Brazilian Changing Of The Guard, Barrichello In As Meira Leaves IndyCar
Pitting on lap 27 at the 2011 38th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, after a full course caution was called for Simona DeSilvestro’s spin, the ABC Supply team pulled out a 7.1-second pit stop for Vitor Meira (above), but Meira had to be held for a half a second to avoid hitting J.R. Hildebrand’s car entering the pit box directly ahead of Meira’s. On the way out of pit lane, Meira was tagged by Graham Rahal who shot into the fast lane exiting his pitbox. The impact shoved Meira into the outer pit wall but he was able to continue with only minor damage. Caption Credit: Catchfence | Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)
Brazilian Changing Of The Guard, Barrichello In As Meira Leaves IndyCar
Lest we think there will not be the requisite number of drivers from Brazil commanding the wheel of a DW12 IZOD IndyCar Series car during the 2012 season, ever since ten year veteran Vitor Meira announced his departure from the series last month, today, nineteen year Formula One veteran Rubens Barrichello joins KV Racing Technology. Also announced today was the re-signing of fellow Brazilian, Tony Kanaan to a two-year KV Racing Technology deal.
A couple of weeks ago (Feb. 11, 2012), Vitor Meira announced that he will be leaving the IndyCar IZOD Series to race back home in Brazil in the Campeonato Brasileiro de Stock Car. Brazil's premier stock car series. He has not decided if he will race in select races in the IZOD IndyCar Series or cut ties completely. The decision seemed a little sudden at the time because the first race was just over one month away ... March 25 in St. Petersburg, Fla..
Vitor Meira and the ABC Supply team weathered a few close calls in the 2011 38th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach to finish ninth, his second top-10 finish in three races. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2011)
Vitor's best years were from 2003-2005. During those years he finished in the top ten overall. He also had several second and third place finishes throughout his career. He missed most of the 2009 season due to injuries incurred in a scary accident during the Indy 500 which broke several vertebrae bones in his back. He made a full recovery and since his accident, he managed to secure only two top five finishes racing for AJ Foyt. One of those top five finishes occurred in 2010 in his first race back after his injury.
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