Dillon Battistini Joins Bryan Herta Autosport for Season Finale

Topics:  Dillon Battistini, Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka 100

Andrew Herta
Bryan Herta Autosport
September 27, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 27, 2010) – Four-time Firestone Indy Lights race winner Dillon Battistini will team with Bryan Herta Autosport for the season-ending Fuzzy’s Ultra Premium Vodka 100 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 2. Battistini, a former winner on the 1.5-mile oval in his series debut two years ago, will pilot the #29 William Rast/Forsythe Solutions/NetApp entry.

“Homestead is an important race for us as we welcome back the support of Forsythe Solutions and the addition of NetApp alongside our partner William Rast,” said team co-owner Bryan Herta. “Dillon is an accomplished winner on the ovals and we are excited to have him join the team this weekend. Hopefully, this will be another step forward for him in reaching his goal of competing here full time next season.”

Battistini, of Ewell, England, finished sixth in the 2008 Indy Lights championship claiming a season-best four wins with victories at Indianapolis, Iowa and Kentucky in addition to Homestead for Panther Racing. He contested one race this year, finishing ninth at Chicagoland despite a brake problem on his Team PBIR [Palm Beach Indy Racing] entry. In 10 career oval starts, Battistini has qualified in the top four six times and was the pole sitter for the 2008 Freedom 100 at Indianapolis.

Prior to his U.S. racing debut, Battistini claimed the 2007 Asian Formula 3 Series championship.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to return to Homestead driving for Bryan Herta Autosport,” said Battistini. “I’m excited by the prospect of racing a truly competitive car for the first time in a while and look forward to helping the team achieve a strong result. Hopefully, I can participate full time in 2011.”

Battistini will be flying the BHA colors solo this weekend following Stefan Wilson’s crash at Kentucky on September 5. Wilson was collected in an early race incident when another driver spun. He was not injured but his #28 car was damaged beyond repair. It was a difficult weekend for the team as Daniel Herrington, driving the second BHA entry, was gathered in the accident as well. Herrington also was uninjured.

Saturday’s 67-lap race will start at 3:45 pm ET and is available at www.indycar.com.