with Penske Racing at Sebring. Currently, Allmendinger is scheduled to run the four races in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Allemdinger only has a test scheduled but if a sponsor can be found, would make his return at Barber April 7, while running Long Beach and Indianapolis later in the year.
Interesting enough, the Barber race is scheduled the same day as Martinsville, one of the four on Allmendinger's NASCAR schedule. Allmendinger was suspended for a failed drug test before the July race at Daytona, was released by Penske but returned for the October race at Charlotte.
2013 U.S. F2000 Winterfest
The first championship of the 2013 Mazda Road to Indy ladder system is under way.The past two days, three races for the U.S. F2000 Winterfest took place at Sebring. American Neil Alberico swept the three races and leads Canadian Scott Hargorve by 21 points. Third, fourth and fifth in the points are Canadians Garett Grist, driving for Andretti Autosport, Jesse Lazare and Stefan Rzadzinski. Brit James Fletcher is sixth with Jake Eidson being the next highest American, however Eidson will not be competing in the final three races at Palm Beach International Raceway this Saturday and Sunday.
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