INDIANAPOLIS -- Tomas Scheckter, son of former Formula One champion Jody Scheckter, will drive in the IRL this season for Cheever Racing.

He will team with owner-driver Eddie Cheever, the 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner.

"Two months ago, I never would have imagined I would be in this position," said the 21-year-old Scheckter, who was a test driver in Formula One for Jaguar Racing and last year was runner-up in the Formula Nissan championship.

Scheckter will make his IRL debut in the season-opening race Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"There is no science to hiring a driver," Cheever said. "Whatever decision you make is a gamble. Tomas did very well in testing, but he is still an unknown. What we do know is that he is single-minded and determined to do everything necessary to be successful in racing."

Scheckter's ability to adapt quickly to the IRL cars and tracks was apparently a factor.

"The speed at which Tomas adapted to oval racing is impressive," said Red Bull Cheever Racing GM Richard Caron. "After only one day of testing at Las Vegas, he went to California Speedway and was fastest of the day in the Test in the West. At the more technical Phoenix oval, his European training allowed him to work efficiently with our engineers producing times in the top five.

"He is similar in driving style and determination as Eddie (Cheever)," continued Caron. "This was a difficult decision considering all the talent on the market right now, but Cheever and Scheckter are a perfect mix for this team."