Faces In New Places: A Recap of Off-Season Moves(Con't)

Moraes to KV Racing Technology

Coming off of a rookie season with Conquest Racing that produced three top-10 finishes and three laps led at the Indianapolis 500, Mario Moraes will be behind the wheel of a KV Racing Technology entry in 2009.
“I want to thank Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for this opportunity,” Moraes said.

“I think KV Racing Technology provides me with the best opportunity to develop as a driver and advance my racing career. I am really looking forward to working with the entire KVRT organization in 2009.”

The 20-year-old driver began his career racing go-karts in his native Brazil. In 2004, after only three years racing go-karts, Moraes began driving F3 cars, showing great promise in his young career. He spent 2007 as a competitor in the British F3 International Series before joining the IndyCar Series in 2008 as a 19-year-old rookie with Dale Coyne Racing.

His efforts placed him sixth in the 2008 Bombardier Learjet Rookie of the Year standings, and provided a solid foundation of experience heading into 2009.

Milka Duno to Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing

Coming off of her second season of competition in the IndyCar Series, Milka Duno begins 2009 testing with open-wheel racing veterans Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. Driving in 11 races for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing last year, Duno became the first Latina to ever lead an IndyCar Series race, leading five laps at Chicagoland Speedway. 2009 provides time for further improvement as she competes with one of the most experienced teams in open-wheel history.

“It’s a good opportunity for me to test with this championship team,” Duno said, after completing her first laps in the Newman/Haas/Lanigan car during the February Open Test at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “It’s always a driver’s dream to be with a good team. I learned a lot with Robbie Buhl and everyone at Dreyer & Reinbold (Racing) last year and I’ll miss talking with them every day. The plan is to do the whole championship (season). It’s now up to me to do a good job. They know how to win a race. When you work hard and have the right conditions, good things will come.”

Wilson to Dale Coyne Racing

After an impressive 2008 rookie season in the IndyCar Series driving for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing that included a win at Belle Isle and a runner-up finish in the rookie of the year standings, Justin Wilson returns in 2009 driving the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing entry.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there and showing what I can do,” Wilson said during the February Open Test at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “It’s a long, hard road ahead. We’ve got lots to learn, a new engineer for me. It’s just a lot of things to work on, whereas a lot of the others teams are further ahead. It’s just the way it is, and we’ll keep our heads down, keep working on it and get faster. Hopefully on the road courses we can get close to the front, and we’ll see where that takes us. The best thing about Dale Coyne Racing is Dale’s a racer. He understands it all, and that’s a big asset in this kind of racing.”

Meira to Foyt

Vitor Meira’s move to A.J. Foyt Racing during the offseason matches one of the most experienced active drivers in the IndyCar Series with perhaps the most legendary team owner in open-wheel racing history.

"I am definitely going into 2009 with a little extra motivation," said Meira, who competed for Panther Racing the past three seasons. "I have raced against the team for many years and have heard cool things about them. Many people would give an arm and a leg just to meet A.J. (Foyt) and I am getting to work with him."

In 17 starts in 2008, Meira recorded seven top-10 finishes with a best finish of second in the 92nd Indianapolis 500. Overall, Meira has 56 top-10s and 27 top-fives in 93 starts with three teams and is looking for that first victory. The move replaces Darren Manning at A.J. Foyt Racing, who had seven top-10s with a high of second at Watkins Glen in 2008.