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INDYCAR: Scott Speed Set For Indy Debut With Dragon
SPEED.com has learned California native and former F1 and Sprint Cup driver Scott Speed will make his IZOD IndyCar Series and Indy 500 debut with Jay Penske.
Marshall Pruett  |  Posted May 05, 2011   Fremont, CA
Speed has been at Indy for F1 and Sprint Cup events, and now the American hopes to add an IndyCar race to his resume at the storied circuit during the Centennial event. (LAT)
SPEED.com has learned California native and former F1 and Sprint Cup driver Scott Speed will make his IZOD IndyCar Series and Indy 500 debut with Jay Penske.

Negotiations had reportedly concluded for a different driver to pilot the Dragon entry at Indy, but interest in Speed accelerated early this week, culminating in an agreement being signed on Thursday.

“It’s an honor to be able to partner with Jay Penske, Dragon Racing and a Hoosier legend like Fuzzy Zoeller for this year’s Indy 500 and my debut in the IndyCar Series,” Speed said. “Having the ability to compete in the Indy 500 is a dream for any racing driver, and I am proud to be partnered with such names as Jay Penske, Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka, American Racing and VIZIO in our attempt to drink the milk and win the biggest race in the world.”

The 28-year-old American spent the better part of two seasons in F1 driving for the Toro Rosso team before shifting his attention to the world of oval racing, competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks and Sprint Cup Series through the end of the 2010 season.

Dragon also announced that Speed will contest the IndyCar season finale for the team at Las Vegas in October.

“I am thrilled that Scott chose Dragon Racing and this year’s Indy 500 to make his IndyCar debut,” Penske said. “As one of America’s finest open-wheel racers, Scott’s past experience in Formula 1 and NASCAR make him a serious contender at this year’s Indy 500 and at the INDYCAR challenge in Las Vegas.”

The reformed Dragon Racing team, which made its 2011 debut at Long Beach with veteran Canadian driver Paul Tracy, announced earlier this week it will run a second car at Indianapolis in conjunction with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for Dutch/Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung.

Speed, who competed on the Indianapolis road course in 2006 and on the oval in Sprint Cup, will participate in the Rookie Orientation Program at Indy next Thursday.

Marshall Pruett is SPEED.com's Auto Racing Editor, covering IndyCar and sports cars. He also contributes to Road & Track and Racecar Engineering. or Follow him at your own peril.
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