Sébastien Bourdais is the best driver in the world, for the fifth time. Petter Solberg and Oliver Solberg won the Race of Champions Nations' Cup for Norway over Jimmie Johnson and Colton Herta for the United States. Joey Logano won NASCAR’s Clash at the Coliseum. MotoGP is testing in Sepang, and some riders (one rider, really) broke quarantine protocols. BMW will run one full-time GT Daytona Pro car in IMSA. Wayne Taylor Racing is helping run an Acura NSX with Racers Edge Motorsports in GT Daytona at Sebring. Danilo Petrucci is coming to America to ride in MotoAmerica. Here is a rundown of what got me thinking.
Foyt's Fantasy Driver
Most IndyCar seats are accounted for, as we are less than three weeks away from the 2022 IndyCar season opener. All the seats for the opening round at St. Petersburg are full. We are looking at 26 cars, but the one opening remaining is the one we didn't know existed on January 1.
The surprise announcement of Tatiana Calderón in the #11 ROKiT Chevrolet for A.J. Foyt Racing was a full-time entry seemingly out of nowhere. Calderón's IndyCar considerations had gone cold since her test in July 2021, and with Foyt having already announced Dalton Kellett's return and Kyle Kirkwood as full-time, it appears Calderón would not be on the grid, or at least would only be in a cameo role in 2022.
Calderón will be a regular, but she will not contest the oval races, focusing on IndyCar's 12 road and street courses instead. The last opening for a full-time IndyCar entry are the five oval races in this #11 car.
We will likely know soon who will be this driver, but let's have some fun. There are a few names that we can likely count on being candidates, but this is an open seat that is already funded. Any driver could be hired for these five races. Who are some of the wildest potential drivers?
There are five fantasy examples I would like to play out, but to also keep everyone ground, I will also give out five of the usual suspects to remind everyone that Foyt's driver likely will not be as fun as we wish it would be. We are going to start grounded in reality.
Usual Suspect #1: Ryan Hunter-Reay
Why he makes sense: Hunter-Reay wants to be in IndyCar, preferably full-time in IndyCar, but with no full-time seat, a five-race oval package would suffice. Not to mention it is already a funded seat with ROKiT sponsorship, and Hunter-Reay would not have to bring any money to the program. He has won the Indianapolis 500, he has won at Iowa, and he has been one of IndyCar's best oval drivers in the last decade. Hunter-Reay would bring veteran experience that A.J. Foyt Racing is lacking. He could help lift Kyle Kirkwood and Dalton Kellett, and that mentorship could play a crucial role in Kirkwood's development.
Why it will not happen: I bet Hunter-Reay thinks he can do better than A.J. Foyt Racing for the Indianapolis 500. Hunter-Reay was running in the top five for most of the Indianapolis 500 last year, and one pit lane speeding penalty late cost him an opportunity to possibly challenge for the victory down the stretch. Hunter-Reay probably feels like he should already have a second Indianapolis 500 to his name. In his early 40s, and fresh off watching 40-somethings Takuma Sato and Hélio Castroneves each pick up another Indianapolis 500 victory, Hunter-Reay knows it is possible, but is it possible at A.J. Foyt Racing? It doesn't appear likely. Hunter-Reay might rather do one race elsewhere than commit five races to Foyt.
Fantasy #1: A.J. Allmendinger
Why he makes sense: While Allmendinger will be full-time in the NASCAR Grand National Series and run 14 Cup races in 2022, none of his Cup races conflict with the five IndyCar oval races. He will have some practices clash, the first Iowa race clashes with the Pocono race, and Watkins Glen will end when Gateway begins, but it is possible for Allmendinger to make another Indianapolis 500 start. This would likely have to be pair with another driver, and while it isn't Team Penske, Allmendinger would get to drive for the A.J. that inspired his name. Why wouldn't he take the chance to get to say he drove for A.J. Foyt?
Why it will not happen: Allmendinger isn't returning to the Indianapolis 500. I think he will take his one start and a seventh-place finish and run with it. He got to do it. He got to do it with Team Penske. Who knows what would have happened if his seat belts did not become loose? His schedule is too busy and none of these races are worth it considering his NASCAR commitments.
Usual Suspect #2: J.R. Hildebrand
Why he makes sense: Hildebrand drove for Foyt in 2021 at Indianapolis and has helped the team, including with Tatiana Calderón in her initial IndyCar test last July at Mid-Ohio. Hildebrand has nothing to lose. He has been an Indianapolis 500-only driver since 2018. He is going to be at Indianapolis anyway, why not take on an additional four oval races. He is only 34 years old, but any hopes of becoming a full-time IndyCar driver again are vanishing. Five races could be a chance to prove his talent and catch someone's eye again.
Why it will not happen: It is hard to see this one not happening. The only way it doesn't happen is if Hunter-Reay takes the seat, or Foyt is more comfortable with another driver to run those five races. However, after finishing 15th last year at Indianapolis, the best Foyt finisher after being the best Foyt starter, this seems like a no-brainer on the Foyt side of things.
Fantasy #2: Jordan Taylor
Why he makes sense: Taylor has been one of the best American sports car drivers for nearly the last decade. His IMSA prototype success led to a Corvette factory seat and he has won championships the last two years. He is already a Chevrolet driver. This would be a great opportunity to run some IndyCar races, run IndyCar's biggest race and he could broaden interest in his talents. It would be good for IndyCar and Foyt, as Taylor would definitely post about his IndyCar exploits on social media and it would be another personality for NBC to showcase on IndyCar broadcasts. There is one conflict with the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Texas IndyCar race, but the other IndyCar oval weekends have no conflicts.
Why it will not happen: I don't think Taylor's father would ever let him near an IndyCar oval race. It doesn't help that Taylor hasn't driven a single-seater since SCCA F2000 in 2008 with his only other single-seater experience being Skip Barber Eastern Regional Series, and he has never raced an oval. This isn't happening.
Usual Suspect #3: Charlie Kimball
Why he makes sense: Kimball is an IndyCar veteran and he has spent the last two years with the Foyt program. He missed the Indianapolis 500 last year, but it was a difficult spot where Kimball was driving a hastily prepared car that had run the Grand Prix of Indianapolis the week before and was not specifically built for the 2.5-mile oval like many of his competitors. Historically, Kimball is a smart driver and can get results with cars. Plus, he would likely also bring some funding to the team. Not that it needs it with ROKiT funding the #11 Chevrolet, but extra associate sponsors are always welcomed.
Why it will not happen: Hunter-Reay and Hildebrand are better drivers, and maybe Kimball's Indianapolis 500 failure has left a bad taste in Foyt's mouth. Kimball is good, but not great. He can put the car solidly in the middle of the field, but not necessarily make a run for a top ten result.
Fantasy #3: Tony Stewart
Why he makes sense: It is Tony Stewart. Stewart nearly drove for A.J. Foyt at the 2004 Indianapolis 500 when Stewart arrived on bump day and said he was going to make a qualifying attempt only for Joe Gibbs Racing and its sponsors to snuff out any run. Eighteen years later, Stewart doesn't have those same concerns. Better yet, he could use Texas as his race to get into shape for the Indianapolis 500 in May. He can then run Iowa and Gateway to experience two new tracks and close out his return to IndyCar racing.
Why it will not happen: There isn't a snowball's chance in hell this happens. Stewart has repeatedly said he cannot be competitive in an IndyCar. He isn't in IndyCar shape. He is 50 years old, newly married and owns a NASCAR Cup team, a dirt racing team and operates an entire racing series. This isn't going to happen... but wouldn't we love to see it?
Usual Suspect #4: Sébastien Bourdais
Why he makes sense: Bourdais spent the last two years with the Foyt program, and he is a four-time champion. Bourdais can out-perform the equipment he is in and take a non-top ten car and fight for a top five result with it. He has won at Milwaukee and he had a top five finish at Gateway last year.
Why it will not happen: This will definitely not happen, even if it makes sense. Bourdais has moved on from IndyCar. He has a great sports car opportunity with Chip Ganassi Racing and his future goal is winning his home race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Bourdais has said he has been open to IndyCar cameos, however, I don't think he wants to do the Indianapolis 500 or any ovals anymore. I think he would rather drive road/street courses and drive for teams other than A.J. Foyt Racing.
Fantasy #4: Kevin Magnussen
Why he makes sense: Magnussen enjoyed his IndyCar outing last year substituting for Felix Rosenqvist at Road America for Arrow McLaren SP. Magnussen has expressed IndyCar interest before, and while his main job will be the Peugeot Hypercar program, it does appear Magnussen has some wiggle room in this schedule. He will run the 12 Hours of Sebring for Chip Ganassi Racing, granted Peugeot has delayed the start of its WEC program, so he became available for that weekend, but it seems like Magnussen would have no problem just jumping on an oval, even if it meant his first oval outing would be the same weekend as another endurance race. Outside of the odd Sebring/Texas clash, Indianapolis is the weekend before the Le Mans test day, and both Iowa and Gateway occur in the two-month WEC break between Monza in July and Fuji in September. Magnussen will have the time.
Why it will not happen: I don't think Peugeot would let Magnussen do this much racing, but I could actually see this happening. It is a funded seat. Magnussen wouldn't have to spend a dime. It would be a chance to run the Indianapolis 500 and some other IndyCar races, see how he likes it and keep his options open. It might not be the greatest team in the world, but Romain Grosjean went from Dale Coyne Racing to Andretti Autosport after one year. Magnussen could do well enough to attract somebody.
Usual Suspect #5: Tony Kanaan
Why he makes sense: Now, Kanaan is tied up with Chip Ganassi Racing for the Indianapolis 500, so Foyt would need a driver for that race (Hildebrand or Kimball), but why not have Kanaan for the other four oval races? Kanaan has already been focused on the ovals since 2020. He drove for Foyt for three seasons. I know Kanaan has done some racing in Brazil to fill his schedule since he has been part-time in IndyCar, but a five-race program could probably fit into Kanaan's plans. He is a fan favorite. It is a funded car. It is a win-win for Foyt.
Why it will not happen: Like Bourdais, this will definitely not happen. Kanaan is set to do one race with Ganassi. He isn't going to split his time with Foyt. He is going to focus on the Indianapolis 500 and whatever sports car racing he is doing in Brazil.
The one thing that bothers me with Kanaan is he is on 387 starts, only 20 behind Mario Andretti's record 407 starts. A few years ago I thought he was going to get 400 starts and break Andretti's record. However, being part-time the last two years have decreased the likelihood of that outcome. Running the Indianapolis 500 only crushes it ever happening.
But it is still possible. Let's say Kanaan would accept the Foyt seat for the four races and runs Indianapolis with Ganassi. He would be on 392 starts at the end of 2022, eight away from 400 and 16 away from the record. All he would need is one more full season in 2023 to get there. I don't think Kanaan is the kind of guy to chase records. He wants to win races and be competitive, but maybe we convince him. It is not every day you get to break one of Mario Andretti's records.
Fantasy #5: Kamui Kobayashi
Why he makes sense: Kobayashi is one of the quickest drivers on the planet. With two consecutive World Endurance Drivers' Championships, two 24 Hours of Daytona victories and a 24 Hours of Le Mans victory all occurring in the last four-plus years, he has been mentioned in IndyCar circles for the last few years. The bravery is there for him to jump on an oval and do something incredible. It would be a change of scenery, but one that could suit him well. We already know the IndyCar and WEC schedules are compatible. He would be a driver Foyt would not have to worry about taking long to get up to speed and it would be another world-class driver on the IndyCar grid.
Why it will not happen: Toyota is never going to allow it. One, there is still the Sebring/Texas clash, and Kobayashi is scheduled to run both the 1000 Miles of Sebring on Friday and the 12 Hours of Sebring on Saturday. There is no way he is running his very first oval race that Sunday at Texas. Two, Kobayashi was also named Toyota Gazoo Racing team principal this winter. He is more than a driver now. Though it would be thrilling to see, it just isn't responsible.
We will likely see one of the usual suspects in Foyt's #11 Chevrolet for the ovals, and most likely one of the first three usual suspects. Foyt has surprised us before, but I think the team will make a safe pick. On that bland conclusion, wasn't it fun to fantasize about the possibilities? I hope this doesn't awaken anything in me.
Champions from the Weekend
The #51 Iron Lynx Ferrari of Alessandro Pier Guidi and Comê Ledogar clinched the 2021 Intercontinental GT Challenge championship with a runner-up finish in the Kyalami 9 Hours.
Winners From the Weekend
You know about Race of Champions and Joey Logano, but did you know...
The #89 Team AKKA ASP Mercedes-AMG of Raffaele Marciello, Jules Gounon and Timur Boguslavskiy won the Kyalami 9 Hours.
Eli Tomac won the Supercross race from Glendale after winning the first two of three races in the Triple Crown format. Chase Sexton won the third race.
Coming Up This Weekend
The Asian Le Mans Series opens its season with a Dubai doubleheader.
Formula E has its second race of the season in Mexico City.
Supercross makes its third trip to Anaheim.
