INDYCAR: Karam hoping to return with Ganassi

Sage Karam made a lot of fans in 2015 because he was young, fast, bold, personable, occasionally reckless and unfailingly honest.

Currently out of a ride for the 2016 IndyCar series, the 20-year-old gasser from Nazareth, Pa. was asked what he needed most as Christmas approaches?

"I need some guys to retire," he replied with a laugh referring to the 40-something set of Helio Castroneves, Juan Pablo Montoya and Tony Kanaan. "I need some seats to open up and there are some high-profile seats that hopefully will be opening up in a year or two. But I really want to be with Ganassi. That's my hope and goal so right now I need to raise some sponsorship."

Following his dazzling debut in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 when he finished ninth after starting 31st, Karam got the dream opportunity this past season as the fourth driver for Ganassi. And it was a typical rookie campaign with good, bad and a little ugly.

"Looking back, I had a chance to win Iowa, Fontana and even Detroit before my bone-headed moves," said the 2013 Indy Lights champion.

"I was involved in some headlines with Ed (Carpenter) at Iowa and Fontana, where people were still talking about IndyCar a week after that race. I got a nice story in the New York Times, and it was good for me as well as the team. I learned a lot and did everything we could."

With funding help from Comfort Revolution and Big Machine Records to go with Ganassi's budget, Karam was able to run 12 of the 16 races in the No. 8 Dallara-Chevrolet.

"Michael (Fuchs) of Comfort Revolution and Scott (Borchetta) of Big Machine still want to help me but they're not going to spend $6-7 million, so my manager Mickey (Ryan) is looking for sponsorship.

"I've talked to other owners but they all need money, and Ganassi is where I want to be. I love those guys."

Karam doesn't want to think about being a spectator in 2016, but it's a distinct possibility.

"Unless you have a big check it's tough, and right now it's a hard sell but it's going to be very difficult to get a seat for next year. Like I said, a couple of primo rides should open up in the next year or two, but I sure don't want to wait that long. I know I'm only 20, but I can't get better sitting around."