INDIANAPOLIS -- Indy Pro series 2007 champion Alex Lloyd hopes he will qualify and will fare well as a rookie driver in the Indianapolis 500 later this month.

Chip Ganassi and Rahal Letterman racing teams came together to help Lloyd along. He said Tuesday that his ultimate career goal is to win the Indy 500.

"For me, this is a big step forward to have a chance to run in this race. I'm with such a great team," Lloyd said. "I've got a great bunch of guys behind me and they've given me a great car."

Lloyd lauded the rookie orientation program with helping him get a true feel of the experience.

"It's very tempting, the first two phases in especially, you really want to go faster," Lloyd said. "It forces you to stay within a certain boundary longer than what you would ideally want."

Lloyd said his familiarity with the track might give him a leg up on other rookies.