A1 Team USA backs Rice entry.

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing has confirmed that a partnership with A1 Team USA owner Rick Weidinger to support the #15 entry of former race winner Buddy Rice in the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500.

The car will be known as the A1 Team USA/Dreyer & Reinbold Honda throughout the month of May, after Weidinger agreed to extend a relationship with Dreyer & Reinbold that began at the 2006 Indy 500.

"We are excited to return to the Indianapolis 500 as a co-entrant with the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team," Weidinger said, "The 500 is the greatest spectacle in motorsports and most famous auto race in the world and we feel privileged to have another former winner in Buddy Rice as our team's driver. Rice is one of America's top open-wheel drivers with a vast background in road racing also. Buddy will carry the American spirit of the A1 TEAM USA and the international appeal of A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport."

Rice is set for his fourth appearance at the Brickyard, having dominated the 2004 event by winning the pole, leading the most laps and taking the chequered flag after a come-from-behind recovery with Rahal Letterman Racing.

"It is tremendous to bring Rick and the A1 Team USA effort to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing for this month," the 31-year old said, "I believe we have a strong, professional operation that can make the #15 car a contender on 27 May. Having won the world's biggest race in the past, we have the opportunity to race for the win with the A1 Team USA/Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry. I am very excited about our effort."

Dreyer & Reinbold's second entry, driven by Sarah Fisher, will also carry A1 Team USA logos alongside its regular AAMCO Transmissions backing.

"Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is extremely pleased to have Rick Weidinger and his A1 Team USA organisation return to the Indy 500 with our #15 car and former Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice," said co-owner Dennis Reinbold, "Rick and A1 Team USA came to Indy last year with our organisation and we had a great relationship during the month. It is fantastic to have his operation part of Buddy's #15 in 2007. We hope to give Buddy a chance to win his second Indy 500."

Weidinger is no stranger to open-wheel racing in the US, having been a co-owner with Kelley Racing in the 2004 IndyCar Series. His involvement there also included ownership on Fisher's car.