INDYCAR NEWS AND NOTES – Nov. 5, 2013

Today’s IZOD IndyCar Series and Mazda Road to Indy headlines

1. Hinchcliffe among nominees for SportsNet honor 

2. Veach earns Community Leader Award 

3. Pro Mazda veteran Meyer signs with Team Moore 

1. Hinchcliffe among nominees for SportsNet honor: James Hinchcliffe draped the flag of Canada over his shoulders moments after arriving in Victory Circle on March 24 to celebrate his initial IZOD IndyCar Series victory in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

It was a great start to the 2013 season for the Toronto native, who was entering his second season with Andretti Autosport.

A dramatic final-turn pass gave Hinchcliffe another victory five weeks later in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and he won for the third time on June 23 on the Iowa Speedway oval.

Hinchcliffe, who placed eighth in the series championship standings through 19 rounds, is among the nominees for the 2013 Canadian Athlete of the Year Award as selected by voters on sportsnet.ca.

“It’s an honor to receive a nomination and I’m simply proud to be on the list in amongst so many outstanding Canadians,” he said.  “We can all be super proud of our accomplishments as athletes this year and it shows the strength and determination of Canadians to succeed in competitive environments.  Even better, it’s a fan vote and in my opinion that’s all the matters as they’re the people who matter.”

2. Veach earns Community Leader Award: Andretti Autosport’s Zach Veach was selected as the Firestone Indy Lights KeyBank Community Leader for being the driver who “best displays a passion for community service and community outreach.”

The 18-year-old Ohio native is active in multiple public outreach campaigns and continues to pour his energy into philanthropy throughout the year. 

This year, Veach has been involved with organizations such as STEM, Racing for Kids, Racing for Cancer, No Bull (anti-bullying campaign) and Miles Ahead.

Veach  receives a check for $3,000. He will return to Andretti Autosport for his second season of Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires in 2014.

3. Pro Mazda veteran Meyer signs with Team Moore: Team Moore Racing announced it has signed 21-year-old Canadian Zack Meyer to drive its No. 2 car in the 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season. 

“I am more than excited to be racing and be a part of Team Moore Racing for the 2014 season of Indy Lights,” said Meyer, who finished sixth in the 2013 Pro Mazda Championship. “The atmosphere at the shop and around the team is exactly what a racecar driver needs to be focused and on point at all times. 

“Communication is key and understanding one another: it’s all there. I really look forward to an amazing season with TMR and increasing my experience level. One day, hopefully sooner rather than later, I can be at the top in IndyCar. I want to thank my mom for all her support and Joe Launi for making me the driver I am today.”