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Alonso To Be Powered By Chevrolet In Indianapolis 500

/ CBS Detroit

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Fernando Alonso will be powered by Chevrolet for his second attempt to win the Indianapolis 500.

F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 25: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 prepares to drive on the grid before the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

Alonso is entering the race with McLaren, which had a 70 percent win rate from 1968 to 1970 when partnered with Chevrolet that included 23 consecutive victories. The IndyCar Series currently has only two engine providers, Chevrolet and Honda, but McLaren has a strained relationship with Honda.

F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 25: Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia Toro Rosso driving the (10) Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13 Honda leads Fernando Alonso of Spain driving the (14) McLaren F1 Team MCL33 Renault on track during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

The Honda problems made it difficult for McLaren to find a partner for Alonso's latest attempt to win the "Triple Crown of Motorsports." Alonso was powered by Honda and drove in a McLaren alliance with Andretti Autosport when he raced at Indy in 2017. He led 27 laps until his engine expired.

F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi - Final Practice
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 24: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 walks in the Paddock before final practice for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 24, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

The retired Formula One champion won the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year and the Monaco Grand Prix in 2006.  Indianapolis is the final race the Spaniard needs to join Graham Hill as the only drivers to have won all three.

102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 27: A detail view of the Borg-Warner trophy prior to the 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

 

© 2018 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

First published on December 4, 2018 / 9:31 AM EST

© 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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