Indianapolis, IN (August 25, 2011) - Dreyer
& Reinbold Racing is rested and ready to race. The team
is eager to turn their luck around and make the most out of this
weekend at the famous Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.
This will mark the team's seventh time to compete at the 12-turn
2.303 mile circuit and who better to do it with than with racing
pros, Giorgio Pantano, who will pilot the No. 22 TranSystems
machine, and Ana Beatriz, who will get behind the wheel of the No.
24 Ipiranga car.
The team feels additionally prepared this weekend because
they had the opportunity to test at Infineon Raceway last week with
Beatriz and Pantano. Last year DRR finished 6th with Wilson
and 24th with Hildebrand, 3rd with Mike Conway in 2009, 11th in
2005 with Roger Yasukawa, and 11th in 2008 with Buddy Rice.
Newcomer to the team, Giorgio Pantano, is ready to get back to
his racing roots and show everyone what he's got. The Italian
had an extremely productive test. Twenty cars participated
for one full day of testing at Infineon Raceway. Pantano clocked
the fifth quickest time of 79.79 seconds
Although the Padua, Italy native is new to DRR, he is not new to
the IZOD IndyCar Series. Pantano, who is filling in for the injured
Justin Wilson this weekend, will make his return to the IZOD
IndyCar Series after competing in the Auto GP Series last year and
Superleague Formula in 2009. The Italian brings numerous experience
to the table after winning the GP2 title in 2008, competing in
F3000, Formula One and IndyCar for two road course events with Chip
Ganassi Racing. In 2005, Pantano competed at Infineon Raceway with
Chip Ganassi Racing, where he qualified 13th and finished 14th.
This will not only be Pantano's first time to compete with DRR,
but he will also be running the No. 22 TranSystems primary livery
this weekend as well. TranSystems is a global engineering firm
focused on delivering solutions across the entire transportation
world. To achieve this, TranSystems' consulting services span
all modes, including architectural, engineering and planning,
management and supply chain, transportation security and
transportation real estate consulting services.
After a tough weekend in Loudon, New Hampshire two weeks ago,
Ana Beatriz is ready to put that behind her and get back to a road
course. Last week marked the first time that the Brazilian turned
laps in an IndyCar at Infineon Raceway. Beatriz had the opportunity
to test a number of things during the day session and as a result,
she recorded the 17th fastest time of 80.57 seconds
This weekend the Brazilian will be making her third appearance
to Infineon Raceway, but her first in the top level of the sport.
In 2008, she made her first start there in the Firestone Indy
Lights Series where she started 5th and finished 6th. In 2009, she
started 2nd and finished 5th. The Brazilian, secured her best IZOD
IndyCar career qualifying result in Milwaukee with an 11th place
starting spot. In July of this year, she earned her best qualifying
result on a road course, with a 23rd place starting position, and
her second best career finish in the IZOD IndyCar Series in
Edmonton finishing 13th. Bia earned her best IZOD IndyCar result in
Toronto, Canada when she brought the car home in 11th place.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will be on track for the Indy Grand
Prix of Sonoma in Sonoma, California on August 28th. The race
telecast will air live on Sunday, August 14th at 4:00 pm (ET) on
VERSUS.
What they have to say...
Giorgio Pantano No. 22 TranSystems: "I'm so
happy now. We had a very good test last week and I think we are
really confident for the race. I can't wait to start practicing and
to get the weekend going. Infineon Raceway is a great track and I
hope to bring the team home a good result. I'm really excited."
Ana Beatriz, No. 24 Ipiranga: "Infineon Raceway
has always been good to me. I really like this track. Dreyer &
Reinbold Racing have a good car there and I am hoping we can have a
strong weekend."