Dana set for Hemelgarn
Infiniti Pro Series runner-up Paul Dana is close to confirming that he will graduate to the IRL IndyCar Series with the returning Hemelgarn Racing team in 2005
The 29-year-old has been testing a 2002-specification Dallara-Chevrolet with the team over the winter, and although he sat out this week's Homestead test while final details were ironed out, Dana is confident that his deal will be concluded in time for the first round in March.
"It is going to happen," said Dana. "We are going to be at the first race in Homestead. It's just that we've been unable to do a formal announcement yet."
Ron Hemelgarn's team was absent from the IRL last year after being unable to find the sponsorship to continue its long-running association with Buddy Lazier, a partnership that began in the 1990 Champ Car season and included victory in the 1996 Indianapolis 500. The team contemplated a return to Champ Cars, but that deal failed to come to fruition, so Hemelgarn instead concentrated on Dana's IPS programme.
The team has yet to finalise an engine deal for 2005, but Dana is confident that this will soon be resolved.
Verstappen: "Poor" visibility makes missing F1 grid slot easy to do
Verstappen: "Poor" visibility makes missing F1 grid slot easy to do Verstappen: "Poor" visibility makes missing F1 grid slot easy to do
Why three UK series occupying the same turf are thriving
Why three UK series occupying the same turf are thriving Why three UK series occupying the same turf are thriving
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Why Vegas is the ultimate differentiator for F1 in the US
Why Vegas is the ultimate differentiator for F1 in the US Why Vegas is the ultimate differentiator for F1 in the US
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021 Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up? Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.