Australian driver Ryan Briscoe aims to use his one-off IndyCar drive in the Indianapolis 500 to force his way back into the series.
Briscoe, who started last year’s race on pole position and finished fifth, believes he can win the iconic American race on May 26 despite it being his first start in the championship this year.
The Sydney racer was dropped from Team Penske last year due to sponsorship problems but was offered a start in the Indy 500 by Chip Ganassi Racing, with whom he first raced in IndyCar in 2005.
Briscoe has a good record at the Indianapolis 500, finishing 10th at his first start that year and fifth twice.
But this year he is confident of doing better.
“Yes, I can win the Indianapolis 500,” Briscoe told indy500.com. “Why not? I absolutely believe I can win it this year.
“There is no other reason to bring this deal together than to go out and win the race. I certainly feel like we’ve got the tools, and we can make it happen.”
He dismissed the fact that he has been racing in the American Le Mans series this year and has had no running in open-wheelers.
“If you look at it, I’m not down on experience,” Briscoe said.
“Testing has been cut to a minimum this year. My last oval experience was last season, which is the same as 80 per cent of the field.
“I’m going in without a disadvantage and with the team to be with. There is no reason we shouldn’t be strong.”
Briscoe will drive the No.8 Dallara/Honda alongside teammates and former Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon of New Zealand and Scotland’s Dario Franchitti, the defending champion and triple titleholder.
The Australian said that after heading qualifying last year, he was well-prepared to target pole position again.
“I think we can contend for the pole. I don’t see why not. We should be fast, and that is what we will try to do,” Briscoe said.
“I learned a lot last year. It’s the first year with this car, and it’s the same car and engine from last year.
“It was a big learning curve, and certainly I’ll carry everything over and try to build on that.”
