Buckle up for what could be the best IndyCar season ever

IndyCar is returning with new faces, new tracks and the same quality competition, which adds up to the 2019 IndyCar season being can’t miss racing.

There’s a sense of newness in IndyCar. New title sponsor, new drivers, new teams, new tracks on the schedule. So many more opportunities have opened up—while America’s open-wheel racing series still has the best racing on the planet.

New and established are meeting at the crossroads of the 2019 IndyCar season, which makes for an exciting combination.

First, the fresh faces: NTT has replaced Verizon as the series’ title sponsor. NBC Sports is now the sole TV partner. There’s new teams on the grid, Harding Steinbrenner Racing and DragonSpeed, as well as new drivers: Marcus Ericsson, Felix Rosenqvist, Ben Hanley. Others, like Ed Jones, have just changed teams.

That’s a lot to be excited about. The new drivers are talented; Herta topped the charts for a large part of spring training last month, and Rosenqvist ran sixth. They’re committed to competing well in this series, not just seeing what they can get out of it.

Meanwhile, fans can finally see every event under one consistent TV brand, instead of wondering what channel the race is on this weekend. And NTT expanding its presence—the company had already sponsored cars for Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon—is a good sign for the series’ financial health.

But make no mistake, it’s not all about the new toys. The NTT IndyCar Series is building upon its existing foundation of quality racing and even better people. There’s Dixon, fresh off his fifth title, arguably one of the best racers of all time and an impeccable sportsman. Alexander Rossi might have just lost the championship in 2018, but it’s only a matter of time before he’s getting that No. 1 put on his car.

Team Penske is bringing back its juggernaut lineup to try and earn another Astor Cup for Roger Penske’s storied collection. But you don’t have to be a big organization to be a contender; one of the greatest things about IndyCar is its parity, where smaller teams like Rahal Letterman Lanigan can snag a victory and challenge for a title. They all have to prove their versatility by competing on ovals and road and street courses. On any given day, anyone can win, and everything is possible.

Its virtues extend off the racetrack, though. This series represents all that’s worthwhile about the sports world. Every driver who steps into the car is someone racing fans can root for; they’re not only talented, but good and genuine people. There’s James Hinchcliffe, who’s charming and funny but also humble and dedicated; his teammate Robert Wickens continues to inspire as he recovers from last season’s terrible crash.

IndyCar is a tremendous thing to be a part of. It’s something that anyone can enjoy, whether you’re an experienced motorsports fan or someone who’s interested in great sports stories. Fans have an unparalleled level of access to drivers and teams, and are made to feel like part of the community. That’s before getting into the top-notch racing that puts people on the edge of their seats every week.

Now there are new challengers. New organizations looking to make their own names. New tracks that are puzzles to be figured out. But the existing superstars aren’t slowing down, and are ready to keep adding to their own legacies. With old favorites and new directions, more exposure and the same commitment to outstanding competition, the 2019 IndyCar season is poised to be its best—and something that racing fans will never forget.

IndyCar returns with the 2019 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 10. For complete coverage of the 2019 IndyCar season, follow the IndyCar category at FanSided.