Justin Wilson will return to drive for Dale Coyne Racing this year, the team he drove for in 2009 and for whom he scored their first series win at Watkins Glen.  

Last year saw the team building-up their technical staff and these efforts will be further boosted this year by the return of respected engineer Bill Pappas and the hiring of former KV Racing Technical Director John Dick. Another coup for the team is the agreement to use the new and much sought after Honda turbo engines.  

IndyCar will be moving to 2.2liter turbo V6 engines this year, Honda has been IndyCar’s stalwart sole engine supplier since 2006 and many feel this experience may give them the edge over returning Chevrolet and new supplier Lotus.

Wilson was very optimistic about the reunion with his former team, engineer and continuing with Honda power, “I am really excited as to how all of this has come together. Dale is committed to win, and it shows by him bringing back my 2009 engineer Bill Papas, the level playing field of a new car and the much appreciated continuation with Honda engines should make 2012 a very exciting year for all of us.”

Designed at Honda Performance Development’s Santa Clarita, California, facility, the all-new Honda Indy V-6 engine is now being tested on the race track. Dale Coyne Racing joins Chip Ganassi Racing (winner of the last four IndyCar drivers' championships), A.J. Foyt Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Sam Schmidt Motorsports as Honda-powered teams in 2012.

“Dale has shown us he is putting together a winning team,” said Honda Performance Development President Erik Berkman.  “The Honda family has a long history with DCR and we look forward to having them as a valued partner in 2012.”

Coyne expects to confirm in February details regarding their second car entry, sponsor and driver and also acknowledged the teams efforts to take a step further up the grid this year, “We are very excited about 2012 and the team we are assembling. As to this opportunity, racing is a combination of things, team, dedication, the right equipment, and engineering and of course the driver.  This combination knows each other and this coupled with Honda and other improvements in our efforts for 2012 and beyond should make for a break out year for Dale Coyne Racing.”

Typically IndyCar’s much respected “underdog” team compared to the powerhouses that are Ganassi and Penske Racing, Coyne’s nous, savy and revamped team could be well poised to pull off a surprise or two this year much like they did back at the Glen in 2009 and will be worth keeping a close eye-on.