INDYCAR: Dragon Racing Sues Lotus; Signing With Chevy?

IndyCar

INDYCAR: Dragon Racing Sues Lotus; Signing With Chevy?

BREAKING: The non-stop drama and intrigue with the IZOD IndyCar Series continues as Jay Penske sues Lotus in California, citing "contractual fraud."

Marshall Pruett | Posted May 07, 2012

Dragon Racing owner Jay Penske has clearly had enough of his time as a Lotus-affiliated team, suing the marque over unspecified items that fall under "contractual fraud." (Photo: Marshall Pruett)

The non-stop drama and intrigue surrounding the IZOD IndyCar Series took an interesting turn as SPEED.com has learned Dragon Racing owner Jay Penske has filed a lawsuit against his engine supplier in California, accusing Lotus Cars Limited T/A Lotus Motorsport of "contractual fraud."

Lotus has gone through a rather tumultuous introduction to the series this year, with its late decision to build engines for the new 2.2-liter turbocharged formula triggering a wave of reliability and performance issues it has yet to overcome.

The manufacturer agreed to part ways with two of its teams late last month, severing ties with the Bryan Herta- and Steve Newey-owned Team Barracuda BHA outfit and the Dennis Reinbold- and Robbie Buhl-owned Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team.

Although Penske and Lotus were unavailable for comment, the lawsuit, case number BC484135, and filed on behalf of Dragon Racing, LLC, should serve as the final straw for both parties.

Multiple drivers have said "Can you imagine if Bourdais had a Chevy or Honda engine this season?" Now they'll get to see what the four-time Champ Car champ can do with a competitive motor. (Photo: Marshall Pruett)

It's believed that Dragon has returned its Lotus engines and associated equipment, and is close to inking a new engine supply deal.

With the start of practice for the Indy 500 set to begin on Saturday, Dragon Racing will most likely compete at Indy--and for the rest of the season--utilizing Chevrolet power.

Penske's father Roger, whose three-car Team Penske operation serves as the brand's anchor team, was the architect of General Motors' return to open-wheel competition and could be providing a helping hand to steer the Bowtie's products towards the cars driven by Sebastien Bourdais and Katherine Legge.

"I know Jay has met with GM and had some conversations with them but I haven't been in those conversations," The Captain told SPEED's Robin Miller Monday morning. "But I want to see him in the race (Indy) with a good engine because he's got a helluva driver in Bourdais. I want to see him be successful.''

With Bourdais posting the most impressive performances among the Lotus teams through the first four rounds, often leading the sector times in the corners, the 33-year-old Frenchman could become a force to be reckoned on any circuit, starting at Indy.

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