INDYCAR: Justin Wilson Joins Dale Coyne, says Miller
Written by: Robin Miller
02/21/2009 - 04:45 PM
Indianapolis, IN
Dale Coyne could have his best chances at success with Wilson on board. Coyne's team has served as a safety net for numerous top drivers who've lost their rides over the years. (LAT) » More Photos
In his 25 years of competing in CART and IndyCar racing, Dale Coyne has been the consumate survivor -- doing whatever necessary to keep the doors of his Chicago shop open.
That's included taking money from unknown drivers and cutting corners to make ends meet.
Consequently, Coyne has never made it to victory lane despite some good drives through the years from Bruno Junqueira, Oriol Servia, Michel Jourdain and Alex Barron. But it appears he's getting real serious about changing that trend.
After signing veteran engineer Bill Pappas a few weeks ago, SPEEDtv.com has learned Coyne is close to closing a deal for the 2009 season with Justin Wilson. Wilson, a front-runner since leaving Formula One for CART in 2004, will be in Coyne's car Tuesday in Homestead, Fla. for the Indy Racing League's opening test.
"I haven't signed a contract yet and we're still working on some things but it's looking good," said Wilson, who lost his ride with Newman/Haas/Lanigan when no sponsorship could be found.
Coyne hopes to retain the talented Brazilian, Bruno Junqueira. Paired with Wilson, and with Bill Pappas engineering, Coyne's team would be a serious threat
"I met Bill (Pappas) yesterday and Dale seems very intent on being competitive so I intend to make the most it." Coyne admitted some new sponsor opportunities were on the horizon but sounded
like he was prepared to spend his own money to get to the front.
"I am committed to make it happen because I've got unfinished business in this sport," he said. "Bill is a great fit for this team and obviously Justin is one of the best drivers out there so we're going after it."
After scoring five victories in Champ Car and finishing runner-up to Sebastien Bourdais for the championship in 2006 and 2007, Wilson was hired by NHL for 2008 and delivered a win at Detroit. With Robert Doornbos and Milka Duno bringing sponsorship to Carl Haas and Mike Lanigan, Wilson was the odd man out. The 30-year-old Brit got a call from Coyne three weeks ago and they got serious last week.
Junqueira, who reportedly drove for no salary for Coyne the past two years, qualified three times in the Top 10 in 2008 and finished sixth at Watkins Glen and seventh at Detroit. He also scored seven wins in Champ Car for Ganassi and Newman/Haas.
"Is Bruno out of the picture for 2009?, no, we're working on several things," said Coyne. "He's been good for us and I think we were good for him and we want to run a second car if we can pull things together."