Adding fuel to the fire regarding a possible return to IndyCar racing by Chevrolet as an engine supplier, the IZOD IndyCar Series has scheduled a press conference for Friday morning in Indianapolis. The news conference, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET, will be held at the Hall of Fame Museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Speculation has been rampant since a report appeared on AutoExtremist.com last Sunday claiming that General Motors will announce this Friday a return to IndyCar with its Chevrolet brand, to coincide with the new engine and chassis rules due to come into effect in 2012. The report claimed that Chevrolet will employ a twin-turbo V6 configuration for its new engine, although it did not specify whether the engine would be produced in house or by an independent race engine manufacturer and then be badged as a Chevrolet. Chevy has badged race engines built by both Ilmor and Cosworth in the past.
IndyCar confirmed that the subject of its news conference will be "manufacturer competition in 2012," but offered no other specifics. Series officials and GM have declined comment on the matter since the AutoExtremist.com story first broke.