Walker Racing will field British driver Dan Clarke in team's Firestone Indy Lights entry this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park. Clarke, nicknamed "Speedy Dan," competed in the Champ Car World Series in 2006 and '07, finishing runner-up to Will Power in the Rookie of the Year standings in '06. Since then, he has competed in the now-defunct A1GP series, but is eager to return to racing stateside.
“I couldn't be more thrilled to join Walker Racing and to be back racing in the USA,” said Clarke. “Since 2006 I've focused my career on the U.S. open-wheel scene. After unification, I feel my career is back on track and competing this year in the Firestone Indy Lights Series is a great place for me to do it.” said Clarke.
Walker Racing ran Jonathan Summerton at the St. Petersburg season opener, and says the young American could still figure in the team's plans going forward. “Jonathan is still very much in our thoughts,” said team owner Derrick Walker. “He has repeatedly demonstrated his talent and I hope we get him back in our lineup soon for our second car.”
Walker added that he intends to develop his former Champ Car squad into an IndyCar team, and feels Clarke is a good choice with which to do so.
“I have always been impressed with Dan's speed when we raced against him in the Champ Car years,” he said. “Back in those days the ‘Road to Indy' was not as clear as it is now, so we share the same objective in racing in the Firestone Indy Lights Series – our aim is the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500.”