ADVENT CALENDAR DOOR 18 – From High Hopes to Early Exit: DragonSpeed’s IndyCar Story
DragonSpeed’s foray into the IndyCar Series was short but ambitious, driven by a desire to expand beyond its success in sports car racing.
The team, founded by Elton Julian, officially announced in December 2018 that it would join the 2019 IndyCar Series with a part-time, five-race schedule, including a high-profile entry in the Indianapolis 500. The No. 81 Chevrolet-powered Dallara entry was to be driven by British driver Ben Hanley.
DragonSpeed made its IndyCar debut at the 2019 season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida. Hanley qualified an impressive 12th and finished 18th, an encouraging start for a new, small team transitioning from endurance racing to the world of American open-wheel competition.
Sadly this has been their best ever finish in IndyCar out of their 5 race starts in total. DragonSpeed’s other 2019 races included events at Barber Motorsports Park and the Indianapolis 500.
Unfortunately, their Indy 500 run was cut short by mechanical issues, with Hanley retiring early and finishing 32nd.
It wasn’t meant to be
However, things soon became complicated. The team had planned five races in 2019, but visa delays for Hanley prevented participation at Road America and Mid-Ohio.
As a result, DragonSpeed completed only three events in their debut season.
Despite the setbacks, DragonSpeed returned in 2020 with plans for a six-race schedule, again including the Indy 500.
But the COVID-19 pandemic threw the motorsports world into disarray, canceling several events and tightening resources for small teams. DragonSpeed managed just one race, the 2020 Indianapolis 500, where Hanley qualified 33rd and finished 23rd.
Citing the financial and logistical damage caused by the pandemic, DragonSpeed officially shut down its IndyCar program in October 2020. Team principal Elton Julian explained that the disruptions had effectively set the team back two years in its development.
At that point, the team sold its IndyCar equipment to Meyer Shank Racing. Ironically, the chassis they sold ended up winning the 2021 Indy 500 with Hélio Castroneves behind the wheel for MSR.
Short Return in 2022
Despite closing the chapter on its full-time IndyCar ambitions, DragonSpeed made a brief return in 2022. The team partnered with Cusick Motorsports and fielded Stefan Wilson for a one-off entry at the Indianapolis 500.
The effort used a leased chassis from A.J. Foyt Enterprises, but went on to only finish 26th at the checker.
So why did DragonSpeed only compete in a handful of races? Several factors played into their limited presence. First, as a relatively small team with its roots in endurance racing, DragonSpeed lacked the infrastructure and budget to support a full-time IndyCar campaign.
Visa and logistical complications, particularly in 2019, further reduced their planned schedule. The devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the motorsports industry in 2020 ultimately led to the program’s cancellation.
Instead, the team decided to focus on its more stable sports car programs in IMSA, ELMS, and the World Endurance Championship.
While DragonSpeed has not returned to IndyCar in a full-time capacity since 2020, they have not completely ruled out a future return. Elton Julian has expressed interest in coming back when the right opportunity presents itself, whether through sponsorship, a technical alliance, or regulatory changes that lower the cost of entry.
But for now, P18 will stand as their best ever IndyCar race result in their debut race in St. Pete 2019. DragonSpeed remains a respected name in endurance racing, with IndyCar serving as a bold, if brief, chapter in the team’s dynamic history.
written by Philipp Kraus // Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
