Photo Credit: IndyCar
The past two Verizon IndyCar Series races, Dale Coyne Racing has had Luca Filippi and R.C. Enerson in the second DCR Honda. Gabby Chaves, who raced for Coyne throughout the month of May up to the Honda Indy in Toronto, is sidelined, but last year’s rookie candidate is hopeful for additional races with the team.
“I’ll be back at Texas for sure. Hopefully Pocono – hopefully more,” Chaves told OnPitRoad.com during the Honda Indy Toronto weekend. “At this point the team needs to do what’s right for them financially. Trying to see what they can do for the rest of the year. From my side, I’m very thankful for what we had.
“My deal was only for the (Indianapolis) 500, and they kept me in the car afterwards. I had a great time, and kept learning a lot. I really needed to be in the car this year after not being in the car for the first half of the year. Helps me keep going as well.”
Luca Filippi started the season in the No. 19 Honda for Coyne, but the team decided to bring Chaves in for the month of May. Coyne decided to leave the Colombian in the car for more races, but sponsorship put Filippi back in the car at Toronto, and the Italian driver went on to finish 14th. This past weekend, Indy Lights driver and rookie R.C. Enerson made his series debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course where he finished 19th.
Chaves knows he’ll be in the car to complete the delayed Firestone 600 at Texas Motor Speedway. However, beyond Texas, his plans are unknown.
“At Texas, we’ll be restarting from the third row in sixth after having a really good first part of the race,” he said. “I think our car will be really strong once again, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
One race that Chaves is particularly hopeful to drive is at Pocono Raceway in three weeks. Chaves led 31 laps in the race last year, and was in position to win before the engine let go with three laps remaining in the race.
“Pocono was really good for us last year,” said Chaves. “Leading the race, and lost the engine there with two or three laps to go. We have some unfinished business there. We want to get back up there.”
Chaves knows his future in the IndyCar Series this season is fully dependent on funding.
“At this point it really depends on which sponsorship is available from which drivers,” he said. “If nothing comes, then maybe I’ll be able to get back in the car, but it really just depends on the financial side of it.”
