Meyer Shank Racing and Andretti Worldwide are currently negotiating an extension to proceed their technical alliance within the IndyCar Series previous this season.
There were some questions spherical the paddock the partnership could well be coming to an discontinuance when the checkered flag waves on the season finale at Nashville in September. Alternatively, co-proprietor Michael Shank denied any rumors of the deal no longer continuing.
“We’re aloof working on it,” Shank urged Motorsport.com. “Our contract is up but we’re working on a brand new one. That’s no longer factual.”
How it began
The relationship began in 2017 when MSR (then is known as Michael Shank Racing) debuted within the Indianapolis 500 and partnered with Andretti. In November 2019, ahead of MSR making a fats-time commitment to IndyCar (and two years after Jim Meyer stepped in as co-proprietor), the group fashioned an alliance with Andretti Applied sciences, the evolved abilities arm of Andretti Worldwide.
The benefits of the alliance included MSR taking victory – the best seemingly IndyCar select to this level – within the 2021 Indianapolis 500 with Helio Castroneves.
This year has showcased the energy of the alliance, severely with Felix Rosenqvist, who has two high fives, five high 10s and a median starting space of 10.1, along with one pole (Long Seaside), via seven aspects-paying races to sit down 10th within the championship standings. He moreover executed third within the non-aspects exhibition at The Thermal Membership in March.
“Bear in mind, that is our fifth year with them,” Shank stated.
“So, we’ve executed two two year (deals) and this year we did one factual because we didn’t know what changed into going to occur. A complete bunch varied issues. I purchased nothing but adore for guys; we’ve had a truly staunch relationship.”
The greatest danger for MSR this year has been finding consistency alongside Rosenqvist within the 2d automobile, which began with rookie Tom Blomqvist, who changed into then pulled in desire or Helio Castroneves for two races earlier than the team confirmed David Malukas – support from injure starting this weekend – for the rest of the 2024 season.
For his phase, Andretti Worldwide COO Have Edwards echoed same sentiments as Shank.
“We’re aloof negotiating, so it’s no longer executed, but I suspect it’s been staunch for every of us and I suspect all of us cling every draw of continuing,” Edwards urged Motorsport.com.
And there could be moreover no desire for Andretti to stumble on an alliance with any varied team.
“No, Shank is the best seemingly team we want to cling a partnership with,” Edwards stated.
“They’re expansive partners, so no, we’re no longer planning on any adjustments.”
