IRL teams eye new Champ Car

AutoRacing1.com is hearing that more than one IRL team has made inquiries to Panoz about the new 2007 Champ Car. This is likely a further indication that they think a merger between the IRL and Champ Car is going to happen and, as rumored, the new Panoz with the 2.65L Champ Car turbo engine will be the standard chassis for the new merged series.

The new Panoz will be unveiled to the public at this year's San Jose GP in July. If the merger announcement happens in May as anticipated, there will be a rush by teams to get their orders in early with Panoz. The sooner they get their first new chassis, the sooner they can begin to test it after the 2006 season is over.