Dreyer & Reinbold Racing announced Monday that Brazilian driver Ana Beatriz will drive the team's No. 25 car as a fourth entry the Indianapolis 500.
“We are excited about having Ana back with the team. She did a great job for us in Brazil and it's good to have her in our fourth entry,” said team co-owner Dennis Reinbold. "Ana really showed us her talent when we ran her back in March. We look forward to running her as she attempts to make her Indianapolis 500 debut."
The Brazilian driver made her IZOD IndyCar Series debut at her home race in Brazil in March (above). The Sao Paulo native was the highest finishing rookie and female for the season opener.
Beatriz competed in the Firestone Indy Lights category for the last two seasons. Her accomplishments include finishing third in the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights point standings for Sam Schmidt Motorsports with one win, nine top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes. Beatriz also became the first female driver to win in Firestone Indy Lights when she won at Nashville in 2008.
"I'm very excited to be back in an IZOD IndyCar with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and to be competing in the biggest open-wheel event in the world, the Indianapolis 500," said Beatriz. "It will be a dream come true to have my debut in the Indy 500 in the Centennial Era and I hope to have a smooth and very competitive month of May. Hopefully my experience in Indy Lights can help me."
Beatriz's No. 25 Dallara-Honda will be backed by Ipiranga and FlowGuardGold at Indy. Official practice for the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 will get under way on Saturday, May 15.