Vautier to drive for Coyne at Texas

Tristan Vautier, who did double duty for Dale Coyne in the 2015 Indianapolis 500, is again getting the call by Coyne to come out of the bullpen.

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Vautier, the former Star Mazda and Indy Lights champion, hasn't driven in an IndyCar race since 2015 when he took over Coyne's car for Carlos Huertas and ran the final 11 races in the Verizon IndyCar Series.

And it was that May when the 27-year-old Frenchman really impressed Coyne. Coming to Indianapolis without a ride, Vautier was asked to qualify Coyne's No. 19 car for James Davison, who had a previous sports car commitment. With very little practice, Vautier qualified 18th fastest in the No. 19 car, which Davison would drive in the race and start last. Vautier was preparing to head back to England for a sports car race when James Hinchcliffe was injured on the Monday after qualifying. He was being considered for the SPM seat so he jumped in a rental car and drove from Chicago – only to learn Ryan Briscoe was asked to take over Hinchcliffe's ride for the race.

But Coyne asked Vautier to sit tight because Huertas had developed an inner ear infection and not yet been cleared to drive. When he was ruled out of the race, Vautier was in the No. 18 car – and lined up right next to Davison in the last row. He dropped out with technical trouble and was listed as 28th.

His best finish for Coyne in 2015 was fourth in the second half of the Detroit doubleheader and sixth at Mid-Ohio.