Tomas Scheckter will fill in for the injured Mike Conway at Dreyer & Reinbold in this weekend's IndyCar Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
The South African, who drove as part of an expanded D&R squad to 15th place in last weekend's Indianapolis 500, will race alongside team regular Justin Wilson while Conway continues to recover from injuries he received in an accident on the last lap of the race.
"We wish that Mike could be with us this weekend, but right now we are happy that he is OK and we just want him to have a speedy recovery," said team co-owner Dennis Reinbold. "For us, Tomas made the most sense because we had a great run with him at this year's Indianapolis 500, he has a ton of oval experience and we have a seat fitted for him."
The 26-year-old Englishman suffered fractures to his lower left leg and spine, and is expected to undergo further surgery later this week. He is also being fitted for a back brace to treat the compression fracture to one of his thoracic vertebrae.
"I'm feeling fine at the moment, all things considered," Conway said in a statement from the team. "I'm just thankful that I came out of it alive. I want to thank all of the medical staff at Methodist Hospital, as well as the IRL safety team and all of those at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway who pulled me out of the car. They've all done a fantastic job.
"I also want to thank my parents, friends and race team for all of their support and all of those who have sent on their well wishes. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery and I'm already looking forward to being back behind the wheel of a racecar."
Scheckter scored one of his two IndyCar victories at Texas in 2005, but is returning to the series for only the second time this season having failed to secure a full-time ride in 2010.
"Firstly, I'm upset about seeing my friend and roommate for most of last year get in such a terrible accident and my thoughts are with him," he said. "I am happy that the team has chosen me to step in for him this weekend while he recovers. I have won at Texas, earned two pole positions and led over 200 laps at the track. I always love going there."
It has not yet been decided whether Scheckter will stay in the seat for the duration of Conway's absence.