User:V8fan/2012 IndyCar Series season

Teams and drivers
All chassis are composed of a Dallara "IndyCar Safety Cell" base and aerokit in 2012. All team will run Firestone tires.
 * 🇫🇷 Jean Alesi (R) will attempt to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 for a Lotus-powered team.

Team and driver movements

 * Team Penske: Team will utilize Chevrolet engines beginning in 2012.  Driver Will Power will return to the team in 2012.  Penske Racing President Tim Cindric told Speed's Marshall Pruett that the team's goal is to run 3 cars again and he doesn't see any reason why the team would run less than 2.  Cindric would like both Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe to return as the team's other 2 drivers.
 * Chip Ganassi Racing: Team will utilize Honda engines in 2012. Owner Chip Ganassi confirmed that there will be no driver changes and the entire 4-car team will return in 2012.
 * Andretti Autosport: The team will utilize Chevrolet engines in 2012. Marco Andretti will be in the third year of a 4-year contract with the team in 2012  RC Cola has signed a multi-year agreement to sponsor Marco Andretti's #26 car starting in 2012. Ryan Hunter-Reay signed with Andretti Autosport through the 2012 season.  Owner Michael Andretti told Marshall Pruett the team's goal is to again field four full-time cars in 2012 and they are close to completing funding for two as of August 2011.  Driver Mike Conway has expressed interest in returning in 2012.  2011 driver Danica Patrick's will leave the team to compete in the Nationwide series full-time along with limited Sprint Cup Schedule.  The team announced on August 26, 2011 that GoDaddy will return as a primary sponsor through 2013, with the car and driver to be revealed at a later date.  Michael Andretti is interested in Dan Wheldon returning to the team.
 * Newman/Haas Racing: The team expects to field two full-time entries in 2012 with an outside chance of a third car.  Oriol Servia and James Hinchcliffe are both expected to return and are close to achieving the necessary funding.
 * Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Owner Sam Schmidt would like to expand to a full-time 2 car team in 2012. The team will run Honda engines in 2012.  Simon Pagenaud tested with the team in 2011 at Mid-Ohio and is believed to have signed a contract to join the team in 2012.  2011 Driver Alex Tagliani will be a free agent in 2012. The 2011 Indy Lights champion Josef Newgarden, who drove Lights cars for Schmidt, is working with the team to try to become a FT driver in 2012. The team has secured backing from sponsor Bowers & Wilkins through the end of the 2012 season.  The team may continue to work with AFS Racing in 2012.
 * A. J. Foyt Enterprises: 2011 driver Vitor Meira and the team mutually agreed to part ways after the 2011 season The team will run Honda engines in 2012 and will retain ABC Supply Company as the sponsor of the #14 car. The team is seeking funding for a second full-time car in 2012
 * Panther Racing: 2009 Indy Lights champion J. R. Hildebrand signed a multi-year deal in 2011 to drive the #4 National Guard car for the team.  Owner John Barnes said the team is "pretty close" to adding a second full-time car in 2012, but will run a second car in the Indianapolis 500 "for sure".
 * KV Racing Technology: The team will run Chevrolet engines in 2012.  Driver Tony Kanaan has signed a multi-year contract to return to the team in 2012. The team plans to have 3 full-time cars in 2012 and Vasser says "I think you'll see a lot of familiar faces".  The team may work with SH Racing again in 2012.
 * Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: The team plans on running two cars full-time in 2012; at a minimum they will have one car. The team hopes to field a third entry at the Indianapolis 500.
 * HVM Racing: Owner Keith Wiggins confirmed that Simona de Silvestro will return as a full-time driver for the team in 2012, and he is "quietly confident" that they will expand to a two-car team in 2012. The team will be the anchor team for the new Lotus engines in 2012.
 * Dale Coyne Racing: Owner Dale Coyne confirmed that the team will return with 2 cars in 2012 and that he has funding for the 2-car program. He would like James Jakes to return and Sebastian Bourdais to run a full season with the team in 2012.
 * Conquest Racing: Eric Bachelart confirmed the team will have at least one full-time car in 2012.  He would like to add a second.
 * Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: Team owner Bobby Rahal hopes the team can return to the series on a full-time basis in 2012. Rahal confirmed that the team would be purchasing a IR12 chassis.
 * Bryan Herta Autosport: The team has budgeted money to buy two Dallara IR12 chassis and plans to run at least one full-time car in 2012, with an outside shot at two. Driver Dan Wheldon is interested in returning to the team if they complete the funding for a full-time program.
 * Sarah Fisher Racing: The team's goal is to run one car for the full season with the ultimate goal of expanding to a two-car team. Sarah Fisher is pleased with Ed Carpenter and would like him to return to the team in 2012.
 * Dragon Racing: Jay Penske says the team will definitely run one car full-time in 2012 and they are seeking sponsorship to run a second.
 * MSR Indy: The team is owned by Michael Shank, A. J. Allmendinger, and Columbus area businessman Brian Bailey. The team will use Lotus engines. The team has purchased an IR12 chassis with the goal of running a full-time IndyCar program in 2012, and will take delivery of their chassis on December 15th.
 * Davey Hamilton Racing: Driver and Indy Lights team owner Davey Hamilton is attempting to put together a team for 2012. Hamilton will not be driving the car.
 * Highcroft Racing: The team is searching for sponsorship to join the series in 2012.
 * Dyson Racing: The team is interested in joining the series for 2012.