Andretti Green Racing Signs Wheldon As Test Driver

Young Talent Could Compete In Several IRL Races For Team In 2003

Dan Wheldon has joined Andretti Green Racing as a test driver for the organization’s new Indy Racing League program, team officials announced Nov. 26.

Wheldon, from Emberton, England, made his Indy Racing League debut in 2002, driving in two races for Pennzoil Panther Racing as a teammate to two-time IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Dan to Andretti Green Racing,” AGR President Kim Green said. “Dan has demonstrated remarkable talent since he began racing in England in 1996 and in only a few short years has established his mark here in the United States.

“After evaluating our options for test drivers for this program, we felt that Dan possessed several attributes as a racer that fit our requirements. One critical factor in our decision was that he has accumulated a significant amount of seat time in an IRL car, and we believe that as a new team in the series, his ability to give us feedback based on that experience will be a significant asset for us in 2003. We’re happy that he has agreed to join us.”

Wheldon made his racing debut in North America in 1999 and won Rookie of the Year titles in three championships in three consecutive years: U.S. F2000 in 1999, Toyota Atlantic in 2000 and Indy Lights in 2001. He won the series title in U.S. F2000 in 1999 and was runner-up in the Atlantic and Indy Lights series in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

Wheldon, 24, tested Honda’s new IRL engine with Andretti Green Racing in early November and is testing for Honda again this week with Andretti Green Racing at Phoenix International Raceway.

“This is just great,” Wheldon said. “I was extremely happy to receive the offer from Kim, Michael (Andretti) and Kevin (Savoree). I want to thank Honda for giving me the opportunity to participate in their testing program and to run with Andretti Green Racing.

“Joining an organization that has such a tremendous pedigree is a real thrill, and I’m really looking forward to working closely with the engineers at Andretti Green Racing and Honda in the coming season. It’s a great opportunity for me at this stage of my career.”

Plans are also underway to find additional sponsorship funding that will enable Wheldon to join Andretti Green Racing’s three regular drivers in several IRL races in 2003.

“Funding is in place for the cars of Tony (Kanaan), Dario (Franchitti) and Michael (Andretti),” said Savoree, AGR vice president of finance and COO. “Of course, that’s been our primary focus over the last few months. Now we can start looking for additional sponsorship to run Dan in a select number of events.”

Said AGR Chief Executive Officer Andretti: “We are looking to see what we can find that will help get him in a seat for part of the season. There’s no guarantee right now that we’ll be able to do it, but we are doing the best we can to fund him. We’d like to see him have the chance to run with us. He’s certainly got the talent to be a contender.”