IndyCar Silly Season Rests on Andretti’s Shoulders

With IndyCar working its way to the thrilling conclusion of the 2017 championship, the silly season is heating up. And it all rests on Andretti.

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The 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season has been full of excitement, action and suspense. It will all boil down to a tough battle for the championship in the final handful of races coming in July, August and September. But after that, all the craziness of the silly season will break loose.

News and rumors about the IndyCar offseason had been off to a slow start up until the Toronto race weekend, when it was revealed that Andretti Autosport has been in talks to rejoin the Chevrolet ranks in 2018. The move by the four-car squad would significantly shift the balance of numbers between Chevrolet and Honda, and likely open up many potential changes ahead of the 2018 season.

Andretti brought Takuma Sato aboard with reportedly close to $2 million in Honda sponsorships and a discounted engine deal. However, if the team were to switch to Chevrolet, Sato would be a one-and-done with the #26 car after winning the Indianapolis 500. This would also open up the fourth car with Andretti Autosport for a potential new driver, especially if Chevy throws a bunch of money in Michael Andretti’s direction.

Who would be a candidate for the fourth Andretti seat? Perhaps James Hinchcliffe, who formerly drove for the team and reportedly is a free agent at the end of the year. Other candidates might include Andretti Formula E driver Robin Frijns, Sebastian Saavedra and Jack Harvey. After this, the math and seats become a little more complicated.

Where would Takuma Sato go? The Honda teams that could house him and his healthy fund from Japan could include Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports or even Chip Ganassi Racing. CGR may surprise some, but with a lack of sponsorship from Scott Dixon in 2017, perhaps the team is looking to fill that hole by replacing one of their other drivers like Max Chilton, Charlie Kimball or even Tony Kanaan.

Any move for a new driver at Ganassi would then add a new driver to the pool of silly season candidates. And while Penske is likely eliminating one of their cars in favor of their two-car IMSA prototype squad, other teams may be joining or expanding. Dale Coyne Racing is now in the position of having three solid drivers, while Harding Racing and Juncos Racing could also be joining the field in new full-time capacities.

Next: IndyCar Team Power Rankings After Toronto

Who do you think will be on the move in the IndyCar offseason? Will there be any surprises in the silly season between 2017 and 2018? Comment below with your picks of what drivers will end up where as we await more news from the paddock.