Alex Tagliani will make a return to the IndyCar Series in May with A.J. Foyt Enterprises at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 two weeks later.
The 42-year-old Canadian racer competed in the Indianapolis 500 last season with A.J. Foyt Enterprises, leading two laps on his way to 17th overall.
Although Tagliani has never won the coveted event, he did managed to secure pole position back in 2011 with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, eventually finishing the race fourth.
“I feel very privileged and honoured to be driving the Alfe Heat Treating Honda,” enthused Tagliani, who has competed in 203 IndyCar races.
"I’m very excited to be driving for the A.J. Foyt Racing organisation again.
“To be driving for them at the Speedway during the month of May is very special. The 100th Running of the Indy 500 will make it even more unique.”
Tagliani has competed in the Indianapolis 500 since 2009, but hasn't competed on a road course since the 2013 season when he competed for Barracuda Racing.
Despite his lack of recent experience on road courses in IndyCar machinery, Tagliani is remaining exceptionally optimistic ahead of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, which will take pace two weeks prior to the Indianapolis 500 on the in-field circuit originally designed for Formula 1.
“I’m looking forward to driving the Indy road course in an Indy car,” continued Tagliani.
“I’ve heard a lot of amazing things on the performance of the car.
“It will be difficult because I haven’t driven an Indy car on a road course in several years.
"Jumping in the car on a road course in something that is very new will be tough, but the positive is that I will be in the car for the month of May.”
Tagliani will race the No. 35 car at both events, a number selected in honour of team owner A.J. Foyt’s 35 straight starts at the Indianapolis 500 between 1958 and 1992.
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