The upcoming Canadian races in Toronto and Edmonton in the IZOD IndyCar Series seem to be the perfect setting for Alex Tagliani to capture his first victory of the season.  The Sam Schmidt Motorsports driver has shown glimpses of how great the #77 Bowers & Wilkins car can run with earning two of the last three poles including the Indy 500.

Now with the season switching to the streets and away from ovals, Tagliani feels this is his opportunity.  “I am a street-course driver, so I am very happy for the upcoming Canadian races.  This is our chance to cut the gap between us and Penske and Ganassi and show what we can do.”

Tagliani made a pit stop in Toronto to help promote the Honda Indy Toronto as it started the 25 day countdown to the event in front of William Ashley at Bay and Bloor in downtown Toronto.  “The Canadian races are super important,” said Tagliani.  “You can’t take it for granted and you must be thankful that we have these two great races in our home country.” As part of the celebration, a race car was hoisted on top of William Ashley tea cups on a table setting.  Also, Cakestar unveiled a cake of the entire Honda Indy Toronto race track.  The cake took over a week to create after 30 dozen eggs and 10 kilos of flour were used.

Tagliani has enjoyed this year at Sam Schmidt Motorsports, as it has allowed him to fully focus on driving and not sponsorship.  Tagliani loved his time as a co-owner last year with FAZZT Race Team, but believes he’s in a better position to compete this year without distractions.  Additionally, the data the team has gathered from the prior season has been invaluable and has provided the team with something to go by which they didn’t have last year in their inaugural campaign.  “The development of the car over the winter was built on 90% of data from last year,” explains Tagliani.

Tagliani has had success in Toronto in the past with two podium finishes back in 2001 (2nd) and 2005 (3rd), as well as a total of eight top 10 finishes.  He feels this is his best car of his career, so with a little of luck and the right set-up you never know – we could be seeing Tagliani on top of the podium in either Toronto or Edmonton or both.