Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Tag

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer The pressure was on Sebastian Saavedra. His part time Verizon IndyCar Series drive for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports was coming to an end after Saturday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park and the Colombian qualified 21st out of 21 cars. His crew stayed until midnight to make massive setup changes and it worked, resulting in an 11th place finish. “It was fine because I still didn’t know the place,” Saavedra said. “I felt like those first 20 laps I was stillRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer MADISON, Illinois — Looking ahead to the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series, temporary Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver Sebastian Saavedra rediscovered his passion for IndyCar racing while filling in for Mikhail Aleshin on the streets of Toronto. “I mean, as of right now I want to stay here,” Saavedra said after qualifying for Saturday’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park. “I was a bit more sports car prone before Toronto, then we did Toronto and that passion for speed just came toRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer Jack Harvey couldn’t catch a break. After losing two tiebreakers in the 2014 Indy Lights points standings and losing the 2015 Indy Lights championship in the final two races, the 2012 British Formula 3 champion didn’t have a Verizon IndyCar Series drive for 2016 or 2017 until this year’s Indianapolis 500. However, that situation has changed for Harvey as he has picked up the seat in the No. 7 Honda for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports at Watkins Glen International and at Sonoma RacewayRead More

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) has announced Sebastian Saavedra as the driver of the No. 7 Honda for the next two Verizon IndyCar Series races. The Colombian will join teammate James Hinchcliffe at Pocono Raceway and Gateway Motorsports Park. The event at Pocono will mark the 27-year-old’s 64th career IndyCar start and third at the Tricky Triangle. Saavedra will once again be paired with race engineer Blair Perschbacher with whom he has won previously in the Indy Lights Championship. “I am very excited to be back with the SPM organization,” Saavedra commented.Read More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor IndyCar continued its round of tests for the new 2018 universal aerokit at Iowa Speedway this week where test drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Oriol Servia experimented with the Road Course/Short Oval spec car on the 0.894 mile oval. The veteran duo completed 270 laps as they sampled the new kit in various trims to determine a base line set up for next year’s race, where they added and then took downforce off of the cars to find the elusive sweet spot. Like the previous testsRead More

By INDYCAR LEXINGTON, Ohio – One thing is certain following another successful test of the new Verizon IndyCar Series universal aero kit: Any misconception of drivers not earning their keep in the cockpit will be put to rest in 2018. The new aero kit – developed by chassis supplier Dallara and set to be used by all competitors next season following three years of manufacturer aero kit competition between Chevrolet and Honda – was put through the paces in the road course/street course/short oval configuration for the first time todayRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer After getting through some light technical gremlins early in the day, Chevrolet and Honda managed to complete their objectives for the initial test for the 2018 IndyCar aerodynamic package at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday. Juan Pablo Montoya (Chevrolet) and Oriol Servia (Honda) were able to complete their respective manufacturer test programs that were slated to be completed on Tuesday and Wednesday if necessary. Team Penske was preparing the Chevrolet car, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports was preparing the Honda car. Top speedsRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sebastian Saavedra returns to the Verizon IndyCar Series to pilot the No. 7 with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for this weekend’s Honda Indy Toronto. Mikhail Aleshin, the usual full-time driver of the entry, will sit on the sidelines but be on hand for “support” according to a team release. Gary Peterson, owner and longtime supporter of Saavedra, will have his AFS Racing branding joining the No. 7 Lucas Oil SPM Honda. The move also reunites the Colombian with former Indy Lights race engineer Blair Perschbacher. Saavedra onlyRead More

By Frank Santoroski, Staff Writer As the Verizon IndyCar Series teams are unloading at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI, a familiar face is missing. Milkail Aleshin, driver of the No. 7 Honda entry for Schmidt Peterson Racing has been unable to enter the United States following a trip to France to participate in the 24 Hours of LeMans. Specific details about the Visa and immigration issues that are keeping Aleshin in France have not been released. The issues, however, will not be resolved in time for Aleshin to participateRead More

By Christopher DeHarde, IndyCar & Road to Indy Writer Sunday is Pole Day for the 101st Indianapolis 500 and here we will have live web coverage of qualifications as we did Saturday. The No. 18 car now driven by James Davison will start 33rd. No. 40 Zach Veach for AJ Foyt Racing Lap 1: 223.913 mph Lap 2: 221.464 mph Lap 3: 222.000 mph Lap 4: 217.064 mph Average: 221.081 mph No. 63 Pippa Mann for Dale Coyne Racing Lap 1: 225.542 mph Lap 2: 224.875 mph Lap 3: 224.831 mphRead More