A round up of the latest news from IndyCar on 21 April. Excitement rises for Fernando Alonso’s Indy 500 bid, Charlie Kimball looks to get his season back on track and JR Hildebrand is ruled out of the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama.

Veach subs for injured Hildebrand at Barber (IndyCar.com)

IndyCar rookie Zac Veach will make his series debut at the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama this weekend. Following the injury to JR Hildebrand sustained at Long Beach, the 6-time Indy Lights race winner will take over the Chevy-Dallara for Ed Carpenter Racing at Barber Motorsports Park.

Alonso seeks legendary status with Indy 500 bid (MotorSportNotes.com) 

Fernando Alonso’s decision to skip the F1 Monaco Grand Prix in favour of the 2017 Indianapolis 500 continues to make the headlines. The Spaniard seems focused on securing his motor sport legacy via the exclusive ‘triple crown’ as further F1 titles elude him.

Alonso to test early at IMS on 3 May (Autosport.com)

Alonso’s rookie preparations for his Indy 500 debut received a boost with confirmation he will test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 3. The test session will be open to the general public.

Kimball focused on banking results after poor start to 2017 (NBCSports.com)

Following two disastrous races Chip Ganassi Racing driver Charlie Kimball is focused on banking solid results to kick start his 2017 season. Two successive DNFs for Kimball – as the result of accidents with Graham Rahal and Will Power – have left the American trailing his team mates.

City of Long Beach commissions F1 v IndyCar evaluation (NBCSports.com)

City of Long Beach council decides to hire KPMG to evaluate whether the city should bid to host a round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship instead of its annual IndyCar event.

The contract worth $150,000 is likely to create a one or other scenario for the city, given the significant hosting fees and infrastructure costs an F1 race bid would require.

Andretti livid over critical Alonso column (Motorsport.com)

IndyCar legend Mario Andretti weighed in following a controversial column by Jenna Fryer for AP Sports. The former Indy 500, F1 and IndyCar champion called in to question Fryer’s assertion that Alonso’s decision to compete in the 2017 Indy 500 was no big deal for IndyCar.

Honda performance gains give it the upper hand for 2018 (MotorSportNotes.com)

The significant jump in engine performance made by Honda leading in to the 2017 season gives it the upper hand ahead of 2018. As standard aero kits come in to force next season, pure engine performance and fuel mileage will be even more critical for race wins in 2018.