IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship racer, and part of Cadillac’s recent Rolex 24 at Daytona winning squad, Ricky Taylor, took part in a first Verizon IndyCar Series test session in Simon Pagenaud’s #1 Team Penske machine.
Taylor, who partnered brother Jordan, Max Angelelli and Jeff Gordon to victory at Daytona last month, took to the track around the road course at the Homestead-Miami Speedway with IndyCar heavyweights Penske, and admitted he was overjoyed to have the opportunity to drive the Dallara-Chevrolet.
“It can’t hurt,” said Taylor, when asked whether the test could lead to something more. “Every driver dreams to be an Indy car driver. It can’t hurt to be involved with (Team Penske); there are no negatives to that.
“To get to know all the guys and get to drive the car and get an actual feel for it in a low-pressure environment is a great opportunity for me. Even if it doesn’t lead to anything, it’s a big learning opportunity.”
Pagenaud, who took to the track ahead of Taylor in order to set up the car for the twenty-seven-year-old, said the American racer showed good pace and deserves to get an opportunity to race in the future.
“Ricky’s definitely shown that he deserves to drive Indy cars,” said Pagenaud. “When you get the call to test for Team Penske, it’s really cool.
“It’s a big honour for him and for us. He’s a super-nice guy and he’s been taking it all in. It’s a great opportunity for him.”
