Samwise IndyCar Newsletter
Friday, April 10, 2026
Andretti Confirms Three-Car Indy 500 Lineup as Herta Door Closes
Andretti Global has formally confirmed it will contest the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24 with three cars, ending any possibility of a fourth entry. Formula 2’s calendar revision, which added Montreal and Miami rounds replacing canceled Middle East events, put Colton Herta’s May 24 availability in conflict with the F2 Canadian Grand Prix. Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson will represent the Andretti banner at Indianapolis. The decision removes one expected Indy-only entry from a field already tracking below the traditional 33-car threshold, with only 31 confirmed starts at this stage and the May 15 late-entry deadline approaching.
Sowery Named AJ Foyt Racing Reserve Driver for 2026
British driver Toby Sowery has been appointed reserve driver for AJ Foyt Racing for the remainder of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The 29-year-old brings experience across IndyCar, IMSA, and international endurance racing to the Foyt operation, where he will contribute to testing, simulator development, and race-weekend operations while maintaining full race readiness. Sowery helped CrowdStrike Racing by APR win the LMP2 class at this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona and has scored multiple podiums in IMSA competition. He is expected to be present for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 17–19.
Indy 500 Field in Jeopardy: 33-Car Tradition Under Threat
The 110th Indianapolis 500 faces a genuine risk of running with fewer than 33 starters for the first time since 1947. With 31 confirmed entries heading into mid-April and the May 15 late-entry deadline approaching, the field needs at least two more cars to preserve the 78-year tradition. PREMA Racing’s financial uncertainty and Andretti Global’s decision to field only three cars have narrowed the pool of potential late additions. Abel Motorsports is reportedly readying an entry for Jacob Abel, and Katherine Legge is working on a deal. INDYCAR has not publicly confirmed steps to guarantee a full field if late entries fall short.
PREMA Racing’s Indy 500 Bid: Investors Still Sought as May 15 Ticks Closer
PREMA Racing remains IndyCar’s most compelling off-track story as April’s second week begins. The Italian team’s parent company DC Racing Solutions is evaluating investors and potential buyers who could fund a late entry for the 110th Indianapolis 500. More than 30 full-time staff remain active at the team’s Fishers, Indiana facility, with race-ready cars already built. PREMA’s IndyCar leadership has been pursuing acquisition efforts for several months without a confirmed deal. The official late-entry window closes May 15, leaving approximately five weeks for a resolution. A PREMA return would also prove critical to filling the Indy 500 field beyond its current 31 confirmed entries.
Honda Olympians Named Grand Marshals for Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
Team Honda athletes from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have been named grand marshals for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, scheduled April 17–19. The group includes para alpine skier Audrey Crowley, para snowboarder Brenna Huckaby, sled hockey gold medalists Brody Roybal and Declan Farmer, two-time speedskating gold medalist Jordan Stolz, and bobsled athlete Kaysha Love. The marshals will deliver the traditional “Drivers, start your engines” command before the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on April 19. The appointment reflects Honda’s dual role as title sponsor and supporter of Olympic and Paralympic athletics.
Vesti Brings IMSA Podium Form to Long Beach Street Debut
Danish driver Frederik Vesti arrives at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend carrying strong IMSA momentum, with GTP podiums at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Twelve Hours of Sebring already on his 2026 resume. The 24-year-old will co-drive the No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R with Jack Aitken in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round on April 18, filling in for Earl Bamber, who is committed to the WEC Hypercar field that same weekend. Long Beach will be Vesti’s first IMSA sprint start and his debut on the iconic 11-turn street circuit in Southern California.
28-Car IMSA Field Set for Long Beach Grand Prix
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has confirmed 28 entries for the Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 18, featuring several notable driver substitutions compared to the season’s opening endurance rounds. The GTP class heads an entry that includes GT3 machinery across multiple manufacturers. The Long Beach street circuit has historically produced unpredictable IMSA results due to its narrow layout and limited overtaking zones. Clean qualifying laps and early positioning carry a high premium around the 1.968-mile temporary circuit, where contact in the tight first-sector complex can reshape the leading order before a single lap is complete.
Championship Standings
Drivers: 1. Kyle Kirkwood (156) | 2. Alex Palou (154) | 3. Christian Lundgaard (121)
Teams: 1. Andretti Global | 2. Chip Ganassi Racing | 3. Team Penske
The Samwise IndyCar Newsletter is published daily during the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
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