Schmidt, Hamilton to merge teams?

SPEED.com is rumoring that Davey Hamilton and Sam Schmidt are close to expanding the Sam Schmidt Motorsports operation from one car to two this season, with Hamilton likely to bring his longtime sponsor Hewlett Packard and new Dallara DW12s to SSM’s Indianapolis-based outfit.

“We’re painting cars as we speak," said Schmidt when contacted by SPEED.com. “But I can’t say more than that on who those sponsors are or any other affiliation. We have three cars in the shop right now and should have a fourth car here soon."

Hamilton, who runs his own Indy Lights team and has been a part-time IZOD IndyCar Series competitor in recent years, is reportedly looking to step out of the cockpit and focus on his successful racing businesses.

He was considering moving his Davey Hamilton Racing team into the IndyCar Series this year, but is close to aligning with his former team owner and could assume a managerial role in the blended organization.

Hamilton was unable to comment when reached Friday afternoon.

It’s believed HP could have a major presence on Schmidt’s Honda-powered No. 77 entry for Simon Pagenaud, who will lead SSM’s program.

Provided the second entry with Hamilton comes to fruition, the car could see multiple drivers with funding sharing the seat.