NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing announced today that driver Tony Kanaan will pilot the No. 10 NTT DATA Chevrolet in the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series. The 2004 Verizon IndyCar Series Champion and 2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner scored his first win for the team at the season finale at Auto Club Speedway in 2014, and will continue the legacy of the No. 10 car which boasts 20 wins from Kanaan, Dario Franchitti (13) and Dan Wheldon (6) dating back to 2006.
• NTT DATA and Ganassi: NTT DATA began its relationship with the team in 2013 at the Indianapolis 500 partnering on the No. 8 NTT DATA Indy car. Following the Indianapolis 500, NTT DATA maintained an associate partnership with Ganassi on the No. 83 Indy car of Charlie Kimball. In addition, they fielded a second Prototype at the IMSA Brickyard Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) with Kanaan at the helm of the No. 02 NTT DATA Prototype. NTT DATA became a primary sponsor on the No. 8 entry for the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season and is the official IT services partner to Chip Ganassi Racing Teams.
• The No. 10 Indy car: The No. 10 Indy car has become one of the most sought after seats in all of motor racing in recent years. Dan Wheldon had six wins, three poles and 17 podiums from 2006-2008 when he took the reins of the car as the defending Verizon IndyCar Series Champion and reigning Indianapolis 500 Winner. Dario Franchitti added to the car’s lore when he scored a team-record, three-straight Verizon IndyCar Series Championships from 2009-2011, in addition to two Indianapolis 500 wins (2010 and 2012), 13 overall wins, 16 poles and 36 podiums in just five seasons in the seat. The No. 10 made its debut with Target Chip Ganassi Racing in 1993 with Arie Luyendyk behind the wheel.
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John McCain, President and CEO, NTT DATA: “It was great to see the entire Ganassi team working together in 2014, building to a strong finish to the season. After working alongside him this past year and seeing first hand his energy and expertise, we’re excited to have Tony behind the wheel for NTT DATA in 2015 and what we hope will be the next winning chapter in the rich history of the No. 10 car.”
Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Inc.: “I am pleased to have NTT DATA partner with TK on the No. 10 car. We had planned to have NTT DATA and TK partnered together last season but with Dario’s injury we had to move things around a little bit. NTT DATA has been a great partner for the last couple of years and we are looking forward to much success and a long partnership with them. Also, I think TK had a far better year than the numbers would indicate and his win in Fontana gives him and the team great momentum as we head into 2015.”
Tony Kanaan, Driver, NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing: “I can’t wait to begin working with everyone at NTT DATA. I know and have worked with them before so this will be great. As for the team, we really started to come together at the end of last season and although we ended on a high note with the win in Fontana, I think we had a legitimate chance to win a few more times. We have a year under our belt working together now and I expect to be contending more consistently in 2015.”