Sharp, Simmons lead charge at re-tooled Rahal Letterman Racing source: indycar.com After a trying 2006 season, Rahal Letterman Racing hopes a series of off-season moves are a change in the right direction in 2007. The most visible change is in the driver lineup, where 1996 IndyCar Series co-champion Scott Sharp joins returning driver Jeff Simmons as the team focuses on a two-car effort for the first time since 2004. Sharp, who brings new sponsor Patrón Tequila to the IndyCar Series, sees the move to Rahal after two seasons with Fernandez Racing as a new beginning. "I am excited to be with a team in Rahal Letterman Racing that is approaching the season from the same point I am," Sharp said. "RLR didn't enjoy the kind of success last season that they have been accustomed to, so we are both hungry to excel and to win and to accomplish something. RLR has a great track record, and for me to come to this organization at this stage of my career is a great situation for my sponsor Patrón Tequila and myself." But not everything is new for Sharp, who is paired again with engineer Jeff Britton. They worked together at Kelley Racing in 2001 and 2002, scoring two victories and the pole for the 2001 Indianapolis 500. "I am optimistic about the outlook for RLR in 2007," team co-owner Bobby Rahal said. "The addition of Jay O'Connell as our technical director and the chance to properly test with the Dallara chassis has given us a solid base for this season. "I think the addition of Scott Sharp, a driver whom I nearly signed a decade ago when he was coming out of the Trans Am ranks, will bolster our team in a number of ways. Scott is a proven leader and a driver who knows what he wants at this point of his career. A great deal of credit has to go to him for assembling the Patrón Tequila sponsorship, and in my conversations with him, I sensed a hunger after he endured a difficult season last year. "Pairing him with a young driver like Jeff Simmons in the Ethanol car we think will be a winning combination. Jeff did an admirable job under some difficult circumstances last season and I see a bright future ahead for Jeff." Simmons returns to the No. 17 Team Ethanol entry in 2007, but the pieces around him have changed. Engineer Neil Fife steps up to be Simmons race engineer while Ed Daood, who oversaw Danica Patrick's car the past two seasons, will serve as his chief mechanic.
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