Battistini to test, drive for Conquest?

UPDATE #2 Conquest Racing announced today what we told you a week ago – that Dillon Battistini will join the team as the driver of the #34 car this weekend at Kentucky Speedway for the Kentucky Indy 300, the penultimate round of the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series Season. The rookie driver, coached by the Conquest Racing crew, successfully completed his rookie orientation test last weekend at the same track and is now ready to make his debut alongside the stars of series.

Battistini: "I thoroughly enjoyed being back at the wheel of an IndyCar for my rookie oval test last Friday. It felt great to get up to speed after being on the sidelines for so long. I'm relishing the opportunity to make an impression on the IndyCar stage at Kentucky Speedway this weekend, and can't express enough gratitude to my various backers and also to Eric Bachelart at Conquest Racing for doing everything possible to turn my long-held dream of racing an IndyCar into a reality."

09/20/11 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Conquest Racing has signed Dillon Battistini to drive its No. 34 IndyCar entry for the INDY 300 at Kentucky Speedway on the 2nd October 2011.

The Englishman contested a full season of Indy Lights in 2008 for Panther Racing, he caused a sensation when he won his first oval race at Miami Homestead and went on to win the most races of any driver in the Indy Lights Series in 2008, including the prestigious Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis 500 weekend. He won and tested Panther Racings Indy Car at Kentucky as well that year.

Battistini has made sporadic Indy Lights appearances since including driving for Brian Herta Autosport whilst pursuing opportunities to make his Indy Car race debut.

Battistini, who has been working toward a full Indy Car program is hopeful this will be a platform for next year and delighted to be called up by Eric Bachelart the Team Principal at Conquest Racing.

The Team will complete a test at Kentucky on Friday 23d September to help Battistini prepare for the Race Weekend on 1st and 2nd October.

09/19/11 With Conquest Racing's No. 34 seat open for the last two IndyCar races, former Indy Lights oval star Dillon Battistini may be in line to debut following a test Sept. 23 at Kentucky Speedway.

The 33-year-old Englishman contested a full season of Indy Lights in 2008 for Panther Racing and won four races, all on ovals, including the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis. He won at Kentucky as well that year.

Battistini has made sporadic Indy Lights appearances since, while trying to pursue the funding to make his IndyCar race debut. More at Racer.com