After winning the 2023 title with Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing has announced that its IndyCar program will expand for next season to field five full-time cars.
The new entry will be driven by young Barbados-Caymanese driver Kyffin Simpson, who had joined Ganassi as a development driver in 2022 and competed last season in INDYNXT with the car no. 21, scoring two podiums at the IMS and in Mid Ohio.
The 18-year-old is also competing in different endurance championships. Second in the European Le Mans Series standings with Algarve Pro Racing alongside his teammates Alex Lynn and James Allen with an impressive win in the 4H of Le Castellet and a third place in the inaugural 4H of Aragon in spite of starting from the back of the grid.
Simpson and his teammates are also driving in the Asian Le Mans Series, where they won the opening round in Dubai.
The 2021 Formula Regional America champion will have the chance to compete against a former teammate of his, Scott McLaughlin, with whom he had teamed up for and won the 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class.
Photo credit: Chip Ganassi Racing
After two seasons in the INDYNXT program, and a first test of IndyCar machinery in January, Simpson will make his official debut in the top championship next year. He commented the news very emotionally, grateful for the opportunities handed to him by Ganassi, as he said after the announcement:
“It’s been incredible working with Chip Ganassi Racing as their development driver over the last couple years and I’ve been able to learn so much. I am very excited to be making the next step to INDYCAR with this team.
“I had a great time at the test and I can’t wait to get back in the car. It’s been my dream to race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and it’s an honor to make it happen now with one of the best teams in the series. I’m really looking forward to working more closely with the entire team and the drivers.
“I want to give all the glory to God, and I also want to thank Chip and Mike for giving me this opportunity, Ridgeline Lubricants and The American Legion for their support, and of course my family,” he concluded.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Managing Director Mike Hull also commented on the news: “We welcome Kyffin as a teammate to our INDYCAR program. He has been integrated into a Chip Ganassi Racing multi-year defined development program which now provides the opportunity at open-wheel’s highest level.
“He has already tested an INDYCAR with more to follow as an INDYNXT graduate. In addition, he is already a proven winner in IMSA at the 12 Hours of Sebring in LMP2 and on an LMP2 global stage in the ASLM and ELMS series.”
