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Rice to stand in for Brack

Team Rahal has signed Buddy Rice to stand in for Kenny Brack in the 2004 IRL IndyCar Series until the Swede has recovered from injuries sustained in a massive crash during last year's Chevy 500 finale at the Texas Motor Speedway

The 27-year-old from Phoenix, who was left out of the Red Bull Cheever Racing driver line-up for 2004, will begin testing the Honda-powered Panoz G Force car at Homestead on January 28 and will remain as Rahal's named driver until Brack is pronounced fit - which is not expected to be before the Indianapolis 500 at the end of May.

"The opportunity to drive for Team Rahal is a great thrill for me personally," said Rice. "I only wish it was under circumstances where I could team with Kenny and not be filling in for him. I have known Bobby [Rahal] and [team chief operating officer] Scott Roembke for several years and they have been a great help to me in the past with advice and by opening doors for me as a young driver.

"In 2001, I actually was on a driver development contract with Team Rahal, but we were unable to find the funding for a programme. I still went to the track each week and got a feel for how Team Rahal operates, and I think that experience will benefit me greatly as I get in the car and get ready for the 2004 season."

Rahal said: "Kenny is getting better each day, and we feel fortunate to have a talented driver like Buddy available to fill in for Kenny right now," said team owner Bobby Rahal. "We have attempted to put Buddy in one of our cars for several years and this opportunity gave us the chance."

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