Jack Harvey, Meyer Shank Racing Expand 2019 IndyCar Schedule

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer

After running six races in the 2018 NTT IndyCar Series, Meyer Shank Racing announced an expansion to their IndyCar plans for 2019 with driver Jack Harvey.

The No. 60 AutoNation Sirius/XM Honda will contest the first six races of the 2019 IndyCar schedule at St. Petersburg, Circuit of the Americas, Long Beach, Barber Motorsports Park, the the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and the 103rd Indianapolis 500.

The team’s season will continue with the REV Group Grand Prix of Road America in late June followed by the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and will conclude with the Grand Prix of Portland and the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey.

“I am really excited to see the way this program has grown over the past season,” said team co-owner Michael Shank in a team statement. “Starting off with only six races is not easy, but Jack (Harvey) did a great job and really hung in there. With 10 races, Jack will have much more seat time and it will help us all around. I’m also excited to have both AutoNation and SiriusXM back on board with us. They have been such great partners to work with and there is only more to be excited about next year.”

The team will continue its technical partnership with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports while the team continues building ahead of hopefully an even further expanded 2020 IndyCar schedule.

“The partnership with Meyer Shank Racing has been so mutually beneficial, and I’m excited to see it continue and grow,” said Sam Schmidt, co-owner, Arrow SPM in a team statement.

“Being able to share data, resources and personnel only helps both teams’ efforts as we all strive to win more races. I’m really looking forward to another great year with MSR, Mike (Shank) and Jim (Meyer) working alongside everyone at Arrow SPM.”

Harvey is the 2014 and 2015 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires runner-up. In 2014, he tied on points and victories with series champion Gabby Chaves but lost out on the second-place tiebreaker. Harvey ran in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 with Michael Shank in a partnership with Andretti Autosport.

“We are extremely excited to be extending our program,” said Harvey.

“That has always been the goal for 2019 and it is amazing to achieve that and continue to grow what we are doing. I have to thank Michael (Shank), he has put in an immense amount of work and of course thanks to Jim Meyer for his continued support. Without either of those guys, in their own way, I wouldn’t have received the opportunity. We also wouldn’t be able to do any of this without our partners, AutoNation and SiriusXM.

“We are incredibly lucky to have two companies that believe in us and the vision of the team. Now it’s our turn to get out on track and do more races and hopefully get some better results. I believe in the team and in myself to do what we have to do. We are just thrilled to confirm this expanded schedule so we can deliver results for everyone.”

Harvey ran second in last year’s Indianapolis 500 within the last ten laps before pitting late for fuel. The 2012 British F3 champion won the 2015 Freedom 100.