TMW: Force Indy Trying New Concept
The company will sponsor drivers Ernie Francis Jr. and Myles Rowe in 2023.
The Morning Warmup
Oct. 20, 2022
Today’s Top Stories
1) Force Indy to sponsor Francis, Rowe for 2023 drivers (Road to Indy)
Force Indy will support both Ernie Francis Jr. and Myles Rowe as they work to climb the Road to Indy ladder in 2023.
The diversity-focused effort is continuing to work toward the goals of Penske Entertainment’s Race for Equality & Change program, but is making a shift away from its prior role as an Indy Lights team. It will instead focus on “establishing a program that sponsors multiple drivers at top teams while fostering additional pathways for diverse talent across the motorsports spectrum."
In 2023 that will include sponsorship of both Francis and Rowe. In his second Indy Lights season after a shift over from Trans Am and an impressive Superstar Racing Experience showing, Francis will compete in the No. 99 entry for HMD Motorsports. The team has acquired Force Indy’s car and equipment. It will additionally utilize the crew members that worked on Francis’ cars in 2022.
Rowe will make the step up to the renamed USF Pro 2000, a move that wasn’t previously guaranteed after he narrowly lost out on the USF2000 championship despite winning five times in 2022. He’ll continue to compete with Pabst Racing.
Both drivers will be mentored by Force Indy co-owner Rod Reid.
"Force Indy already has a lot to celebrate,” Reid said. “In 2021, we made history as the first African American-owned team and driver to win an IndyCar-sanctioned race (Rowe’s first win in USF2000). Now we are aligning ourselves with two championship caliber teams as we seek growth and continued success both on and off the track.”
(Source(s): David Malsher-Lopez / Motorsport)
2) Singapore GP making temporary circuit changes (F1)
The Singapore Grand Prix is set for a changed track layout for as many as four years in the future due to redevelopments at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
The construction work in question is tied to the final sector of the race. The Float at Marina Bay is being redeveloped into a community and events venue called “NS Square.”
This rules that area out for upcoming editions of the Formula 1 race weekend. The circuit will eliminate the section in Turns 16-19, replacing it with a lengthy straightaway that will connect Turn 15 with what will now be Turn 16 instead of Turn 20.
The new-look circuit will be a shorter 3.062 miles in length and feature just 19 turns, leading to an increase of the race distance to 63 laps and lap times upwards of six seconds slower. Work is expected to last until as late as 2026.
The 2023 Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled for Sept. 17.
(Source(s): Chris Medland / RACER)
News and Notes
NASCAR
Bubba Wallace apologized to Christopher Bell on the flight back from Las Vegas after Sunday’s Cup Series race. (Dustin Long / NBC Sports)
Bell himself has to hope that the hight of his playoff run will continue to match or exceed the lows if he hopes to hoist up the championship trophy in three weeks. (Kelly Crandall / RACER)
Oh… And Bell is also this week’s guest on the “12 Questions” series. (Jeff Gluck / The Athletic)
IndyCar
Linus Lundqvist is an Indy Lights champion, but he’s still in search of an IndyCar opportunity for 2023. (Marshall Pruett / RACER)
Force Indy has confirmed that Ernie Francis Jr. will return to Indy Lights next season under the HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing banner. (Marshall Pruett / RACER)
Here’s the latest on IndyCar silly season. (Marshall Pruett / RACER)
F1
The FIA has worked to clear up its grid penalty rules moving forward. (Jonathan Noble / Motorsport)
The organization also vows it will publish its incident report from the crane incident at the Japanese Grand Prix. (Charles Bradley / Motorsport)
Daniel Ricciardo’s likely exit serves as proof of the sport’s brutal nature with drivers, at least through the eyes of Carlos Sainz. (Jonathan Noble / Motorsport)
Colton Herta may still have F1 ambitions, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be testing with McLaren again anytime soon. (Marshall Pruett / RACER)
Max Verstappen has been utterly dominant this season. A look at the year without him showcases that as much as it tells us about anything else. (Scott Mitchell-Malm / The Race)
Hubris was a leading cause in the loss of the United States Grand Prix at Riverside International Raceway. (Elizabeth Blackstock / Jalopnik)
Circuit of the Americas has been rough on cars in the past. Will it work well this year? Here’s a look at things to watch for in F1’s last trip to America this year. (James Elson / Motor Sport Magazine)
Supercars
Race engineer Ludo Lacroix will remain with Dick Johnson Racing for the 2023 Supercars season. (Slade Perrins / Speedcafe)
Sports Cars
Dinamic Motorsport haș confirmed plans to run a two-car Porsche Type-992 GT3 operation next year in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe. (Daniel Lloyd / Sportscar365)
Timo Glock says he learned he was dropped by BMW over a video call with the manufacturer’s management. (Sven Haidinger & Christian Nimmervoll / Motorsport)
Bronze-rated drivers will be required to qualify LMP2 cars in the European Le Mans Series next year. (Daniel Lloyd / Sportscar365)
Dirt
A midwestern trio of races is coming for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series with six races left in the 2022 season. (Mike Warren / Race Pro Weekly)
Short Tracks
Officials from Track Enterprises and the Southern Super Series have announced a strategic partnership moving forward. (Racing America)
There are more than 40 teams on the entry list for the All American 400. (Racing America)
Moto
Pecco Bagnaia has completed a massive comeback to lead the MotoGP standings. Here’s what he needs to clinch the title this weekend in Sepang. (Bikesport News)
Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia Racing aren’t in strong contention, with Espargaro admitting the team isn’t good enough to seriously fight for the championship. (Daniel Herrero / Speedcafe)
The MotoE calendar has been expanded for 2023. (Daniel Herrero / Speedcafe)
Esports
The No. 98 Apex Racing Team won the opening round of the IMSA Esports Michelin Global Championship at Road Atlanta. (Justin Melillo / Traxion)
Other
Abt Sportsline leader Thomas Biermaier feels his squad and Mahinda Racing will operate as a four-car team next season in Formula E. (Rachit Thukral / Motorsport)
Cape Town has been added to the tour’s 2023 calendar, while Seoul is off the table due to renovations at Olympic Park. (Jake Boxall-Legge / Motorsport)
Keep an eye out for Ken Block’s “Electrikhana” next week. (Brian Silvestro / Road and Track)
On Track Today
All Times ET
Dirt
KKM Giveback Classic Day 1 (Port City Raceway): 7:00 p.m., FloRacing
Fast Fact
This weekend will be the final chance for Truck Series drivers to lock in a spot for the Championship 4.. Recent history says that it’ll be a good opportunity for the Toyota contingent. Toyota drivers have won seven of the past eight Truck Series races at Homestead-Miami Speedway dating back to 2013.
Special Thanks
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