JR Hildebrand, who made his second IZOD IndyCar Series at Sonoma Raceway in 2010, returns to the road course for the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma in the No. 98 Barracuda Racing car.

The team owned by Bryan Herta and Steve Newey announced that Hildebrand would drive the Honda-powered car in the Aug. 25 race and in the season-ending MAVTV 500 at Auto Club Speedway on Oct. 19, and that Luca Filippi would compete in the Grand Prix of Baltimore on Sept. 1 and the Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston doubleheader on Oct. 5-6.

Filippi made his series debut Aug. 4 in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, advancing eight positions to finish 16th.

"I'm really excited to join Barracuda Racing this year, and have to give a big thank you to Bryan and the team for the opportunity," said Hildebrand, 25, of nearby Sausalito, Calif. "Sonoma is where I got my racing start, so it'll be great to have another new experience there with a new team, and one that I've heard nothing but great things about.

"The Sonoma racetrack is not only in my backyard, but Barracuda Networks' also, so we'll be working hard to make it a good one all around. I can't wait to get started."

Hildebrand, the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights champion, will participate in an IZOD IndyCar Series Open Test on Aug. 21 at the track.

Hildebrand has 12 top-10 finishes in 39 IZOD IndyCar Series starts, with a high of second in the 2011 Indianapolis 500. After making his series debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2010 with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Hildebrand returned to his home track (finishing 24th after contact).

He placed eighth in the race on the 2.385-mile, 12-turn course last August in the No. 4 National Guard Panther Racing car. Hildebrand was released by the team after the Indianapolis 500 in May. He had a best finish of fifth at Long Beach in five races this season.

Hildebrand led 56 laps last year on the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway oval in the season finale and finished 11th.

"JR is an exciting prospect for us," Herta said. "He's a talented driver and it made sense for him to be able to compete at his 'home' races in Sonoma and Fontana."

Filippi, 28, of Italy, will get extensive seat time on temporary street circuits at Baltimore and Houston. The Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston is the third and final doubleheader of the season and will include a standing start for Race 1 on Oct. 5.

"We were very impressed with Luca and happy to give him two more outings," Herta said. "He made a good impression on everyone, and this will allow him the chance to race on American-style street circuits."