After a solid campaign last season in Firestone Indy Lights, Brazilian driver Mario Romancini is movin’ on up to the IZOD IndyCar Series. Conquest Racing announced today that the 22-year-old will drive their No. 34 entry full-time in this year’s championship.
Romancini impressed folks in 2009, scoring two victories en route to a sixth-place performance in the FIL title race. In all, he secured five top-five and 11 top-10 finishes for RLR/Andersen Racing. Now, he’ll look to repeat his effort with Eric Bachelart’s operation in IndyCar.
Here’s the full release from IndyCar.com:
Conquest Racing announced it has signed Mario Romancini as a full-time entrant for the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2010 in the No. 34 entry.
The 22-year-old Brazilian will be graduating from Firestone Indy Lights, where he drove for RLR/Andersen Racing.
“We are thrilled to announce we have reached an agreement with Mario for the full year,” team owner Eric Bachelart said. “He is a young, talented driver who performed exceptionally during his 2009 rookie year in the Firestone Indy Lights series, with particular excellence on ovals. Mario fits in well with our quest to develop new and promising drivers in the next step of their career. We look forward to helping him advance successfully in the IZOD IndyCar Series this season.”
Romancini recorded victories at Milwaukee and Homestead-Miami Speedway and three other top-five finishes in 2009. He is scheduled to participate in the Open Test at Barber Motorsports Park and will debut on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 14.
“I couldn’t be more excited to move up to the IZOD IndyCar Series with a team like Conquest,” Romancini said. “I have been talking with a few teams since last October when the season ended, but after my first contact with Eric I knew we could make something really good happen. We know we will have a lot of work to do. We will be competing against very strong teams and experienced drivers, but with all the support from Eric and the Conquest team, I am confident that with every race we will get better.
“Moving up to the IndyCar Series is already a feeling that is difficult to describe. I’ve been working really hard to be here since I started in go karts. To have my first race in my hometown, in front of all my people, my family, and friends will be amazing. I am very excited for this moment and for sure couldn’t ask for a better place.”
