Tagliani to run NASCAR Series in 2014 (2nd Update)
02/07/14
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| No more IndyCar for Tagliani? Moving to NASCAR where he will earn a salary to drive rather than be part of the ride-buying cancer killing open wheel racing. |
This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Alex Tagliani is back in NASCAR. It is not in the NASCAR Nationwide Series like most would assume. Instead, he will be going full-time racing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCAT).
Tagliani, 40, will be driving for DJK Racing in 2014 in the No. 18, which is owned by 2010 and 2012 NCAT champion, D.J. Kennington. Kennington, a former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, will continue to drive his No. 17 Dodge sponsored by Castrol, but will have an increased role as a team owner.
The team has also signed Andrew Ranger to drive the No. 28 Dodge in 2014 with sponsorship from Mopar. Ranger was unable to run full-time in 2013 due to sponsorship issues, but finished third in points in 2012. He won the 2009 NCATS title with Dave Jacombs Racing. However, Ranger has also made an impression in America, winning one ARCA Series race each year since 2011, each of which have come at road courses. Ranger, 27, has made 17 Nationwide Series starts, including a top-five finish in 2009 at Montreal, and made his Sprint Cup Series debut at Watkins Glen for FAS Lane Racing in 2011.
With this three car team, there will be much attention focused on Tagliani. Tagliani will be sponsored by Pfizer’s “Team EpiPen" in 2014, and will likely be a contender for a top-five finish in the points standings, if not the championship.
Throughout his career, Tagliani has tallied 201 starts in the IndyCar Series (formerly the Champ Car World Series), nine starts in the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship, 16 NCAT starts and four starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Throughout his racing ventures, Tagliani has spent the majority of his career in the IndyCar Series.
Tagliani won the pole award for the 2011 Indianapolis 500 with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, but wrecked 47 laps past the midway point of the race. In 2012, Tagliani moved over to Bryan Herta Autosport (Barracuda Racing), but did not find much success with the organization. He was released from the organization after the double-header in Toronto last season, and could not find a ride until the last race of the year at the Auto Club Speedway. After Dario Franchitti suffered career-ending injuries at Houston, Tagliani was tabbed to drive the No. 10 car for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. He ran exceptionally well in the event, but wrecked with 41 laps remaining.
Now, Tagliani is going to go NASCAR racing. He was considered one of the top candidates to replace Franchitti for the 2014 season, but that ride ultimately went to Tony Kanaan who was originally slated for the No. 8 car with the team (which will now be driven by Ryan Briscoe). Tagliani was unable to piece together a sponsorship package for one of the few IndyCar Series teams that has any openings for the 2014 season, leaving his options wide open.
He might not be running for Team Penske like he once did in 2011. However, he is going to be contending for wins, something he has not done since 2005 when he drove for Team Australia.
There has been no word about whether or not he will attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 in May, but it will be difficult for him to do as the Canadian Tire Series season begins on May 18 at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, which is a day after pole day at Indianapolis (for now). However, it appears as if IndyCar will be holding all of qualifying on Sunday according to multiple sources, making it vitally impossible for Tagliani to make the race.
Tagliani will be at the Canadian Motorsports Expo in Toronto on Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. E.T. to announce his new deal, and will be accompanied by Alex Nagy, Director of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
02/01/14 With Barracuda Racing looking for a new direction in 2014, Alex Tagliani was left without a ride and with only a month left before the 2014 IndyCar Series season, the Quebec native has yet to secure a ride.
Toronto Sun reporter Dean McNulty reported earlier this week that Tagliani will have a change in scenery for next year – racing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series for D.J. Kennington’s team DJK Racing.
Tagliani is expected to make the news official next Friday on February 7th at the 2014 Canadian Motorsports Expo. The CME at Toronto, Ontario’s International Center serves as the kick-off to the 2014 Canadian racing season.
Taking place from February 7th to February 9th, the show captivates the entire motorsports landscape into one weekend, from drag racing to NASCAR to short track action. With Ryan Newman appearing on February 8th and Mike Skinner & Richard Petty appearing on February 9th, this show promises to be the best yet.
Tagliani made 13 starts last year for Barracuda Racing, scoring a best finish of 10th twice. He has made 16 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series starts over the years, scoring a win in 2008 in Edmonton.