2010 IndyCar Series

Series news

• Announced in a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on November 5, 2009, clothier Izod signed on as the series' new title sponsor from 2010 to 2015, with an option for two additional years. According to Robin Miller, 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 for Ryan 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 by Pep Boys (1998–1999) and Northern Light (2000–2001).
• On September 23, 2009, it was confirmed that Honda would extended their role as a series's standard single engine supplier contract for another two years that in place until the end of 2011 season.
• On November 25, 2009, a season opening race in São Paulo, Brazil was confirmed by city authorities and an Indy Racing League press release.{{cite news |access-date = 2009-11-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110520084232/http://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/portal/a_cidade/noticias/index.php?p=33737 |archive-date = 2011-05-20 |url-status = dead |access-date=2009-11-25}} The race, the São Paulo Indy 300, took place on a 2.3 mi temporary street course. Despite the long travel distance for the teams, the event was lucrative with Terry Angstadt claiming each participating team would receive a six-figure sum from the event promoters in addition to all expenses paid.
• The possibility was left open for a race at Milwaukee, 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. 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.{{cite news |access-date=2010-01-14| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091218165357/http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/79433807.html| archive-date= 18 December 2009 | url-status= live}}
• The July 25 race in Edmonton went ahead, despite event organizers losing $9.2 million on the race over the previous two seasons.
• 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 of bhp 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.{{cite news |access-date=2010-01-14}}
• IRL founder and IMS board member, Tony George, resigned from the IMS effective immediately on January 19, 2010.{{cite news |access-date=2010-01-19}}
• Former chief executive officer of the Professional Bull Riders, Randy Bernard, was announced as the new IRL CEO on February 2, 2010.{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-02}}
• A carriage dispute between the Comcast Corporation and its Versus channel, and DirecTV 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.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-03-16 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100322203701/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/34775-versus-races-back-on-directv/ |archive-date = 2010-03-22 |url-status = dead
• 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.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-04-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100417073858/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/35271-new-indy-quals-points-payday-prestige/ |archive-date = 2010-04-17 |url-status = dead
• 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).{{cite news |access-date = 2010-04-27 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100430164325/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/35604-dual-contests-complement-series-title/ |archive-date = 2010-04-30 |url-status = dead |access-date = 2010-07-03 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100614074009/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/35604-dual-contests-complement-series-title/ |archive-date = 2010-06-14 |url-status = dead
• The development freeze introduced for the 2009 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 and UNICA to provide ethanol for the series.{{cite news |access-date=May 27, 2010 |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329091651/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sunoco-to-become-official-fuel-of-indy-racing-league-in-2011-2010-05-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp |url-status=dead

Confirmed entries

All drivers competed in identical Honda HI10R V8-powered, Firestone Firehawk-shod, Dallara IR-05 chassis. (R) reflects an IZOD IndyCar Series rookie.

Team and driver news

• 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, and Will Power.{{cite news |access-date=2010-01-18| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091213063324/http://openpaddock.net/2009/11/18/indycar-will-power-gets-a-full-time-seat/| archive-date= 13 December 2009 | url-status= live}} Penske shut down their Grand-Am operation to make room for number #12 car.{{cite news |access-date=2009-11-19}} Two long-time Team Penske IndyCar Series team sponsors Philip Morris International including Marlboro brand and Hugo 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.{{cite news |access-date=2009-11-24}} Co-owners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree owned the promotion side of AGR that stages the St. Pete and Toronto races, while the race team itself is fully owned by Michael Andretti.{{cite news |author-link = Robin Miller (journalist) |access-date = 2009-10-08 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090926122032/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-andretti-speaks |archive-date = 2009-09-26 |url-status = dead |access-date=2009-11-30| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091203122437/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80373| archive-date= 3 December 2009 | url-status= live}} with Go Daddy as primary sponsor. Venom Energy signed a multi-year deal to sponsor Marco Andretti.{{cite news|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/venom-energy-drink-signs-multi-year-sponsorship-with-andretti-autosport-78440542.html |access-date=2009-12-03}} Ryan Hunter-Reay signed as the team's fourth driver, and drove the #37 machine, with primary sponsorship from series title sponsors, Izod.{{cite news |access-date=2010-01-04}} The team ran a fifth car at Kansas and the Indy 500, for John Andretti.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-03-31 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100403195424/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-petty-andretti-join-andretti-autosport/ |archive-date = 2010-04-03 |url-status = dead |access-date=2010-04-29| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100502192604/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83193| archive-date= 2 May 2010 | url-status= live}} beginning at Watkins Glen.{{cite news |access-date=2010-05-27}}
• Chip Ganassi Racing: Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti returned for 2010. Developmental driver Alex Lloyd left the team to pursue other opportunities. E. J. Viso was working on a deal to join the team in a third car, but joined KV Racing Technology instead. Robin Miller reported Ganassi was looking to field a third car for Graham Rahal,{{cite news |author-link = Robin Miller (journalist) |access-date = 2010-03-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100326144214/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-millers-mailbag-317/ |archive-date = 2010-03-26 |url-status = dead
• Luczo Dragon Racing: Raphael Matos signed a multi-year contract before the 2009 season.{{cite news |access-date=2008-10-07}} On February 16, 2010, de Ferran Motorsports merged with the Luczo Dragon team to form de Ferran Luczo Dragon Racing.{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-16}} Davey Hamilton joined the team for Indianapolis and had been expected to run at Texas, and one other oval,{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-24}} in the #21 car with a partnership with Kingdom Racing.{{cite news |access-date=2010-03-05}} However, due to accidents suffered by both Matos and Hamilton at Indianapolis, Hamilton sat out Texas.{{cite news |access-date=2010-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607164302/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/37817-hamilton-scratched-from-texas-race/ |archive-date=2010-06-07
• Panther Racing: Dan Wheldon returns for 2010.{{cite news |access-date = 2009-10-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110726150613/http://www.pantherracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=24173 |archive-date = 2011-07-26 |url-status = dead |access-date=2009-12-05}} 2008 GP2 Series champion Giorgio Pantano was in talks with the team. |access-date=2009-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009161732/http://www.stopandgo.tv/news/slf/it/esclusivo-stop-go-intervista-giorgio-pantano-per-lui-si-profila-l-avventura-in-indycar-con-il-team-panther-racing-.html |archive-date=2011-10-09 |url-status=dead
• A. J. Foyt Enterprises: Vítor Meira returned from injury in 2009 to the #14 car for the 2010 season. The team entered a second car at Indianapolis for A. J. Foyt IV,{{cite news|url=http://www.foytracing.com/news/2010_archive/releases/index.shtml
• 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,{{cite news |access-date=2009-12-17}} including the team's former Champ Car driver, Jan Heylen of Belgium, Curt Cavin of The Indianapolis Star reported on December 11 that 2009 driver Nelson Philippe had split from the team since his season-ending crash last August at Infineon.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-02-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100221062837/http://esporte.ig.com.br/grandepremio/formulaindy/2010/02/18/sem+virar+brasileira+conquest+fecha+com+scheckter+para+temporada+2010+9401467.html |archive-date = 2010-02-21 |url-status = dead |access-date = 2010-02-22 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100225071258/http://colunistas.ig.com.br/victormartins/2010/02/21/romancini-na-conquest/ |archive-date = 2010-02-25 |url-status = dead |access-date = 2010-02-23 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100227032934/http://esporte.ig.com.br/grandepremio/formulaindy/2010/02/23/romancini+anuncia+acordo+com+conquest+para+temporada+2010+da+indy+9405576.html |archive-date = 2010-02-27 |url-status = dead |access-date=2010-03-22| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100325093237/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82291| archive-date= 25 March 2010 | url-status= live}} Romancini was replaced by Francesco Dracone for Mid-Ohio and Sonoma, due to Romancini running into budgetary troubles.
• HVM Racing: Robert Doornbos had been signed for 2010 midway through the 2009 season,{{cite news |access-date=2009-08-06}} but Doornbos was released. E. J. Viso's contract with the team expired.{{cite news |access-date=2009-10-27 |archive-date=2011-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719225139/http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=122808&newlang=&topic=10&catid=0 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-12-10| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091213121557/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80515| archive-date= 13 December 2009 | url-status= live}} She was later signed to be full-time driver for 2010.{{cite news |author-link=Robin Miller (journalist) |access-date=2010-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303212045/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-hvm-signs-simona-de-silvestro/ |archive-date=3 March 2010 |url-status=dead
• Newman/Haas Racing: 2009 driver Graham Rahal became a free agent, but had expected to re-sign with the team. Former driver Sébastien Bourdais had also been linked to rumors regarding the team.{{cite news |access-date=2009-08-07}}{{cite news |access-date=2009-08-07}}{{cite news |access-date=2009-08-11}} 2007 Indy Pro Series champion Alex 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.{{cite news |access-date = 2009-09-16 |access-date=2010-03-24 |author-link=Robin Miller (journalist)| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100325142929/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-rahal-returns-to-nhl/| archive-date= 25 March 2010 | url-status= live}} but the expected funding did not materialise until July.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-07-13
• Newman Wachs Racing: Team owner Eddie Wachs said the team wanted to leave the Atlantic Championship and race in the IndyCar Series or GP2 Series in 2010. The team's driver would have been the 2009 Atlantic Championship and 2008 Star Mazda Championship winner John Edwards. The team intended to test Edwards in an IndyCar,{{cite news |access-date = 2009-10-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091021033622/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-newman-wachs-ready-to-move-up/ |archive-date = 2009-10-21 |url-status = dead |access-date=2009-02-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224061945/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/grand-am-mazda-adds-to-rolex-gt-ladder/ |archive-date=2010-02-24
• 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).{{cite news |access-date=2009-11-20}} 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.{{cite news |access-date=2010-04-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100410090535/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82756| archive-date= 10 April 2010 | url-status= live}}
• Vision Racing: Team owner Tony George had been hopeful of returning to a two-car team, with Ed Carpenter driving. However, it was announced on January 28, 2010, that Vision Racing had suspended operations due to a lack of sponsorship. The team appeared at Indianapolis only, in a partnership with Panther Racing with Carpenter driving.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-04-08 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100411015949/http://www.pantherracing.com/news/index.cfm?cid=35108 |archive-date = 2010-04-11 |url-status = dead
• FAZZT Race Team: The new team owned by Montreal entrepreneur Andre Azzi, Jim Freudenberg, and Jason Priestley purchased all of the equipment of Roth Racing, including four Dallara chassis. They competed full-time in 2010 with driver Alex Tagliani, whom they signed to a four-year contract to drive the #77 car.{{cite news |access-date=2009-08-28}} Walker Racing veteran Rob Edwards was team manager.{{cite news |access-date=2009-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830210528/http://www.racer.com/Alex-Taglianis-new-IndyCar-team-revealed/article/147496/ |archive-date=30 August 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-08-14 |archive-date=December 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216101527/http://www.racer.com/Tagliani-to-set-up-new-IndyCar-team/article/146506/ |url-status=dead |access-date = 2010-03-30 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100403222845/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/35015-fazzt-race-team-adds-junqueira-for-indy/ |archive-date = 2010-04-03 |url-status = dead
• Rahal Letterman Racing: Owner Bobby Rahal hoped to secure sponsorship to compete full-time in 2010.{{cite news |access-date=2009-08-10}} This did not occur, but the team entered Indianapolis with son Graham.{{cite news |access-date=2010-05-05}}
• Walker Racing: The team hoped to rejoin the IndyCar Series in 2010 if sponsorship was found, however the team lost longtime Team Manager Rob Edwards to the FAZZT Race Team.{{cite news |author-link = Robin Miller (journalist) |access-date = 2009-08-10 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120229232546/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/miller-the-power-of-one/miller-the-power-of-one |archive-date = 2012-02-29 |url-status = dead
• Dale Coyne Racing: The team was due to announce the driver for the #19 Boy Scouts of America entry by the end of January.{{cite news |access-date=2010-01-11}} Coyne announced during a January 11 teleconference with Versus lead announcer Bob Jenkins that he would run two cars in 2010; however, after Dreyer & Reinbold Racing signed Dale Coyne Racing's 2009 driver Justin Wilson with Wilson's Z-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.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-02-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100209020637/http://www.dalecoyneracing.com/release020210.html |archive-date = 2010-02-09 |url-status = dead |access-date=2010-02-04| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100205043255/http://www.racer.com/dale-coyne-not-bitter-about-wilsonz-line-exit/article/162946/| archive-date= 5 February 2010 | url-status= live}} Hildebrand revealed on his Twitter account that he would be testing with Coyne's team at Sebring on February 15.{{cite news |access-date=30 January 2011}} Robin Miller reported that Milka Duno was the likely teammate of Hildebrand and that Rahal had turned down Coyne's offer of a seat.{{cite news |author-link = Robin Miller (journalist) |access-date = 2010-02-21 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100224045310/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/miller-endangered-species/ |archive-date = 2010-02-24 |url-status = dead |access-date = 2010-03-04 |access-date=2010-03-09}}
• Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: British pairing Justin Wilson and Mike Conway were presented to the media at a February 2 press conference, at the team's race shop in Carmel, Indiana.{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-02}}{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100205043310/http://www.racer.com/justin-wilson-signs-with-dreyer-reinbold/article/162887/| archive-date= 5 February 2010 | url-status= live}} The team left the #23 entry open for a 3rd car, if the funding became available. Ana Beatriz announced on her website that she would be driving that entry in the season-opening race in São Paulo.{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228213451/http://www.biaracing.com/sitecompleto/noticias.bia.95 |archive-date=2010-02-28 |access-date=2009-12-04}} Tomas Scheckter returned to the team for the Indianapolis 500, taking over the #23 car that Beatriz drove in Brazil. Beatriz herself moved to a fourth Dreyer & Reinbold car – the number 25 entry – for Indianapolis.{{cite news |access-date=2010-05-12| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100515130212/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83542| archive-date= 15 May 2010 | url-status= live}} After Conway's injury at the Indianapolis 500, he missed the rest of the season. Scheckter replaced him at Texas and Graham Rahal replaced him at Iowa, joining former Newman/Haas Racing teammate Wilson.{{cite news |access-date=2010-06-10| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100613014645/http://www.16thandgeorgetown.com/2010/06/rahal-in-at-drr.html| archive-date= 13 June 2010 | url-status= live}} Paul Tracy drove the car at Watkins Glen with Robbie Buhl working on a deal to move Rahal to the vacant #23 machine.{{cite news |access-date=2010-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622022819/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100620/irl/100629995 |archive-date=2011-06-22 |url-status=dead
• KV Racing Technology: Team owners Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser expanded from one to three cars for 2010. 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 from GEICO 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 that E. J. Viso would test for the team at Sebring International Raceway on February 15, with the intentions of securing a full-time deal. Former Formula One driver Takuma Sato was confirmed by the team on February 18.{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-18| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100221021747/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81564| archive-date= 21 February 2010 | url-status= live}} On February 22, the team confirmed that Viso would drive for the team,{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-22| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100226064314/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81644| archive-date= 26 February 2010 | url-status= live}} driving the #8 car.{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-22| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100224091600/http://www.racer.com/kv-racing-confirms-viso/article/164270/| archive-date= 24 February 2010 | url-status= live}} Former Honda Formula One test driver James Rossiter had been expected to join the team as a third full-time driver,{{cite news |author-link = Robin Miller (journalist) |access-date = 2010-02-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100227003346/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-millers-alabama-notebook/ |archive-date = 2010-02-27 |url-status = dead |access-date = 2010-03-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100316211138/http://www.indycar.com/news/show/55-izod-indycar-series/34729-moraes-returns-to-kv-racing-technology/ |archive-date = 2010-03-16 |url-status = dead
• CURB/Agajanian/3G Racing: In a statement made on October 7, 2009, Stanton Barrett claimed "We CURB/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."{{cite news |access-date=2009-11-20}} Team co-owner Steve Sudler said in an interview with blog 16th and Georgetown that Richard 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 for Jaques Lazier or Stanton Barrett.{{cite news |access-date=2009-11-20}} 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 with Vision Racing, and planned to enter at Indianapolis.{{cite news |access-date=2009-12-19| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091222135445/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80626| archive-date= 22 December 2009 | url-status= live}} On February 23, 2010, Curt Cavin reported that Sebastián Saavedra had signed full-time with BHA in Firestone 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.{{cite news |access-date=2010-02-23 |archive-date=2011-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708014130/http://www.blogdaindy.com/2010/02/sebastian-saavedra-pode-correr-na.html |url-status=dead
• Sam Schmidt Motorsports: Townsend Bell competed in the Indianapolis 500 in the #99 car, run in conjunction with Chip Ganassi Racing.{{cite news |access-date = 2010-01-13

Schedule

The final 2010 schedule was announced on July 31, 2009, with revisions announced on August 26, 2009. New events included a season-opening street race in São Paulo, Brazil, and the new Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park. Richmond and Milwaukee did not return in 2010.

– 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.

Testing

Two open tests were scheduled for February 24–26 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama and May 4 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Kentucky.{{cite news |access-date=2010-01-14}} At Barber, Team Penske's Will 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{{cite web |access-date = 2010-03-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100312135035/http://www.indycar.com/schedule/raceresults/55-izod-indycar-series/1994-barber-motorsports-park-open-test/816-izod-indycar-practice-3/ |archive-date = 2010-03-12 |url-status = dead |access-date = 2010-06-01

Results

Race summaries

Round 1: [[São Paulo Indy 300]]

• Sunday March 14, 2010 – 1:07 p.m. BRT / 12:07 p.m. EDT
• Streets of São Paulo – São Paulo, Brazil; Temporary street circuit, 2.536 mi
• Distance: 75 laps / 190.2 mi; reduced to 61 laps / 154.696 mi due to rain and two-hour time limit.
• Race weather: 75 °F, scattered clouds with intermittent rain.
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.40{{cite news |access-date=2010-03-16}}
• Attendance: 46,000 (race day){{cite news |access-date=2010-03-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100317125958/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/bruce_martin/03/14/racing.notes/index.html?eref=si_motorsports| archive-date= 17 March 2010 | url-status= dead}}
• Pole position winner: #10 Dario Franchitti, 1:27.7354 sec, 104.058 mph
• Most laps led: #10 Dario Franchitti, 29
• Race Report: 2010 São Paulo Indy 300

Round 2: [[Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg]]

• Monday March 29, 2010 – 10:25 a.m. EDT; postponed from Sunday March 28 due to rain.
• Streets of St. Petersburg – St. Petersburg, Florida; Temporary street circuit, 1.800 mi
• Distance: 100 laps / 180.000 mi
• Race weather: 62 °F, scattered clouds
• Television: ESPN2 (Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, Vince Welch, Jamie Little, Rick DeBruhl)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.6 (Sunday rainout)
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:01.6026 sec, 105.190 mph
• Most laps led: #12 Will Power, 50
• Race Report: 2010 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Round 3: [[Indy Grand Prix of Alabama]]

• Sunday April 11, 2010 – 3:45 p.m. EDT / 2:45 p.m. CDT
• Barber Motorsports Park – Birmingham, Alabama; Permanent road course, 2.300 mi
• Distance: 90 laps / 207.000 mi
• Race weather: 77 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.30
• Attendance: 53,555 (race day)
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:10.1356 sec, 118.057 mph
• Most laps led: #26 Marco Andretti, 58
• Race Report: 2010 Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

Round 4: [[Grand Prix of Long Beach|Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach]]

• Sunday April 18, 2010 – 4:15 p.m. EDT / 1:15 p.m. PDT
• Streets of Long Beach – Long Beach, California; Temporary street circuit, 1.968 mi
• Distance: 85 laps / 167.280 mi
• Race weather: 66 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.54
• Attendance: race day 65,000 – estimated/reported weekend 170,000
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:09.3185 sec, 102.206 mph
• Most laps led: #37 Ryan Hunter-Reay, 64
• Race Report: 2010 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

Round 5: [[RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300]]

• Saturday May 1, 2010 – 2:00 p.m. EDT / 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Kansas Speedway – Kansas City, Kansas; Permanent racing facility, 1.520 mi
• Distance: 200 laps / 304.000 mi
• Race weather: 63 °F, partly cloudy
• Television: ABC (Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, Vince Welch, Jamie Little, Rick DeBruhl)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.8
• Attendance: 15,000
• Pole position winner: #6 Ryan Briscoe, 1:43.1747 sec, 212.145 mph (4-lap)
• Most laps led: #9 Scott Dixon, 167
• Race Report: 2010 RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300

Round 6: [[Indianapolis 500|94th Indianapolis 500]]

• Sunday May 30, 2010 – 1:12 p.m. EDT / 12:12 p.m. CDT
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway – Speedway, Indiana; Permanent racing facility, 2.500 mi
• Distance: 200 laps / 500.000 mi
• Race weather: 88 °F, partly cloudy
• Television: ABC (Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, Eddie Cheever, Brent Musburger, Vince Welch, Jamie Little, Rick DeBruhl, Jerry Punch)
• Nielsen ratings: 3.6 (4.0 overnight)
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #3 Hélio Castroneves, 2:37.9154 sec, 227.790 mph (4-lap)
• Most laps led: #10 Dario Franchitti, 155
• Race Report: 2010 Indianapolis 500

Round 7: [[Firestone 550]]

• Saturday June 5, 2010 – 8:50 p.m. EDT / 7:50 p.m. CDT
• Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth, Texas; Permanent racing facility, 1.455 mi
• Distance: 228 laps / 331.740 mi
• Race weather: 93 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.3
• Attendance: 73,000
• Pole position winner: #6 Ryan Briscoe, 1:37.3275 sec, 215.273 mph (4-lap)
• Most laps led: #6 Ryan Briscoe, 102
• Race Report: 2010 Firestone 550

Round 8: [[Iowa Corn Indy 250]]

• Sunday June 20, 2010 – 2:15 p.m. EDT / 1:15 p.m. CDT
• Iowa Speedway – Newton, Iowa; Permanent racing facility, 0.894 mi
• Distance: 250 laps / 223.500 mi
• Race weather: 78 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.2
• Attendance: 34,248
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:10.9925 sec, 181.337 mph (4-lap)
• Most laps led: #10 Dario Franchitti, 69
• Race Report: 2010 Iowa Corn Indy 250

Round 9: [[Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen]]

• Sunday July 4, 2010 – 3:55 p.m. EDT
• Watkins Glen International – Watkins Glen, New York; Permanent racing facility, 3.370 mi
• Distance: 60 laps / 202.200 mi
• Race weather: 87 °F, clear skies
• Television: ABC (Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, Vince Welch, Jamie Little, Rick DeBruhl)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.9
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:29.3164 sec, 135.832 mph
• Most laps led: #12 Will Power, 45
• Race Report: 2010 Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen

Round 10: [[Honda Indy Toronto]]

• Sunday July 18, 2010 – 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Streets of Toronto – Toronto, Ontario; Temporary street circuit, 1.755 mi
• Distance: 85 laps / 149.175 mi
• Race weather: 79 °F, mostly cloudy
• Television: ABC (Marty Reid, Scott Goodyear, Vince Welch, Jamie Little, Rick DeBruhl)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.9
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #22 Justin Wilson, 1:00.2710 sec, 104.827 mph
• Most laps led: #22 Justin Wilson, 32
• Race Report: 2010 Honda Indy Toronto

Round 11: [[Edmonton Indy|Honda Indy Edmonton]]

• Sunday July 25, 2010 – 5:55 p.m. EDT / 3:55 p.m. MDT
• Edmonton City Centre Airport – Edmonton, Alberta; Temporary airport course, 1.973 mi
• Distance: 95 laps / 187.435 mi
• Race weather: 73 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.31
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:00.7126 sec, 116.991 mph
• Most laps led: #12 Will Power, 76
• Race Report: 2010 Honda Indy Edmonton

Round 12: [[Honda 200|Honda Indy 200]]

• Sunday August 8, 2010 – 3:00 p.m. EDT
• Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio; Permanent racing facility, 2.258 mi
• Distance: 85 laps / 191.930 mi
• Race weather: 86 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.33
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:07.1997 sec, 120.965 mph
• Most laps led: #77 Alex Tagliani, 30
• Race Report: 2010 Honda Indy 200

Round 13: [[Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix|Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma]]

• Sunday August 22, 2010 – 5:50 p.m. EDT / 2:50 p.m. PDT
• Infineon Raceway – Sonoma, California; Permanent racing facility, 2.303 mi
• Distance: 75 laps / 172.725 mi
• Race weather: 78 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.25
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #12 Will Power, 1:16.5282 sec, 108.337 mph
• Most laps led: #12 Will Power, 73
• Race Report: 2010 Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma

Round 14: [[Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300]]

• Saturday August 28, 2010 – 7:50 p.m. EDT / 6:50 p.m. CDT
• Chicagoland Speedway – Joliet, Illinois; Permanent racing facility, 1.520 mi
• Distance: 200 laps / 304.000 mi
• Race weather: 86 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.47
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #6 Ryan Briscoe, 50.5857 sec, 216.346 mph (2-lap)
• Most laps led: #6 Ryan Briscoe, 113
• Race Report: 2010 Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300

Round 15: [[Kentucky Indy 300]]

• Saturday September 4, 2010 – 8:50 p.m. EDT
• Kentucky Speedway – Sparta, Kentucky; Permanent racing facility, 1.480 mi
• Distance: 200 laps / 296.000 mi
• Race weather: 67 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.23
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #20 Ed Carpenter, 48.8958 sec, 217.933 mph (2-lap)
• Most laps led: #4 Dan Wheldon, 93
• Race Report: 2010 Kentucky Indy 300

Round 16: [[Indy Japan 300]]

• Sunday September 19, 2010 – 1:00 p.m. JST / 12:00 a.m. EDT
• Twin Ring Motegi – Motegi, Tochigi; Permanent racing facility, 1.520 mi
• Distance: 200 laps / 304.000 mi
• Race weather: 83 °F, partly cloudy
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute)
• Nielsen ratings: 181,000 viewers
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #3 Hélio Castroneves, 54.1803 sec, 201.992 mph (2-lap)
• Most laps led: #3 Hélio Castroneves, 153
• Race Report: 2010 Indy Japan 300

Round 17: [[Cafés do Brasil Indy 300]]

• Saturday October 2, 2010 – 7:00 p.m. EDT
• Homestead-Miami Speedway – Homestead, Florida; Permanent racing facility, 1.485 mi
• Distance: 200 laps / 297.000 mi
• Race weather: 87 °F, clear skies
• Television: Versus (Bob Jenkins, Robbie Buhl, Jon Beekhuis, Jack Arute, Lindy Thackston, Robbie Floyd)
• Nielsen ratings: 0.56
• Attendance:
• Pole position winner: #10 Dario Franchitti, 50.1532 sec, 213.187 mph (2-lap)
• Most laps led: #10 Dario Franchitti, 128
• Race Report: 2010 Cafés do Brasil Indy 300

Points standings

• 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.

Driver standings

• 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.