Plainfield, IL (March 7, 2018) – Dale Coyne Racing’s Zach Claman De Melo is kicking off the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season this weekend aboard the #19 Paysafe Car at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Claman De Melo who is sharing driving duties of the team’s #19 machine with Pietro Fittipaldi this season will be making his second IndyCar Series start after making his debut at the season finale in Sonoma last year, where he showed good pace throughout the race.
This weekend’s race will however mark the first for the 19-year-old with Dale Coyne Racing. The Canadian is scheduled to compete in another nine races with the team this year.
“I’m extremely excited to kick off the 2018 season in the #19 Paysafe Honda,” shared Claman De Melo. “I’m eager to show the world stage what I can do beginning with the season-opening race in St Petersburg. I’ve made great progress in the gym and in off-season testing and I look forward to showing that progress on the track.”
The rookie has four previous starts on the streets of St. Petersburg in the Indy Lights Series with a best finish of seventh registered last season. He’ll be able to get his first taste of the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course aboard an Indy car on Friday morning, March 9, at 11:10am during the first practice session.
Qualifying for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will take place on Saturday, March 10 at 2:20p and will be streamed live on Indycar.com. The season opening race will go green at 12:40pm on Sunday, March 11 with the race being broadcast live on ABC from 12:30pm ET.
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