Dracone to compete in first four races for Dale Coyne Racing

The initial four races of the Verizon IndyCar Series season is a solid starting point in the eyes of Francesco Dracone, who will drive the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda. He joined the team for the March 16-17 Promoter Test at Barber Motorsports Park. Dracone made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut in 2010 with Conquest Racing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and also competed at Sonoma Raceway. "I've been seeking this opportunity since the very day after Conquest (Racing)," said Dracone, 31, of Turin, Italy, who tested with Dale Coyne Racing in 2013. "I tried last year but they had a great driver in Justin Wilson. This winter we talked again (with Dale Coyne) and it seems feasible to run at least four races. It's great being here picking up the pace again with the Indy car at this new circuit for me. It's just exciting." Dracone recorded a field-high 34 laps in the morning session on the 2.38-mile, 17-turn Barber Motorsports Park road course, and he'll see additional on-track time March 17 at Barber and next week at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, Ala., ahead of the March 27-29 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. "It's important to be here today and be part of the IndyCar Series," said Dracone, who has competed the past four years in Auto GP. "Testing is essential with the standards and level of the Verizon IndyCar Series. It's great to have two days in a row to get started." "Francesco shows great enthusiasm for our sport," said team owner Dale Coyne, who noted that plans for the No. 19 car driver beyond the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 26 at Barber Motorsports Park are undetermined. "We look forward to working with the rookie in preseason testing and early races as he looks to INDYCAR for his future."

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