You can add another Brazilian driver to the grid for the upcoming IZOD IndyCar Series season-opener on March 14.
Firestone Indy Lights standout Ana Beatriz will contest the Sao Paulo Indy 300 for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, alongside Mike Conway and Justin Wilson. Beatriz is expected to test with DRR this weekend at Sebring International Raceway in Florida to prepare for the event.
“It’s great to be with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing for the [Sao Paulo Indy 300], “ said Beatriz in a team statement. “I was very happy when my manager, Andre Ribeiro, came back from Indianapolis and had set everything up with DRR. Hopefully, we can get the rest together for the whole season. I’m really, really excited and happy to be here.
“I think the team is very professional and I have great teammates with Mike Conway and Justin Wilson. I hope I can learn a lot from these British drivers. This is very special for me doing my debut in the IZOD IndyCar [Series] at my home event. It’s also very special to be the first female Brazilian race car driver to race there, and it will be a great experience.”
Beatriz wrote her name into the IRL record books in 2008, when she won at Nashville Superspeedway to become the first female race winner in Firestone Indy Lights history. That year, she finished third in the championship for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
2009 was a bit tougher for Beatriz, as funding issues forced her out of two events (Milwaukee and Homestead-Miami). However, she managed to finish eighth in points despite missing those races and she also bagged her second FIL victory at Iowa.
“She was a very talented Indy Lights driver and we are converting her over to IndyCar and we are excited to be the team that she makes her IZOD IndyCar Series debut with,” said DRR co-owner Dennis Reinbold.
