Jones eager to make most of Ganassi opportunity

In what could easily be mistaken for a passage from the movie The Godfather, Ed Jones channeled his inner Don Vito Corleone while answering why he chose to leave Dale Coyne Racing for Chip Ganassi's championship-winning squad.

"It was an offer that came up that I certainly couldn't refuse for the betterment of my career," Jones told RACER. "It's something that I think is an important move for me, it's simple as that, really."

Jones has gone from winning the 2016 Indy Lights championship with Carlin Racing 13 months ago to studying alongside the peerless Sebastien Bourdais at DCR to finishing third on his Indy 500 debut to being thrust into the spotlight next to Scott Dixon in one of IndyCar's most coveted seats. The whirlwind tour has left the 22-year-old in a state of immense gratitude.

"I'm really thankful for everything Seb [Bourdais] taught me, and to Dale Coyne and the team to help me learn so much and improve as I did," he said. "Now I'm looking forward for what's to come at Chip Ganassi Racing, and not many young drivers get an opportunity to learn from one four-time champion as a rookie and then learn from another four-time champion right after that. I'm going to cherish this."

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Despite his lack of experience, Jones is confident he will be capable of using the No. 10 NTT Data Honda to make a statement next year.

"I know I'm now part of a championship-winning team that will give me everything I need to be successful," he said. "It will be down to me to make it happen, and I wouldn't have come here if I wasn't inviting the opportunity to make the most of this chance with Chip Ganassi Racing."

In less than six weeks, the Mazda Road to Indy has seen the two most recent Indy Lights champions earn major full-time rides. With 2015 title winner Spencer Pigot promoted to the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy after impressing throughout a part-time campaign with the team, and Jones' move from DCR to CGR after a single season, the value of the MRTI will definitely be on display in 2018.

And with new Indy Lights champion Kyle Kaiser set for at least four IndyCar rounds with Juncos Racing to follow in their footsteps, the ladder system continues to reward young talent with a lift into the big series.

"It's a proven ladder, and it's great to see Spencer and myself can show that all we've learned on the Mazda Road to Indy has paid dividends in our IndyCar careers," he said. "It's important for drivers who want to move into IndyCar to get involved in the Mazda Road to Indy because it prepares you exactly for what you need.

"IndyCar's the toughest series for a rookie, I believe, if you look at how long it can take to get fully up to speed. And that's why the training I've gotten and Spencer's gotten in Indy Lights, for example, has made such a big difference in getting us to where we are now."