Team USA, GEICO to back Unser Indy effort.

Al Unser Jr's return to the Indianapolis 500 will be supported by both A1 Team USA and GEICO, which both confirmed a tie-up with the American's #31 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Dallara-Honda overnight.

Unser's comeback after two years away attracted headlines of its own, but the arrival of Rick Weidinger's A1 Grand Prix effort adds further momentum to an entry that is already being billed as a head-to-head with fellow returnee Michael Andretti.

Weidinger first mooted the possibility of an Indy 500 entry during the second half of the A1GP season, but it was initially thought that it may be a self-run effort with a young American pilot at the wheel.

The now-familiar red, white and blue 'We the People' livery will be unveiled on 7 May and make its track debut when Indy practice begins two days later.

"What better way to highlight the United States' participation in the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, and Team USA itself, than with two of the most recognised names in American open-wheel racing - Unser and the Indianapolis 500," claimed Weidinger, who returns to the IRL after a spell as team owner in the series' early years, "The opportunity to showcase A1 Team USA at an American event like the 500 with an American driver like Al is unmatched in motorsports.

"We are also honoured by having GEICO, a company born in our nation's capital with a long history of serving government employees and the military, as a sponsor and team partner. Our hope is that Americans around the country and around the world embrace this US entry, not only in the Indy 500, but in the A1 Grand Prix, which begins its second season of races around the world this October."

Unser will be looking to add a third Indy victory to his tally, and a tenth for the Unser dynasty, when he makes his 18th start in the 500.

"The Indy 500 is my true love," he said of his return, "I have had some time off, as you know, and it has been great to enjoy my family, but I'm feeling really refreshed and anxious to get back out there and race.

"Being able to do that with an outfit like Dreyer & Reinbold, and carrying the banner for A1 Team USA with the support of GEICO, makes this a month I'm really looking forward to."

Unser will drive Dreyer & Reinbold's second entry at Indianapolis, alongside Buddy Lazier, who has run with the team since the start of the 2006 campaign.

"We were looking at the options for entering a second car and, honestly, we couldn't be more pleased with Rick's participation and how this programme has come together," co-owner Dennis Reinbold commented, "We are very proud to welcome the A1 Team USA's effort."