Allmendinger Replaced by Rice for Mexico City
October 26, 2006

From SpeedTV.com:

Despite being groomed for a Champ Car ride, Buddy Rice never got the opportunity to race in that series after winning the Toyota Atlantic title.

But, next month in Mexico City, he'll finally get a shot.

SPEED has learned that the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner has been tabbed by Gerry Forsythe to replace A.J. Allmendinger in the Champ Car season finale Nov. 12 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Allmendinger announced earlier this week he was leaving Champ Car for NASCAR next year and Forsythe decided to look for the future.

"We've got to think about '07 and this will be a good audition for Buddy," said Forsythe, who called Allmendinger on Thursday morning to inform the five-time winner his services were no longer required.

"I just assumed he (Rice) was under contract but I found out he wasn't and called him up. He said he'd love to drive for us because he had nothing signed and he wanted to get back in a competitive situation.

"We'll test him next week and we might also run a third car for Michel Jourdain."

Rice was understably stoked to get one of the primo seats in Champ Car.

"I just changed phones so this strange number comes up Wednesday morning and I don't answer it but then I play the message and it's Gerry Forsythe and I'm like 'Holy S...' I knew what it was about instantly," said the 30-year-old veteran who was released after three years with Rahal Letterman Racing.

"I've been telling my wife that if we're patient something good is going to happen, and this is huge. It's a golden opportunity and I am really excited."

Other than one test and some false promises, Rice never got a sniff in CART.

"I think people know that Champ Car was where I thought my career would take me after I won the Atlantic championship (in 2000) but other than a test with Ganassi, nothing ever materialized," he continued. "But this is a great way to end this frustrating year."

Rice nearly won his Indy Racing League debut in 2002 before replacing the injured Kenny Brack for Rahal Letterman in 2004. He scored three victories, won five poles, led 342 laps and finished third in the point standings that season.

But the past two years have been dismal with only a trio of top fives and 30 laps led as Rahal Letterman floundered.

"I haven't forgotten how to drive and this is a great opportunity," said Rice, who helped develop the G Force chassis. "I think we're both looking at this as a tryout and I'd like nothing better than to run that new Champ Car next year."

Besides giving Rice a long-awaited chance, this also means Champ Car will have an American in the starting lineup since Allmendinger was the lone Yank this season.

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