Veteran Verizon IndyCar Series driver Marco Andretti will make his FIA Formula E Championship debut on Jan. 10 in Argentina in the No. 28 Andretti Autosport-prepared car.
“Having never been in the car, it’s a bit of an unfamiliar situation for me but the team’s pace looks solid enough for a great result," said Andretti, whose last seat time in a race car was the Verizon IndyCar Series 2014 season finale in August at Auto Club Speedway. "I like unknown situations; I’m up for the task.”
The third-generation racer will be the only American competing on the 12-turn circuit at Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires. Jean-Eric Vergne will drive the No. 27 car for the team, which is fifth in the championship standings through three rounds.
Clauson rings in the new year with victory
Bryan Clauson kicked off 2015 on Jan. 1 with a victory in the POWRi World Midget Series event in Auckland, New Zealand.
The three-time USAC National Drivers champion driver who is scheduled to drive the KVSH Racing/Jonathan Byrd's Racing entry in the 99th Indianapolis 500 in May, won the B Main and came from running 17th to win the feature. It’s the third consecutive year that Clauson has won the feature at Western Springs Speedway.
Clauson, 25, of Noblesville, Ind., will defend his Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals title on Jan. 13-17 in Tulsa, Okla., driving the No. 63 Jonathan Byrd's Racing-sponsored car.
Mazda Road to Indy additions and news
• RC Enerson, 17, from New Port Richey, Fla., will drive a Schmidt Peterson Motorsports car in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season.
Enerson earned five victories and nine podium finishes overall in finishing second in the 2014 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda.
"We're very pleased with RC's contribution in developing the Mazda IL-15 during our first test (Dec. 17)," team owner Sam Schmidt said. "He has a bright future, and we expect he will be an asset to SPM as we pursue the Indy Lights championship with the new car."
• Weiron Tan, 19, will be the first Malaysian driver to compete for an open-wheel racing team in the U.S. as he joins Andretti Autosport for the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires season.
Last year, Tan earned two victories and five podiums overall in German F3. He was the Protyre British Formula Renault championship runner-up in 2013.
• Colton Herta, who competed in USF2000 in 2014, has joined Carlin for the UK-based MSA Formula (FIA Formula 4) season. Herta, 14, is the son of Verizon IndyCar Series team owner Bryan Herta,
Of note
One of the most popular rock bands from the last decade will take to the MotorCity Casino Hotel Entertainment Stage on May 30 as 3 Doors Down will put an exclamation point on Saturday activities at the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. Tickets for the race weekend are available at www.DetroitGP.com or by phoning 866-464-7749. … Stuart Kenworthy moved to Dale Coyne Racing from Andretti Autosport to lead the shock and damper department.