IRL: Phoenix: Paul Dana preview

Paul Dana and Team Ethanol set for second IRL race in Phoenix

Indianapolis (March 15, 2005) -- Paul Dana, driving for Team Ethanol, is preparing for the second leg of the 17-race Indy Racing League IndyCar Series. Dana will be behind the wheel of the No.91 Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing Dallara/Firestone powered by Toyota for the XM Satellite Radio 200 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday, March 19.

Dana survived his first start in the IRL IndyCar Series last week to bring home a top-10 finish in the Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He was the highest-finishing rookie. A late start to this year's program and a lack of development miles meant the team started second from last. However, Dana kept out of trouble during the 200-lap contest and avoided a large accident that eliminated several competitors.

"I`m looking forward to racing at Phoenix and I love the track because of the one-mile oval.," Dana said. "This is one of the more rewarding tracks to do well at because of it's so tight and you really have to drive the car at both ends. Unlike Homestead, we have tested at Phoenix and we believe we will be closer to the game this time out."

Last season in the Menards Infiniti Pro Series Dana finished 5th at Phoenix and earned the Pace Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars.

Dana is driving for team owner Ron Hemelgarn, whose cars won the 2000 IndyCar Series and 1996 Indianapolis 500. Hemelgarn was one of the founding team owners in the IRL and returns full time to the IndyCar Series after sitting out most of last season.

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