After a relatively quiet last weekend, we see the return of several series this week with a range of Kiwis in action.
The weekend is highlighted by Supercars at Sandown and IndyCar in Illinois. With full schedules at both events, we will see Kiwis competing in the main events as well as several support categories.
Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin – IndyCar
Dixon and McLaughlin return to the track after a successful last time out, with the Kiwi duo claiming a 1-2 in Nashville last time out.
Dixon has claimed two victories this year, in Toronto last month and in Nashville. McLaughlin has also won two, with a victory in the season-opening St Petersburg Grand Prix and in Mid-Ohio in early July.
Both New Zealanders remain in contention for the IndyCar championship, with Dixon second, only 6 points behind leader Will Power, and McLaughlin sixth, 58 points off top spot.
The event sees IndyCar take to the egg-shaped oval on the border of Illinois and Missouri, with 260 laps around the 2km circuit.
Shane Van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner & Chris Pither – Supercars
Supercars return to Sandown for a three-race SuperSprint event, with 36 laps over each race covering the historic circuit.
Van Gisbergen has come away from the last five events with race victories, including both events in Townsville and all three events at The Bend. He has developed a 393 point lead over Cam Waters, meaning even if he went scoreless this round he would still be at the top of the table.
Heimgartner has also been in solid form for BJR, returning to the track after a monster crash at The Bend last time out which saw him fail to finish Race 22 and not start Race 23. Despite this, he still sits inside the top 10 and will be looking to maintain his consistency.
Finally, Chris Pither rounds out the Kiwis in the field, and despite sitting down the order in 21st has been impressive of late, with improved qualifying form seeing him battle the midfield.
Practice 2 is a unique one, being the only session where co-drivers will get race-weekend track time before the Bathurst 1000.
Hunter McElrea – Indy Lights
Hunter McElrea will look to continue his form in this weekends Indy Lights event in Illinois, as the series plays support to the main IndyCar event. McElrea sits second in the championship standings, 95 points behind runaway leader Linus Lundqvist.
Recent successes have seen the Kiwi rise to this position, with back-to back wins in both Mid-Ohio and Iowa followed by a podium in the latest event in Nashville.
Matthew Payne – Dunlop Super2
Returning to Australia after competing in the 24 Hours of Spa, Matthew Payne will be the sole flyer of the New Zealand flag in the weekends Dunlop Super2 series.
Payne has had an impressive season, with consistent results seeing him sit third in the championship, 108 points off leader Declan Fraser. The 19-year-old from Auckland appears set for a promotion to the main game next year, with season highlights including a race win in Perth.
Jordan Michels – Dunlop Super3
Jordan Michels will make his Super3 Series debut in an ex-Shane van Gisbergen FG Falcon Supercar for Image Racing this weekend after the young Southlander successfully tested for the Erebus Motorsport Academy Team earlier this year.
The Kiwi hopes to be racing at Bathurst later this year.
Callum Hedge, Ryan Suhle & Tim Miles – Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia
Three Kiwis will be taking to the track in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup round at Sandown. Playing support to Supercars, The weekend will feature three races.
Callum Hedge is the best placed New Zealander, sitting in 10th in the championship, and has been impressive of late, with four podiums in the last six races complimented by a race win in Townsville.
Ryan Suhle has been consistent in the midfield with several top 10 results to his name, whilst Tim Miles sits seventh in the Morris Pro-Am standings.
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