Schmidt, Ganassi partner for Indy

Chip Ganassi Racing and Sam Schmidt Motorsports will partner to field a car for Alex Lloyd in the 93rd Running of the Indianapolis 500. Lloyd, the 2007 Firestone Indy Lights champion, is a development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing who made his Indy Racing League debut with a 25th place finish in the 2008 Indianapolis 500.

“The opportunity with Sam and his team is perfect for us,” said CGR team owner Chip Ganassi. “I’ve said many times before that Alex will be one of the future stars of the IndyCar Series, and for the second straight year we are able to provide him what I believe is an excellent opportunity for the month of May.”

Lloyd dominated Firestone Indy Lights in 2007, driving the No. 7 Sam Schmidt Motorsports car to eight race victories and five poles, including the Freedom 100 support event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Lloyd will work with engineers Tim Neff (SSM) and Andy Brown (CGR) on the race program. Lloyd and Neff worked together in 2007 while Brown partnered with Lloyd on his Indianapolis 500 program in 2008.

This year marks the ninth consecutive season Sam Schmidt has participated in the Indianapolis 500 as an owner following three starts as a driver. Schmidt’s driving career was cut short when a racing accident in 2000 left him paralyzed.