Another IndyCar Series team has seen the benefits of fielding an Indy Pro Series team. source: indycar.com Chip Ganassi Racing will expand its Indy Racing League program with the creation of a two-car Indy Pro Series effort to contest the 2007 season. Drivers Chris Festa and Pablo Perez will join the Indianapolis-based team's stable of drivers that includes 2003 IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon as well as 2005 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dan Wheldon. "I am excited about this," team owner Chip Ganassi said. "Despite the fact that we are involved in a number of racing leagues, I am a big proponent of open-wheel racing in the U.S. I feel it is a great form of racing, and anything that we can do as an organization to help cultivate young talent in the cars and also in the garage is a benefit to us as a team and the open wheel racing industry." Target Chip Ganassi Racing, which will enter its sixth season of IndyCar Series competition in 2007, will utilize its team in the Indy Pro Series to gauge young drivers who compete in a diverse schedule that features seven races on ovals, seven on road courses and two on street courses. The benefits also include IndyCar Series bonus tests for the team and its drivers. Andretti Green Racing and Super Aguri Panther Racing also field cars in the Indy Pro Series. "We're pleased to welcome Chip and the entire Ganassi Racing team to the Indy Pro Series," said Roger Bailey, executive director of the Indy Pro Series. "The addition of Chip Ganassi Racing to our lineup of teams, which also includes IndyCar Series entrants Andretti Green Racing and Panther Racing, marks another step forward for the series." Team managing director Mike Hull sees the launch of the team's newest program not just as an extension of the Target team's IndyCar Series program, but a challenge in its own right. "The Indy Pro Series allows us all to see the driver talent and future stars of open-wheel racing," said Hull. "It also enhances the talent this team has. This team has supported the development of young drivers for a long time, and we're always looking for those that are starting to show promise. We believe that Chris Festa and Pablo Perez are those drivers for us. The Indy Pro Series program is just another way to do that." "We're doing this in support of the future of open-wheel racing and the Indy Racing League," added Hull. "This program will be managed in house, as it should be done. The Indy Pro Series isn't just an extension of our IndyCar Series program, it's a good place to race and see upcoming talent." Festa, a 21-year-old Atlanta native, will return for his third season of competition in the Indy Pro Series. He has 19 top-10 finishes in 23 career starts.
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