Fittipaldi Rejoins Cheever Racing

Christian Fittipaldi returns to Cheever Racing this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to co-drive the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Pontiac Coyote Daytona Prototype after stints with the team in 2006 and 2007.

Fittipaldi, who is making his first Rolex Series appearance of the season, is scheduled to drive the remainder of the 2008 season with Cheever Racing.

"It's rare that a driver of Christian's caliber becomes available mid-season," said team manager Dave Meehan. "Although Tom Kimber-Smith has done a fine job, in the best interest of the team, we felt that a driver with more experience in our series could deliver the best results for the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Race Team."

Fittipaldi is excited about his return.

"I am happy to be back with Cheever Racing and the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 Race Team, and especially look forward to driving again with Antonio (Garcia)," Fittipaldi said. "We get along very well and I admire his skill as a driver. This combination has great potential."

Fittipaldi joins recent 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner Garcia as the team prepares for back-to-back races in Montreal and Watkins Glen International. The pair last drove together at last year's Montreal and Watkins Glen II races, delivering the best results of the year for Cheever Racing (a fourth at Montreal and seventh at Watkins Glen.)

"It is good to have Christian back on the Crown Royal Cask No. 16 team," Garcia said. "At the end of last year, he was the one introducing me to the Grand-Am style of road course racing and the ins-and-outs of Cheever Racing. I'll always thank him for that and look forward to his return." Cheever Racing PR