By Dave Lewandowski
indy500.com
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Five years ago, Andretti Green Racing provided an opportunity to a young driver with two IndyCar Series starts. Dan Wheldon went on to win the 2003 Bombardier Rookie of the Year award, and two years later the IndyCar Series championship and 89th Indianapolis 500.
A similar opportunity has been afforded to Hideki Mutoh, who will take over the wheel of the No. 27 Honda-powered Dallara for the 2008 season. Mutoh, who turned 25 on Oct. 10, will replace reigning IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti, who has joined Chip Ganassi's NASCAR operation.
Mutoh adjusted an AGR fleece jacket as he toured the team's 78,000-square-foot Indianapolis race shop with wide-eyed excitement Oct. 30. It was a good fit - the jacket that is. Tokyo native Mutoh, who advanced five positions to finish eighth in his lone IndyCar Series 2007 start (at the Chicagoland finale with Super Aguri Panther Racing), initially sees joining 2004 series champion Tony Kanaan, 2006 Rookie of the Year Marco Andretti and '05 Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick as a similar good fit.
"I hope to gain a lot of experience from my teammates," said Mutoh, runner-up in the 2007 Indy Pro Series championship with two victories. "It's very exciting. The team's record is very impressive, and I am hopeful that I can contribute to its future success.
"For me to race next year, I need to start right away (adopting the physical workout routine, visiting the race shop often to open communication channels with engineers and the crew and improve his English)."
That's the attitude that impressed team owners during the Indy Pro Series season. In Mutoh's first season competing on ovals, he recorded five top-10 finishes in six races (including a victory at Kentucky Speedway and fifth in the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis). Overall, he tied for first among all drivers with 13 top-10 finishes (in his 15 races) and was named the Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year. He'll join Indy Pro Series and Freedom 100 champion Alex Lloyd in the IndyCar Series in '08.
"We believed as a company in the Indy Pro Series since we got involved two years ago," AGR co-owner Kim Green said. "Those race cars are difficult to drive, and a driver that can run up front with those race cars and win can make it to the next step, which is the IndyCar Series. Then it's all about the opportunity."
Wheldon took advantage of the opportunity in 2003, posting nine top-10 finishes in 14 races, with Kanaan, Franchitti, Michael Andretti and Bryan Herta as teammates. Mutoh, who competed in the Japanese Formula Nippon championship in 2006, will have the benefit of on-track testing and a strong support system. The season opener is under the lights March 29 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on May 25.
"Although Hideki did not win the championship last year, he did very well his first year of racing on ovals in a very tough and competitive series," Green said. "I think that validates him moving up to the IndyCar Series. He was a tough competitor last year in the Indy Pro Series with (AGR driver) Jaime Camara.
"In the (season finale), he was showing he could mix it up with the best side by side, working the traffic and still being sensible in the race car. We're just delighted to have the opportunity bring him on board and hopefully take him to that next level, which is the winner's circle.
"He starts in our training program right away. He'll be spending a lot of time at the race shop, which is great for him from a communication standpoint. We'll then be trying to get into an in-depth rookie test schedule before the season."
The sponsorship package for the car is forthcoming, though Green said: "I think it's a very interesting concept, and it's a part of Honda's development of young drivers. It will be very exciting when it's announced."
***
2008 Indianapolis 500 tickets: For information about tickets for the 92nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25, 2008, visit www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or call the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally.
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