American Honda and its Honda Performance Development subsidiary will power the No. 98 Team Barracuda-Bryan Herta Autosport car at the Indianapolis 500 and for the remainder of the IZOD IndyCar Series. Alex Tagliani, who won the pole for the 2011 Indy 500, is the driver.

Bryan Herta Autosport joins entries from A.J. Foyt Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing as Honda-powered teams at Indianapolis -- an Indy 500-record 15 engines for Honda during manufacturer competition.

"We're pleased to be able to renew our relationship with Bryan Herta and his team," HPD vice president Steve Erickson said. "Bryan has long been associated with Honda and HPD, and he served as our primary development driver during the last era of IndyCar manufacturer competition. His team's victory in the 2011 Indianapolis 500 was the stuff of legend, and all of us at HPD and American Honda are delighted to have a hand in helping him defend that championship.

"Beyond that, we look forward to a successful partnership with Bryan Herta Autosport through the remainder of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season."

The team, co-owned by Steve Newey, recently came to a mutual agreement with Group Lotus to end its lease agreement. INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series, approved the deal. 

"My time as a Honda driver in both the IndyCar Series, as well as the time spent driving factory Acura LMP2 in the American Le Mans Series, were among my most rewarding and memorable years in racing," Herta said. "So, it is with great personal pleasure that we are returning to the Honda family for the remainder of the 2012 season. We look forward to joining the other Honda-powered teams on track this weekend in preparation for the 2012 Indianapolis 500, and working to defend last year's memorable and popular win by Dan Wheldon. I know that Alex Tagliani and the entire Team Barracuda - BHA crew are brimming with confidence and excitement going into the 'Month of May.' "