Meyer Shank Racing and Andretti International are at the moment negotiating an extension to proceed their technical alliance within the IndyCar Sequence previous this season.
There have been some questions across the paddock the partnership may very well be coming to an finish when the checkered flag waves on the season finale at Nashville in September. Nonetheless, co-owner Michael Shank denied any rumors of the deal not persevering with.
“We’re nonetheless engaged on it,” Shank instructed Motorsport.com. “Our contract is up however we’re engaged on a brand new one. That’s not true.”
The way it began
The connection started in 2017 when MSR (then referred to as Michael Shank Racing) debuted within the Indianapolis 500 and partnered with Andretti. In November 2019, forward of MSR making a full-time dedication to IndyCar (and two years after Jim Meyer stepped in as co-owner), the group shaped an alliance with Andretti Applied sciences, the superior expertise arm of Andretti International.
The advantages of the alliance included MSR taking victory – the one IndyCar win thus far – within the 2021 Indianapolis 500 with Helio Castroneves.
This 12 months has showcased the power of the alliance, significantly with Felix Rosenqvist, who has two prime fives, 5 prime 10s and a median beginning place of 10.1, together with one pole (Lengthy Seaside), by means of seven points-paying races to take a seat tenth within the championship standings. He additionally completed third within the non-points exhibition at The Thermal Membership in March.
“Keep in mind, that is our fifth 12 months with them,” Shank mentioned.
“So, we’ve achieved two two 12 months (offers) and this 12 months we did one simply because we didn’t know what was going to occur. Plenty of various things. I received nothing however love for guys; we’ve had a very good relationship.”
The most important problem for MSR this 12 months has been discovering consistency alongside Rosenqvist within the second automobile, which started with rookie Tom Blomqvist, who was then pulled in favor or Helio Castroneves for 2 races earlier than the staff confirmed David Malukas – again from harm beginning this weekend – for the remainder of the 2024 season.
For his half, Andretti International COO Rob Edwards echoed comparable sentiments as Shank.
“We’re nonetheless negotiating, so it’s not achieved, however I feel it’s been good for each of us and I feel all of us have each intention of constant,” Edwards instructed Motorsport.com.
And there may be additionally no want for Andretti to discover an alliance with another staff.
“No, Shank is the one staff we need to have a partnership with,” Edwards mentioned.
“They’re nice companions, so no, we’re not planning on any modifications.”