Michel Jourdain, Jr might drive a 3rd car for team

Despite being groomed for a Champ Car ride, Buddy Rice never got the opportunity to race in that series after winning the Toyota Atlantic title.

But, next month in Mexico City, he’ll finally get a shot.

SPEED has learned that the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner has been tabbed by Gerry Forsythe to replace A.J. Allmendinger in the Champ Car season finale Nov. 12 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Allmendinger announced earlier this week he was leaving Champ Car for NASCAR next year and Forsythe decided to look for the future.

“We’ve got to think about ‘07 and this will be a good audition for Buddy,” said Forsythe, who called Allmendinger on Thursday morning to inform the five-time winner his services were no longer required.

“I just assumed he (Rice) was under contract but I found out he wasn’t and called him up. He said he’d love to drive for us because he had nothing signed and he wanted to get back in a competitive situation.

“We’ll test him next week and we might also run a third car for Michel Jourdain.”

Rice was understably stoked to get one of the primo seats in Champ Car.

“I just changed phones so this strange number comes up Wednesday morning and I don’t answer it but then I play the message and it’s Gerry Forsythe and I’m like ‘Holy S…’ I knew what it was about instantly,” said the 30-year-old veteran who was released after three years with Rahal Letterman Racing.