Hideki Mutoh to N/H/L

Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing confirmed a long-standing rumor by announcing, today, that Hideki Mutoh will pilot the team's No. 06 Dallara-Honda for the 2010 Izod IndyCar Series season. This will be Mutoh's third season, with a highlight being the series' Rookie of the Year in 2008.

"Hideki has shown he is able to adapt quickly to new challenges by finishing second overall in the Firestone Indy Lights series in 2007 when he competed on an oval for the first time,” said team co-owner Carl Haas. “The 2008 battle for the IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year in the newly-unified series was very close with Hideki emerging as the winner. In his two years in the IndyCar Series he has earned several podium finishes and we are looking forward to adding more."

Mutoh, 27, formerly of Andretti Green Racing, is a graduate of the Honda driver development program, with backing from the Honda Formula Dream Project. Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing has always been known for their success and I am proud to add my name to all of those who have driven for the team before me,” said Mutoh, who was born in Tokyo and resides in downtown Chicago, near the NHLR base in Lincolnshire. “I started watching Indy car racing when Nigel Mansell came to race in the United States from Formula One so I am happy to be racing for the same team he raced for. I already have taken my picture with his race car that is in the lobby of the team’s race shop. I’m looking forward to starting the season.”[/kop]