IndyCar: Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports to continue with two full-time cars in 2020

By Asher Fair | Aug 1, 2019

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JUNE 06: James Hinchcliffe of Canada, driver of the #5 Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motosports Honda (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) /

Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports are set to continue operations as a two-car full-time team in the 2020 IndyCar season despite expansion rumors.

Despite recent rumors about a partnership with McLaren and the seemingly obligatory annual rumors that they will field three cars in the next IndyCar season, Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have confirmed that the team will run two cars on a full-time basis in 2020 like they have done for several seasons.

Meyer Shank Racing will likely return with Jack Harvey as their driver for several races, if not for the full schedule, next season, and they are aligned with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, but his #60 Honda that he drives does not count toward the team’s current car total.

Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team co-owner Sam Schmidt confirmed this news with a simple statement. Here is what he had to say about the matter, according to NBC Sports.

"“We aren’t running more than two cars next year.”"

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Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have fielded two cars on a full-time basis in each of the last seven seasons going back to 2013.

They fielded only one full-time car in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, and before that, they only spent two seasons, the 2001 and 2002 seasons, as something other than an Indianapolis 500-only team since their inception in 2001. In fact, they did not even compete in the 2008 Indy 500. In the 2001 and 2002 seasons, they fielded multiple cars for multiple drivers but did not have any full-time cars or full-time drivers.

Schmidt made this remark amid rumors that a potential partnership with McLaren would result in the team fielding an entry for Colton Herta, the rookie sensation who currently drives for Harding Steinbrenner Racing.

James Hinchcliffe is under contract through the 2020 season, and Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports would have to switch to Chevrolet to partner with McLaren because of how McLaren’s past relationship with Honda in Formula 1 deteriorated. But the contract between the team and Honda does not expire until the end of the season.

Schmidt’s remark about continuing operations as a two-car team amid the McLaren and Herta talks was made in reference to whether or not rookie Marcus Ericsson will return to the team next season as Hinchcliffe’s teammate. Here is what he stated about the matter, according to NBC Sports.

"“Right now, we have another year on James Hinchcliffe’s contract. Marcus Ericsson has said numerous times he wants to come back to our team. Right now, we are vetting that out fully to see where that stands for now.”"

Of course, the only exception to the “two cars” remark is if the injured Robert Wickens returns. The team have made clear that the #6 Honda will be “ready and available” for the him when he is able to get back behind the wheel following his nasty accident in last season’s race at Pocono Raceway. But while he has made miraculous progress thus far, he is still in the midst of a very long recovery process.

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Who will James Hinchcliffe’s teammate end up being in the 2020 IndyCar season? Will Marcus Ericsson return for his second year in IndyCar? Will Felipe Nasr get the nod following his test with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this past weekend? Where will Colton Herta end up?