IndyCar: Ganassi announces two-driver plan for its No. 8 entry

Chip Ganassi Racing unveiled its upcoming plans today for the No. 8 Chevrolet entry in the Verizon IndyCar Series, which includes races for both CGRT development driver Sage Karam (LEFT) and team newcomer Sebastian Saavedra, who will drive the No. 8 AFS Chevrolet at this weekend's Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

After starts in St. Petersburg and New Orleans this season for CGRT, Karam will rejoin the team in the No. 8 Chevrolet for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and the Indianapolis 500, and is scheduled to run the balance of the season until Sonoma.

"We've been committed to Sage and to running the No. 8 car in the full Verizon IndyCar Series season since day one, and this plan reflects our continued investment in the series and in the team," said team boss Chip Ganassi. "Sage continues to grow his race craft in his development role with us, and we look forward to having both he and Sebastian contribute to the No. 8 team moving forward this season."

"I'm grateful to Chip and the team for their ongoing commitment to me, and I can't wait to get back in the car at Barber," said Karam. "I just take things one day at a time and nothing has really changed for me since I started as a development driver here– when Chip calls, I'm ready to go race."

Saavedra (RIGHT) will be backed by AFS Racing/Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc., for the races in Long Beach, the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and Sonoma, with an additional race at the Indianapolis 500 through a fifth entry overseen by the Ganassi team.

"It's good to be back in the Verizon IndyCar Series. This is an amazing opportunity for me with AFS to work with one of the most prestigious teams in all of racing," said Saavedra. "I'm very grateful to Chip and the team, which have had an incredible history in the sport, and specifically in the Indianapolis 500. I'm looking forward to Long Beach and doing everything I can to help get the No. 8 car to the front."

AFS owner Gary Peterson added: "I'm excited about this coming together quickly with the Ganassi No. 8 entry. It looks to be a great alignment between AFS Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and Sebastian Saavedra. My heart has always been in racing and it will be great to see Sebastian have the chance he deserves with a great team. With the opportunities being limited for AFS, we had planned to sit this season out until this fantastic opportunity!"