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IndyCar: A Patricio O’Ward timeline from September to now

By Asher Fair

SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Patricio O'Ward, driver of the #8 Harding Racing Chevrolet, on track during pracrtice for the Verizon IndyCar Series Sonoma Grand Prix at Sonoma Raceway on September 15, 2018 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images)
SONOMA, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Patricio O'Ward, driver of the #8 Harding Racing Chevrolet, on track during pracrtice for the Verizon IndyCar Series Sonoma Grand Prix at Sonoma Raceway on September 15, 2018 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images) /
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IndyCar driver Patricio O’Ward has been on one crazy ride since winning the 2018 Indy Lights championship this past September.

Ever since Patricio O’Ward secured the 2018 Indy Lights championship at Portland International Raceway driving for Andretti Autosport in his rookie season in the series this past September, he has been on a crazy ride when it comes to competing in IndyCar.

Let’s take a look at just how much as happened regarding the 19-year-old Mexican over the course of the last six-plus months.

Saturday, September 1, 2018 – O’Ward seals 2018 Indy Lights championship with a win at Portland International Raceway.

Sunday, September 2, 2018 – 2018 Indy Lights season concludes with another victory for O’Ward at Portland International Raceway.

Monday, September 3, 2018 – Harding Racing confirm O’Ward as one of their two drivers for the 2018 IndyCar season finale at Sonoma Raceway.

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Saturday, September 15, 2018 – O’Ward makes it to the Firestone Fast Six and qualifies in fifth place for his IndyCar debut at Sonoma Raceway behind the wheel of the #8 Chevrolet.

Sunday, September 16, 2018 – O’Ward finishes in ninth place in his IndyCar debut at Sonoma Raceway.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 – Harding Racing form a partnership with Steinbrenner Racing to form Harding Steinbrenner Racing and confirm O’Ward as one of their two full-time drivers for the 2019 IndyCar season along with 2018 Indy Lights runner-up Colton Herta.

Thursday, December 6, 2018 – Harding Steinbrenner Racing announce a manufacturer switch from Chevrolet to Honda, making O’Ward the full-time driver of the #8 Honda.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019 – Rumors emerge that O’Ward’s season with Harding Steinbrenner Racing could be in jeopardy due to funding issues.

Monday, February 11, 2019 – O’Ward and Harding Steinbrenner Racing announce that they have parted ways less than one month before the scheduled start date of Sunday, March 10 for the 2019 season.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 – Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti reveals that he offered O’Ward an eight-race deal for the 2019 season but that O’Ward turned it down.

Thursday, February 14, 2019 – O’Ward says that he never rejected Andretti’s offer but that he did not accept it to keep his options open.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 – Rumors swirl that O’Ward could have an announcement to make regarding his 2019 season in the near future.

Thursday, March 7, 2019 – Carlin confirm O’Ward as the driver of the #23 Chevrolet in 12 of the 2019 season’s 17 races and as the driver of their third car in the season’s sixth race, the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Memorial Day Sunday in May.

Suffice it to say that it has been a crazy last few months, particularly a crazy last few weeks, for the 2018 Indy Lights champion. But with him now set to compete in 13 races throughout the 17-race 2019 IndyCar season, this whole back-and-forth saga is likely over for him, at least for this year.

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Patricio O’Ward’s 2019 IndyCar season is scheduled to begin on Sunday, March 24 in the IndyCar Classic at Circuit of the Americas whereas the season itself is scheduled to begin on Sunday, March 10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Both of these races are set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network, with the season opener set to air at 12:30 p.m. ET and O’Ward’s season opener set to air at 1:00 p.m. ET.