Rahal confirms Indy return with Vasser

The US veteran, who will drive the team's Shell-backed car in CART next season, will switch to Miller sponsorship for the Brickyard. The decision marks Team Rahal's first attack on the Indy 500 since 1995, the last year before the speedway's boss Tony George created the Indy Racing League and split with CART.

Team boss Bobby Rahal won the blu-riband race as a driver in '86. He said: "The Indy 500 is an American tradition, and we are very proud to return. Having a tremendous driver like Jimmy behind the wheel means we will be among the top contenders for the coveted Borg-Warner Trophy."

Vasser raced at Indy last year with Chip Ganassi Racing. "There isn't another event like it in the world," he said.

American TV talk show host David Letterman co-owns the team with Bobby Rahal, but only became involved in '96. "To be part of a team racing at Indianapolis is the kind of thing dreamed about as a kid," he said.

With Miller pulling back its funding for the CART team, Rahal may end up running only one car in Champ Cars for Vasser, and a single entry for Indy.