Dario Franchitti (left) won his third Drivers' Championship (second straight title) whileWill Power (right) finished second in the championship.
The2010 IZOD IndyCar Series was the 15th season of theIndyCar Series, and the 99th recognized season of top-levelAmerican open wheel racing. It was the series' first of six planned seasons underIzod title sponsorship, a multimillion-dollar deal which was announced on November 5, 2009.[1][2] Its premier event was the94th Indianapolis 500, held on Sunday, May 30.
Chip Ganassi Racing'sDario Franchitti retained his title, to win his third in four seasons after defeatingTeam Penske driverWill Power in a championship battle that went to the final race of the season atHomestead-Miami Speedway. Power had led the championship for most of the season, and led Franchitti by twelve into Homestead, but after hitting the wall during the race and finishing in 25th place, Franchitti's eighth-place finish with maximum bonus points gave him the championship by five points. Franchitti and Power each won one of the new-for-2010 sub-championships for oval tracks, and road courses. Franchitti won the oval championship with six top-five finishes from eight races, including victories at the Indianapolis 500 andChicagoland,[3] and also won the road course event atMid-Ohio. Power was even more dominant in the road course championship, finishing each of the nine races in the top three, with five wins inSão Paulo,St. Petersburg,Watkins Glen,Toronto andSonoma.[4]
After battling Franchitti for the title in2009,Scott Dixon andRyan Briscoe finished third and fifth in the championship standings with the third Penske car, piloted byHélio Castroneves finished between the pair. Dixon won on the ovals atKansas and Homestead-Miami, as well as a victory in Edmonton after Castroneves was penalised for blocking on a late-race restart. Dixon's victory in Florida helped him overhaul Castroneves for third place in the championship standings. Castroneves also took three victories during the season, winning the inaugural race atBarber Motorsports Park as well as back-to-back victories atKentucky andTwin Ring Motegi, as he finished sixteen points behind Dixon. Briscoe finished over 100 points behind Franchitti, with a solitary victory atTexas.Andretti Autosport driversTony Kanaan andRyan Hunter-Reay were the only other drivers to win a race, as they finished sixth and seventh respectively. Rookie of the Year went toDale Coyne Racing driverAlex Lloyd who competed in his first full season, after three races over the previous two seasons. He finished 24 points ahead ofSimona de Silvestro.
This was the last season that the winner of theIndianapolis 500 went on to also win the championship in the same season untilÁlex Palou achieved the feat in2025.
Announced in a press conference atIndianapolis Motor Speedway on November 5, 2009, clothierIzod signed on as the series' new title sponsor from 2010 to 2015, with an option for two additional years.[1] According to Robin Miller,[5] the deal was worth $10 million per year with at least $5 million toward promotions and marketing. It would additionally include a payout of $100,000 per car, per year to teams eligible for the TEAM revenue-sharing program, and possible partial funding for a full-time car forRyan Hunter-Reay, whom received sponsorship backing from the brand in 2009. This was the third title sponsorship in the IndyCar Series' history; previous sponsorships were provided byPep Boys (1998–1999) andNorthern Light (2000–2001).
On September 23, 2009, it was confirmed thatHonda would extended their role as a series's standard single engine supplier contract for another two years that in place until the end of2011 season.[6]
On November 25, 2009, a season opening race inSão Paulo, Brazil was confirmed by city authorities and an Indy Racing League press release.[7][8] The race, theSão Paulo Indy 300, took place on a 2.3-mile (3.7 km) temporary street course. Despite the long travel distance for the teams, the event was lucrative withTerry Angstadt claiming each participating team would receive a six-figure sum from the event promoters in addition to all expenses paid.[9]
The possibility was left open for a race atMilwaukee, however, ongoing issues involving unpaid sanctioning fees from the management put the race, and the future of the facility, at risk. In November, Historic Mile, LLC. announced they were going out of business.[10] It was announced on December 16 that no national racing series would race at the Milwaukee Mile in 2010 due to the inability for Wisconsin State Fair Park officials to find a replacement promoter for the season.[11]
The July 25 race inEdmonton went ahead, despite event organizers losing $9.2 million on the race over the previous two seasons.[12][13]
2010 rule changes were announced on January 12, 2010. The 4-position fuel mixture switch was removed so that cars were only able to run on "full rich" or "yellow" fuel settings. The Honda Overtake assist returned with an approximate doubling ofbhp increase from last year's 5–20 bhp upon pressing the button. All cars had a reverse gear on the road and street courses and thus reintroduced in 2010.[14]
IRL founder and IMS board member,Tony George, resigned from the IMS effective immediately on January 19, 2010.[15]
Acarriage dispute between theComcast Corporation and itsVersus channel, andDirecTV that had been in place since August was resolved on March 15, 2010. This meant that Versus was restored to nearly sixteen million customers; returning to coverage that the channel offered before the dispute.[17]
Indianapolis 500 qualifying in 2010 awarded points to each of the 33 qualifying drivers. The polesitter received fifteen points, with the other drivers on the front row receiving 13 and 12 respectively. Each qualifying driver earned at least three points.[18]
Two additional titles were awarded starting with the 2010 season, with an oval champion and a road/street course champion being crowned. A trophy and prize money was awarded to the highest points finisher on the 9 road/street courses and 7 oval races (excluding Homestead).[19] After a fan vote, the names of the championships were announced as theA. J. Foyt Oval Championship and theMario Andretti Road Course Championship.[20]
The development freeze introduced for the2009 season remains in place for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Sunoco would become the official fuel of the series starting in mid-2010 and running through 2018. Sunoco would work with APEX–Brasil andUNICA to provideethanol for the series.[21]
Team Penske:Hélio Castroneves signed a multi-year contract extension with Penske Racing before the 2009 season. Penske ran three full-time teams in 2010, with Castroneves,Ryan Briscoe, andWill Power.[25] Penske shut down theirGrand-Am operation to make room for number #12 car.[26] Two long-timeTeam Penske IndyCar Series team sponsorsPhilip Morris International includingMarlboro brand andHugo Boss including BOSS brand were ended their sponsorships after nineteen and twenty-three years respectively.
Andretti Autosport: Before the 2010 season, the ownership of Andretti Green Racing split and began operating as Andretti Autosport.[27] Co-ownersKim Green andKevin Savoree owned the promotion side of AGR that stages the St. Pete and Toronto races, while the race team itself is fully owned byMichael Andretti.[28]Tony Kanaan signed a multi-year deal before the 2009 season.Danica Patrick signed a three-year contract extension through 2012[29] withGo Daddy as primary sponsor.Venom Energy signed a multi-year deal to sponsorMarco Andretti.[30]Ryan Hunter-Reay signed as the team's fourth driver,[31] and drove the #37 machine, with primary sponsorship from series title sponsors,Izod.[32] The team ran a fifth car at Kansas and the Indy 500, forJohn Andretti.[33]Adam Carroll also contested a partial program with the team.[34] beginning at Watkins Glen.[35][36]
Luczo Dragon Racing:Raphael Matos signed a multi-year contract before the 2009 season.[39] On February 16, 2010,de Ferran Motorsports merged with the Luczo Dragon team to formde Ferran Luczo Dragon Racing.[40]Davey Hamilton joined the team for Indianapolis and had been expected to run at Texas, and one other oval,[41] in the #21 car with a partnership with Kingdom Racing.[42] However, due to accidents suffered by both Matos and Hamilton at Indianapolis, Hamilton sat out Texas.[43] Hamilton returned at Chicagoland.[44]
Conquest Racing: Conquest planned to run one car for the entire 2010 season in addition to a second car at selected events including the Indy 500. After talking with a few different potential drivers,[50] including the team's formerChamp Car driver,Jan Heylen ofBelgium, Curt Cavin ofThe Indianapolis Star reported on December 11 that 2009 driverNelson Philippe had split from the team since his season-ending crash last August at Infineon.[51] Brazilian media outlets reported thatTomas Scheckter had signed for the team, as well as the possibility of running two more cars for a pair of Brazilian drivers.[52] Brazilian journalist Victor Martins reported that BrazilianMario Romancini had signed a full-season deal with the team,[53] with the agreement confirmed on February 23.[54]2009 Formula Renault 3.5 Series championBertrand Baguette was confirmed by the team on March 22, 2010, beginning his season at the inauguralIndy Grand Prix of Alabama.[55] Romancini was replaced byFrancesco Dracone for Mid-Ohio and Sonoma, due to Romancini running into budgetary troubles.[56]
Newman/Haas Racing: 2009 driverGraham Rahal became a free agent, but had expected to re-sign with the team. Former driverSébastien Bourdais had also been linked to rumors regarding the team.[62][63][64] 2007Indy Pro Series championAlex Lloyd ran the final race of 2009 in the team's No. 40202 (usually the No. 06 but renumbered to promote a cancer research fund associated with Lloyd's sponsor) entry. He attempted to put together a sponsorship package to secure one of the team's seats for 2010.[65] During the VERSUS television commentary on the final race of the 2009 season, it was stated that Alex Lloyd "had the seat for 2010" although there is not official announcement or citation.The Indianapolis Star reported on November 6 thatHideki Mutoh and sponsor Formula Dream was to join Rahal and Lloyd in 2010 at NHL,[66] but neitherHER Energy Drink norMcDonald's continued their sponsorships. Mutoh announced on his website that he had signed with the team on February 19, 2010, for a third year in the IndyCar Series. On March 24, 2010,Robin Miller reported that Rahal was likely to return to the team after his three-race deal with Sarah Fisher Racing,[67] but the expected funding did not materialise until July.[68]
Sarah Fisher Racing: SFR announced the addition of a second car at selected 2010 events. Fisher was scheduled for nine races (St. Pete., Barber, Kansas, Indy, Texas, Iowa, Chicagoland, Kentucky, Homestead).Jay Howard ran the #66 car at four races (Indy, Texas, Mid-Ohio, Chicagoland).[71] On March 1, 2010, the TBC Retail Group announced they would sponsor Howard and the No. 66 Service Central car at Kansas Speedway.Graham Rahal drove Fisher's Dollar General entry at St. Pete, Barber and Long Beach while he was out of a ride.[72][73]
Vision Racing: Team ownerTony George had been hopeful of returning to a two-car team, withEd Carpenter driving.[65] However, it was announced on January 28, 2010, that Vision Racing had suspended operations due to a lack of sponsorship.[74] The team appeared at Indianapolis only, in a partnership withPanther Racing with Carpenter driving.[75]
FAZZT Race Team: The new team owned by Montreal entrepreneur Andre Azzi, Jim Freudenberg, andJason Priestley purchased all of the equipment ofRoth Racing, including four Dallara chassis. They competed full-time in 2010 with driverAlex Tagliani, whom they signed to a four-year contract to drive the #77 car.[76]Walker Racing veteran Rob Edwards was team manager.[77][78] Tagliani was joined byBruno Junqueira at the Indianapolis 500, who competed in the #33 car.[79]
Walker Racing: The team hoped to rejoin theIndyCar Series in 2010 if sponsorship was found, however the team lost longtime Team Manager Rob Edwards to the FAZZT Race Team.[82]
Dale Coyne Racing: The team was due to announce the driver for the #19Boy Scouts of America entry by the end of January.[46][83] Coyne announced during a January 11 teleconference withVersus lead announcerBob Jenkins that he would run two cars in 2010; however, afterDreyer & Reinbold Racing signed Dale Coyne Racing's 2009 driverJustin Wilson with Wilson'sZ-Line Designs driver sponsorship, it looked like Coyne would field just one entry full-time, but in an official press release, Coyne reiterated that the team's "drivers" would be announced soon and that Wilson's departure, while unfortunate, was not completely unexpected.[84] In the same press release he mentionedGraham Rahal andJ. R. Hildebrand as the team's top targets.[85] Hildebrand revealed on his Twitter account that he would be testing with Coyne's team at Sebring on February 15.[86] Robin Miller reported thatMilka Duno was the likely teammate of Hildebrand and that Rahal had turned down Coyne's offer of a seat.[87] Duno was confirmed by the team on March 4, 2010.[88] On March 8, Gordon Kirby reported thatAlex Lloyd would be driving the #19.[89]
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: British pairingJustin Wilson andMike Conway were presented to the media at a February 2 press conference, at the team's race shop inCarmel, Indiana.[90][91] The team left the #23 entry open for a 3rd car, if the funding became available.[92]Ana Beatriz announced on her website that she would be driving that entry in the season-opening race in São Paulo.[93]E. J. Viso also tested with the team on December 9, 2009, at Sebring.[94]Tomas Scheckter returned to the team for the Indianapolis 500, taking over the #23 car that Beatriz drove in Brazil.[95] Beatriz herself moved to a fourth Dreyer & Reinbold car – the number 25 entry – for Indianapolis.[96] After Conway's injury at the Indianapolis 500, he missed the rest of the season. Scheckter replaced him at Texas andGraham Rahal replaced him at Iowa, joining formerNewman/Haas Racing teammate Wilson.[97]Paul Tracy drove the car atWatkins Glen withRobbie Buhl working on a deal to move Rahal to the vacant #23 machine.[98][99]J. R. Hildebrand replaced Conway at two events and drove the team's No. 24 Roll Coater entry for Mid-Ohio and the No. 24 TranSystems machine in Sonoma.[100]
KV Racing Technology: Team ownersKevin Kalkhoven andJimmy Vasser expanded from one to three cars for 2010.[46] According to a radio interview on "Trackside with Curt Cavin and Kevin Lee",Paul Tracy had a verbal commitment with KV Racing to drive for the team in the Indy 500, Toronto, Edmonton, and one other race airing on ABC with sponsorship fromGEICO and Honda Canada. Mario Moraes was expected to return in light of Jimmy Vasser returning from Brazil recently, according to Robin Miller's mail bag. On February 13, the team announced thatE. J. Viso would test for the team atSebring International Raceway on February 15, with the intentions of securing a full-time deal. FormerFormula One driverTakuma Sato was confirmed by the team on February 18.[101] On February 22, the team confirmed that Viso would drive for the team,[102] driving the #8 car.[103] Former Honda Formula One test driverJames Rossiter had been expected to join the team as a third full-time driver,[104] with Tracy in a fourth car part-time,[87] butMario Moraes returned to the team, driving the #32 car.[105]
CURB/Agajanian/3G Racing: In a statement made on October 7, 2009, Stanton Barrett claimed "WeCURB/Agajanian/3G Racing are all working to find the proper sponsorship for next year" and that the team is, "working to see which races Stanton can run next year."[106] Team co-owner Steve Sudler said in an interview with blog 16th and Georgetown thatRichard Antinucci would be one of the team's drivers in 2010 and the team was building its program around him. The team explored possibilities for a second car, most likely forJaques Lazier orStanton Barrett.[107] However, the team made no official announcement and did not participate in the open test at Barber Motorsport Park. Team 3G planned to start in St. Pete with Antinucci, however this did not happen.
Bryan Herta Autosport: Herta formed the team in 2009 in a partnership withVision Racing, and planned to enter at Indianapolis.[108] On February 23, 2010, Curt Cavin reported thatSebastián Saavedra had signed full-time with BHA inFirestone Indy Lights and would run this year's Indianapolis 500. Blog Da Indy reported that Saavedra could have also run the Indycar races at Texas, Toronto, Sonoma and Homestead.[109]
† – The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was originally scheduled for March 28 (3:30 PM on ABC) but was postponed to the next day due to torrential rain.
Two open tests were scheduled for February 24–26 atBarber Motorsports Park inBirmingham, Alabama and May 4 atKentucky Speedway inSparta, Kentucky.[113] At Barber,Team Penske'sWill Power recorded the best time over the three sessions, and topped the times in two of the three held. His lap time of 1:09.8724 – set in the third session[114] – saw him as the only driver to set a time in the 1:09s. TeammatesHélio Castroneves andRyan Briscoe set the second-fastest and third-fastest laps of the test. The Kentucky test was washed out by weepers – water seeping up onto the track from six inches of overnight rain – and no times were set.[115]
Ties in points broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc., and then by number of pole positions, followed by number of times qualified 2nd, etc.
One point is awarded to any driver who leads at least one lap during a race. Two additional points are awarded to the driver who leads the most laps in a race.
At Texas, the event is split into two half-distance races on the same day. Each one awards half points.
Bonus points are awarded for qualifying performance:
At all tracks except Indianapolis, the driver who qualifies on pole earns one point.
At Indianapolis, drivers who advance to Q2 earn bonus points. Drivers who qualify tenth through twenty-fourth earn four qualifying points, and the remaining qualifying drivers earn three points.
At Texas, the grid for the second race is set by a draw, and no bonus point is awarded for the pole position.
^Black, James (August 5, 2010)."Hamilton Back On Track".16thandgeorgetown.com. ID Media Inc.Archived from the original on August 9, 2010. RetrievedAugust 6, 2010.
^Martins, Victor (February 21, 2010)."Romancini na Conquest".iG (in Portuguese). Internet Group. Archived fromthe original on February 25, 2010. RetrievedFebruary 22, 2010.
^Black, James (January 11, 2010)."Coyne Set To Run 2 Cars In 2010".16thandgeorgetown.blogspot.com. ID Media Inc. RetrievedJanuary 11, 2010.
^"Dale Coyne Racing Wishes Wilson and Z-Line Well".dalecoyneracing.com.Dale Coyne Racing. February 2, 2010. Archived fromthe original on February 9, 2010. RetrievedFebruary 4, 2010.The team is in the final stages of finalizing their driver line up for its two car entry in 2010. Testing is scheduled for later in February in preparation for the first race of the year in São Paulo, Brazil in mid March.
^Black, James (June 9, 2010)."Rahal In At DRR".16thandgeorgetown.blogspot.com. ID Media Inc.Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. RetrievedJune 10, 2010.
Dario Franchitti
Will Power
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Vítor Meira
Scott Dixon
E. J. Viso
Alex Tagliani
