Andretti Autosport will run the No. 25, the car number that belonged to the late Justin Wilson, with Oriol Servia behind the wheel in the IndyCar finale at Sonoma Raceway this weekend.
Servia, a longtime veteran of the series and close friend of Wilson’s, drove for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing earlier this season in the Indianapolis 500, finishing 29th.
The decision to race the No. 25 Honda in honor of Wilson was an emotional one for team owner Michael Andretti.
“Justin was a true racer and advocate to our sport,” said Andretti. “We will have Justin and his family in our hearts this weekend as we honor him in a way he would want us to, by doing what he loved – racing.”
Amid difficult circumstances, a thankful Servia will prepare for the weekend ahead.
“As I said earlier this week, I truly feel he was one of these souls who has evolved a lot more than the rest of us and it is something you could feel immediately during your first exchange with him,” said Servia. “He will be greatly missed as we all try to emulate his spirit.
I am honored and emotional with the opportunity of driving his car this weekend. I want to thank my friends at Andretti Autosport for the opportunity, and I want to express how deeply touched I am by the desire of Julia, Stefan and all of the Wilson family to have me driving the No. 25.”
Servia has one win in 196 career starts between CART and IndyCar.
The lone victory came in 2005 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with Newman/Haas Racing, which saw Wilson finish third and join Servia on the podium.
