Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing promoted to INDYCAR Leader’s Circle

Graham Rahal happy team gets IndyCar money

The IZOD IndyCar Series announced today its 22 confirmed full-time Leader's Circle entries eligible for TEAM (Team Enhancement and Allocation Matrix) financial foundation for the 2011 season.

"Credibility on the track remains top priority as we strive to continue to deliver the best racing to our fans," said Randy Bernard, chief executive officer, INDYCAR. "Once we confirmed we had 21 of the 22 Leader's Circle entries returning full-time this season, we began to look at other full-time entrants based on a variety of criteria including commitment, stability and performance. We decided to award the final Leader's Circle spot to the No. 38 Service Central Chip Ganassi Racing car with driver Graham Rahal."

TEAM is limited to the top 22 entrants in the final IZOD IndyCar Series entrant points from the 2010 season. Should an entrant from the previous season not take its place fulltime on the grid the following season, INDYCAR can award the remaining spot at its discretion. Each Leader's Circle entrant is assured approximately $1.2 million through the program.