Alex Tagliani has been confirmed at Conquest Racing for the Indianapolis 500.
The veteran Canadian had contested the opening two rounds of the IndyCar Series for Eric Bachelart's underfunded squad, but was on a race-by-race deal as the team hunted for additional sponsorship. Conquest skipped the Kansas Speedway race to focus on preparing for Indy, and has now been able to put together a program for Tagliani to contest the championship's flagship event. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has signed on as a major associate sponsor for the team's Indy run, to with the upcoming exhibition “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” at the museum serving as the focal point of the partnership.
As Tagliani spent most of his career in the rival Champ Car World Series before the American open-wheel merger, the Canadian will be attempting to make the field at Indianapolis for the first time.
"It's every driver's dream to be at the Indianapolis 500," said Tagliani. "As a kid I never thought I would make it here -- and even later on in my career because of the split -- so it has always remained a dream of mine. It's the one race that has always sat atop my list.
"Finally, more than nine years after my first start in a major open-wheel series race, I will get to experience all that surrounds the famous 'Month of May'. I know that the first few laps around the track tomorrow will be quite special and I'm super excited and really looking forward to it."
In addition to the King Tut backing on its No. 34 car, Conquest Racing announced the return of Northlands and its premier event, the Rexall Edmonton Indy, as a title sponsor for the Indianapolis 500. The team also adding sponsorship from AmazingMail and LifeLock.