As one of a few teams to have participated in each of the two IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series seasons, Beardsley Motorsports hopes to translate experience into victories on the track in 2004.

Craig Beardsley formed his team in 1988 when his son Matt began racing karts. The team has followed Matt’s progress into the Indy Racing League.

In 2002, Beardsley ran in five of seven races during the inaugural Menards Infiniti Pro Series. Last year, the team recorded six top-10 finishes in 10 races.

“Over the last two years, we had seven motor failures,” Craig said. “We hope to have those problems take care of. We have the same engineer, Darrell Soppe, and we have a lot of confidence in him.”

For 2004, the team has formed an alliance with Roquin Motorsports. The teams will share data.

CAPSULE LOOK AT BEARDSLEY MOTORSPORTS

Sponsors: Jugular Energy Drink / Landtitle / Alpine Bank

Chassis/engine: Dallara/Infiniti

Owners: Craig Beardsley

Drivers: Matt Beardsley

Team manager: Craig Beardsley

Chief mechanic: Darrell Soppe

Engineer: Darrell Soppe

OWNER VIEWPOINT

Craig Beardsley: “We’re glad to be back in the Menards Infiniti Pro Series. It’s very positive to have a two-car team, and we’re very excited about bringing in a new sponsor (Jugular Energy Drink).”

DRIVER VIEWPOINT

Matt Beardsley: “I’m looking to do the best I can and win some races. Everything has come together kind of late, and we didn’t get a chance to do any testing. We’re hoping to have a good solid race to get started in Miami – run as much as we can, and then build on that through the year.”

The 2004 IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series season begins with the Homestead-Miami 100 at 11:45 a.m.. (EST) on Feb. 29, 2004, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race will be broadcast on tape delay by ESPN2 at 4 p.m. on March 4.