One of the most attractive seats in open-wheel racing worldwide has now been filled. Tony Kanaan (pictured above) will slot into the No.10 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet in the IndyCar Series beginning next season. Drivers from all over the open-wheel racing world, including some ex-Formula One pilots, expressed interest in the seat vacated by four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitt after he was forced into retirement last month due to injuries sustained in a crash in Houston in October. Kanaan - one of Franchitti's closest friends in the sport - prevailed, however. Originally signed by Ganassi in October to drive for the team's No.8 NTT Data Chevy, Kanaan will now drive the car vacated by his close friend. Ryan Briscoe, rumoured to be in the running for the open seat at Panther Racing next season, will replace Kanaan in the No.8, a car he drove at the 2013 Indianapolis 500. Losing one of the finest drivers of a generation to retirement could equal a lengthy rebuild for some teams, but if you're Chip Ganassi, you just reload with the defending Indy 500 champion (Kanaan) and one of the most sought after free agents in the sport. And the beat goes on. The official team statement follows below.
Chip Ganassi Racing Teams (CGRT) and NTT DATA, a leading global IT services provider, announced today they have signed Indy car veteran and seven-time winner Ryan Briscoe (pictured below) to drive the No. 8 NTT DATA Chevrolet in the IndyCar Series. Along with the signing of Briscoe, Tony Kanaan (pictured above) will move into the seat vacated by four-time IndyCar Series Champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 Winner Dario Franchitti in the No. 10 Target Chevrolet. Kanaan will run alongside three-time and reigning IndyCar Series Champion and Indianapolis 500 Winner Scott Dixon as part of Team Target.
The team had previously announced an agreement with 2004 Series Champion and 16-time race winner Kanaan to pilot the No. 8 NTT DATA Chevrolet in 2014. Briscoe piloted the NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing entry in the 2013 Indianapolis 500, and started his Indy car racing career in 2005 with CGRT.
“I’m extremely excited, but this is a very bittersweet day for me as many of you know. On one hand I’m driving for the Target Team and couldn’t be more thrilled about the possibilities for next season. On the other hand I’m taking over the seat my good friend Dario had to leave. I was looking forward to reuniting with him more than anything as a teammate. I want to thank NTT DATA, Target and TNT Energy drink for looking at the big picture and making adjustments so that Scott, Ryan, Charlie and I can go out and get the job done for all our partners on track next season. The teamwork that has been shown here is a true reflection of Chip’s style as an owner. I can’t wait to get started,” said Kanaan.
“This is just great news and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the No. 8 car again. We built some great chemistry during the month of May this year with the whole crew. I think all four drivers can win races next season and it’s not every day you get to be a part of a team like that. For me personally it’s been an amazing last few days – this announcement coupled with the birth of our first child just a few days back. I couldn’t be happier right now,” Briscoe said.
“Honestly, it is always refreshing when you have partners that get the big picture and both Target and NTT DATA both understand that. This is the best of both worlds. We not only get the driver that we wanted to add to our team in Ryan Briscoe but in addition we are able to put them in the cars that I felt were the most appropriate. The news couldn’t really be better for all of our teams,” said team owner Chip Ganassi.
Photograpy by Chris Owens (Kanaan) and Chris Jones
