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Alex Barron, the 27-year-old Californian who won the 1997 KOOL/ToyotaAtlantic Championship, has been signed to drive for Dan Gurney's AllAmerican Racers (AAR) team for the 1998 FedEx Championship Seriesseason. Barron will fill the seat vacated by the recently retiredJuan Manuel Fangio II to team with PJ Jones as part of a two-carentry.
The decision to go with Barron was reached following a four-day testsession at Firebird International Raceway last week. Barron and Joneswill campaign Toyota-powered Reynards on Goodyear tires for the 1998FedEx Championship Series.
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| Alex Barron testing, spotted last week at Firebird |
"I was hoping to find a young American driver who would be able togrow with our team as we continue our development efforts," Gurneysaid. "I think Alex will be great!"
Barron made the move from karting to professional auto racing in 1996competing in the Formula Ford 2000 series. Lynx Racing quicklysnatched him up and gave him the opportunity to compete in the 1997KOOL/Toyota Atlantic Series. Barron wrapped up the championshipbefore the season finale even started, finishing the season with fivevictories, four poles, posting the fastest race lap at six events anda total of nine podium finishes.
"I've admired Dan Gurney for a long time and to be given theopportunity to drive for such a legend is a real honor," Barron said."It's been a dream of mine since I was a young boy to drive in thisseries and now my dream is about to come true. I'm looking forward toworking with the team and to be involved with Toyota's enginedevelopment program."
Text Source: CART News Service