The 2024 IndyCar Campaign is rapidly coming and the new hybrid systems that the cars will be running in have added to this new wave of motorsports.
With the addition of the hybrid systems to the sport, it will be interesting to see what competitive balance it creates, given what we have seen in IMSA from the resurgence of the GTPs.
Being that this could create a competitive balance, there are a few teams that may get better through this new opportunity, creating what could be a very exciting 2024 season for IndyCar.
1. Meyer Shank Racing
Meyer-Shank Racing has potential.
Featuring a lineup of the “-Qvists” in Tom Blomqvist and Felix Rosenqvist, there is a lot of excitement and interest into how this new era of Meyer Shank Racing will play out.
Given that this team has experience working with hybrids coming from their GTP entry this past season, this is a team that could be ahead of the curve compared to other teams.
Also, with Blomqvist joining the fray for 2024, the only full-time driver who raced in IMSA full-time last year in GTP, it may give the team a dark horse entrant early on the season.
The only true question and one that Rahal may endure given his work with the GTPSs is the difference between the hybrids in IMSA to IndyCar.
While presumably the setup will be similar, the way that the car handles and performs may be completely different which could put Meyer Shank’s opportunity to become competitive early next season out the window.
2. Andretti Autosport
Yes, this may be a somewhat boring pick, but Andretti has a chance to rewrite the script under the new hybrid system.
A team that has been heavily involved in multiple series, Andretti is quite diverse when it comes to racing with different systems and cars, which makes this switch to hybrids a fascinating move for a team such as Andretti.
Also, having a partnership with IMSA’s Wayne Taylor Racing, there is resources to be had in terms of working in the development side of the car, similar to some other IndyCar teams.
With a team that has young studs in Colton Herta and “Captain” Kyle Kirkwood, this is a team that could see some major leaps here in the hybrid era in 2024.
3. Team Penske
While this truly is no shocker, given how much success Penske has had in IndyCar, you can’t leave this team off a list such as this.
Similar to Andretti, both teams have bought in to multiple forms of racing and working under different systems, including racing with hybrids as well in IMSA.
With a veteran lineup, the downfall could be how some of the team’s vets respond to the change in systems, but, if the drivers can hone in and learn the new systems, we could see a very dangerous group for 2024.
The fact of the matter is, how quickly can this team get to that point next season?
