Bryan Herta has been one of the busiest IndyCar Series competitors during the off-season. source: indycar.com / by indycar.com staff The Valencia, Calif., resident, who will drive the No. 7 XM Satellite Radio Dallara/Honda/Firestone for Andretti Green Racing for the third consecutive season, drove two rounds of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport for Team USA in November and could return to the seat for the race at Laguna Seca in March. He was fourth quick the second day of the initial Indy Racing League Open Test at Phoenix International Raceway on Jan. 24-25. Last weekend, he teamed up with 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Rice, Rob Finlay and Michael Valiante in a Finlay Motorsports entry in the 44th Rolex 24 At Daytona. Competing in a Daytona Prototype, the team finished 11th. Herta won from the pole at Michigan International Speedway in July - one of three Marlboro Pole awards for the driver in 2005. Herta recently talked about his off-season activities, his return to Andretti Green Racing and the hazing he has planned for new teammate Marco Andretti. Q: You're back in the familiar No. 7 car again. Do you believe you can be a championship contender this season? A: This is the best team going right now. I'm just happy to be back with them. Any driver would love to be a part of this team. I'm one of the lucky guys who gets to be. I'm really looking forward to next season. I want to have a strong season. My goals are set a little bit higher. My goal is to challenge for the championship with Tony (Kanaan) and Dario (Franchitti) and that's the expectation I go in with. Q: It's well known that you, Tony and Dario played a few pranks on Dan Wheldon when he was a rookie in 2003. Any plans for your new teammate Marco Andretti? A: We haven't plotted yet, but (pranks) are part of the rookie deal. I think that happens in all team sports. It won't be too bad, but you do have to earn your way into it.
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