Max Papis has been tabbed to pilot the Rubicon Race Team entry and attempt to qualify for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on May 25.
Papis will attempt to make his third start in the famed 'Greatest Spectacle in Racing' in a Dallara/Honda/Firestone car owned by Jim Freudenberg and Jason Priestley and prepared by Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
Papis, whose father-in-law is legendary racer Emerson Fittipaldi, is looking forward to his return to the Brickyard.
"I'm extremely committed to deliver a great result for the Rubicon Race Team and our sponsors," Papis enthused. "I will be out on the track making every lap count and especially the last one.
"This year will be particularly special to have my wife, Tatiana, and son, Marco, at the track as they will be reunited with family since Emerson will be driving the pace car. It will be magical and make the 500 even more special."
The 2004 Grand-Am Rolex Series champion, who is currently serving as a test driver for NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports and who also participates in NASCAR's Nationwide Series, will travel to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with his personal sponsor GEICO.
GEICO will have its logos prominently displayed on the rear wing of the car, as well as the top of the sidepods, top of the nosecone and the tyre ramp and on Papis' drivers' suit and the pit crew uniforms.
"We are thrilled to have Max and GEICO on board with Rubicon for the month of May," added Rubicon team owner Jason Priestley.
"Max is very smart as a driver and in his past outings at Indianapolis, he has gotten up to speed quickly, qualified well and been extremely competitive in the race. Since we are only running at Indianapolis, we need a veteran driver like Max who is competitive right out of the garage."
