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Pippa Mann will race in the 2019 Indianapolis 500 for Clauson-Marshall Racing.
The US Auto Club National sprint car champion team has announced it will partner with Ross Motorsports, Indiana Donor Network and its Driven2SaveLives campaign to field an entry for Mann for its first attempt at the Indy 500.
The team was founded in 2016 in memory of USAC champion and three-time Indy 500 starter Bryan Clauson by his father Tim and Richard Marshall.
Clauson, who was a registered organ and tissue donor, died in August 2016 following an accident in a midget race in Belleville.
“I am so thankful for this opportunity to join Clauson-Marshall Racing for their first Indianapolis 500,” said Mann.
“This is more than just a car entry to me and the journey has been an emotional one.
“Carrying the #39 on my Chevy entry is an honor that I don’t take lightly, and I’m grateful to Tim Clauson, Richard Marshall and Stanley Ross for believing in me.”
Mann has started six Indy 500s, five with Dale Coyne Racing, but in 2018 (below) she was bumped from the 33-car field on qualifying weekend along with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ James Hinchcliffe.
“In 2012, it was a privilege to come to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a dad to a driver who was competing in his first Indy 500,” said Tim Clauson.
“Now, we are honoured to have an entry in the greatest spectacle in racing.
“We are especially honoured to partner with Driven2SaveLives, after organ and tissue donation became an important part of our lives in 2016.
“Merging our dirt programs with the Indy 500 program is very important to our future, and we are fortunate to have Pippa Mann behind the wheel.
“After watching the way she handled the circumstances of last year with such grace, we were sure that if we could help her return to the Speedway, we would.”
Kellie Hanner, Indiana Donor Network president and CEO added: “Over the past four years, Driven2SaveLives has become a beacon of hope for patients waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
“We are excited to partner with Clauson-Marshall Racing this year to spread the donation message far and wide.”