Photo Credit: LAT Photography
When looking at the final rundown for the Verizon IndyCar Series season opener at St. Petersburg, there was notably one team missing from the top-five – Chip Ganassi Racing. If there’s a place where they can make something happen, it’s this weekend at Phoenix.
Only three of the series’ current drivers have raced on the Arizona oval before in IndyCar competition, and two of those are from the Ganassi stable, being Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan.
Kanaan was the most successful of the bunch, scoring a podium finish in each of his three starts, including a pair of wins. He is known as one of the strongest drivers on ovals in the series with three previous short oval victories while posting a sixth place finish at Milwaukee last year.
A strong run would bode well for the Brazilian after finishing ninth at St. Petersburg. Kanaan expressed disappointment in how the weekend went, but noted the team was able to take away some positives, like moving up 10 spots from where they started the event.
“NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing is more than prepared heading into Phoenix,” he stated. “I’ve had some really good results there with the two wins (2003 and 2004) and I felt really good at the test earlier this year. I’m focused and the team is ready for a good result out in Phoenix, so we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen.”
Meanwhile, Dixon finished seventh at St. Petersburg and has only one top-10 – a second in 2004 – in his previous three Phoenix starts.
“I’m excited for the return to Phoenix,” Dixon commented. “I think the last time I was there was 2005. It’s a tough track and I know it’s changed a bit over the years with some resurfacing, so it will be interesting to see how it handles now. I love the area and Arizona is a great part of the world. There are a lot of fans in the area and I hope they are as excited as we are to return and go racing there again.”
