Brits on Pole

Dan Wheldon, thought last season to be hoping for a switch to Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR program, has changed his mind and wants to stay in the IRL.

The Englishman, who won the last race at Iowa despite running in the spare car after a crash in practice, says the post-merger series is much more fun to compete in following the influx of ex-Champ Car drivers.

He is quoted in the Richmond Times-Despatch as saying: “Up until this year, I really did consider NASCAR and the reason I did is I’m a driver. I like to be on track and I like the fact they race so much.

“But with the merging together of both open-wheel series, the series is really fun to drive in right now. When you have more cars like that, it’s definitely fun to drive.”

He said the IRL’s plans to expand the schedule and allow more testing during the season were positive signs.

Wheldon is in the final year of his contract with Ganassi and says he has discussed an extension with the team: “I definitely think I will be in IndyCars for certainly the next three years after this one.”

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