Rice not sure about IRL ride

UPDATE #2 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' as Rice knows darn well he will be driving for Dreyer & Reinbold, his only option. According to this SPEEDTV.com article, The 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner will drive the Dreyer & Reinbold entry in the Indy Racing League and it will be officially announced Tuesday at Daytona Beach where the IRL is testing.

“Some people might look at this as a step backwards but I know it’s a couple steps forward from where I was last year," said Rice, who spent three seasons with Rahal Letterman before being released with one year left on his contract. “Dennis (Reinbold) and Robbie (Buhl) have never had two full-time engineers like JD (John Dick) and Chris (Finch), plus a shock guy, and they bring a lot of credibility to the team. They’re very good and that’s one of the main reasons I’m taking this ride."

01/30/07 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing officials will participate in an IndyCar Series teleconference today to make a team announcement.

01/28/07 Contrary to popular opinion, Buddy Rice said he has not yet agreed to an Indy-car contract with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. "I still have a lot of options," he said prior to Saturday's race. Rice said he might sign in time to participate in Wednesday's test. D&R has entered a car. "A lot should happen in the next couple of days," he said. Rice, the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner, said his only option in the IRL is D&R. "But the IRL is not my only option," he said. "Not by a long shot." Indy Star