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©1999 SpeedCenter Publishing Walker Racing, one of only 7 winning CART FedEx Championship Series teams last year, announced that Japanese driver Shinji Nakano has been named to pilot the team's Honda-powered Reynard Champ Car next season. Team owner Derrick Walker said: "Shinji has successful experience in Formula One and other powerful open-wheel road-racing series. We're pleased that he's onboard with us and welcome him to CART. Our first priority now is to help him adapt to Champ Cars and CART's unique brand of high-speed oval racing." The team begins testing in mid-December. Nakano, 28, spent 1999 as a test and development driver for winning Formula One team Jordan Grand Prix, powered by the Mugen Honda engine. Prior to that, he worked with the Prost and Minardi Formula One teams. He has scored Formula One points in Australia, Canada and Hungary. Nakano is a native of Osaka and lives in Tokyo and Indianapolis. Walker also announced that the team was returning to competition with the Honda powerplant for the 4th consecutive year. "Our goal is to be as successful as possible in this very competitive environment. Honda's consistency, technical support and design superiority have won the last 4 CART championships," said Walker. "This choice was easy." Walker Racing of Indianapolis won one race (Portland, Ore.) and two pole positions (Motegi, Japan and Toronto, Canada) in the 1999 season. Walker's resume includes 5 Indy 500 wins, 33 CART victories, 5 CART championships and 5 Formula One victories. The team was founded in 1990. The 20-race 2000 CART season begins March 26 in Homestead (Miami), Fla.
Nationality: Japanese
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