Andretti Autosport has announced that James Davison will test its No. 27 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series car on Thursday at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla. The 25-year-old Australian has been climbing the IndyCar ladder since 2007, moving from Star Mazda to Indy Lights.
"We're glad to be able to offer James the chance to test an IZOD IndyCar Series car this week," said team boss Michael Andretti. "He was a tough competitor for us in the Firestone Indy Lights series a couple of years ago, and has gained some experience in sports cars since then, so we think he'll be able to transfer a lot of knowledge to the IndyCar at Palm Beach."
Davison's first experience in the Mazda Road to Indy came in 2007, when he finished second in the Star Mazda Championship with three wins, three pole positions and three additional podium finishes. In his rookie Firestone Indy Lights season in 2008, Davison secured one win, one pole position and five top-10 finishes. He also received the "Most Improved Driver" award. The following year he earned four podiums (including one win), 14 top-10 finishes and three pole positions to finish second in the Firestone Indy Lights championship.
"I'm really excited," said Davison. "I have worked very hard for an opportunity like this and I fully intend to maximize it. The team's Indy 500 and IndyCar Series championships give me full confidence in the people working with me. I'm looking forward to getting back on track, and hopefully this will give me some good experience for any possible opportunities in 2012. I must thank Michael [Andretti], J-F [Thormann] and everyone at Andretti Autosport for this opportunity."
Davison has also competed in Daytona Prototypes in the Grand-Am Rolex Series (ABOVE, with co-driver Bill Lester in 2010). He raced in the Champ Car Atlantic Series for Team Australia and won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Formula BMW during the United States Grand Prix weekend.
Davison is a third-generation racer, with his grandfather Lex Davison a four-time winner of the Australian Grand Prix and his father Jon a former Formula 5000 competitor. His cousins Alex and Will Davison are also V8 Supercar drivers.