Stefan Wilson completes the grid for the Indianapolis 500

Normally, the announcement of Stefan Wilson's participation in the Indianapolis 500 (May 28) in association with the DragonSpeed ​​and Cusick Motorsports teams would have been secondary information. However, the English pilot has just saved a crucial aspect of the American event.

Cusick Motorsports & DragonSpeed ​​join forces for the Indy 500!@stef_wilson will pilot the No. 25 DragonSpeed/Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet for his 4th attempt @ the # Indy500, combining Cusick Motorsports' B2B acumen & @DragonSpeedLLC's racing prowess.

📰:https://t.co/ui6gaLaV7Z pic.twitter.com/ffwUXkaOyI

— Cusick Motorsports (@CusickMSports) May 5, 2022

Across the Atlantic, the fear of attending an edition of the Indianapolis 500 with only 32 single-seaters has long made racing enthusiasts shudder.IndyCar as well as historians. Over the last 85 years, the Indy 500 has only been run with such a low number of competitors on one occasion, after the Second World War (1947, 30 participants).

For several months, the counter was stuck at 32 participants. Behind the scenes, negotiations between teams registered for the year in IndyCar and external freelancers were carried out under the leadership of Jay Frye, the President of IndyCar. Several teams were evaluated to provide a 33rd car like Juncos, who politely declined in order to better concentrate on the debut of rookie Callum Ilott.

Finally, it is a joint venturi between DragonSpeed ​​and Cusick Motorsports which allows the 500 Indy 2022 to reach 33 competitors. The AJ Foyt Racing team is leasing a Dallara DW12 chassis to Stefan Wilson, who will start his fourth Indy 500 (15th in 2018), the second in a row with Cusick Motorsports.

“I'm so excited to be back at the event that sparked my passion for motorsport decades ago, declared the team's founder, Don Cusick. Being associated with a young, hungry and professional organization like DragonSpeed ​​is even better! Last year was an incredible first experience for Cusick Motorsports (33rd) and our partners, and we are thrilled to have them with us again. »

This journey has been such a rollercoaster ride, so many ups, downs, and twists, plenty of twists! I'm just so relieved with how this has all come together. Excited for the challenge that lies ahead, and by the prospects of working with a team that has the potential to grow. pic.twitter.com/DOYpV0A3Di

— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) May 5, 2022

“This opportunity means a lot to us, said Elton Julian, DragonSpeed ​​team principal. Putting this program together with Don Cusick, Stefan Wilson and partner group Cusick Motorsports brings us back to Indy even sooner than we hoped, and one step closer to becoming a full-time IndyCar team. With that goal in mind, I can tell you that we're not coming to the Brickyard to make up the numbers – we're here to get back on our IndyCar learning curve and build on our experience from 2019 and 2020, as well as past performances from Stefan. »

Stefan Wilson is the younger brother of the late Justin Wilson. The latter was killed in an IndyCar race at Pocono in the summer of 2015, his head struck by debris.

“A few weeks ago it didn't seem like it was possible, but I'm so relieved that all the pieces have come together to have another chance at this race, concludes the 32-year-old pilot. The Cusick Motorsports and DragonSpeed ​​partnership could not be a better fit and I know it will be a great combination for Indy this year, as well as future opportunities.”