Manning, who last drove for Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 2005, returns to the series optimistic that he can make the team a contender on road courses and on the ovals by season’s end.
“I think top 10s are pretty realistic, ” Manning said. “Even on the superspeedways, once you’re in the top 10, you can see how close it is. The lap times are so close, probably. It’s just going to be closer than ever. “
Manning has already begun to develop a relationship with his car owner and engineer, spending much of the off-season with the team at its Waller, Texas-headquarters.
“Darren and A. J. and the engineer are already gelling pretty well, ” Larry Foyt said. “If we keep showing improvement, then that shows we’re headed into the right direction. “
A.J. FOYT RACING
Car number: 14
Chassis/engine/tire: Dallara/Honda/Firestone
Drivers: Darren Manning, 31, of North Yorkshire, England
Team director: Larry Foyt
Race engineer: Len Paskus
Chief mechanic: Pat Jordan
A.J. Foyt Racing 2006 IndyCar Series season (With Felipe Giaffone and Jeff Bucknum)
Starts 14
Victories 0
Top 5 1
Top 10 3
Poles 0
Laps led 0
Best start 7th (Homestead-Miami)
Best finish 5th (Watkins Glen)
Running at finish 8
Points rank n/a
Earnings n/a
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