Indianapolis, IN (February 2, 2010) - Dreyer and Reinbold Racing is excited to announce that British drivers, Justin Wilson and Mike Conway, will join the team's full-time IZOD IndyCar Series effort for the 2010 season.
Not only does the duo bring an extensive amount of talent to the table, but combined they create an exceptionally strong pairing. Conway will continue to ride the momentum from his rookie year at DRR into the coming season. His 2009 campaign marked his first year in IndyCar competition. Conway proved his versatility in the off-season as he successfully completed three days of Formula One testing for the now named Mercedes Benz GP team. After spending six years in U.S.-based-open-wheel racing, Wilson will bring his veteran experience to DRR. The 32-year-old quickly showed that he was an established winner, when he won his first IndyCar race in 2008 at Belle Isle and again last year at Watkins Glen.
"We are excited to be able to put a deal together, for both Mike and Justin. They are both really talented drivers and we believe that they will be great teammates. We made a number of productive changes over the off-season and as we continue to build our team we feel that we are making Dreyer and Reinbold Racing more and more competitive," commented Dennis Reinbold,
Dreyer and Reinbold Racing co-owner.
Justin Wilson will be joining the Indianapolis-based squad for the first time. Wilson's success in open-wheel racing includes two back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2006-2007 Champ Car World Series, along with four wins and six poles. He soon would turn heads again in his debut in the 2008 IndyCar Series by earning his first victory at the Raceway at Belle Isle in Michigan. Wilson finished the season eleventh overall. That momentum would carry into the 2009 season, when he made the move to Dale Coyne Racing, giving the team its first win. He recorded three top-five and seven top-10 finishes, started from the front row at three road/street course events and led a total of 129 laps, finishing the season 9th in the overall championship.
"Obviously I'm very excited to join Dreyer and Reinbold Racing. I think that they are a great team and I really like the direction that DRR is headed in. They have put a lot of work in over the winter and that is very encouraging. I believe that we will be very competitive and my aim is to win the championship. I know it may seem steep, but I feel that we have a very good chance and I'm ready to win some races. I also think that its great that Z-line Designs has chosen Dreyer and Reinbold Racing and I really look forward to working with them for a second year. It's going to be a good season," stated Wilson.
Not only is Wilson coming on board for the first time with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, but so is Z-Line Designs. The 32-year-old native of Sheffield, England will field the No. 22 Z-Line Designs entry. "With Justin Wilson driving the Z-Line Designs/Dreyer and Reinbold Racing IndyCar this year the competitive promise is very high, exclaimed Jim Sexton, CEO and founder of Z-Line Designs. "Justin's overall talent will only improve in 2010 as the series balances road courses and ovals. I think he's ready for a break out year, and I can't thank Justin enough for continuing to represent Z-Line Designs," said Sexton.
Z-Line looks for off-track results as well. "Dreyer and Reinbold Racing is also well positioned to help us drive value for our retail partners and the Z-Line brand. The IZOD IndyCar Series is gaining steam, and we are very pleased to mix it up with such fast company," continued Sexton.
Z-Line Designs is a leading import manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture in a range of materials from solid American oak, birch, and maple to mixed media combinations of wood, metal, and glass. With manufacturing plants in China and Taiwan, Z-Line Designs is one of the most innovative manufacturers of computer desk systems, computer workstations, computer armoires, file/storage products, and a large variety of television, audio, and entertainment centers. Products are distributed primarily through mass merchants, office superstores, and department stores.
As Dreyer and Reinbold Racing continues to build competitive entries, helping them to get the job done is Mike Conway, who has re-signed with the team for a second season. The 26-year-old joined DRR in 2009, earning his first podium position in US-open-wheel competition at Infineon Raceway, and the team¹s first since 2006.
"I'm very excited to re-sign again with DRR for the 2010 season. Last year there was a lot to learn and was a tough season, but now I'm more prepared and looking forward to the season ahead. Over the winter the team has been striving to build a better team and from what I have seen it all looks very exciting. I'd like to thank all of my sponsors for all their continued
support and can't wait to get out and win races this year," said Conway.
Conway spent the majority of his career in the European formula car ladder. In 2004, he won the Formula Renault UK Championship, and in 2005, he was recognized twice by the British Racing Drivers¹ Club for his achievements in Formula 3. Driving for Raikkonen Robertson Racing in 2006, he won the British Formula 3 title as well as the famed Macau Grand Prix. In 2007 and 2008, Conway drove in the GP2 Series, winning a round at the historical Monte Carlo street circuit in Monaco in 2008.
For the second consecutive season, Conway will pilot the No. 24 Dad's Root Beer/ Roll Coater entry. Both partners are extremely excited to have the Brit back on board. "We are excited about resigning Mike and continuing to build on the equity we established in 2009. We are looking for good things in 2010 and Dad¹s Root Beer is excited and happy to be a part of it," stated Keith Hedinger, President and CEO of The Dad¹s Root Beer Company, LLC.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Roll Coater, Bob O'Neal, stated the same feelings as Hedinger, "We are excited about the upcoming season and to have Mike back on board. As I¹ve told Robbie before, it's good to be affiliated with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing and to be able to bring customers and clients to the races. Our relationship with DRR has allowed great business for us over the years and we are excited about this announcement and can't wait for the 2010 season to get underway."
Feeling the same enthusiasm as the rest is co-owner Robbie Buhl. "I'm as excited as I've ever been. I think this is the best focus we've had in years. It's been a long time since we¹ve been in a position to have two very competitive entries and we couldn't be happier. We are ready to win some races and really feel that we can do it with Justin and Mike. They are
exceptional drivers and we are thrilled to have them on board with us. It's also great to have Z-Line join us and to have all of our valued and loyal sponsor partners back with us this season," commented Robbie Buhl, Dreyer and Reinbold Racing co-owner.
Dreyer and Reinbold Racing will be on track February 24th and 25th for the IZOD IndyCar Series open test at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama with Mike Conway piloting the No. 24 Dad¹s Root Beer entry, and Justin Wilson behind the No. 22 Z-Line Designs machine. For more info on the team please visit www.dreyerreinboldracing.com.
About Z-Line Designs
Z-Line Designs is a leading import manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture in a range of materials from solid American oak, birch, and maple
to mixed media combinations of wood, metal, and glass. With manufacturing plants in China and Taiwan, Z-Line Designs is one of the most innovative manufacturers of computer desk systems, computer workstations, computer armoires, file/storage products, and a large variety of television, audio, and entertainment centers. Products are distributed primarily through mass merchants, office superstores, and department stores. For more information, please visit www.z-linedesigns.com
About Dad's Root Beer
Dad's Root Beer is one of the oldest and most popular soft drinks in America. Founded in Chicago in 1937, Dad's celebrated its 70th Anniversary in 2007. In the same year, Dad's was purchased along with the Sun Crest, Dr. Wells, and Bubble Up brands by Hedinger Brands, LLC and licensed to The Dad's Root Beer Company, LLC. The company headquarters is now located in Jasper, Indiana. With a new dedication to expanding the distribution network across the country, the brand looks forward to continued growth and customer support.
About Roll Coater
Roll Coater specializes in metal substrates, finishes, and the coil-coating
process, uses state-of-the-art technology to meet, and exceed, demanding
specifications for a wide range of markets and applications. Roll Coater's
core business also includes post-finishing operations such as coating,
embossing, laminating, slitting and leveling for applications that include
aluminum, appliances, buildings, roofing, garage and entry doors, heating
and air conditioning, office and transportation.
About Dreyer and Reinbold Racing:
Dreyer and Reinbold Racing is entering its 11th season of full-time competition in 2010, making it one of the longest-tenured teams in Indy
Racing League competition. Current co-owners, Dennis Reinbold and Robbie Buhl, first teamed in full-time competition at the Walt Disney World Speedway in January of 2000. With Buhl behind the wheel, the two owners tasted victory in their debut race. The 2009 IndyCar Series season-opener on
the streets of St.Petersburg marked Dreyer and Reinbold Racing's 200th series start. DRR now has over 240 starts to tuck under its belt and has qualified a total of 23 cars for the Indianapolis 500. In its history, the team has boasted a championship list of alumni drivers. Besides Buhl, the team has run Indianapolis 500 winners, Al Unser, Jr., Buddy Lazier, and Buddy Rice, along with IndyCar Series race winner Ryan Briscoe. The team has one of the longest lines of heritage in American open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 as Dennis Reinbold¹s grandfather, "Pop" Dreyer, built leading roadsters that raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
More information on Mike Conway can be found at www.mikeconway.co.uk
More information on Justin Wilson can be found at www.justinwilson.co.uk
More information on the team can be found at www.dreyerreinboldracing.com
