By Curt Cavincurt.cavin@indystar.com

TORONTO – After six races in 23 days, IndyCar will take this week off before gathering Aug. 2-3 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Much could happen in the meantime.

Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti confirmed Sunday that it’s possible an Aug. 1 deadline passes without having James Hinchcliffe signed for 2015, allowing the driver to talk to other teams.

The team has a one-year option on the Canadian driver, but it hinges on the sponsorship being in place, and it’s currently not, Andretti said.

The team asked Hinchcliffe to extend the option period, but Andretti said Hinchcliffe declined.

“He wouldn’t do it,” Andretti said. “He kind of put himself out there (in the free agent market).”

Andretti said a new contract with Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay is effectively completed, although it’s not signed.

Andretti added that Marco Andretti and Carlos Munoz are under contract. He said he didn’t know where talks with Simon Pagenaud, whose contract with Schmidt Peterson Hamilton Motorsports expires at season’s end, stands.

New Indy Lights car

The components of the new Indy Lights car are expected to arrive in Indianapolis this week, with the assembly schedule putting the car on track the week after.

Tony Cotman, who is overseeing the project, said a test at the Putnam Park circuit west of Indianapolis is tentatively set for July 30.

“It’s cool,” Cotman said of the car’s progress. “Nobody’s seen the engine yet; we haven’t even seen the engine.

“The car won’t be painted or anything (at the test), but it will be running if everything clears customs.”

The components are coming from Dallara’s manufacturing center in Italy. Assembly will take place at Dallara’s Indianapolis shop on Main Street in Speedway.

Etc.

IndyCar changed its stance on the cars of Will Power, Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Briscoe for the first race. Rather than letting them assume their qualified positions, they started in the back for making repairs during the caution period Saturday. (dots) Andretti said his Indy Lights team might not participate in the series next year given the cost of buying new cars. He estimated it will cost $360,000 to get each car on the track. Andretti currently fields cars for Zach Veach and Matthew Brabham. (dots) Alex Baron led all 36 laps to win Sunday’s Indy Lights race. Gabby Chaves was second for a 1-2 finish for Belardi Auto Racing.

Call Star reporter Curt Cavin at (317) 444-6409.