Patrick confirms IRL entry from Indy.
Despite recent uncertainty over the viability of such a move, UE 'Pat' Patrick has officially confirmed that his Patrick Racing team will join the Indy Racing League, beginning at the 2004 Indianapolis 500.
Patrick will campaign a Chevrolet-powered Dallara for two-time Indianapolis winner and double CART Champion Al Unser Jr. The US veteran has long been rumoured to team up with any Patrick IRL involvement, and will pilot the #20 entry.
Despite recent uncertainty over the viability of such a move, UE 'Pat' Patrick has officially confirmed that his Patrick Racing team will join the Indy Racing League, beginning at the 2004 Indianapolis 500.
Patrick will campaign a Chevrolet-powered Dallara for two-time Indianapolis winner and double CART Champion Al Unser Jr. The US veteran has long been rumoured to team up with any Patrick IRL involvement, and will pilot the #20 entry.
"We are still seeking a title sponsor but, with the support of Chevrolet, I intend to help finance and field a team that can compete for victories at every race we contest," Patrick insisted, "We have a very competitive car with Chevrolet power, a Dallara chassis and, of course, Firestone tyres, while Al Unser Jr. is a proven winner."
IRL and CART veteran Steve Newey will become vice-president and technical director for the team, having won national championships with Galles-Kraco Racing and Unser Jr in 1990 and with Bobby Rahal's Rahal/Hogan Racing entry in 1992. He was the race engineer for Patrick Racing in 1991 and team manager/race engineer from 1993-1999. Most recently, he served as vice-president of race operations for IRL rivals Kelley Racing.
Coincidentally, it was Patrick who helped orchestrate Firestone's return to open-wheel racing. In 1991, the brand became the 'official tyre' of the Indy Lights Championship, which Patrick helped create. Then, in 1993, Patrick, with Newey as team manager, and Firestone formed a tyre testing partnership, which eventually led to the manufacturer's return to IndyCar Racing in 1995. Patrick Racing went on to post Firestone's first victory in the inaugural season of that return, at the 1995 Michigan 500, when Scott Pruett narrowly defeated Unser Jr in one of the closest races in CART history.
Unser is now in his fifth season with the IRL, and the 24th at the premier level of American open-wheel competition. He has amassed a total of 34 career wins - comprising 31 in CART and three in the IRL - including wins at the Indianapolis 500 in 1992 and 1994.
