Mike Conway is back on track this weekend and looking to defend his ‘Dual in Detroit’ crown that he won last year.
It was a last minute decision that saw Mike race around the streets of Detroit last season for Dale Coyne, and this season he is targeting victory with his new team Ed Carpenter Racing.
He has a lot to live up to as well with a win and a third place in the two races last year and he also set the fastest lap of the races.
However this season, Conway knows that the field will not be taking him lightly as he looks to defend is ‘Dual in Detroit’ crown.
Speaking ahead of the races, Mike said: “The Detroit races really brought me back into the IndyCar Series last year. It was exciting to return in grand style and win at a big event like Belle Isle. I’m looking forward to return to Detroit and defending my title.”
Conway joined Ed Carpenter Racing in 2014 when the team owner Carpenter, the recent Indy 500 pole winner, decided to concentrate on oval racing and the ownership of his racing squad. Conway signed to drive in 12 Verizon Series races in street and road events while Carpenter drives in the six oval contests.
He added: “This has been a great situation for me to come in with Ed Carpenter Racing. I only wanted to race in the street and road events and Ed decided to only drive in the six oval races. He is just spectacular on the ovals as he showed at Indy with another pole and real shot at winning the race. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be.”
Conway nearly finished on the podium in his first event with ECR at the St. Petersburg series opener when he was running third but a radio communication problem dropped him to 16th late in the contest. He came back in the next race to win his second Long Beach title and make Carpenter’s decision a brilliant one.
Conway’s performance in last year’s “Dual in Detroit” races included leading a race-high 47 laps in the Saturday feature and setting fastest lap of the race (108.678 m.p.h.) in his win and clocking the fastest race lap in Sunday’s 70-lapper (109.250 m.p.h.). He led 31 laps in the second race and placed third.
Now, Conway is set with his Long Beach-winning mount and team to defend his Belle Isle title in the popular “street fight” doubleheader at the picturesque island northeast of downtown Detroit.
He said: “I am anxious to get back to Belle Isle and go for another win this weekend.”
The Detroit race as always is a double header with one race on Saturday and another on Sunday for Mike to try and add to his Long Beach victory this season.