From IndyCar.com
Canadian Alex Tagliani, the 2011 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race pole winner, will drive the No. 48 Al-Fe Heat Treating Honda for AJ Foyt Racing in the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May. The entry's number and livery is a tribute to Dan Gurney and his No. 48 Eagle Indy car, an idea that started with team owner A.J. Foyt, who co-drove with Gurney to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967. The matte black and bright white livery evokes the paint scheme of Gurney’s No. 48 Eagle that he drove to second place in both the 1968 and ’69 Indy 500.
Tagliani, of Lachenaie, Quebec returns to the Verizon IndyCar Series for the first time since last year’s Indy 500, in which he qualified 24th and finished 13th for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. “I am really excited and honored to be part of the AJ Foyt Racing organization because driving for A.J. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is something really, really special," said Tagliani, who recently became a father for the first time. "Having the chance to contribute to the Foyt family legacy at the Speedway is my mission for the month of May. “I am thrilled to be part of honoring Dan Gurney by driving a car in his livery. Bringing the Gurney Eagle’s vintage look to the new Honda aero kit car is for sure going to be a crowd pleaser. As a new dad, sharing this unique tribute with my family and the Foyt family is very special. Taking the Dan Gurney No. 48 Al-Fe Heat Treating machine to Indy’s victory circle would be awesome, and we’re aiming to do just that.”
Tagliani will join full-season AJ Foyt Racing drivers Takuma Sato and Jack Hawksworth on the 2.5-mile oval for practice starting May 11. The 500 Mile Race is May 24.
Recent Articles
|
Racing Multimedia
Recommendations |