Three-time IZOD IndyCar Series champs Andretti Autosport join Chevrolet ranks in 2012
Andretti and Chevrolet are back together again.
From 1987 to 1991, Mario and Michael Andretti netted 20 wins combined with Chevy power. Michael then went on to claim the 1991 CART championship by winning eight races that year, the most anyone’s ever won in a season with Chevy power.
In 2012, Michael — now the team owner of Andretti Autosport, which has won three IZOD IndyCar Series titles and two Indianapolis 500s with Honda power — will hope for more of the same with his squad, which announced today that they’ll be running Bowtie powerplants next season. As of now, Chevrolet has two teams officially on its 2012 roster with Andretti and Team Penske.
“I am so excited to work with Chevy once again,” said Michael in a team release. “We won 15 races and a championship with Chevy in just three years. The 1991 season was magical. Now, Andretti Autosport and our sponsors have the opportunity to win again with Chevrolet. This will prove to be a tremendous association. Chevrolet is committed to motorsports and they are proven winners.”
2012 will certainly be a different year for everyone in the series, and that includes Andretti Autosport. In addition to a new car and engine, the team will have a new look to its driver roster with the departure of Danica Patrick to NASCAR.
But despite all the changes, the team and the engine manufacturer are looking to continue their sterling legacy together.
“Michael and his family have won many races for Chevrolet and we intend to continue winning with our new partnership,” said Chevy’s vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, Jim Campbell, in the team release.
Meanwhile, the intrigue continues as far as which other teams will join the Chevrolet ranks next season. Panther Racing and KV Racing Technology have been linked as prospects to hook up with the American marque, but neither team has made anything official as of yet.
As for the Bowtie’s rivals, Honda currently has three squads on its roster with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, Sam Schmidt Motorsports and A.J. Foyt Racing. Lotus has made no announcements about their teams for 2012.
