IndyCar News Bits

Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden is taking an active role tonight representing the Verizon IndyCar Series for Grand Prix Night at the Detroit Pistons' NBA game to help promote the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear in June. The driver of the No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet will sign autographs for fans at the Palace of Auburn Hills before the game with the Charlotte Hornets. He will deliver the game ball to midcourt prior to the opening tip-off and be introduced to the crowd with a special video presentation. He will also be interviewed and profiled on the arena scoreboard during the first quarter and will be invited on the court for a chance to hit a half-court shot near the end of the first half.

Cape Motorsports confirmed Rick Donison as its first driver for the 2017 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda season. Donison, 18, is a winner of multiple national karting titles in his native country of India.

Platinum-selling grunge punk band Everclear will perform at Iowa Speedway on July 8 as part of the Iowa Corn 300 race weekend. The Verizon IndyCar Series race at the 0.894-mile oval is scheduled for July 9.