Dragonspeed confimed they will be taking part in this year’s Indianapolis 500 with Ben Hanley behind the wheel, despite placing priority on its sportscar efforts this season.
The US-based racing team has made a name for itself in the endurance racing over the past few years, with its first-ever race at the 2011 24 Hours of Daytona. Lately, it has been competing regularly in the World Endurance Championship with talented drivers Ben Hanley and Henrik Hedman behind the wheel.
Hanley was the team’s pick for a driver when it started its IndyCar program in 2019, completing three races in his maiden season.
This year the team had hopes of expanding its running to at least six races, and was even present at the planned season-opening round at St. Petersburg, but had to change course due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The small team was hit hard by the sudden schedule changes, and founder and team principal Elton Julian made the decision to focus the team’s efforts on its successful sportscar program this season.
Talking to RACER about entering the Indy 500, Julian said, “So far, 2020 has been the year everyone will want to forget, but won’t be able to! We are honored to join all the other competitors in this year’s 500 and hope we can help create some positive memories for race fans everywhere, despite the fact that they cannot be here in person.”
It is unlikely there will be more than 33 entries attempting the Indy 500 this year, meaning for the first time in many years no teams will be sent home on Bump Day.
The festivities surrounding this year’s 500, as well as the on-track schedule, have been amended due to the lack of fans at the track. The first practice session begins on Wednesday, August 12, with the final starting order being set on Sunday, August 16.
The 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 then will take place the following weekend, on August 23.
