It would appear the race to be the 2007 Indy Pro champion is over before it begins. In case you did not know, "Wade Cunningham" is Māori for "ringer".
Wade Cunningham, the 2005 Indy Pro Series champion who finished third in 2006 as the first champion to return to defend his title, will return to the series with AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing, contesting the 16-race schedule in the No. 27 Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc. entry.
"I'm excited to be coming back," said Cunningham, who missed repeating as champion in 2006 by 11 points after missing two races due to appendicitis. (MORE)
Yes, Cunningham will get Alex Lloyd's old seat, and being associated with AGR can't hurt, but I wouldn't crown him yet.
Bobby Wilson has Cunningham's old car - which would have won the title if not for Wade filing a divorce from his appendix during the St. Pete event.
Alex Lloyd gets the Sam Schmidt car that Jay Howard did win the title in.
Panther brings their extensive resources to bear for Hideki Mutoh, who's been fast in testing. I'll probably call him Godzilla because it's catchy.
Lloyd will likely put up a strong challenge much like Howard did last year, and Mutoh certainly looks promising. But Wade's been the top dog for two years (sorry Jay) and his ride is good enough to keep him there.
I feel for Cunningman since he's proven all he has to at this level, but maybe YET ANOTHER year gets him and ICS ride with AGR, Ganassi or even Penske should one of those teams lose a driver.
I saw that Mutoh's team is already calling him Godzilla. The merchandising potential with that nickname is off the chart.
Yeah, the Godzilla nickname isn't original on my part.
If anything will hurt Wade, AFS hasn't been as strong on ovals as Schmidt/Stewart have been.
I'm surprised to see Cunningham take this ride, but it gets a foot in the door at AGR ... and I suspect AGR will trust him with one of their cars during those test days.