BBC SPORT | MOTORSPORT | Ganassi takes IRL plunge

Four-time Cart series champion Chip Ganassi Racing has decided also to take part in the entire rival Indy Racing League series this year.

Ganassi has fielded cars for the last two years in the IRL's blue-riband event, the Indianapolis 500, winning it with Juan Pablo Montoya in 2000.

And now American Jeff Ward will drive a Ganassi car throughout the IRL.

Team owner Chip Ganassi has been a mainstay in the Cart series, where he will continue to field a two-car team.

The main thing that we are trying to do is gather information and expertise about these cars

Chip Ganassi

The team won a record four straight Cart titles from 1996-1999.

Ganassi also has a two-car team in Nascar's Winston Cup Series.

Ganassi's decision is yet another indication that a merger between the two series may be edging closer.

Cart's most successful team, Penske, has abandoned the series this year in favour of the IRL and many Cart teams will be running in the Indy 500.

Ganassi said: "I'm looking forward to this season. However, I want to be cautious about this year because it is going to be a learning year for us.

"The main thing that we are trying to do is gather information and expertise about these cars."

Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi
Penkse and Ganassi's teams will both race in the IRL this year
It is considered a great opportunity for Ward, a 40-year-old former motorcycle champion who has yet to win an IRL race.

"This is what I've been shooting for my entire career," Ward said. "I'm extremely excited to be running with a first-class operation. I feel that I have a great chance to win some races and, more importantly, the Indy 500.

"When Chip approached me about driving for him, I found it hard to wipe the smile from my face. It's quite an honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility, which is to win."

Ganassi was the first of the major Cart owners to bring his team back to the Indy 500, which became an IRL race in 1996 when Indy owner Tony George set the series up.


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