INDYCAR: Wheldon Set For Andretti Return In 2012

IndyCar

INDYCAR: Wheldon Set For Andretti Return In 2012

It's not official yet but SPEED can report that Dan Wheldon will be Danica Patrick's replacement in the GO DADDY ride for Andretti Autosport in 2012.

Robin Miller | Posted October 13, 2011

Dan Wheldon won the 2005 IndyCar Series title and Indy 500 for Andretti, and with recent experience testing Honda's 2012 engine, could prove invaluable to Andretti's Chevy-powered team in 2012. (LAT)

It's not official yet but SPEED can report that Dan Wheldon will be Danica Patrick's replacement in the GO DADDY ride for Andretti Autosport in the 2012 IZOD INDYCAR season.

"It's not done yet but we're getting close," said Michael Andretti following INDYCAR's practice session Thursday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"I want to be a fulltime driver again and I've got a strong offer," said Wheldon, who is running his for Sam Schmidt Motorsports this weekend.

Wheldon, the favorite son of Honda since winning their first race at Motegi and the first of his two Indianapolis 500s for the Japanese manufacturer, had hoped to stay with Bryan Herta Motorsport next year but a deal couldn't be out together.

"I told Dan if he got a good fulltime offer before I could give him one he should take it and he's been great about this whole thing,'' said Herta, whose little team with co-owner Steve Newey shocked the open-wheel world last May with their one-off victory at IMS.

"We worked hard to try and keep him but we weren't able to do it and he's got a good deal working so he's got to do what's best for his career."

INDYCAR: Danica Leads Thursday Practice At Las Vegas

Wheldon's introduction to the IRL came as Honda's original test driver for its first new engine outside of Champ Car, and as part of the Andretti-Green Racing stable, he had his best year of his career, winning the Indianapolis 500 and series championship for Andretti in 2005.

Without a regular ride this year, Wheldon picked back up on his engine testing routine for Honda in a car run by Herta, and although the Englishman will switch to Chevy power with Andretti in 2010, Herta was quick to point out he'll still field a team minus Wheldon next year.

"I think we'll have two cars,'' said the former CART regular. "That's what we're working on and our plan is to be in this series for a long time.''

Herta wasn't sure of what engine he might be using but veterans like Justin Wilson, Alex Tagliani and Sebastien Bourdais are possible candidates.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.

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