Who Will Devlin DeFrancesco Drive for During the 2024 IndyCar Season? – Speedway Digest – Home for NASCAR News

Canada’s sole representative in IndyCar Racing, Devlin DeFrancesco is looking for a new home after his Andretti Autosport contract came to an end.

But there’s likely to be no shortage of interest in the 23-year-old, a former Daytona 24 winner who has shown promise in his two IndyCar Series seasons to date.

So who will swoop in to pick up DeFrancesco ahead of the 2024 season?

On the Move

DeFrancesco’s future plans will be very much of interest to the sports betting news Canada, with the IndyCar Series a popular wagering option for bettors in North America. And while the likes of defending champion Alex Panou, Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin will make up most of the betting handle during the 2024 season, the improvements in DeFrancesco’s performances suggest that he could serve up some top-10 finishes during the campaign – if he can find the right home, that is.

It won’t be at Andretti, of course, with the American team downsizing to three cars for 2024 as DeFrancesco and Romain Grosjean head for the exit to be replaced by Marcus Ericsson only.

The final dance ⚔️
Ready to end the season on a high 🫡 pic.twitter.com/NMzZtfSBeD

— Devlin DeFrancesco (@DevlinDeFran) September 10, 2023

Kyle Kirkwood, a two-time race winner in 2023, and Colton Herta will form the rest of Andretti’s set-up, leaving DeFrancesco free to pursue avenues anew.

Even though he failed to land a Leaders’ Circle payment last season, which may well have secured him another drive with Andretti, there could well be something of a bidding war for the Canadian’s services ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Pastures New

Top of the list when it comes to potential suitors for DeFrancesco’s services could well be Foyt Racing, who are looking to refresh their roster ahead of the new season.

They have brought in Sting Ray Robb, who enjoyed an eye-catching Racing/story/_/id/39119917/sting-ray-robb-drive-no-41-chevy-aj-foyt-2024″>maiden campaign in IndyCar Racing last time out, while the futures of 2023 drivers Santino Ferrucci and Benjamin Pedersen remain uncertain – it has been suggested in some circles that Foyt will run just two cars in 2024.

Destiny called! Welcome to AJ Foyt Racing, @sting_ray_robb!

Entering his sophomore year in the NTT @indycar Series, Sting Ray will pilot the No. 41 @TeamChevy.#INDYCAR https://t.co/pMLeYOpnOa

— AJ Foyt Racing (@AJFoytRacing) December 15, 2023

If DeFrancesco doesn’t get the call from Foyt’s legendary Racing proprietor, he may instead get one from Dayle Coyne. At the time of writing, little is known of Coyne Racing’s prospects for 2024, with Robb departing and David Malukas heading for Arrow McLaren.

That may mean that Coyne looks to the free agency route to fill his cars, with DeFrancesco amongst the most appetizing drivers available now that Grosjean has thrown in his chips with Juncos.

The likes of Takuma Sato, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jack Harvey and Conor Daly are all available too, so there’s likely to be a metaphorical game of musical chairs played before the final grid for the 2024 IndyCar Series is confirmed.

One door that appears to have closed is that at Ed Carpenter Racing, who have confirmed that Christian Rasmussen will join Rinus VeeKay behind the wheel.

In the meantime, DeFrancesco will stay sharp by taking on rides with Forte Racing during their IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup campaign, where the Canadian will be looking to catch the eye of any IndyCar team principals watching on.