Schmidt, Ganassi partner for Indy

March 10, 2009
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schmidtChip 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.
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  • Purdue FanMarch 11, 2009 6:59 AM
    Didn't Franchitti win the 500 with AGR?
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  • CaseyMarch 11, 2009 7:22 AM
    Purdue Fan is correct. Franchitti did win the 500 in '07 while he was with AGR. CGR was still Wheldon and Dixon in '07. Lloyd is a good driver and I'm glad they've already put together a ride for him for the 500, rather than it being an up-in-the-air item for the next few weeks. He deserves a full-time ride more than some of the drivers in Indycar, but just doesn't have the sponsors yet.
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  • SouthSideDaveMarch 15, 2009 5:22 PM
    with 12 cars currently signed to run the full season, he is fortunate to have anything
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  • SouthSideDaveMarch 23, 2009 12:57 PM
    Without Danicles being perpetually fluffed, this place is like the stands at an Indy(is all we got) Racing League event. Totally empty and lifeless.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment
  • SouthSideDaveMarch 23, 2009 11:32 PM
    Here's some Danicle news: 14th and 15th @ Barber.

    I hear the drivers in the F1 paddocks are breathing sighs of relief, happy that she rebuffed F1 and Ecclestone, because with results like this, they were all in fear of their careers.
    Reply to CommentFlag Comment

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