Chip Ganassi Racing has announced the expansion of its IZOD IndyCar Series’ program with the addition of two young and talented American drivers who will compete for the full 2011 season forming an extra Chip Ganassi Racing team. At a news conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was announced that the No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing entry will be driven by Graham Rahal while the No. 83 Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing with Charlie Kimball.
Chip Ganassi commented:
"It is an exciting day for our team and an exciting time for IndyCar racing. Sponsorship is the lifeblood of motor racing, and to have people along the way who think like you do in the long term also is exciting. You have to constantly be looking at which drivers are coming along; I'm not pushing Dixon and Franchitti out the door. We have to keep current, and what's better than having these two Americans come along and work with them."
The reigning IZOD IndyCar Series championship team plans to invest $3.3 million to locate the teams in a facility leased from drag racing legend Don Prudhomme in Brownsburg, Ind., which is expected to create up to 30 new jobs. Mitch Davis will be the team manager and Target Chip Ganassi managing director Mike Hull will oversee the program. Prudhomme said this year he'll "stick his toe in the water," and look to become more involved in 2012 as the IZOD IndyCar Series introduces its new car and engine platforms.
American driver Charlie Kimball who competed the past two seasons in Firestone Indy Lights commented:
“It really is a dream come true. The whole championship is something special. I think it really rewards an all-around driver and getting the opportunity to utilize the Road to Indy ladder system -- from F2000 when I competed in that in 2003 to Indy Lights the last two years and now moving into the IZOD IndyCar Series – is great. It’s still sinking in that I’m going to be on the grid in a full-size IndyCar next year.“Working with Chip Ganassi and all of his crew, giving me the opportunity to learn from champions like Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti and alongside Graham Rahal is another aspect of how I’m going to try to shorten the learning curve,” said Kimball, who finished fourth in the Firestone Indy Lights championship this past season (five podium finishes)... I’m not underestimating the size of the task ahead of me and I’m really looking forward to using all the tools both within Chip Ganassi Racing and through my partnership with Novo Nordisk going forward.”
His Indycars sponsor, Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 86-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. Kimball was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 2007, and the company has been already his primary sponsor during the 2010 season.
Kimbal continued:
“Novo Nordisk partnered with me at the beginning of last year, but I’ve been using their insulin since the day I was diagnosed in 2007. So my relationship with them started well before they even knew who I was. Together, to make that step using the history, the heritage, the success of Chip Ganassi Racing, stepping onto the main stage with them is extra special.”
Rahal, the youngest race winner in major North American open-wheel racing history, competed in 12 races during the 2010 with four different teams. TBC Retail Group announced in October that it has signed a multi-year spokesperson and sponsorship association with the 21-year-old driver to represent its family of tire and automotive retail brands (Service Central, Tire Kingdom, National Tire and Battery, Merchant’s Tire and Auto Centers and Big O Tires).
“This is -- other than winning the Indy 500 or a championship -- the best day a driver could have. Last year was interesting -- a lot of ups and downs. It makes you appreciate it when you get an opprtunity like this. I have been working diligently, specifically over the past several months, to get into one of Chip's IndyCars, and now that dream has become a reality with the help of Service Central and many others. Like Chip often says, I'm looking forward to the next race, which is in St. Petersburg in March. I'm thrilled to be a part of this great organization and look forward to making the most out of this opportunity."
Target Chip Ganassi Racing employs 75 associates at its Indianapolis facility that houses the IZOD IndyCar Series program for Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon -- who have a combined five IZOD IndyCar Series championships -- and the championship-winning Grand Am program.
