Chevrolet Aims for Strong Finish at Sonoma Raceway

· Will Power, Josef Newgarden remain mathematically in title hunt
ᴏ Championship to be decided in double-points finale
· ‘Ironman’ of Indy car racing reaches another milestone
ᴏ Tony Kanaan seeks to make 300th consecutive start
· A driver powered by the Chevrolet 2.2 liter V6 IndyCar engine has won every season finale at Sonoma since 2012
· Indy Lights drivers to make Verizon IndyCar Series debuts
ᴏ Champion O’Ward, runner-up Herta ready for challenge
· Chevrolet has earned six wins, nine poles this season

DETROIT (Sept. 12, 2018) – For three Chevrolet drivers, the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma marks the beginning or record-extending continuation of their Verizon IndyCar Series (VICS) journey. For two others, a strong result in the season finale at Sonoma Raceway could add to their legacy.

In total, 11 drivers backed by the 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, direct-injected Chevrolet V6 engine will compete Sept. 16 in the 85-lap race that will determine the driver and entrant champions. Josef Newgarden, who clinched the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series title at Sonoma Raceway with a runner-up finish to Team Penske teammate Simon Pagenaud, and 2014 champion Will Power remain mathematically in contention.

With double base points, in addition to bonus points for earning the pole and leading laps, the veteran drivers are focused on best results without regard to the two other title contenders. Both Newgarden and Power, who last week utilized more than six hours of availability on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn natural-terrain road course, have three wins and four pole starts this season.

“We’ve always tried to prioritize the finale for a test that’s big for us,” said Newgarden, who will drive the No. 1 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. “The race is double points, which is two races essentially, so it’s important to be strong at the finale. Penske cars have always been good here traditionally, so we’re hoping we keep that tradition alive, but you can never be too comfortable.”

Added Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, who has recorded three victories at the track: “Having a full test day before race weekend is always handy. It’s important to get in a good window and understand what makes the car fast around this place. It’s a track I’ve always enjoyed, so I’d love to finish it out with a win.”

Since its return to Verizon IndyCar Series competition in 2012, Chevrolet has won every race in wine country. Pagenaud has won the past two years, including 2016 from the pole to secure the championship. A win by any of the three Team Penske drivers would mark the 500th for team owner Roger Penske in all forms of motorsports.

Other statistics entering the season finale:
· Through 16 races, Chevrolet drivers have amassed nine pole starts and six victories, including the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500.
· Since returning to the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2012, the manufacturer has recorded 84 poles and 73 wins in 117 races.
· Chevrolet has 184 Indy car-style victories, which includes 104 in CART (1987-93) and the Indy Racing League (2002-05) and 7 miscellaneous wins credited to Chevrolet in USAC and CART.

A Verizon IndyCar Series race has been contested at Sonoma Raceway since Aug. 28, 2005, with Tony Kanaan doing one-armed push-ups in the winner’s circle after a hard-fought victory in the series’ initial race on a road course.

This weekend, Kanaan, driving the No. 14 ABC Supply Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Racing, will seek his Indy car record-extending 300th consecutive start. The streak started in June 2001 at Portland.

Harding Racing is adding a second Chevrolet entry for the season finale. Patricio O’Ward, who earlier this month clinched the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires championship at Portland International Raceway, and series runner-up Colton Herta will make their Verizon IndyCar Series debuts in Harding Racing entries.

O’Ward, 19, of Mexico, won nine of the 17 races and earned 13 podium finishes overall. He also recorded a series-record nine pole starts. Herta, 18, son of former Indy car driver and current team co-owner Bryan Herta, scored four victories and seven runner-up results.

“We’ve gotten a ton of cooperation. Chevrolet has done a fantastic job and been very supportive,” team president Brian Barnhart said of the expansion effort that bumped the entry list to 25.

NBCSN will telecast the 85-lap/202.7-mile race on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn road course live at 6:30 p.m. ET Sept. 16.