The 2004 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World
Series Powered by Ford entry list will see the addition of a rising American
star, as Herdez Competition announced today it has signed Ryan Hunter-Reay to
join Mexican driver Mario Dominguez for a two-car assault
source:
whowon.com
"First and foremost, we are very happy to have Ryan as part of our team, and we
think he and Mario will make a strong combination," said Herdez Competition
managing director Keith Wiggins. "In addition, we are very happy that this means
a very talented American driver will remain in Champ Car, the series which he
has competed in throughout his professional career and the best option for him
to be able to develop his career."
Added Hunter-Reay: "I am extremely thrilled and relieved to finally announce
that I will be driving for Herdez Competition in Champ Car. It is an honor to
drive for a team where I know I can challenge for race wins each weekend and
fight for the championship. Being the first graduate from every level of Champ
Car's Driver Development System, it is very important to me to remain in the
most challenging driver's championship in the United States. I look forward to
working with my new team and representing Herdez, McCormick, Vitro and
AstraZeneca in the winners circle."
Hunter-Reay, 23, of Boca Raton, Fla. earned his first Champ Car victory in the
Lexmark Indy 300 at Surfers Paradise, Australia to close out the 2003 campaign.
In so doing, Hunter-Reay became the first American Champ Car driver to win a
race in his rookie season since John Paul Jr. claimed his first and only Champ
Car triumph at Michigan International Speedway in 1983. He is also a graduate of
the Toyota Atlantic Championship, in which he won a series-high three races in
his lone season of competition in 2002.
"We're excited to learn one of America's finest young drivers, Ryan Hunter-Reay,
has joined Herdez Competition and will be racing with Champ Car in 2004," said
Champ Car president Dick Eidswick. "Ryan and Mario Dominguez will be a
formidable combination, and we expect to see both Herdez cars battling at the
front throughout the season. Clearly, Ryan has established himself as a budding
Champ Car star."