INDYCAR NEWS AND NOTES – Nov. 12, 2013

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

1. Visit with Hinchcliffe, get free Milwaukee race weekend ticket 

2. TNT Energy Drink to back Kanaan’s entry at Ganassi

3. Dixon featured on New Zealand’s “60 Minutes”

4. Paralyzed racer Johnson moves up Mazda Road to Indy ladder

1. Visit with Hinchcliffe, get free Milwaukee race weekend ticket: David Hobbs Honda (6100 N. Green Bay Ave. in Glendale, Wis.) will host IZOD IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe on Nov. 13 to promote the 2014 ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest.

Hinchcliffe, a three-time race winner this season, will greet fans from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (local) at the dealership, which is a presenting sponsor of the 2014 race weekend. The first 50 in line at 11 a.m. will receive a voucher for an Aug. 16 general admission ticket. In addition, the first 10 fans will receive a Hinchcliffe-autographed GoDaddy hat.

2. TNT Energy Drink to back Kanaan’s entry at Ganassi: Chip Ganassi Racing Teams announced a mutli-year deal with TNT Energy Drink, continuing Indianapolis 500 Winner Tony Kanaan’s longtime relationship with the brand.

“TNT first came onboard with me at the end of 2010 and they were the first ones to tell me I would stay in the IndyCar Series when I had no sponsor and no team to race, so I’m more than excited to have them join Chip Ganassi Racing for this new chapter of my career,” Kanaan said. “I’m looking forward to a strong season with them at Chip Ganassi Racing.”

TNT Energy Drink is the third-largest energy drink brand in Brazil.Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and Kanaan announced last month a multi-year deal for the Brazilian to drive a fourth IndyCar Series entry beginning in 2014 with sponsorship from NTT DATA, a leading global IT services provider.

“Bringing TNT Energy Drink into our partnership lineup further enhances Tony’s program for the No. 8 team heading into 2014,” said Steve Lauletta, President, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams. “They are one of Tony’s longtime sponsors and we’re excited they are continuing their relationship in the IndyCar Series with us. We look forward to helping them further grow their business both in the US and globally.”

3. Dixon featured on New Zealand’s “60 Minutes”: 2013 IZOD Indy Car Series Champion Scott Dixon will be the subject of a prime-time segment on the New Zealand version of leading news and current affairs show “60 Minutes” on Nov. 18.

A television crew from New Zealand traveled to New York to spend the day with Dixon as part of his championship-winning media tour. The crew also visited Indianapolis to spend time with members of the Target Chip Ganassi Racing team, including chief mechanic Ricky Davis and crew member Blair Julian (also originally from New Zealand) along with trainer Jim Leo and friend and fellow IZOD IndyCar Series racer Alex Tagliani.

“We wanted to give New Zealand viewers an in-depth insight as to what makes up the three-time IndyCar champion and his path to that third championship title,” said David Turner, who produced the segment.

4. Paralyzed racer Johnson moves up Mazda Road to Indy ladder: Michael Johnson will return to JDC MotorSports  in 2014, but will be making the move up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder, contesting the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. 

“I’m really excited to make my Pro Mazda debut,” said Johnson, who raced the last two seasons with the Minnesota-based team in the USF2000 Championship. “It’s a new car and a fresh start. I can’t wait to get the season started.”

The 21-year-old Michigan native, who was injured in a motorcycle dirt racing accident in 2005 is the first paralyzed racer in series history. He drives a one-of-a-kind racer that features hand controls designed and build by JDC.

“Michael has adapted very well to the more powerful Pro Mazda car in early testing,” team owner John Church said. “He seems much more comfortable in the cockpit with the new controls.”