POMONA, Calif. – NTT IndyCar Series driver Alexander Rossi is returning to the Baja 1,000 as part of the Honda Off-Road Racing Team.
This will be Rossi’s third Baja 1,000 campaign. His two previous attempts brought mixed results in true Baja style. In 2018, the Jeff Proctor-led Honda Off-Road Racing Team posted a second-place Class 7 finish. Their 2019 attempt saw the team fail to finish. Rossi didn’t drive in the 2020 race due to scheduling conflicts.
Rossi is a seven-time NTT IndyCar Series race winner, including the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016. He is in his sixth season with the IndyCar series and pilots the No. 27 NAPA/AutoNation Honda for Andretti Autosport.
“I’m so excited to be heading back down to Baja for my third 1,000 with the Honda Off-Road Racing Team,” Rossi said. “The tradition and heritage of this race is something very unique and I missed so much not being able to take part last year. We have had some incredible pace there in the past, but as of now we haven’t been able to tame the desert. To be able to represent Honda and HPD at one of the world’s most iconic races is a huge honor and I cherish the opportunity to drive this amazing Ridgeline. We are making sure that we go into this particular event with every ounce of preparation humanly possible and I know that with this team we have a great opportunity to bring home a win.”
Joining Rossi in the cockpit, as navigator, is Evan Weller. Driving duties will be shared with Team Principal Jeff Proctor and Team Logistics Director Pat Dailey.
“I’m excited to work with Evan again. He really lets me focus on the driving,” Rossi said, “He knows so much about the Ridgeline and Baja which helps me keep some of the Baja variables in check.”
“It’s great to have Alex back racing with us in Mexico for the 2021 Baja 1,000,” Proctor said. “SCORE keeps plotting more and more challenging courses. Having Alex’s fresh perspective and proven Baja racing talent on the team is a huge asset for us. Racing in Baja requires more than driving talent. It’s common sense, respect for the people and history of Baja, lots of homework, and a team player attitude. I know we can count on Alex for all of that and more.”
The Ridgeline competes in Class 7, for unlimited six-cylinder production-appearing trucks and SUVs.
The 54th running of the SCORE Baja 1,000 is scheduled for Nov. 15-20.