Mike Conway To Make IndyCar Return At Detroit

Mike Conway will make his return to the IZOD IndyCar Series at Detroit this weekend with Dale Coyne Racing, in what will be the sport’s first doubleheader race weekend around the 2.3-mile, 13-turn street circuit. The 29-year-old Briton last raced at Long Beach in April for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

After feeling uncomfortable competing on ovals towards the end of last season, Mike Conway left the IZOD IndyCar Series with immediate effect and was subsequently replaced for the season finale by Wade Cunningham at Fontana. Despite his departure from the Series, Mike Conway returned earlier in the year with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at Long Beach, where the Bromley-born Briton qualified a competitive 5th yet retired with an electrical issue.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity with Dale and look forward to having a race weekend where I will have two chances to race with my fellow competitors,” explained Mike Conway. “I miss being in the car full time, and teaming with Justin (Wilson) again will be quite exciting for me.”

Mike Conway and Justin Wilson were team-mates back in 2010 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, a year when Mike Conway suffered two fractured vertebrae in his neck following an almighty incident at the Indianapolis 500. Last season Mike Conway finished 9th around the streets of Detroit for A.J. Foyt Enterprises, on his way to 21st in the Drivers’ Championship with 233 points scored.

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Pippa Mann Confirmed For Indianapolis 500 With Dale Coyne Racing

It has been officially confirmed that 29-year-old Briton Pippa Mann will compete during the Indianapolis 500 later this month with Dale Coyne Racing, which will see her start her second race around the legendary oval. Pippa Mann has competed in four IZOD IndyCar Series events, and became the first female Briton to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.

Pippa Mann made her debut at the 2011 Indianapolis 500 with Conquest Racing, where she qualified 31st and finished 20th. Despite qualifying 27th at New Hampshire, Pippa Mann suffered an end-plate fracture during final practice and was forced to withdraw from the event. Although she bounced back at Kentucky with 22nd, she was involved in the multi-car incident at the season finale at Las Vegas which eventually took the life of Dan Wheldon and saw Pippa Mann suffer burns.

Throughout 2012, Pippa Mann was without a full-time drive. She competed in the Auto GP Series at Sonoma for Campos Racing and finished 9th and 8th respectively during the two races. The 29-year-old Briton is understandably thrilled with her return to the IZOD IndyCar Series this month, which will see her team-mate fellow countryman Justin Wilson and Brazilian female driver Ana Beatriz.

“I’m delighted to be able to share this news,” explained Pippa Mann. “I actually first met Dale [Coyne] several years ago, before I came to the U.S., at what turned out to be the final ChampCar test at Sebring right before the open-wheel merger. We’ve sort of had an on-going conversation ever since then, and I actually got very close to getting in one of Dale’s cars on Bump Day last year. A year later, we’ve now put this program together, and I cannot wait to be back on track with Honda and running at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May.”

Before making her debut in the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2011, Pippa Mann enjoyed a highly competitive career in the Firestone Indy Lights category which saw her take her first pole around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and first victory at the Kentucky Speedway. Pippa Mann will begin her preparations for the Indianapolis 500 on May 11th during the first of six practice days.

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Ana Beatriz To Remain With Dale Coyne Racing Until Indianapolis 500

It has been announced that Brazilian female driver Ana Beatriz will remain with Dale Coyne Racing until the Indianapolis 500 next month, as the 25-year-old prepares for her 25th start this weekend at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama around the Barber Motorsports Park. She will continue to compete in the Honda-powered No. 18 machine alongside British driver Justin Wilson.

Ana Beatriz marked her return to the Series last time out around the streets of St. Petersburg, after competing in only two races during the 2012 season. Despite suffering a frustrating mechanical issue on Lap 55, the Brazilian driver will continue with Dale Coyne Racing for the next few races in the IZOD IndyCar Series. This weekend will be Ana Beatriz’s first race around the Barber Motorsports Park, despite contesting in a full season the Series back in 2011 for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. The Brazilian driver was forced to skip the race at Barber that season after sustaining a wrist injury at the opening race of the year at St. Petersburg.

“I am very excited to be back and race at Barber and Long Beach,” explained Ana Beatriz. “I didn’t think I would be back in a car until Brazil, but I want to thank Ipiranga and Dale [Coyne] for making it possible for me to drive full time through Indianapolis. We didn’t have the finish we would have liked to in St. Petersburg, but I am confident that we can get a better finish for the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda at Barber this weekend.”

After this weekend’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, Ana Beatriz will compete in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, her home event around the streets of Sao Paulo in Brazil and the legendary Indianapolis 500. Her best result at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was 21st in both 2010 and 2011, a result she will undoubtedly be striving to emulate this year in the No. 18 machine.

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