Rossi, Speed join Race of Champions line-up
Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi and former F1 driver Scott Speed have become the latest drivers to join the 2017 edition of the Race of Champions.
IndyCar Series
Rossi, who took victory in the Indy 500 in his maiden outing this year, will be competing in the RoC for the first time after having completed the IndyCar season, where he finished in 11th position overall.
The 25-year-old from California joins his Andretti Autosport teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay in the event's line-up.
"I'm honoured to be invited to race in this year's Race Of Champions," said Rossi. "ROC is so well respected in motor sport, bringing together the best drivers from around the world and across every series.
"This international event is always ultra-competitive and I'm looking forward to the competition and the very first US race venue in Miami. It will also be great to race with my Andretti Autosport teammate, Ryan Hunter-Reay. I can assure you, neither of us will be holding back."
Speed, the Global Rallycross champion for the past two seasons, will also be making his debut in the Race of Champions.
The 33-year-old had joined the event in 2006, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
"I am beyond excited to join the Race Of Champions," Speed said. "Being selected to represent the USA on home soil is such an honour. I have always been a huge fan of this event: having so many greats of motor racing in one place is a very rare thing.
"I am sure that Miami will prove to be a fantastic host of such a prestigious event."
ROC president Fredrik Johnsson added: "We are thrilled to have Alexander and Scott in our field for the first ever Race Of Champions on American soil. Not only are they the only two US drivers to compete in Formula 1 in the last 20 years, they've both put in exceptional performances in 2016.
"Alexander's rookie victory in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 was a stroke of genius from him and his team. Scott has also become an unstoppable force in the Global Rallycross Championship, winning two titles in a row.
"They are both exciting drivers to watch and now we hope to see plenty of fans inside Miami's Marlins Park cheering them on to glory against some of the best in the world."
The event takes place in Miami, Florida, on January 21-22.
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