Pippa Mann returns to IndyCar for Indy 500 qualifying

Curt Cavin, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

British driver Pippa Mann will run in next month's Indianapolis 500 for Dale Coyne Racing, her first race since she was injured in the 2011 IndyCar season finale that killed Dan Wheldon.

Mann will join IndyCar regulars Justin Wilson and Ana Beatriz at Dale Coyne Racing.

Mann, 29, will be making her second attempt at the 500. In 2011, she became the eighth woman in history to qualify for and race in the 500, and she became the first British female to do so.

This marks the first time women will be teammates at the 500.

Mann said she had her first conversation with team owner Dale Coyne in 2008 when she visited the U.S. in pursuit of a ride.

"We've sort of had an ongoing conversation ever since then, and I actually got very close to getting in one of Dale's cars on Bump Day last year," she wrote on her website.

In 2011, as a rookie, Mann was one of 15 drivers involved in the fiery accident in Las Vegas that killed Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

Photographs of the accident show Mann's car sailing through the air upside down and engulfed in flames. Her car landed upside down, and, unable to open her eyes because of all the dirt and debris in her helmet, she could only wait for safety workers to arrive. Mann, one of three injured drivers, later had surgery to repair the badly burned pinkie finger on her right hand.

"We have known and followed Pippa from her first interest in coming over to America and the IndyCar series," Coyne said. "Her hard work and dedication are commendable and have shown results. She has qualified for Indy, qualified on (the) pole at Indianapolis for the Indy Lights race, won an Indy Lights race at Kentucky and has been a great asset for the sport."

IndyCar will race in Brazil this weekend before turning its attention to the 500. Practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway begins May 11 for the May 26 race.

PHOTOS: Memorable moments in recent IndyCar Series history





Contributing: The Associated Press

Cavin writes for The Indianapolis Star, a Gannett property. Follow him on Twitter @curtcavin