IndyCar – BREAKING NEWS: Tony Kanaan to Ganassi

Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press reports that 2013 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race Winner and 2004 IRL Series Champion Tony Kanaan has signed a deal to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2014. The popular Brazilian has made his free agency aspirations well known in the media since it was discovered that KV Racing Technology was having difficulty financing his 2013 effort. His name had been linked to the Ganassi seat, but also seats at Andretti Autosport, Bryan Herta Autosport, Panther Racing and a possible return to KV Racing Technology.

Details, including car number, are not known at this time.

Kanaan has driven for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Grand-Am Series in the past, and had previously turned down an IZOD IndyCar Series ride at Ganassi to stay loyal to his then taam owner, Michael Andretti. Kanaan has spent the past three seasons with KV Racing Technology after a deal with DeFerran/Dragon Racing fell through just days before the 2011 season opener at St. Petersburg.  Kanaan spent eight seasons at Andretti Autosport upon his entry to the Indy Racing League. Prior to that, Kanaan raced for Tasman Motorsports, Forsythe Racing and Mo Nunn racing in the CART/FedEd Championship Series. Kanaan made his first IRL start in 2002, a 28th place result at Indianapolis with Mo Nunn Racing.

Kanaan has 169 starts, 15 wins, 11 poles, 14 fastest laps, the 2004 series championship and the 2013 Indianapolis 500 win to his credit.

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