INDYCAR NEWS AND NOTES – Oct. 15, 2013

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and Mazda Road to Indy headlines:

1. IZOD IndyCar Series Team Fresh Engine Status Update

2. Plenty at stake for teams in MAVTV 500

3. ABC Supply Co. to sponsor Milwaukee IndyFest

1. IZOD IndyCar Series Team Fresh Engine Status Update: INDYCAR provided an update today regarding the status of fresh engines for each entry for the MAVTV 500, the final event of the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

 Officials also announced 10 grid spot penalties for the following cars for the Oct. 19 race at Auto Club Speedway: #3 Castroneves (Rule 15.5.1 and 15.1.4.), #6 Saavedra (Rule 15.5.1), #9 Dixon (Rule 15.5.1 and 15.1.4.), #14 Sato (Rule 15.5.1 and 15.1.4.), #15 Rahal (Rule 15.5.1 and 15.1.4.), #67 Newgarden (15.5.1 and 15.1.4.)

15.5.1. The minimum mileage threshold (“Change-Out Mileage”) is 2000 miles.

15.1.4. Each Full-Season Entrant may use no more than five fresh built Engines from the first Open Test until the end of the Race season. Using more than five fresh Engines in this period will result in a penalty. Engines beyond the fifth fresh Engine may be fresh or part-used.

Teams that are utilizing an engine outside of their allotment of five engines are not eligible to score points for the manufacturer’s title. Honda and Chevrolet are  tied in the manufacturer standings.

Click HERE to view and download the fresh engine update.

2. Plenty at stake for teams in MAVTV 500: Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon will contest for the $1 million championship bonus in the MAVTV 500 on Oct. 19 at Auto Club Speedway.

There are seven others who can earn year-end bonuses from INDYCAR by finishing in the top five of the standings.

Simon Pagenaud, driver of the No. 77 Schmidt Hamilton HP Motorsports car, is third in standings entering the 250-lap season finale at 8 p.m. (ET) on NBC Sports Network. Depending on results, he could overtake Castroneves for second and claim the $250,000 bonus. The third-place driver will earn $175,000, with Justin Wilson of Dale Coyne Racing, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti of Andretti Autosport and Will Power of Team Penske also in contention.

All those drivers plus James Hinchcliffe of Andretti Autosport and Charlie Kimball of Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing are eligible for the fourth-place prize of $125,000. Fifth place pays a $75,000 bonus.

“We have been dominant in the 500-mile races and have led a lot of laps, but Fontana is about leading the right lap, and that’s what we need to do,” said Andretti, who earned the pole for the 2012 race. “I’d really like to end the season with a ‘W’ for the Dr Pepper team. Auto Club Speedway is a tricky place to get right with the seams, but will be rewarding if we do.”

Additionally, the manufacturer championship will be decided in the race as Chevrolet and Honda are tied in points. Both have nine victories.

Click HERE to view and download an infographic detailing the races within the point standings beyond the championship battle.

3. ABC Supply Co. to sponsor Milwaukee IndyFest: Wisconsin-based ABC Supply Co. returns as the title sponsor of the IndyCar Series race in Milwaukee for 2014 and ’15. The 2014 date will move from mid-June to Aug. 16-17, placing it in the heart of the drive for the series championship.

Tickets for the ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest will be available Nov. 13 at www.milwaukeeindyfest.com.

“We have a large number of associates and customers in the Wisconsin area and are happy for the opportunity to support the oldest and longest operating motor speedway in the world,” ABC Supply Co. founder and board chairman Diane Hendricks said of The Milwaukee Mile. “As a sponsor of A.J. Foyt Racing for almost 10 years, we’re thrilled to play a small part in open-wheel racing in Wisconsin.”

ABC Supply Co. Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing in the United States and one of the nation’s largest distributors of siding, windows and other select exterior building products. It is the primary sponsor of the No. 14 A.J. Foyt Racing car driven by Takuma Sato.

“Racing at the Milwaukee Mile, the world’s longest running race track, is always exciting,” said Kevin Healy, managing director for event promoter Andretti Sports Marketing. “We’re thrilled to announce the ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest, a new title sponsor and a new date to continue the tradition of IndyCar racing at the Mile.

“We appreciate the leadership of Diane Hendricks and ABC Supply Co, Inc. has provided to ensure that an international motorsports event remains in Wisconsin.”

In addition to the IndyCar Series, two of the Mazda Road to Indy series — Indy Lights and the Pro Mazda Championship — will return for the Aug. 16-17 Festival of Speed that will again feature an infield midway, beer garden and live music.

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The next IZOD IndyCar Series race is the MAV TV 500 on Oct. 19 at Auto Club Speedway. The race will be televised live by NBC Sports Network at 8 p.m. (ET) and broadcast by the IMS Radio Network, including on Sirius and XM Channels 211, www.indycar.com and the INDYCAR 13 App for most smartphones and tablets. The next Firestone Indy Lights race is the Lefty’s Kids Club 100 on Oct. 19 at Auto Club Speedway. The race will be televised by NBC Sports Network at 7 p.m. (ET) on Oct. 19.