Alliance Motorsports has signed veteran Mike Potekhen to drive its #24 eFusjon Energy Club entry in this week's Firestone Freedom 100 at Indianapolis, just days after confirming the new partnership itself.

The 29-year old American will thus make another return to the Lights series, with Indianapolis scheduled to be his 27th start at IRL feeder series level. He has scored three top five finishes in that span, with a best in the Freedom 100 of sixth in 2007.

"I am very excited to be back in the series and am looking forward to driving for Alliance," Potekhen said, "[Team owner] Jeff [Matthews] and I have been working on a programme for several years, and I am grateful that one has come together. We have a great team and a great corporate partner in the eFusjon Energy Club, and I look forward to giving them a good performance."

Alliance announced the partnership with eFusjon at the end of last week, with the brand serving as primary sponsor for the Indianapolis flagship event on 22 May. The deal is the first of its kind for the Oregon-based company.

We are extremely proud to have the eFusjon energy club, as well as their network of distributors, on board with us for the biggest race of the season," Matthews commented, "To form a relationship with a company that shares many of the core values that our organisation is based on, is a tremendous accomplishment, and we couldn't be happier.

"We are also very excited to have Mike drive the eFusjon Energy Club car at the Firestone Freedom 100, and are hoping to make this a long-term relationship. I've known Mike for several years - and actually met him before he started competing in Firestone Indy Lights. I knew back then that I wanted to work with him, and I finally get that opportunity."