Jeff Bucknum received a birthday present from A.J. Foyt – an IndyCar Series ride for the remainder of the season.

Bucknum, who is celebrating his 40th birthday today, will climb into the No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara/Honda/Firestone on July 14 at Nashville Superspeedway in preparation for the Firestone Indy 200 under the lights July 15.

Bucknum, the son of former Indianapolis 500 competitor and Honda Formula One driver Ronnie Bucknum, was a substitute driver for A.J. Foyt IV last year on the road courses at Infineon Raceway (10th place) and Watkins Glen International (advancing eight positions to finish 11th). Bucknum also competed at Twin Ring Motegi and in the Indianapolis 500 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. This year, he started 22nd in the 90th Indianapolis 500 in a Hemelgarn Racing-prepared car.

“We worked with Jeff a couple times last year and he did a good job for us,” said Foyt, who is rehabilitating from left knee replacement surgery earlier this month. “I know he hasn’t got much experience on the ovals, but I think he can adapt to them. The next two ovals that we’re taking him to are the hardest on the circuit. So if he can adapt to them, I think he can adapt to any oval.

“By the same token, I’m not expecting miracles. I told him to just go out and get some experience and try to come home clean.”

Foyt, who will not attend the race at the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway, has hired noted engineer Bruce Ashmore to work with Bucknum. Ashmore worked with the Foyt team at Indianapolis this May in setting up cars for Felipe Giaffone and Larry Foyt. After competing on the concrete racing surface at Nashville, IndyCar Series drivers face the challenges of The Milwaukee Mile (July 23) and then the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway (July 30).

Like Bucknum’s participation in the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi in 2005, the trip to Michigan International Speedway will be nostalgic. His father won the maiden race at the track on Oct. 13, 1968.

“I don’t have a lack of confidence when it comes to ovals,” said Bucknum, “but I’m smart enough to know I need someone to tell me the things that I don’t know because of my lack of experience. A.J. is one of the best when it comes to the oval tracks and teaching drivers to run the ovals. This is the best opportunity I could ask for. In the long run I think it will pay off for both of us.”

Bucknum, who recently also has competed in the America Le Mans Series, replaces Giaffone after eight races. The veteran Brazilian racer had three top-10 finishes, with a high of fifth at Watkins Glen International in June. He began the season on a high note, starting seventh and finishing eighth at Homestead-Miami Speedway.