Schmidt returns to IRL for Indy.

Reigning Menards Infiniti Pro Series team Sam Schmidt Motorsports will continue with their annual assault on the Indianapolis 500 in 2005 after announcing a Chevrolet powered Panoz entry for veteran Richie Hearn.

Securing valuable sponsorship from traditional Indianapolis sponsors Meijer and IRL newcomers Coca Cola, Schmidt has been able to reunite the driver/team combo that finished 6th in the 2002 Indy 500.

Thirty-four year-old Hearn, who will be attempting to make his sixth Indy 500 start, will drive what is the only Panoz-Chevrolet currently entered for the 89th edition of 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.'

Although this will be the fourth consecutive year Schmidt and Hearn have teamed for the 500, Schmidt emphasised an important difference.

"In the past our programme has come together very late, with limited practice time and sponsorship," the owner said. "Now, we have strong support from Meijer and Coca-Cola, and that has allowed us to put together a very solid effort. We have the funding to be on the track all month, and we'll work hard to qualify and race competitively.

"I think it's fair to say our team has shown in the Pro Series, and also at Indy, that we can get the job done. Richie has done the same. The Meijer/Coca-Cola sponsorship gives us our best opportunity so far to do well at Indy."

Hearn, who like Schmidt resides in Nevada, has a victory and two poles in the IndyCar Series.

"It gives me a lot of confidence to know that, thanks to Meijer and Coca-Cola, we'll be ready to go on the first day of practice," Hearn said. "That's even more important this year because the new schedule has only four days of practice before pole qualifying. I have to thank Sam, because he's put together the strongest combination of sponsor-chassis-engine we've ever had."

Michael Crawford is general manager for Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Chris Griffis will be Hearn's chief mechanic and Tim Neff will be his engineer.