Photo Credit: IndyCar
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports announced that Oriol Servia will be the driver of their third entry in next month’s 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motors Speedway. The Spaniard has driven in seven Indianapolis 500 previously with his best finish coming in 2011 when he finished sixth.
“I am very pleased to have this opportunity at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports,” he said. “This year’s Indianapolis 500, the 100th running, will be the most special in our era, maybe of all time, and I wanted to make sure I was in a team that can give me a program to contend for the win. I have no doubt that together with SPM and Honda, we will at least do that.”
Seriva will join Schmidt Peterson Motorsports full-time drivers James Hinchcliffe and Mikhail Aleshin for the Indy 500.
“We’ve competed against Oriol for several years now and have always looked for an opportunity to get him in our of our SPM entries,” said Sam Schmidt, co-owner of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. “He is a true professional and is highly respected within the motorsports community. Interestingly enough, we shared the front row with him in 2011 and know that he can get the job done for all our team partners.
SPM also announced that he’ll carry the No. 77, with sponsorship from Marotti Racing Honda. Marotti Racing was founded by Will Marotti, who plans to use his business start up and building skills to help the bolster the team. Marotti is a avid racing fan that hasn’t missed an Indianapolis 500 since 1969 and is a graduate from the Skip Barber Racing School.
“We are thankful and excited beyond measure to be able to participate in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 with a team of the quality and caliber of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports,” said Marotti. “This is the fulfillment of a 47-year-old personal dream and we hope just the first of many years that Marotti Racing will be in the paddock and part of the INDYCAR community.”
The 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 will be on May 29th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
