Dreyer & Reinbold Racing announced the partnership with A1 TEAM USA owner Rick Weidinger for the No. 15 entry in the the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race set for Sunday, May 27, 2007, at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The No. 15 Honda-powered Dallara car driven by 2004 Indy 500 Champion Buddy Rice of Phoenix, Ariz., will be known as the A1 TEAM USA/Dreyer & Reinbold Honda throughout the month of May including qualifications and the 200-lap classic.
Last year Weidinger teamed up with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the 2006 Indy 500.
"We are excited to return to the Indianapolis 500 as a co-entrant with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team," said Weidinger, whose racing effort represents the United States in the international A1 GP World Cup of Motor Sport Racing Series. "The Indy 500 is the greatest spectacle in motor sports and most famous auto race in the world and we feel privileged to have another former winner in Buddy Rice as our team’s driver. Rice is one of America’s top open-wheel drivers with a vast background in road racing also. Buddy will carry the American spirit of the A1 TEAM USA and the international appeal of A1 GP World Cup of Motor Sport."
Rice, 31, is set for his fourth appearance at the famed Brickyard and he dominated the 2004 event by winning the pole, leading the most laps and taking the checkered flag in a great come-from-behind victory.
"It is tremendous to bring Rick and the A1 TEAM USA effort to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for this month," said Rice, a three-time IndyCar Series winner. "I believe we have a strong, professional operation that can make the No. 15 car a contender on May 27. Having won the world’s biggest race in the past, we have the opportunity to race for the win with the A1 TEAM USA/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry. I am very excited about our effort."
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing brings two entries to the 91st Indy 500 with Rice and veteran driver Sarah Fisher, who’ll drive the No. 5 AAMCO Transmissions Honda Dallara. Fisher’s car also will carry the A1 TEAM USA logo during the month of May.
"Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is extremely pleased to have Rick Weidinger and his A1 TEAM USA organization return to the Indy 500 with our No. 15 car and former Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice," said Dennis Reinbold, co-owner of the Indianapolis-based racing team. "Rick and his A1 TEAM USA came to Indy last year with our organization and we had a great relationship during the month. It is fantastic to have his operation part of Buddy’s No. 15 in 2007. We hope to give Buddy a chance to win his second Indy 500."
A1 TEAM USA Named Co-Entrant on DDR No. 15 Car For Indy 500 Weidinger is no stranger to open-wheel racing in the U.S., having been a co-owner with Kelley Racing in the IndyCar Series in 2004. Weidinger’s involvement with the Kelley team included ownership on Fisher’s IndyCar Series car.
Weidinger’s A1 TEAM USA recently completed the 2006/2007 A1 GP World Cup of Motor Sport by placing ninth of the 24 teams representing its country during the 11-race worldwide series.
