From: Michael Powell 

KANAAN, WHELDON RETURN TO ANDRETTI GREEN FOR 2004

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 – Andretti Green Racing has announced
the extension of its agreements with IRL IndyCar Series drivers Tony Kanaan
and Dan Wheldon for the 2004 season. 

Kanaan receives a four-year extension to his current contract to continue
driving the No.11 Team 7-Eleven Dallara/Honda/ Firestone entry. He
initially signed a two-year contract with the team in September 2002. The
extension secures Kanaan’s services through the 2008 IndyCar Series season.

“In 2002, Michael (Andretti) showed a lot of faith in my potential when he
asked me to driver for his team, even though I hadn’t had as good a year as
I would have liked,” said Kanaan. “I hope I gave him everything he
expected. I feel very, very good about what we accomplished together in
just one year.”

Kanaan gave Andretti Green Racing its first victory in the IndyCar Series
at the Purex Dial 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. He also earned nine
top-five finishes in 2003 to place fourth in the IndyCar Series driver
point standings. Kanaan stood atop the point standings for six consecutive
weeks following his third-place finish in the 87th Indianapolis 500 and was
in position to win the IndyCar Series championship until suffering a cut
tire with 21 laps remaining in the series finale at Texas Motor Speedway.

“I’m very happy to announce that we’ve extended Tony Kanaan’s contract
through the 2008 season,” said Michael Andretti, owner and CEO of Andretti
Green Racing. “Tony Kanaan is the kind of guy that a lot of people would
want driving for them. Every time he is in the car he stands on the gas and
gives it 100 percent. That is the type of guy we want helping to lead
Andretti Green Racing. Tony loves being on this team and we’re really happy
to extend his contract. He’s going to be a big part of the future of this
team.”

Wheldon will continue driving the No.26 Klein Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda/
Firestone entry. He scored five top-five finishes in 2003 en route to
winning the $50,000 Bombardier Rookie of the Year award.

“We laid a lot of expectations on Dan when he came to Andretti Green
Racing,” Andretti said. “It was gratifying to see him excel and achieve so
much in 2003. Winning another Rookie of the Year title was important to him
and now he’s focused on contending for the series championship.”

Wheldon has captured four consecutive Rookie of the Year titles, including
this year’s IndyCar Series honor. He earned both the U.S. F2000 Series
Championship and Rookie of the Year in 1999, the CART Toyota Atlantic
Rookie of the Year in 2000 and the Dayton Indy Lights Rookie of the Year in
2001.

“I’m very excited to continue with Andretti Green Racing,” said Wheldon.
“This season was a great opportunity for me and I’m very proud of what the
entire Klein Tools/Jim Beam team has accomplished. My rookie year was very
challenging, but we made the most of our opportunities.”

Wheldon, a 25-year old native of Emberton, England, is also a nominee for
two additional honors, the autosport.com ‘Rookie of the Year’ award and the
Autosport magazine ‘British Competition Driver of the Year’ award.

In addition to renewing the contracts of Kanaan and Wheldon, AGR officials
have previously announced that 7-Eleven Inc. was returning as the sponsor
of the team’s No. 11 Team 7-Eleven Dallara/Honda/Firestone and that Klein
Tools and Jim Beam was returning as co-sponsors of the team’s No. 26 Klein
Tools/Jim Beam Dallara/Honda/ Firestone.

The 2004 IRL IndyCar Series season begins with the Toyota Indy 300 on Feb.
29, 2004 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race will be broadcast live on
ESPN. The Menards Infiniti Pro Series season begins Feb. 29, 2004 with the
Homestead-Miami 100 at HMS. 



--- Internet Rex 2.29