To make it a 3-car team with Rice & Meira
source:
irl.racing-live.com
Christmas arrived a little early for a trio of Rahal
Letterman Racing drivers. The team's youngest driver, 22 year-old Danica
Patrick, is being moved from the Toyota Atlantic series to the IndyCars where
she will join Buddy Rice and Vitor Meira. In return for strong 2004
performances, both Rice and Meira have been rewarded with multi-year contract
extensions that will bring stability to their young careers.
Heading into the 2004 season without a permanent ride, Rice was the interim
driver of the number 15 car replacing the injured Kenny Brack, while Meira had
to wait until the Japan round when Rahal decided to add a car to his stable.
Brack remains on the sidelines and has told the team he is not ready for a
return to IndyCar Series competition. Rahal noted the team would likely give
Brack a test in the first quarter of 2005, though the Swedish star is also
considering sports car racing as a less dangerous racing option.
"I still feel like I would try to do whatever we could to help him," said Rahal.
"If he decides he wants to continue, then we'll see how we can help that or how
we can help make that happen."
Rice and Patrick will sport nearly identical paint schemes as they share Argent
Mortgage/Pioneer sponsorship for the number 15 and 16 cars. Meira's car number
17 will be distinctly adorned with as yet unannounced new sponsorship.