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Justin Wilson returns to Milwaukee

Justin Wilson has his "mindset that we are going there to win"

West Allis, Wisc. – Justin Wilson will return to the site of his first-ever oval start this weekend as he is set to race the No. 19 Boy Scouts of America Honda-powered machine for Dale Coyne Racing as the IZOD IndyCar Series stages Round 9 of the 2013 championship at the Milwaukee Mile.

Justin Wilson, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Photo by: Michael C. Johnson

Wilson took fifth in the 2013 Indianapolis 500, won the 2012 race at the Texas Motor Speedway, and has a long record of strength on the one-mile West Allis track that has been such an integral part of IndyCar history through the years.

While his record includes several strong qualifying efforts and two top-five finishes, it lacks a victory, and that is something that Wilson is targeting ahead of this weekend.

“I’m going in with the mindset that we are going there to win,” said Wilson, who qualified on the front row in 2012 only to be shuffled back to 12th on the grid for an engine change penalty. “Last year, I had a really good car, and thought we had a chance for a win but then we lost the motor and it was a really tough day. So, I’ve had some great races at Milwaukee, and some really terrible ones!”

The track is one that has played host to races for decades, and the recently rejuvenated event is one that makes for a unique challenge for drivers and engineers alike.

“You don’t have much banking, so it’s really just two high speed corners,” said Wilson. “If you are off even slightly with your set up, it makes a huge difference. So it is critical to get it just right.”

A big part of getting it ‘just right’ is the working relationship Wilson has with his Dale Coyne Racing engineer Bill Pappas.

“I trust him, and we’ve got good communication when we are working through a weekend and building the car to do what we want it to do,” said Wilson. “When he makes changes to the car, it’s clear what the direction we are taking is. It is all about confidence, especially at a place like Milwaukee.”

Practice and qualifying is set to take place on Friday, with the race to begin Saturday at 4:30 PM (ET). NBC Sports Network will carry live coverage beginning at 4:00 PM (ET).