Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
Defending team champion Andersen Racing announced that it has signed Denis Navarro to its driver roster for the 2009 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.
He joins Richard Kent, Conor Daly and perhaps one other driver on the Palmetto, Fla.-based team's squad this year in that very competitive series.
Navarro finished third in the South American Formula 3 championship last year, earning four victories and four pole positions. Like Mario Romancini, who will drive for RLR/Andersen Racing in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, he hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Navarro will turn 22 on March 17 while he is in Sebring, Fla. preparing for the Star Mazda season opener there on March 20. His car will be sponsored by Navarro Medicines Distribution and Andersen Racing's team sponsor, Allied Interior Products.
"We are delighted to confirm Denis as one of our drivers for 2009, as he impressed us greatly at our recent test at Homestead, Fla." said team co-owner Dan Andersen. "He was on pace with his new teammate, Richard Kent, and we believe he will be a championship contender immediately. Our lineup now of Denis, Richard and Conor Daly is very strong, and I see many victories for Andersen Racing with this talented group."
"I hope to have a good year in the Star Mazda series," said Navarro. "It's a new challenge for me, but nevertheless I'm very hopeful that I can have a very good, competitive season. I know that Andersen Racing is very competent, and it will be a great step in my racing career."
Navarro tested with the team Feb. 17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, not only showing the team executives what he could do, but also helping the crew to sort out several new car components.
