A two-day test next week at Sebring International Raceway is akin to an early Christmas present for Mike Conway. The 30-year-old Brit, who last month was announced as the driver of the No. 20 Fuzzy's Ultra Premium Vodka car for Ed Carpenter Racing for road/street course races in 2014, visited the Indianapolis shop for an initial seat and systems check.

"I haven't had two days of testing in December so this will be a real treat," said Conway, who will compete in 12 races next season. "It's a good chance to get a rapport going, figure out what I like in the car so you can hit the ground running. It will be my first chance to drive the Chevrolet engine, too, and I'm looking forward to that aspect of the test."

Carpenter, the sole team owner/driver in the IndyCar Series, will contest the six oval races. He earned the pole for the 97th Indianapolis 500 and had a best finish of second in the 2013 season finale at Auto Club Speedway (he's finished first or second in the final race of the season the past three years).

Mike Conway"It's a full-blown attack," said Conway, who recorded one victory and four other top-10 finishes in seven street/road course races this past season with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Long Beach) and Dale Coyne Racing. "We can definitely do some damage in terms of the championship. I think it's a really good team; we have everything we need to win.

"I couldn't ask for anything more coming into this season. Ultimately, I wanted to be back full time in street and road course racing. I thought this was a huge package and I really jumped at the chance when we started talking about it. Ed is the master at the ovals and this couldn't have fit any better. There are a lot of familiar faces and I feel at home already."

Carpenter, who introduced Conway to everyone at the team Christmas party, is looking forward to having Conway, who has made 60 IndyCar Series starts, as part of the organization. Conway also will participate in a manufacturer test Jan. 17 at Sebring. There's an Open Test on March 16-17 at Barber Motorsports Park and the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is March 28-30.

"Mike is one of the top road racing drivers and we are very pleased to have him on board with us for 2014," Carpenter said. "As a team owner, I felt bringing Mike into our team would help elevate our operation to the next level. So I'll drive in the oval races and Mike will drive in the road and street events. We feel great about our program."