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IndyCar: Early Silly Season Driver Lineup for 2018

By Asher Fair

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: Helio Castroneves of Brazil, driver of the #3 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the 101st Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 28: Helio Castroneves of Brazil, driver of the #3 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the 101st Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 28: Ryan Hunter-Reay, driver of the #28 DHL Honda, leads a group of cars during the 101st Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 28: Ryan Hunter-Reay, driver of the #28 DHL Honda, leads a group of cars during the 101st Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Andretti Autosport, Chevrolet

Chevrolet. COLTON HERTA. #26. Before we get started with Colton Herta, yes, that word does read “Chevrolet”, which means that Takuma Sato and his Honda sponsorship will not lead to him once again driving the #26 Andretti Autosport machine. Herta currently drivers in Indy Lights for Andretti Steinbrenner Racing, and the team could be ready to move him up as early as next season. With the seat of the #26 car open, this is his most likely landing spot, and yes, it could very well be the landing spot as soon as 2018.. Andretti Autosport

#27. As of this very moment in time, there are probably better options to fill the seat of the #27 Andretti Autosport machine than Marco Andretti. But he will be back once again next season. While many may accredit him coming back to the fact that his father Michael owns the team, let’s not forget who the leader of the championship standings was approaching the halfway mark of the 2013 season the last time Andretti, that leader, drove a Chevrolet car. Bringing him back could pay off if the Honda-to-Chevrolet switch takes place.. Andretti Autosport. Chevrolet. MARCO ANDRETTI

Andretti Autosport. Chevrolet. RYAN HUNTER-REAY. #28. Ryan Hunter-Reay has had a top 5 car from a speed standpoint for pretty much the entire 2017 season. However, his results have been negatively impacted by mechanical issues, which have been caused, in large part, by the lack of reliability from his Honda engine. He can still drive up front with the best of them when mechanical issues do not let him down. Let’s also not forget that he won his lone championship in the 2012 season in a Chevrolet car driving for Andretti Autosport.

ALEXANDER ROSSI. #98. Like with Ryan Hunter-Reay, issues that Alexander Rossi has had no control over have gotten the best of him in the 2017 season. From a speed standpoint, he has been a contender at most tracks, which is a major improvement over his rookie season last year when his only finish higher than 5th place was the Indianapolis 500 when he had to save fuel to even make it to the end of the race. Added reliability with a Chevrolet engine could make him a championship contender.. Andretti Herta Autosport. Chevrolet