Chevy, Honda open to more leases

Chevy and Honda are open to providing more leases if expansion occurs within the Verizon IndyCar Series’ paddock.

With full-season support rumored to cost somewhere in the $1.1 million range per entry, IndyCar’s engine manufacturers have made it clear that each lease represents a financial loss in the six-figure range. The willingness to take on more season-long leases, and new part-time supply deals, would represent a renewed interest in helping the series to grow.

“We aren’t going to set a limit on engine leases for next year,” a Honda Performance Development spokesperson told RACER. “But we’re open to talking to those who are interested, and will take each request individually.”

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A Chevy representative gave RACER a nearly identical response to the same question.

With additional entries under evaluation by Andretti Autosport in partnership with McLaren Racing and Harding Racing, Ed Carpenter Racing toying with the idea of bringing a third car forward for its team owner to use on ovals, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing looking to grow its stable from two cars to three, and the possibility of new entries from DragonSpeed Racing and Scuderia Corsa, Chevy and Honda could be busier than ever during the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era.

At present, Chevy is responsible for 11 regular entries spread across A.J. Foyt Racing (2), Carlin Racing (2), Ed Carpenter Racing (2), Harding Racing (1), Juncos Racing (1), and Team Penske (3). Honda is represented by Andretti Autosport (4), Chip Ganassi Racing (2), Dale Coyne Racing (2), Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (2), Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (2), giving it 12 regular entries, plus the part-time effort from Meyer Shank Racing (1).

If some of the new deals come together, a full-time grid of 25 cars or more would not be out of the question in 2019.