IMSA - Pagenaud and Ricky Taylor as reinforcements for Team Penske

Team Penske has confirmed its drivers for the 2018 IMSA season where it will enter two Acura ARX-05 DPi. Ricky Taylor and Simon Pagenaud are on the list.

Published on 11/10/2017 à 15:45

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IMSA – Pagenaud and Ricky Taylor as reinforcements for Team Penske

simon pagenaud will be well integrated into the Team Penske squad for the debut of “Captain” Roger Penske’s team in IMSA. If its main program will remainIndyCar, Poitevin will be involved in the long races of the NAEC (Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans) by being lined up on one of the two Acura ARX-05DPi after having participated in Petit Le Mans (Georgia) where he took the last step of the podium alongside Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves.

“I was hoping to have the chance to take part in the endurance races next year. So I'm delighted to have this opportunity, declared Simon Pagenaud. We made a strong impression on our debut at Petit Le Mans last weekend and I feel this team is off to a good start. It will only make me a better driver.”, even in IndyCar.

Team Penske also confirmed the full-time presence of reigning champion Ricky Taylor, who will leave Wayne Taylor Racing and the Cadillac DPi in which he competed with his brother Jordan. His first contact with the Penske team dates back to last February when he completed an IndyCar test session at the Homestead-Miami Speedway (Florida).

“It was a great opportunity to test an IndyCar with Team Penske, but it was life changing to get a call from Roger Penske asking me to drive one of his race cars full time. With my father's team, we have had many successes in IMSA in recent years, including winning the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Championship. I am clearly ready to take on this new challenge,” promised the reigning champion.

Ricky Taylor will ride alongside Helio Castroneves while Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron will be entered in the second Acura DPi. Graham Rahal will also lend a hand in the four NAEC races. The Team Penske crews could well face Fernando Alonso, likely to compete in the 24 Hours of Daytona next January.

Discover the report of Petit Le Mans produced by our special correspondent in issue 2135 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version on all platforms and on kiosks.