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Tagliani accepts challenge in his hometown with Turner Motorsports

Nancy Knapp Schilke

Indy 500 festival parade: Alex Tagliani, Team Barracuda - BHA Honda

Indy 500 festival parade: Alex Tagliani, Team Barracuda - BHA Honda

Eric Gilbert

Alex Tagliani finished second in his home race last year, and would like to end up this time on the top podium step. The French-Canadian accepted the ride in the Turner Motorsports No. 30 Chevrolet for the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

As he prepares for his third Nationwide event on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Tagliani said, ”I really wanted to race here again, so when the opportunity presented itself with Turner Motorsports and we were no longer scheduled to be overseas, I was pretty excited.”

Having a competitive car to challenge for the win is all I can wish for.

Alex Tagliani

The NAPA Auto Parts 200 will take place on August 18, and if anything like the past years, it will be a great show for the fans. Last year, the summer rain added to the challenge. In the closing laps, the fans were on their feet to watch one of their local heroes take the victory. Alas, Tagliani ended second to Marcos Ambrose in what was a great battle to the checkered flag.

"I'm always proud to come back to Montreal and to be able to race on this fantastic road course named after one of my all-time racing heroes, Gilles Villeneuve. In Formula Atlantic, I won here from the pole and also had a pole in Indy Car. Montreal has been good to me to date and I'm hoping to better my race history here. Having a competitive car to challenge for the win is all I can wish for,” Tagliani said.

The French-Canadian enjoys just being behind the wheel of a racing machine – open wheel or closed cockpit and while his 2012 ride in IndyCar is selected events only, “Tag” as he is known, is free to take on other rides, which over the years he has including NASCAR, sports car endurance series, and the V8 Supercars Australia events.

In all of motor sports activities, life is like a circle where you can meet someone, chat with them and then later the two hook up again and form a partnership, even if for one race. Tagliani explained his opportunity with Turner Motorsports came about: “This year is really is really cool because I met Trent Owens (crew chief of the No. 30 entry for Turner Motorsports) in Kershaw and he was really helpful, answering all my questions even though, at that time, he was working with his own team.

“It's ironic that we are going to work together a few short years later. He's an amazing guy, so I'm excited. I'm honored to drive for Turner Motorsports. This is a passionate group of individuals that make up an awesome team. From Steve (Turner) to all the mechanics, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at the shop.”

Trent Owens added, “We are looking forward to working with Tag. Looking at what he is capable of doing in Indy Car with a new team with a one-car operation for the last two street course-qualifying sessions says it all. But last year is what impressed me. He missed the pole by just a little bit, and then ran a mistake-free race. Racing in the open wheel circuits makes him drive with a lot of respect on the track and that's important."

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