Roquin to field cars in Infiniti Pro Series.

Established open-wheel team Roquin Motorsports will field two cars in the 2002 Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series, the first confirmed multi-car effort for the new development series.

Owned by Roberto Quintanilla and his sons, Rolando, Roberto Jr. and Rodrigo, Indianapolis-based Roquin Motorsports is seeking potential drivers to test for its two Infiniti Pro Series entries.

"Roquin Motorsports is fully devoted to the Infiniti Pro Series for the 2002 and 2003 seasons with the goal of competing in the Indy Racing League in future years," Rolando Quintanilla said. "The support that we've received from Tony George and Roger Bailey is what convinced us to commit to the Infiniti Pro Series. We feel that in the long run the series provides the best opportunity for our team and the best target market for our sponsors."

Roberto Quintanilla, an accomplished businessman in his native Mexico and a veteran motorsports competitor, formed Roquin Motorsports in 1988. The team enjoyed success in Super Vee, Formula 2000 and Indy Lights competition, fielding entries for drivers such as Roberto and Rolando Quintanilla, Guillermo Rojas, Piero Rodarte and Luis Diaz.

"I'm exceptionally pleased to welcome Roquin Motorsports into the Infiniti Pro Series," said Roger Bailey, executive director of the Infiniti Pro Series. "The Quintanillas have been strong proponents of support-series programs for the last 20 years, and I am delighted that they have chosen the Infiniti Pro Series to continue that tradition."

The inaugural season of the new development series will begin July 7 at Kansas Speedway and culminate with the Sept. 14 season finale at Texas Motor Speedway. Nashville Superspeedway, Michigan International Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Gateway International Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway also will play host to Infiniti Pro Series events in 2002.

The 100-mile Infiniti Pro Series "sprints" will take place at the same track and on the same day as Indy Racing League events except for the Texas race, which will take place the day before the IRL's season-ending Chevy 500.

The Infiniti Pro Series serves as an essential stepping-stone for drivers striving to reach the pinnacle of open-wheel, oval-track racing in America, the Indy Racing League.

Infiniti Q45 engines will power new Dallara Automobili chassis built for the series, with Firestone Firehawk tires used exclusively on all cars. The V8 engines will produce approximately 450 horsepower for the single-seat winged chassis, providing an ideal training ground for the 650-horsepower, single-seat winged cars of the Indy Racing League.