Chip Ganassi Racing Teams sign Tony Kanaan for 2014 IndyCar series season

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) announced today an agreement with reigning Indianapolis 500 Winner, 2004 Series Champion and 16-time race winner Tony Kanaan on a multi-year deal to pilot a fourth entry for the full 2014 IndyCar Series season with sponsorship from NTT DATA, a leading global IT services provider,

Kanaan will join CGRT in the NTT DATA Indy car alongside four-time Series Champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 Winner Dario Franchitti, two-time Series Champion and Indianapolis 500 Winner Scott Dixon, and race winner Charlie Kimball.

Kanaan competed with Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) and NTT DATA earlier this season in a second Daytona Prototype (DP) fielded in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series’ Brickyard Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) along with driver Joey Hand. Kanaan and Hand drove the No. 02 NTT DATA BMW to a second place finish.

He is the active leader in consecutive starts, with 212 consecutive Indy car starts, and has started every race since the Portland CART event in 2001. In 15 seasons of Indy car Series racing, Kanaan has 273 starts, 16 wins, 15 poles and over 3,336 laps led.

Tony Kannan, Driver: “I couldn’t be happier to join this organization. They are the gold standard that all IndyCar teams measure themselves against. Chip has created a fantastic organization that judges success by just one thing – WINNING, both races and championships. I can’t wait for next year to get here. This is a very big day for me.”

John McCain, President and CEO, NTT DATA, Inc.: “Expanding our relationship with the Ganassi Racing Team was only natural given the success we’ve had together during the 2013 season. Their focus and dedication to put a winning team on the track each and every race is a great example for our clients and our employees. And now with the experience and energy that Tony brings to the program, we can’t wait for the 2014 season to begin.”

Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc.: “It is not all the time that you can find yourself as an owner with drivers that represent seven championships, five Indianapolis 500 victories and over 75 wins. That feels pretty good. I think TK will add a lot to this organization, not only from his talent behind the wheel but also from his leadership skills off the track. I am very exciting to add TK to an already talented group of drivers. We couldn’t ask for a better partner than NTT DATA and we’re thrilled to extend our relationship.

Chip Ganassi Racing