Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Signs Oriol Servia for 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Season

Indianapolis, IN - Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is excited to announce that Spanish driver Oriol Servia will join the team full-time for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

Oriol Servia pictured while with Newman Hass Racing in 2011 Credit: LAT Photo USA/IZOD IndyCar Series

Servia, a native of Catalonia, Spain, will be joining the Indianapolis-based squad for the first time. The Spaniard is coming off of an impressive 2011 season in which he qualified third for the 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, recorded eleven top-10 finishes, was one of three drivers to be running at the finish in all 17 races, led all drivers in laps completed (2,103 of 2,011) and was the only driver to finish in the top-10 in the first five races of the season. As a result, Servia finished 4th in the overall IZOD IndyCar Series championship.

"With a new engine, new chassis and a revamped engineering department, we believe it is crucial to have a highly talented veteran driver to be able to develop these new components. Oriol has always been a smart driver and has always put himself and his team in a position to win races. We are going to have to be well prepared to take advantage of his abilities and we look forward to the challenge," commented Dennis Reinbold, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Co-Owner.

The veteran driver not only brings a wealth of experience to the table, but many accolades as well. His success in open-wheel racing includes a runner-up finish in the 2005 Champ Car World Series point standings as well as winning the 1999 Indy Lights championship, where he finished second in five races and earned three pole positions. Servia also gave Dale Coyne Racing its first podium finish since 1996 with a third-place run at Laguna Seca in 2004.

"I couldn't be more excited, for many reasons. DRR is a team that I raced against since 2008 and they've always shown to be very professional at the racetrack. Although I knew the owners, I didn't know them very well, to be honest. Before signing with the team, like everybody else, I did my research and I couldn't find one individual that didn't speak highly of Dennis or Robbie, which gave me a lot of confidence. I went to the team's sponsor summit last week and met all of their partners that they have been involved with for many, many years, which was another clear sign that they are good people," commented Servia.

The Spaniard is eager to begin pre-season testing and debut the new DW12 at the first event in St. Petersburg. "I started on the front row for the Indianapolis 500 and I want to improve on that. I'm at the best point in my career and it was very important to partner with the right team. When I visited the DRR facility in Indianapolis, I couldn't have been more impressed. We are starting with a new engine and chassis, and I have confidence in Lotus and our ability to develop a quality product in 2012. When you have everyone pulling in the same direction like we are now is when we can accomplish our goals," continued Servia.

Feeling the same enthusiasm as the rest is co-owner Robbie Buhl. "I think that Oriol can be a real asset to us and with the development with our partnership with Lotus and the DW12. His experience throughout his career will be pivotal in how we develop the new car and new motor. He had a fantastic season last year with Newman Haas and we are excited to have him as a part of our team going forward," said Buhl.

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