When Jack Harvey teamed with team owner Michael Shank, the goal was to take a careful, step-by-step approach to the NTT IndyCar Series. That meant several years of part-time participation as Shank and his partners methodically and systematically built the team into a full-season operation.
In 2017, that meant a one-season effort in the Indianapolis 500. Shank and Harvey made their IndyCar debut in that race with a 27th-place start and a 31st-place finish. The effort expanded to six races in 2018 with a 12th-place finish at Long Beach as the team’s high mark.
This past season, Meyer Shank Racing increased to a 10-race schedule and the driver from England showed dramatic improvement. Harvey started third and finished third in the INDYCAR Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of four top-10 finishes for the team.
It will be another part-time effort for Harvey and MSR in 2020 and the combination hopes to continue that upward mobility.
“There was dramatic improvement, no denying that,” Harvey told NTT INDYCAR Mobile at Wednesday’s Aeroscreen test at IMS. “The whole team lifted its game. We came into the year prepared. I came into the season physically and mentally. We started off the season solidly at St. Pete by starting in the top 10 and finishing in the top 10. Portland was a podium day potentially. Our race pace was amazing, but that happens.
“In would say, 70 percent of the objectives we set; we achieved. And they were lofty. In 10 races, we really should have had at least six top 10s. A couple were taken away with some mistakes. If we were doing a full season, with that ratio, you are doing pretty well.
“The guys have done a great job always working hard trying to improve. I think the whole team and everybody we represent are happy with the progress we made and excited about what the future might bring.”
Harvey and Shank had high hopes for a great effort at Portland on Sept. 1 after he qualified fourth. Unfortunately, on Lap 14, Andretti Autosport driver Ryan Hunter-Reay made contact with Harvey’s Honda in Turn 1, ending the race for both.
“It was a huge disappointment,” Harvey said. “You work so hard to be in that situation. There is a lot on the line, especially when you are doing a partial season. For me, personally, you don’t know how many opportunities you get to be that competitive.
“You can’t dwell on the past. We are happy with the way the weekend went. We also need to get the end result. You just have to re-set and get ready to go again.”
Harvey chooses to look forward to 2020, but he can’t help but look back and be proud with his podium finish at IMS in the INDYCAR Grand Prix.
“That always puts a smile on my face,” Harvey said. “A lot of the year and momentum we built was on the back of Indy. We showed ourselves and everyone else what we can come and achieve. That was the main thing why Indy was so great.
“We are hoping to be on the podium more frequently next year once we can get back on track.”