By Dave Lewandowski
indyracing.com
Team owner Eddie Cheever Jr. made official
source:
indyracing.com - Dave Lewandowski
Carpentier photo gallery
From the broadcloth shirt he donned for photos in the race shop to swapping
favorite restaurant fare with team personnel, it appears
Patrick Carpentier and Red Bull Cheever Racing will be a nice fit.
Team owner Eddie Cheever Jr. made official what was hinted at for months by
signing Carpentier to drive the No. 83 Red Bull Cheever Racing Dallara/Toyota/Firestone
in the 2005 IRL IndyCar® Series season. Why 83? Because there are 8.3 fluid
ounces in a can of Red Bull.
Carpentier, 33, will team with
Alex Barron, who had five top-10 finishes driving the No. 51 Red Bull
Cheever Racing entry in 2004.
"He brings more strength to the team," Barron said. "With Toyota onboard and two
seasoned drivers, it should be fantastic."
Carpentier (1996) and Barron (1997) are both former champions in the
developmental Toyota-Atlantic series.
"I'm very excited and happy to drive the Red Bull car," Carpentier said. "I've
known Alex for a few years and he's a very good driver, too. I think this team
will grow up to be a front-running team. I believe I can bring some leadership
and I've been three times part of a team that won championships. So I understand
what it takes."