Tags provided Conquest's best result in 2008 with a 4th in Australia. (tagliani.com)

Written by: Indycar.com
04/01/2009 – 12:46 PM
Indianapolis, IN

Conquest Racing has signed a partnership agreement with Northlands that will see the Edmonton-based organization and one of its signature events, the Rexall Edmonton Indy, become the primary sponsor of the No. 34 Conquest Racing car for this weekend’s season-opening Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with Canadian Alex Tagliani behind the wheel.

While coming in at the last minute is not the ideal scenario, Tagliani proved last season when he joined Conquest Racing in Detroit that he was up to the task. He replaced the injured Enrique Bernoldi on the temporary street course and also closed the season on the Chicagoland Speedway oval (advancing seven positions to finish 12th). In the non-points race in October in Surfers Paradise, Australia, Tagliani gave the team a season-high fourth-place finish.

Despite not having accumulated any testing miles during the off-season, Tagliani couldn’t be happier to find himself behind the wheel of the Conquest car again.

“It’s great to be going to the first race of the season,” he said. “Of course, a big thank you goes out to Northlands

for believing in and supporting our program, which once finalized with other players will reinforce Edmonton, Alberta’s ties with racing. Northlands has put together a very successful race in Edmonton, and as a Canadian I’m honored to be able to help them promote their event and city, and what better way to do it than using the perfect plateau that is the IndyCar Series.

“It’s been a pretty crazy winter and I’m happy to be getting back behind the wheel of a race car this weekend. I had an excellent experience with the team last year and I’m looking forward to continue what we started last season.”

The Rexall Edmonton Indy is July 24-26 – the second visit of the IndyCar Series to the temporary airport circuit.

“Northlands is thrilled to be riding in the passenger seat beside Alex Tagliani as we kick off the 2009 IndyCar Series,” said Ken Knowles, Northlands president. “As one of Canada’s most successful open-wheel drivers, we know that Alex and Conquest Racing will be a force to be reckoned with and an exciting addition to the Rexall Edmonton Indy from July 24-26.”