IndyCar team shutting down following 2020 season

DragonSpeed have shut down their IndyCar program following just four races, including two Indy 500s, over the course of the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

DragonSpeed, which made their IndyCar debut in the 2019 season and returned in 2020 to run the Indianapolis 500 for a second time, will not be back in the series in 2021.

They have sold their chassis to Meyer Shank Racing, which are planning to expand to a two-car effort next year following their first full season of competition in 2020, and are preparing to put more of a focus on their sports car program.

Here is what team owner Elton Julian had to say about the matter, according to RACER.

"“I have nothing but positive things to say about our time in the series, with all the encouragement we’ve gotten from (IndyCar president) Jay Frye, from Chevy, Roger Penske, and all our partners. But COVID has taken my team back two years for our progress, and two years ago, we weren’t doing IndyCar.“So by moving on from IndyCar and selling our chassis, we’re able to better invest in our future with a new shop in Barcelona and strengthening our LMP2 program. I can confidently say that if I find a way to come back when the next big thing happens for IndyCar, we’ll want to be there.”"

DragonSpeed entered IndyCar for the first time in 2019 with the #81 Chevrolet, and they competed in three races on the schedule with Ben Hanley behind the wheel. Hanley finished in 18th place in his IndyCar debut on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida before finishing in 21st at Barber Motorsports Park.