Music: {allcanada} Indy 500 polesitter Alex Tagliani to run Nationwide race in Montreal

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

{allcanada} Indy 500 polesitter Alex Tagliani to run Nationwide race in Montreal

Alex Tagliani, who sat on the pole for the Indianapolis 500, will compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race in August in Montreal.

The Canadian native has two previous Nationwide starts, including starting 26th in the 2009 race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Tagliani will drive the No. 12 car fielded under the Penske Racing banner and sponsored by the Chrysler Canada, according to a track news release and a Penske Racing spokesman.

Tagliani is one of several Canadians to commit to compete in the NAPA Auto Parts 200, the fifth annual Nationwide Series event on the temporary road course in Montreal.

Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve will drive the No. 22 Dodge for Penske and Patrick Carpentier will drive the No. 99 Toyota for Pastrana-Waltrip racing.

Carpentier will be making his first Cup start of the 2011 season this weekend as he drives for FAS Lane Racing in the No. 32 car, which has a guaranteed spot in the field for the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway.