Foyt Hires Junqueira For Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis, Apr. 4, 2011: Bruno Junqueira, the 2002 Indianapolis 500 pole sitter, will join fellow Brazilian Vitor Meira in competing for A.J. Foyt Racing in the 100th anniversary Indy 500 on May 29.

Junqueira, seeking to make his seventh start, will drive the No. 84 ABC Supply car.

"I am very happy," said Junqueira, who has a best finish of fifth in the '500' with two different teams. "First, because I love the race; second, because the biggest champion in that race is A.J. Foyt - he won as a driver, he won as a team owner, and third, I'm going to have Vitor as my teammate who is a good friend and a good driver so I think it's a perfect combination."

Meira, too, is excited about the addition to the team.

"Aside from our friendship, which we've had for a long time, Bruno is an awesome addition to the team because of the amount of experience he brings with him," said Meira, who has been the runner-up twice in the race in eight starts. "This year's race will be the toughest in a long time and we need to have every tool available to get 100 percent out of the car."

Junqueira, 34, finished fifth as a rookie driving for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2001 and again in 2004 driving for Newman/Haas Racing. Last year, driving a second car for FAZZT Racing, he started 25th and finished 32nd.

"Indy was actually my second oval race; my first race was in Nazareth (Pa.)," he said. "So I went from a one-mile track, very tough to a very fast '500.' It was one of the biggest experiences of my life. I had a very fast car that year and I qualified as the fastest rookie. I did not practice and qualify on Pole Day, just the second day of qualifying, and I was the fastest second-day qualifier. I had a really fast car but I started 20th so I was in the middle of the field.

"I had Al Unser Jr. on the inside and Michael Andretti on the outside of me and I said to myself, 'Man, two great drivers, two winners next to me here.' It was a big experience and I had a great time."

Junqueira is paired with Cristiano Da Matta in competing for Paul Gentilozzi's Jaguar team in the American Le Mans Series this year.

Four-time Indy 500 champion A.J. Foyt is enthusiastic about the addition.

"Bruno certainly knows his way around Indy," he said. "Every time he's run there, he's been fast. Plus he and Vitor get along well. I may have to start learning Portuguese. Not really, but I think it'll be great and it will make us a stronger team for Indy."