INDYCAR: BHA forms alliance with Andretti

Michael Andretti didn't have enough sponsorship to run a fourth car and Bryan Herta didn't have enough funding to run the full Verizon IndyCar series. So they've struck a partnership for 2016.

"This is going to be great," said Herta, confirming the link to RACER on Thursday afternoon. "I called Mike earlier this week as a friend and told him I was struggling and he said he knew the feeling, so we started talking and I hopped on a plane to Indianapolis. It just kinda all fit together and it all happened in just a couple days."

Herta will run his No. 98 Dallara-Honda out of Andretti's shop on the northwest side with his crew. He'll keep his sponsors and also use some of Andretti's.

"It's a collaboration, but the great thing is that I get to keep all 12 of my guys and we're going to be in a competitive situation and a strong position," continued Herta, who drove for Andretti in 2003-2006 and won races at Kansas City and Michigan. "I'll still be on the scoring box calling strategy at the races and I'll still keep my shop for our GRC team but I'm so optimistic about this deal. It's a great day."

Except for Gabby Chaves. The 2014 Indy Lights champion turned in a steady rookie campaign for BHA last year and Herta was hoping to be able to retain the Colombian, but it now appears that he won't.

• Chaves vows to rebound after losing BHA seat

"I'm not giving up on Gabby yet," said Herta. "I feel like we've got some unfinished business and he's a great kid."

J.R. Hildebrand is the leading candidate to drive the BHA entry, although Herta said nothing had been finalized with anyone. Hildebrand drove for Herta's team twice at the end of 2013, after it had parted company with Alex Tagliani.

California's Alexander Rossi is also tipped to take over the No. 98.