New IndyCar team for 2012

Michael Shank will return to his roots in 2012 when he brings Michael Shank Racing into the IZOD IndyCar Series.

SPEED.com is rumoring that the Ohio-based GRAND-AM team has purchased a 2012 Dallara chassis with the goal of fielding a full-time IndyCar Series program next season using Lotus-Judd engines.

After shifting to running sports cars in GRAND-AM, Shank has used open-wheel drivers during the annual Rolex 24 at Daytona race, with ex-Champ Car ace AJ Allmendinger and current IndyCar star Justin Wilson having driven for the team.

Speed reports that a formal announcement from the team is expected soon.