Davey Hamilton will look to settle an old score as part of his new three-race deal to drive for De Ferran Luczo Dragon Racing in 2010.
A horrific crash at Texas Motor Speedway in 2001 effectively ended the American driver’s full-time career in the IZOD IndyCar Series. Hamilton went through 21 surgeries to repair his shattered feet and would not return to the cockpit of an IndyCar until 2007, when he finished ninth in a one-off performance at the Indianapolis 500.
Hamilton’s 2010 deal will have him race for DFLDR at Texas, as well as the Indianapolis 500 and another oval race that has yet to be disclosed by the team (although it has been reported that the oval race in question is at Kansas Speedway). It will be the first multi-race schedule for him since 2001, and the American driver admitted that the Texas round will be a very important one for him.
“I will have mixed emotions for sure going to Texas and competing on that track for the first time since the accident, but it is important for me to return to Texas and to finish that race,” he said in a press statement.
In the release from the team, co-owner Gil de Ferran said that he looks forward to having Hamilton’s oval knowhow and interest in helping young drivers — such as their current full-time pilot, Raphael Matos — boost the team.
“He is a highly experienced oval driver that can not only bring us a good result, but very importantly, can help bring us a point of reference and life the whole team’s performance,” said de Ferran. “His presence in the team, I am sure will be beneficial to [Matos], who for the first time will have a teammate in IndyCar.”
