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James Davison Joins the Field for the 2020 Indy 500

Dale Coyne Racing in partnership with Jonathan Byrd’s Racing, Hollinger Motorsport and Belardi Auto Racing announced that James Davison will be returning to the fold to race in the Indianapolis 500 in May 2020.  Davison becomes the 33rd official entrant for next year’s edition of the race.  

Davison will also be racing the 2020 Daytona 500 for Rick Ware Racing.  

The Australian driver has raced in five previous 500s with a best result of 12, coming in 2019.  He is possibly most noted for knocking James Hinchcliffe from the field in 2018 during Bump Day. Yet aside from Davison’s Indy races he has competed in just two other IndyCar events during his career with both coming in 2013.  

The announced partnership showcases a reunion in IndyCar with Byrd, Hollinger, and Belardi, and Coyne and three of the four parties were present in 2018 but the difference was racing under AJ Foyt Racing.  This past 500, Davison started 19th but finished last after he was caught up in an accident on lap 46.  

Davison, who drove for Coyne in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 is eager to work with the Coyne and the team again for 2020. 

“Like everyone that starts the race, we have high hopes,” he said. “Certainly, the engineering group behind Dale Coyne Racing with Craig Hampson and Mike Cannon, who I’ve been fortunate to work with both in the past, driving the (Nos.) 18 and 19 cars in 2017 and ’15, that’s a big part of what is making Dale Coyne Racing a successful team.

“They’ve been basically the top Honda in (Indy 500) qualifying the last two years. Certainly looking to capitalize on that. Yeah, May can’t come soon enough.”

In 2017, Coyne called on the Australian as a last-minute substitute to replace an injured Sebastien Bourdais. Starting last, Davison charged through the field to lead two laps and was running among the leaders when he was involved in a crash just 17 laps from the end and finished 20th.

About the author

As a writer and editor, Ava anchors the Formula 1 coverage for the site, while working through many of its biggest columns. Ava earned a Masters in Sports Studies at UGA and a PhD in American Studies from UH-Mānoa. Her dissertation Chased Women, NASCAR Dads, and Southern Inhospitality: How NASCAR Exports The South is in the process of becoming a book.

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James McGlynn

Who are the other 32 entries? I think you have gotten out there a bit early. For example, Bourdais is NOT driving for Coyne as stated in the article.

Fred Mixon

The quotes taken are for his entry in the 2019 Indy 500. Bourdais is no longer with Coyne, neither is Craig Hampson.

See here: https://www.indycar.com/News/2019/03/03-09-Davison-Coyne-Byrd-Hollinger-Belardi-Indy-500-entry

There are also nowhere near 33 confirmed entries for 2020 yet (it’s still in the low 20s), but he was the 33rd confirmed driver for 2019.

Additionally, he is running with Byrd and Hayward next year; no Coyne partnership was mentioned for 2020 in that agreement.

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