It's easy to forgive Alex Tagliani for struggling to express his feelings about the beginning of five years of certainty with his new IndyCar team. After all, the 36-year-old from Lachenaie, Que., spent the better part of the past two years trying everything to get his career back on track before his FAZZT deal came along.
"I don't even know what words to use to say what I am feeling right now. Even in my craziest dreams I never thought this would happen one day," he said.
"It's been a tough road, a lot of hard work and never giving up, along with lots of dedication and sacrifice for the love of the sport. And this situation is a dream of a lifetime."
Tagliani unveiled his Bowers & Wilkins-sponsored No. 77 car last week at the Montreal International Auto Show. A partner in the new IndyCar team along with Rubicon Sports Agency boss Jim Freudenberg, Canadian actor Jason Priestley and Montreal businessman André Azzi, Tagliani will drive the FAZZT Race Team's car for the next five years.
It's a 180-degree turn for Tagliani, who raced in only eight championship events in IndyCars since the Champ Car Series was swallowed by its rival before the 2008 season. With tight budgets in the series helping drivers with money get priority over those with talent, Tagliani found himself chasing money off track more than rivals on track.
But when he did get into an IndyCar, Tagliani usually made the most of the opportunity.
A case in point was his Rookie of the Year drive last summer at the Indianapolis 500 with the Conquest team. The Canadian started dead last in 33rd spot after a foul-up in qualifying saw him miss his final run and fail to make the field. Instead, he raced the car qualified by his teammate Bruno Junqueira, who watched the Indy 500 from the team's timing stand.
Tagliani also made an impression in the inaugural IndyCar race in Toronto last July where he led 21 laps and looked to be headed for a win before an inopportune caution period ruined his day. He ended the race ninth.
"You can only be rookie in Indianapolis once and I got that honour. The race in Toronto was beautiful: I was so excited and happy about being in front of my fans and family and race that way with a car that was so competitive and fast," he said.
"But I'm approaching this season in a totally different state of mind: I feel good, I'm relaxed, I'm in the best shape of my life and the team is behind me 100 per cent."
The IndyCar Series starts its season March 14 with its first race on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, something Tagliani feels will help his team gauge its performance against the rest of the field.
He laughed out loud when asked how it would be to go to a race track and only have to concentrate on driving the car. Then, he added: "I'm going to enjoy it."
But with the IndyCar Series being dominated by the powerful Andretti, Penske and Ganassi outfits, which have combined to win the past seven titles, Tagliani's fledgling team will have its hands full trying to make an impression.
"They are strong teams, but they are beatable, and the way to do that is with consistency and making the most of your opportunities. You have to make sure you qualify well and your performance levels are always consistent, because the more you knock at the door the more you have a chance at a podium," he said.
"We want to win the championship in the years to come and we want to win the Indy 500. We are doing our homework to be fast - we aren't going to races to be happy if we're in the Top 10."
Motorsports show
Racing fans might want to head to the Canadian Motorsports Expo, which offers the opportunity to meet several motorsports stars and get some autographs.
The event opens tomorrow and ends Sunday at the International Centre located at 6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ont., minutes from Pearson International Airport.
The highlights include Canadian road racer Ron Fellows leading a discussion on Saturday followed by a media panel. Saturday also features an autograph session with NASCAR star Matt Kenseth and a driver development seminar led by former Formula One driver and ESPN motorsport commentator Derek Daly, who recently released a book for aspiring drivers called Race to Win.
Paul Tracy will join Fellows on Sunday to kick off the Mosport International Raceway's 50th anniversary celebration.
Fans will also have the opportunity to get close to the Sprint Cup cars driven by NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., which will be on display for the three days of the show.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for youths (10-15 years old) and seniors, and children under 10 are free. Three-day adult passes are $35 for adults and $25 for youths and seniors.