Ray

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former IRL champion Greg Ray has signed a contract to drive for A.J. Foyt Racing, beginning with the Indianapolis 500.

Ray, who has five career wins and earned the IRL title in 1999, was dismissed last August after nearly three years with Team Menard. Owner John Menard called it a case of bad chemistry.

Ray made a deal last fall to drive for Kelley Racing and did most of the team's winter testing before Kelley decided, just before the start of the 2002 season, to let Ray go in favor of two-time Indy winner Al Unser Jr.

The 35-year-old Ray, like Foyt, a Texan, replaces the injured Eliseo Salazar in Foyt's No. 11 Chevrolet-powered Dallara. Salazar, who drove in the first three races this season, is out indefinitely after suffering a torn artery in his chest in a crash April 16 during a test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Three of Ray's 44 career IRL starts came in Foyt's cars -- two in 1998 and one last season.

"When I drove for A.J. before, I really enjoyed working with him and the team," Ray said. "Over the last 10 years, I've spent a lot of time hanging out with the guys on Foyt's team with the Texas connection they really feel like my extended family.

"I always raced against him at Indy, so teaming up with A.J. there will be a special experience for me. Our personalities match extremely well, so I'm sure that's worth a couple tenths (of a second)."

Foyt, a four-time Indy winner, is looking forward to again working with Ray.

"He is a talented driver, he's a great spokesperson, but what I like about him most is that he knows how to get a car to the front," Foyt said. "That's what I'm looking for."

Ray will join Airton Dare in the Foyt lineup at Indy.

Salazar continues to make a strong recovery from surgery.

"It was terrible that Eliseo got hurt," Foyt said. "I know Eliseo is upset that he's missing out on Indy and a good part of the year, but at least he came through the surgery well.

"The doctors don't think he'll be back before next year, but Eliseo is determined to get back ahead of schedule, so we'll just have to wait and see. I promised I'd have a car for him if he does."