The 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series was the 21st season of the IndyCar Series and the 105th season of American open-wheel racing. It included the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Scott Dixon entered as the reigning Drivers' Champion, while Chevrolet entered the season as the reigning Manufacturer's Champion. Upon season's end, Simon Pagenaud was crowned Drivers' Champion, while Chevrolet retained the Manufacturer's Championship.
Pagenaud was the first European driver to win IndyCar Series driver's title since British driver Dario Franchitti in 2011 season.
Confirmed entries
The following teams, entries, and drivers have been announced to compete in the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season. All teams will use a spec Dallara DW12 chassis with manufacturer aero kits and Firestone tires.
Notes
- Bryan Clauson ran the Indianapolis 500 for the 3rd and final time for Jonathan Byrd's Racing. Clauson would attempt to race in more than 200 races in 2016 among IndyCar, sprint cars and midgets but would tragically fall short of that because on August 6, 2016, Clauson was involved in a midget car crash at Belleville High Banks Speedway in Belleville, Kansas, and died the following night.[17]
- Ryan Hunter-Reay, Carlos Muñoz and Marco Andretti signed with Andretti Autosport for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The team confirmed Townsend Bell for the Indianapolis 500.[18]
- Carpenter Fisher Hartman Racing became Ed Carpenter Racing for the 2016 season.[19] Both Josef Newgarden and Ed Carpenter remained with the team, with only Newgarden running the full schedule. The team confirmed J. R. Hildebrand for the GP of Indy and the Indianapolis 500.[20] ECR would add Indy Lights champion Spencer Pigot to drive the No. 20 for the road/street courses beginning at Detroit.[21]
- Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing ran only one car full-time in 2016 with Graham Rahal, but ran Indy Lights champion Spencer Pigot in three races (St. Petersburg, GP of Indy, and Indianapolis 500).[22]
- Team Penske returned with the same four drivers as the 2015 season.
- Chip Ganassi Racing retained Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Charlie Kimball, but neither Sage Karam nor Sebastián Saavedra returned to the team. The team later confirmed former Manor Marussia driver Max Chilton, who drove a partial Indy Lights schedule in 2015, as their fourth driver.
- Schmidt Peterson Motorsports confirmed the return of James Hinchcliffe to the team. Mikhail Aleshin returned to the team for the full season, replacing James Jakes. Oriol Servià drove the team's third entry in the Indianapolis 500 with support from Marotti Racing.[23]
- PIRTEK Team Murray confirmed that the team would race the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and Indianapolis 500 with driver Matthew Brabham. The team had support from KVSH Racing.[11]
- KVSH Racing confirmed the return of Sébastien Bourdais with the team. Stefano Coletti did not return for the team. Stefan Wilson drove the No. 25 for the Indianapolis 500.[24]
- Dale Coyne Racing confirmed that Conor Daly and Luca Filippi would run the full season. Pippa Mann returned to the team for the Indianapolis 500. The team confirmed Gabby Chaves for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and Indianapolis 500.
- A. J. Foyt Enterprises confirmed the return of Takuma Sato and Jack Hawksworth to the team. The team confirmed Alex Tagliani for the Grand Prix of Indy and the Indianapolis 500.
- Dreyer & Reinbold Racing reunited with Sage Karam for the Indianapolis 500.
- Lazier Partners Racing confirmed the return of Buddy Lazier to the Indianapolis 500.
- On February 18, Bryan Herta Autosport confirmed their alliance with fellow Honda team Andretti Autosport. The team was run out of Andretti's shop in Indianapolis.[25] Separately, due to a sponsor default, the team was unable to retain 2014 Indy Lights Champion Gabby Chaves.[26] The team would confirm former Caterham and Manor Racing driver Alexander Rossi to drive the No. 98 for the season.[4]
- IndyCar announced on February 24, 2016, the hiring of three race stewards; former drivers Arie Luyendyk and Max Papis and longtime motorsports executive Dan Davis.
- On May 15, 2016, information was revealed that Charlie Kimball would be using car number 42 instead of his usual 83 for the Indianapolis 500. This came as a promotion by Novo Nordisk and Chip Ganassi Racing that also involved Kyle Larson and Ganassi's NASCAR team. The official announcement came May 16, 2016.
- On June 12, 2016, Josef Newgarden suffered a fractured clavicle and wrist in an accident during the Firestone 600. Ed Carpenter Racing announced the following day that J. R. Hildebrand would fill in for Newgarden until he recovered from his injuries.[27] However, Newgarden recovered enough from his injuries that he was able to compete in the following race at Road America.
- On July 21, 2016, Dale Coyne Racing announced that R. C. Enerson would make his IndyCar debut driving for the team at Mid-Ohio.[28] The team later signed Enerson to drive the final two races of the season.[29]
Schedule
The 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule was announced on October 27, 2015.[30] All rounds were held in the United States, except the Toronto round.
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Legend
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Oval/Speedway
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Road course
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Street circuit
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| Rd.
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Date
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Race Name
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Track
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City
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| 1
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March 13
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Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
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S Streets of St. Petersburg
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St. Petersburg, Florida
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| 2
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April 2
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Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix
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O Phoenix International Raceway
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Avondale, Arizona
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| 3
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April 17
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Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
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S Streets of Long Beach
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Long Beach, California
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| 4
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April 24
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Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
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R Barber Motorsports Park
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Birmingham, Alabama
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| 5
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May 14
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Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis
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R Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course
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Speedway, Indiana
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| 6
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May 29
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100th Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade
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O Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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Speedway, Indiana
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| 7
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June 4
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Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans
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S The Raceway at Belle Isle Park
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Detroit, Michigan
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| 8
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June 5
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| 9*
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June 12/August 27*[31]
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Firestone 600
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O Texas Motor Speedway
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Fort Worth, Texas
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| 10
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June 26
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Kohler Grand Prix
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R Road America[32]
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Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
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| 11
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July 10
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Iowa Corn 300
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O Iowa Speedway
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Newton, Iowa
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| 12
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July 17
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Honda Indy Toronto
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S Exhibition Place
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Toronto, Ontario
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| 13
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July 31
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Honda Indy 200
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R Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
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Lexington, Ohio
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| 14
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August 22*
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ABC Supply 500
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O Pocono Raceway
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Long Pond, Pennsylvania
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| 15
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September 4
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Grand Prix at The Glen
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R Watkins Glen International
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Watkins Glen, New York
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| 16
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September 18
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GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma
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R Sonoma Raceway
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Sonoma, California
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Replaced event
Schedule changes and notes
- The Grand Prix of Boston was announced in late May 2015. The race was scheduled to be run on Labor Day Weekend on September 4, 2016. The proposed street circuit was based in the Boston Seaport District. On April 29, 2016, Boston newspapers reported that the race had been canceled.[33]
- Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was run on March 11–13.[36]
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was also rumored to start the 2016 season with a race in February, but did not materialize.[37]
- IndyCar did not return to NOLA Motorsports Park, Auto Club Speedway, and the Milwaukee Mile in 2016 following financial difficulties exposed shortly after the 2015 running of the former event.[37]
- Toronto returned to its original July date as a single race weekend.
- Road America's return to an open-wheel calendar was announced on August 8, 2015. The race was run on June 26, 2016.[38]
- IndyCar returned to Phoenix International Raceway for the first time since 2005.[39]
- IndyCar officials explored the possibility of returning to Gateway Motorsports Park; a deal was eventually reached for the track to return for the 2017 season.
- Texas Motor Speedway confirmed that the Verizon IndyCar Series would run on June 11, 2016.[40] However, the race was postponed to the following afternoon due to persistent rain. It was further halted after 71 laps due to more rain and the rest of the race was postponed until August 27. The 248 lap race resumed starting at lap 72. This would lead to updates for the track regarding drainage and repaving in time for 2017's events.[31]
- IndyCar returned to Pocono Raceway on August 21.[41]
- In an interview with Mark Miles, Iowa Speedway was said to be set for July 10.[30]
- In a November 2 press release, IndyCar announced a two-day promoter test at Phoenix International Raceway, scheduled for February 26–27, in preparation for the series’ return to the 1-mile oval.[42] The Phoenix promoter test in February was the only one not in conjunction with a typical race weekend schedule. The other promoter test days were: March 11 at St. Petersburg, April 22 at Barber Motorsports Park, May 12 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, June 24 at Road America, July 29 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and September 16 at Sonoma Raceway.
- IndyCar CEO Mark Miles said in an interview that IndyCar was working on replacing the Boston race on Labor Day and specifically stated that Gateway Motorsports Park and Watkins Glen International were being considered as replacement venues.[34] On May 13, 2016, IndyCar announced that Watkins Glen would replace Boston.[35]
Results
Points standings
- Ties are broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.
Driver standings
- One championship point is awarded to each driver who leads at least one race lap. Two additional championship points are awarded to the driver who leads most laps during a race.
- At all races except the Indy 500, the number 1 qualifier earns one point.
- Entrant-initiated engine change-outs before the engines reach their required distance run will result in the loss of ten points.
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| Color
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Result
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| Gold |
Winner
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| Silver |
2nd place
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| Bronze |
3rd place
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| Green |
4th & 5th place
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| Light Blue |
6th–10th place
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| Dark Blue |
Finished
(Outside Top 10)
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| Purple |
Did not finish
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| Red |
Did not qualify
(DNQ)
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| Brown |
Withdrawn
(Wth)
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| Black |
Disqualified
(DSQ)
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| White
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Did Not Start
(DNS)
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Race abandoned
(C)
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| Blank |
Did not
participate
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| In-line notation
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| Bold
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Pole position
(1 point; except Indy)
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| Italics
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Ran fastest race lap
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| *
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Led most race laps
(2 points)
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| DNS
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Any driver who qualifies
but does not start (DNS),
earns half the points
had they taken part.
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| 1–33
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Indy 500 qualifying results,
with points as follows:
42 points for 1st
40 points for 2nd
and so on down to
1 point for 33rd.
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| c
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Qualifying canceled
no bonus point awarded
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| RY Rookie of the Year
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| R Rookie
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Entrant standings
- Based on the entrant, used for oval qualifications order, and starting grids when qualifying is cancelled.
- Only full-time entrants, and at-large part-time entrants shown.
Manufacturer standings
| Pos
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Manufacturer
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STP
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PHX
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LBH
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BAR
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IGP
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INDY
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BEL
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ROA
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IOW
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TOR
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MOH
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POC
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TMS
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WGL
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SON
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Bonus
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Penalties
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Points
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| 1
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Chevrolet
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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3
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1
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1
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1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
–
|
–
|
1992
|
| 2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
| 4
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
6
|
| 125*
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128*
|
128*
|
120*
|
123*
|
194
|
118*
|
125*
|
123*
|
128*
|
125*
|
117
|
112
|
97
|
128*
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229*
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| 2
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Honda
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3
|
5
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
–
|
–
|
1697
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| 5
|
10
|
8
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
4
|
6
|
4
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
8
|
4
|
| 6
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
6
|
7
|
6
|
9
|
10
|
9
|
6
|
5
|
7
|
7
|
9
|
5
|
| 93
|
67
|
72
|
87
|
95
|
234*
|
100
|
85
|
87
|
80
|
93
|
99*
|
104*
|
119*
|
78
|
204
|
- The top three finishing drivers from each manufacturer in each race/qualifying score championship points for their respective manufacturer, provided they were using one of their four allotted engines.
- Two additional points are awarded to the manufacturer if one of their entrants leads most laps of a race.
- At all races except the Indy 500, the manufacturer who qualifies on pole earns one point.
- Manufacturers will earn ten points for each engine reaching the 2500-mile change-out threshold. Manufacturers will lose twenty points for each engine failing to reach the change-out threshold, or for a non-minor repair requiring a component change.
- Ties are broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.
- ^ a b Not considered rookie for Indy 500.
- ^ Team to get support from KVSH Racing.
- ^ Replaced for race at St. Petersburg after winning pole by Servia due to inner-ear infection.
See also
References
- ^ a b Klein, Jamie (December 16, 2015). "Foyt retains Sato, Hawksworth for 2016". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network, LLC. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ "Tagliani to do "Indy Double" with Foyt, Alfe Heat Treating". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
- ^ Khorounzhiy, Valentin (November 17, 2015). "Andretti retains Carlos Munoz for 2016". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network, LLC. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ a b Reiman, Samuel (February 23, 2016). "IndyCar: Alexander Rossi confirmed at Andretti". Foxsports.com. Fox Sports Digital Media. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ Straw, Edd (February 1, 2016). "Ex-F1 driver Max Chilton joins Ganassi for 2016 IndyCar season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- ^ Malsher, David (December 11, 2015). "Dale Coyne signs Conor Daly and Bryan Clauson". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network, LLC. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "Team Outlook 2016: Coyne settling on more consistent lineup". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ Hembree, Mike (January 21, 2016). "Gas Monkey Garage to sponsor Sage Karam in Indianapolis 500 bid". USA Today. Charlotte, North Carolina: Gannett Company. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
- ^ a b "INDYCAR: Carpenter, Fisher confirm split". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. January 28, 2016. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (December 2, 2015). "INDYCAR: KVSH considering single entry in 2016'". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on December 3, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
- ^ a b "INDYCAR: Brabham secures Indy 500 drive". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. December 3, 2015. Archived from the original on December 4, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
- ^ Cavin, Curt (May 13, 2016). "Lazier team has new name, number, better chance". The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis: Gannett Company. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
- ^ Lewandowski, Dave (October 20, 2015). "American force: Pigot joins Rahal for 2016 races". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
- ^ "INDYCAR: Aleshin confirmed at Schmidt". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. December 8, 2015. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
- ^ James, Brant (March 13, 2016). "Will Power has mild concussion, misses IndyCar season opener". USA Today. St. Petersburg, Florida: Gannett Company. Archived from the original on July 16, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ^ Fryer, Jenna (March 16, 2016). "Power misdiagnosed with concussion before IndyCar opener". Associated Press. Charlotte, North Carolina: AP Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
- ^ Miller, Robin (August 14, 2015). "INDYCAR: Indy part of Clauson's 200 race bid". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on August 15, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ Olsen, Jeff (August 22, 2015). "Michael Andretti says he hopes to field four cars in 2016". USA Today. Long Pond, Pennsylvania: Gannett Company. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "Team Outlook 2016: Ed Carpenter Racing is back, but didn't really leave". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^ Larson, Mike (September 23, 2015). "Josef Newgarden to stay with Carpenter Fisher Hartman Racing for 2016". Autoweek. Crain Communications. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
- ^ Khorounzhiy, Valentin (June 2, 2016). "Pigot joins Ed Carpenter Racing for road and street courses". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network, LLC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
- ^ Malsher, David (September 29, 2015). "Rahal to remain a one-car team in 2016". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network, LLC. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- ^ Glendenning, Mark (April 23, 2016). "INDYCAR: Servia confirmed at SPM for Indy". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ DiZinno, Tony (April 26, 2016). "Stefan Wilson confirms Indy 500 run with KV Racing". motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ^ Miller, Robin (February 18, 2016). "INDYCAR: BHA forms alliance with Andretti". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (February 18, 2016). "INDYCAR: Chaves vows to rebound after losing BHA seat". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ Malsher, David (June 13, 2016). "Hildebrand to sub for injured Newgarden". Motorsport.com. Fort Worth, Texas: Motorsport Network, LLC. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (July 21, 2016). "INDYCAR: Enerson lands Coyne seat for Mid-Ohio". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (August 29, 2016). "INDYCAR: Enerson returns for final two races". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "New events, extended season highlight 2016". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
- ^ a b Robinson, Mark (June 12, 2016). "Firestone 600 postponed after 71 laps, will resume on Aug. 27". IndyCar.com. Fort Worth, Texas: Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
- ^ Kallmann, Dave (August 7, 2015). "Road America will get IndyCar race in 2016". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Gannett Company. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ a b Golen, Jimmy (April 29, 2016). "Scheduled IndyCar race on streets of Boston cancelled". Associated Press. Boston: AP Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 1, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
- ^ a b Martin, Bruce (May 5, 2016). "IndyCar lines up Watkins Glen or Gateway to replace Boston race". Autosport.com. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ a b Cavin, Curt (May 13, 2016). "IndyCar series to race at Watkins Glen". The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis: Gannett Company. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
- ^ Stanley, Kameel (August 3, 2015). "City: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be in early March 2016". Tampa Bay Times. St. Petersburg, Florida: Times Publishing Company. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Pruett, Marshall (August 2, 2015). "IndyCar: Big changes coming to 2016 schedule". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on August 2, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
- ^ "IndyCar racing returns to Road America in '16". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Miller, Robin (August 14, 2015). "IndyCar: Fontana out; Phoenix closer to return". Foxsports.com. Fox Sports Digital Media. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
- ^ "Texas Motor Speedway Announces 2016 Racing Schedule". catchfence.com. Fort Worth, Texas: Citizen Journalist Media Corps. October 3, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
- ^ Miller, Robin (October 13, 2015). "INDYCAR: Pocono set to return in 2016". Racer.com. Racer Media & Marketing, Inc. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ "Test to set stage for Phoenix; incentives added". IndyCar.com. Brickyard Trademarks, Inc. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
External links