Tagliani joins new team for 2010

The 36-year-old Canadian was a veteran of Champ Car and has made selected appearances with Conquest Racing since the IndyCar reunification last year.

The new FAZZT team has been put together by Montreal-based businessman Andre Azzi, who has purchased the assets of the Roth Racing team.

As well as recruiting Tagliani to drive, Azzi has drafted in former Kelley Racing team owner Jim Freudenberg, who had worked with Tagliani at Conquest, and actor and ex-racer Jason Priestley, whose Rubicon Racing team entered Max Papis for the 2008 Indianapolis 500 in a join effort with Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

Former Walker Racing team manager Rob Edwards has also joined the project and will run the race team on a day-to-day basis.

Tagliani has been working on a full-time drive since the demise of Champ Car and is looking forward to the FAZZT team's entry in 2010.

"This is a proud moment for me and I have worked extremely hard for this," he said. "It means a lot to have someone like Andre recognise my efforts and reward me with this opportunity.

"I'm elated to be a part of this new team and I can't wait to go racing full time in the IndyCar Series with great equipment and an incredible team of people."

Azzi, who will serve as CEO, added: "This is a dream come true for me. To be able to give my friend Alex Tagliani the opportunity to drive full-time with the top notch team that we are assembling makes me extremely pleased.

"I cannot wait for March so we can get our team launched for our first full season of IndyCar racing. I intend to give this team every tool necessary to fulfill my dream of winning the Indy 500 and the IndyCar championship."