IndyCar: Michael Shank Racing considering options for 2018

By Alex Herbst | Nov 18, 2017

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jack Harvey, driver of the #7 AutoNation Honda, practices for the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway on September 16, 2017 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

Michael Shank Racing has not confirmed their plans for the 2018 season, but hopes to be entering cars in both IMSA competition and IndyCar.

The torrid pace of the IndyCar offseason has surprised many around the paddock, including many owners. Unlike other recent years, there are already 25 entries announced for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 (if you include Danica Patrick).

All but two of the confirmed 2018 full-time rides in the series have drivers as well. But could Michael Shank Racing add to the cadre of cars and stable of drivers competing in IndyCar next year?

As RACER.com has reported, the team could announce a joint Honda/Acura program for IndyCar and IMSA in the near future. But owner Michael Shank is not prepared to confirm that, and neither is supposed IndyCar driver Jack Harvey. The assumption is that Harvey could race for MSR for about half the season with his current level of funding, primarily from AutoNation and SiriusXM.

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Adding Michael Shank Racing to the IndyCar field in more than an Indy-only capacity would bring aboard a team that has worked long and hard to compete in open-wheel racing. MSR was one of the early teams to purchase a Dallara DW12 chassis but was not able to find a suitable engine partner. Finally, the team was able to put their car to use thanks to a partnership in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 with Andretti Autosport, fielding the #50 Honda for Jack Harvey.

Perhaps another team partnership could help move MSR to the next level in IndyCar. It is no secret that the announced deal between Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Didier Calmels to field Tristan Gommendy in the 102nd Indy 500 is on the verge of collapse due to Calmels’ criminal record.

Shank could be the beneficiary here seeing as how SPM could partner with the team for Indy and beyond. Schmidt has long talked about adding a third car if they can solidify their top two cars, and Michael Shank Racing could connect those dots to get the job done.

On the IMSA side, meanwhile, Michael Shank continues to hope to field a pair of Acura NSX GT3 cars in the GT Daytona category again in 2018, after winning two races with the cars this year. While the team has started testing drivers for their squad, it could once again carry an open-wheel taste. Katherine Legge, who previously competed in IndyCar, raced for the team in 2017 and could be back in the fold next year.

Next: Matheus Leist to Drive for A.J. Foyt Racing in 2018

Do you think Michael Shank Racing will run a part or full-time car in IndyCar in 2018? Will they partner with an existing organization, or wait on the sidelines until Indianapolis once again?