Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) is contemplating a full-time return to the NTT IndyCar Series, marking a potential shift from its focus on the Indianapolis 500. Team owner Dennis Reinbold expressed openness to the idea of participating in more races beyond the iconic event, potentially returning to full-time status for the first time since 2012.
The team’s recent history has seen a concentration on the Indianapolis 500, with sporadic entries in partial campaigns in 2013 and 2020. However, upcoming changes to IndyCar’s technical regulations, particularly the introduction of the hybrid engine, have sparked renewed interest from teams not currently in the series regularly.
The new hybrid engine, combining hybrid technology with the existing 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 powerplant, is expected to be implemented in the second half of the 2024 season. The delayed introduction of the hybrid system has prompted discussions about potential new teams entering the series in 2025.
Reinbold, when asked about the possibility of a full-time return and the appeal of the hybrid system, stated, “We’re open-minded to whatever presents itself. If we have a good situation that makes a lot of sense to us, we would look at doing more races in the future. We have all the components and the people to be able to roll that out. It just hasn’t been a great fit to get back re-involved on a full-time basis. We’re still looking at it, still open to it, for sure.”
The team has a history of focusing on the Indianapolis 500, and while there are considerations for more races, Reinbold acknowledges the challenges. He mentioned that DRR is playing catch-up when significant changes occur due to parts availability and the need for testing.
Reinbold discussed the team’s collaboration with Chevrolet and how they work around the challenges presented by evolving regulations. He stated, “We’ve talked to Chevy, we’ve worked with Chevy quite a bit in the off-season on different components and different things. Everyone’s in the same boat. From that standpoint, it’s a pretty even playing field. It actually can sometimes benefit us to have changes and pieces because no one has them dialed in as of yet.”
The team’s approach will be influenced by the evolving landscape of IndyCar, and DRR remains adaptable to seize opportunities that align with their objectives and resources.
