The IndyCar driver with the coolest name in the sport this side of Will Power has found a new home for 2024. Sting Ray Robb will drive the No. 41 for AJ Foyt Racing in 2024. The team took to X to announce Robb's signing.
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.#INDYCARhttps://t.co/pMLeYOpnOa
— AJ Foyt Racing (@AJFoytRacing) December 15, 2023
The deal brings together a driver and team that both struggled in 2023. Driving for Dale Coyne Racing in his rookie campaign, the 22-year-old Robb placed 23rd in the points standings with a best finish of 12th in the season-ending Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at the legendary Laguna Seca road course. Owned by IndyCar's winningest driver and four-time Indy 500 winner, A.J. "Super Tex" Foyt, AJ Foyt Racing fielded two cars — piloted by American Santino Ferrucci and Danish American Benjamin Pedersen — throughout the IndyCar season. Ferrucci placed 19th in the IndyCar championship, with a best finish of third at the Indianapolis 500, where he led 10 laps. Rookie Pedersen struggled home to 27th in the standings with a best finish of 15th at the PPG 375 at Texas Motor Speedway.
"I'm truly honored to pilot the No. 41 A.J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet for the '24 season," Robb said. "This is a dream come true to be driving for the legendary A.J. Foyt and his team under the leadership of Larry Foyt. It provides an opportunity for me to implement past lessons and carry momentum forward in my sophomore season as we enter a very competitive field of teams and drivers. Building together upon our successes, I am excited for the season ahead."
While the marriage between Robb and AJ Foyt Racing might seem underwhelming, Racer.com's Marshall Pruett writes that, upon hearing of the deal, Radiohead's song "Everything in Its Right Place" sprang to his mind. Pruett speculates that Robb's sizable financial backing will allow the team to bring Ferrucci back for a second year — and even place former Juncos Racing talent Callum Ilott in a third car when the IndyCar schedule does not conflict with Ilott's World Endurance Championship Hypercar duties.
Both Pruett and the Indianapolis Star's Nathan Brown report that Robb's signing comes at the expense of Pedersen. But that seems to be news for the Danish American driver, who strangely took to X to welcome Robb to AJ Foyt Racing.
— Benjamin Pedersen (@BPedersen_55) December 15, 2023
While Robb's seat is secure, questions remain regarding who will drive the iconic No. 14 in 2024. Will Ferrucci return to pilot the car? Does Pedersen have just cause to think that he will be back with the team for his sophomore season? Does Foyt plan to run three cars full-time for Robb, Ferrucci and Pedersen? Does Pedersen split time with Ilott in a third full-time car? Or will the Pedersen/Foyt saga end in another case of "Gentlemen, Start Your Lawsuits"? With a little more than three months remaining for the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, a lot of questions remain, and time is running short.
