As IndyCar Testing Continues, Free Agents Vie for Final Spots

May 11, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Sage Karam drives through the pits during practice for the 2014 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Sage Karam

Upside: Chip Ganassi Racing development driver Karam debuted in last year’s Indianapolis 500 for Dreyer & Reinbold, starting on the last row and flying to a ninth-place finish. Regardless of attrition’s role, Karam made brave, aggressive overtakes with the same flash he displayed in this year’s Rolex 24.

At the 500’s banquet, Karam, then a high school senior, joked he would use his six-figure earnings as lunch money. That youth has never been an impediment; Karam was the Indy Lights champion at 18 and the U. S. F2000 titlist while 15.

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In four starts at the Iowa Speedway across the IndyCar ladder series, Karam has four wins. Even as a rookie, he’d be a shoo-in for the race this July.

Questions: With Target narrowing its sponsorship to just one car, the Ganassi team – Karam’s most likely home – will need funding to run a fourth entry.

Verdict: Either Karam drives Ganassi’s #8 or it doesn’t run.