Walkinshaw Andretti United and Andretti Autosport have today announced an Esports collaboration that will see Walkinshaw Andretti United driver, Chaz Mostert, compete in the INDYCAR iRacing Challenge, and Andretti Autosport driver, Alexander Rossi, enter as a wildcard in the Supercars All Stars Eseries.
Mostert will compete in the AutoNation INDYCAR Challenge at Circuit of The Americas in his INDYCAR iRacing debut this Sunday morning, April 27 Australian time, in Round 5 of the INDYCAR iRacing Challenge. He will pilot the Andretti Autosport U.S. Concrete / Curb No. 98, with Rossi as his teammate, along with James Hinchcliffe, Zach Veach, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Colton Herta.
Rossi will compete this Wednesday night, April 29 Australian time, in Round 4 of the Supercars All Stars Eseries, with races to be held at the Watkins Glen and Toronto circuits, two venues familiar to Rossi, and the INDYCAR fraternity.
He will drive the No. 27 NAPA Auto Parts Australia Holden ZB Commodore, joining Mostert and Bryce Fullwood in the Walkinshaw Andretti United stable.
While Mostert will get his first taste of an INDYCAR, albeit virtually, Rossi is no stranger to the 650hp Supercar, or Australian fans, having competed alongside James Hinchcliffe in the 2019 Bathurst 1000.
Full details on when and how to watch both drivers compete can be found below.
Quotes
Chaz Mostert
“For me it’s super exciting to compete in my first INDYCAR race, even if it is virtually. Having the link between our organisations has presented me with an amazing opportunity, so a huge thank you to the entire Andretti Autosport team for having me.
“I’ll be looking to do a solid job, I’m not expecting too much, I’ve driven a Supercar around COTA once, but I’m tipping the INDYCAR will be a different kettle of fish. It’s great to have some awesome teammates to bounce off, so I’ll be picking their brains in the lead up.
“The news of Alexander joining the Supercars field as a wildcard is really exciting, I watched their Bathurst Wildcard closely, and to be honest, I was a bit bummed I wasn’t a part of the team then to hang out with them and find out a bit more about their world. It’ll be great to be on the same team, I’ll be leaning on him for advice, and I hope he will do the same.
“We will definitely have to have a bet going on the results, we will keep it fun for everyone, including ourselves!”
Alexander Rossi
“Prior to 2020, I wasn’t much of a sim racer and never had any intentions of becoming one, but in light of the current situation it has become a great platform for us to stay relevant to our fans and sponsors.
“I had such an incredible time driving the V8 Holden with WAU in Bathurst last year. It was a no-brainer for me to return virtually to the grid for two races where I know the tracks incredibly well and have had good success there in the past.
“With Chaz racing with us at COTA in the AutoNation INDYCAR Challenge this weekend, we will have to come up with some sort of friendly bet to see who finishes higher in their respective wild card races. I would put your money on him....”
Times
INDYCAR iRacing Challenge: 4:40am AEST, Sunday April 26, 2020
Supercars All Stars Eseries: 6pm – 9pm AEST, Wednesday April 29, 2020
How to Watch
INDYCAR iRacing Challenge
Australian Residents: Fox Sports Australia, INDYCAR.com
New Zealand Residents: Sky Sport NZ
American Residents: NBC Sports Network
Supercars All Stars Eseries
Australian Residents: Fox Sports 506 (exclusive qualifying coverage), Kayo, Walkinshaw Andretti United Facebook page and Supercars Twitch.
International Residents: Walkinshaw Andretti United Facebook page (7pm – 9pm AEST) and Supercars Twitch.