It’s been a whirlwind IndyCar silly season, and while we’re down for a few weeks with the Olympic break, it’s worth running through the latest state of affairs to catch up on which teams are solid for 2025, which programs are in transition, and where some of the never-ending rumors fall on the scale of true or false. (A hint: most are dead wrong.)
A.J. FOYT RACING
Team leader Larry Foyt told us in our last update that both seats are available and talks of continuing with Santino Ferrucci and Sting Ray Robb were taking place. That update also happened before Ferrucci moved the No. 14 Chevy into the top 10 in the championship, which is a big deal for the team in its first full season of the technical alliance it forged with Team Penske.
Keeping Ferrucci, who should be commanding more interest from other teams, is a no-brainer. He’s also been vocal in wanting to stay. Robb has been better in his second season, which isn’t a surprise, but he’s also ranked last in the standings among the 21 drivers who’ve contested every race. The team continues to need a significant infusion of cash, so if Robb is able to produce another sizable sponsorship package, and soon, I’d expect him to return.
With the Penske relationship in mind, the arrival of a similarly funded, but faster driver would give Robb competition to retain the No. 41 car. Using Ferrucci’s pace and results in the No. 14 as a guide, the for-hire No. 41 should attract funded drivers before some of the other seats that can be acquired.
With his sophomore improvements to consider, Robb has been faster and more consistent, but it’s been modest in turning last year’s 20ths at Dale Coyne into 17ths or so at Foyt. Better, but not enough to prevent the team from seeing if someone else with money is out there who could run closer to Ferrucci.
Look to the last four race weekends as an opportunity for Robb to show to deserves to keep the seat.
ANDRETTI GLOBAL
Andretti Global is set with its three drivers. Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson are signed through at least 2025. But there’s more to explore.
There’s been an ongoing rumor involving Andretti leaving Honda, its engine supplier since 2014, for Chevy, which powered the team to its last IndyCar championship in 2012. This would be done to align with General Motors’ engine supply in Andretti’s desired Formula 1 team and WTRAndretti’s move from fielding Acura’s factory IMSA GTP program to running GM’s factory Cadillac GTP effort in 2025.
I’ve been told the team’s IndyCar contract with Honda goes through 2025, which would be the first issue to consider in the supposed change. Chevy, which has a completely full supply roster for 2025 after signing PREMA — which is using the last two full-season leases it had to offer — is the second issue.
If Andretti were to buy its way out of its Honda contract, that would still leave Chevy with valid supply contracts with A.J. Foyt Racing, Arrow McLaren, Ed Carpenter Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing, PREMA and Team Penske, and a need to offer three new full-season motor programs to Andretti that don’t exist.
I know driver contracts are almost worthless in IndyCar, but that’s not the case with contracts between major automotive companies and racing teams. Chevy isn’t calling to break up with Foyt, Carpenter, or anyone else with an enforceable contract to onboard Andretti, and those are two-car teams. The only three-car teams to fit the Andretti need are Arrow McLaren and Team Penske, its two best squads, and I’m confident saying Zak Brown and Roger Penske aren’t about to be ghosted by the bowtie.
I asked Andretti COO Rob Edwards about the leaving-for-Chevy rumor, and here’s what he told RACER: “I think that’s a popular question because of all of the F1 conversations, but no, we have a Honda agreement. We’re very happy working with Honda. Been a great partnership. There are no plans whatsoever to make a change.”
Everything I’ve listed here involves no change for 2025. Whether a change might happen after Andretti’s Honda contract is completed leading into 2026 is an entirely different matter.
Another rumor I’ve been hearing over the last four to six weeks is related to Andretti’s Indy NXT program and the possibility of fielding an IndyCar entry for its NXT race winner Jamie Chadwick, who will get her first IndyCar run with Andretti in September.
Specifically, and with the IndyCar team’s intentional shrinking from four entries to three for 2024 to improve its performance, I’ve heard discussions have been held about putting together a satellite program for Chadwick as early as 2025, but more likely for 2026, to be run by Bryan Herta Autosport. This would keep Andretti’s three-car operation intact under the main tent while holding onto a prized talent through a trusted partner with Herta under BHA’s tent.
To that, Edwards said, “Lots of things getting talked about right now. The focus is on the three cars. It’s definitely been a step in the right direction this year, hasn’t it?”