IRL: Chip Ganassi Racing to field two cars in 2003

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - Target Chip Ganassi Racing announced today their plans to run two cars next year in the Indy Racing League. Signed to drive next year for the team are two of the sport's finest young drivers - current Team Target pilot Scott Dixon and second-year IRL driver Tomas Scheckter. Team owner Chip Ganassi is looking forward to the challenge of competing full-time in the IRL.

"I'm looking forward to racing in the IRL next season. We had a taste of the IRL this year and it's a great series. I'm also excited about the two young drivers that we have on board for next season. These two guys have shown that they can win races and that's what we're about. It's going to be a big challenge, but we're ready for it."

Powering the team next year will be Toyota engines, a partner of the team since the 2000 season. Indy Racing League car manufacturer G Force will supply the chassis for the 2003 season. After earning Toyota's initial CART victory in 2000, Target Chip Ganassi Racing will look to provide the manufacturer its first IRL triumph in 2003.

Tomas Scheckter, the 22-year-old son of 1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter, is entering his second season in the ultra- competitive Indy Racing League series. Last season, he won three poles, was third in laps led and captured his first career victory at the Michigan Indy 400 on July 28th. Scheckter is eager to begin the season.

"I've said all along that I wanted to stay in the Indy Racing League and it's a dream to join a great organization like this," Scheckter said. "I had an up-and-down year last season, but I learned a lot. I'm already excited about racing with the Target team and Toyota power, I just wish that the season would get started a little sooner."

Alongside Scheckter is current Team Target driver Scott Dixon. Success on oval tracks is nothing new for Dixon. In the last two years in CART, he has recorded 9 top-10 finishes in 12 races on oval tracks. In fact, Dixon became the youngest winner in major open-wheel racing history at the age of 20 years and 9 months when he drove a Toyota-powered Reynard to the checkered flag in Nazareth, PA in April 2001. The 22-year-old Dixon is glad to be back for a second season at Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

"I'm very happy to be back with the team for another year," Dixon explained. "This has been the best team in open-wheel racing for the last 10 years. It's a great team with great people and it's one of the main reasons that I wanted to come back for another year. Add that to a top-notch sponsor in Target and an engine manufacturer that I've worked with since I moved up from Indy Lights in Toyota and I think we have all the ingredients to win another championship for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. I've had a lot of success on the ovals in my career and it's going to be a fun year."

-cgr-