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2012 Rumors

My friend who is in the paddock for most all the races is full of info he's gleaned this weekend at Sonoma regarding possible 2012 alignments.

To begin with, he says there is great optimism for next year among most all of the teams (contrary to how a lot of us fans feel). Here are some tidbits (rumors and speculation) regarding some teams:

TCG: Set with the same four drivers for next year (the two Target cars and the two satellite teams).

Penske: Here's the interesting one -- RP hopes to have three cars, but supposedly has sponsor worries. The rumor mill has it that if he has to drop a team, Helio would be odd man out, and he's quietly talking to some other teams just in case.

AA: Michael plans to run four cars again, and it's anyone's guess who will wind up in the GoDaddy seat (in case you have not heard, Bob Parsons has agreed to continue sponsoring a car for two more years. Think he'll go with another female? Kathryn Legge's name is being mentioned in speculation).

D&RR: Two cars, though current drivers are on 1-year contracts.

KV: In his words, two and maybe three cars (someone might get bounced?)

Schmidt: At least one car of his own (Pagenaud as driver?) maybe two, and maybe a partnership with at least one team.

HVM: Back with Sim and possibly a second car for a veteran.

NH: Back with same two drivers.

Coyne: Jakes again and working on Bourdais full-time.

Panther: One car, maybe two.

Foyt: Ditto.

Dragon: Ditto.

Hoping to go full-time: Herta, RLL, Gary Peterson, Fisher

Sports car teams perhaps going IICS: Highcroft, SunTrust

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Permalink Reply by RaceFan on August 28, 2011 at 11:59am

That all sounds good. Will just have to wait to hear the true word about 2012 from Robin Miller.

Stay tuned to Speed for the most up to date INDYCAR rumors.

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Permalink Reply by Iowa Guy on August 28, 2011 at 12:26pm

Yep, no matter what some people think about Robin, the guy is a great source of info and I would trust him as one of the best at sniffing out the story behind rumors.

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Permalink Reply by IndyCar Garage on August 29, 2011 at 9:01am

So FT rides look like 22-24 cars which would be very good considering the cost of new equipment. I Hope Indy can get up to 36 - 38 cars , so there is bumping like last year.

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Permalink Reply by Linda Willareth on August 29, 2011 at 10:26am

Robin Miller announces the probability of China on next year's schedule--I find it interesting the country of China can afford to bring "the circus" to town but so many great citie's in the USA can't afford the event. Something is just wrong with that picture. Guess I had better get my airline ticket soon for that event--does Southwest Airline fly to China? (kidding) I found the Sonoma race boring but I'm happy Will has made the "championship race" alittle more interesting. The lack of passing opportunity doesn't make for great television (in my opinion) even if the drivers think it is a very cool track. It saddened me to see Vitor having such a tough race. But it pleased me to see Roger Penske enjoying an absolutely incredible weekend--in Bristol and in the wine country.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Eugene Johnson on August 29, 2011 at 10:24am

I am predicting (no inside info, just my gut), we'll see 24-26 entries for the season and 35-38 entries (going for the 33 spots) at Indy. I think it is going to be better than some speculate (although I will admit that I'm by nature, a glass is half full optimistic kind of person). I would guess the odds of Danica at Indy next year would be at 35%.