Jourdain signs with RuSPORT

Jourdain, 27, won two races for Team Rahal last year, but was left high and dry when Rahal opted to shut down his Champ Car operation earlier this month. Jourdain and primary sponsor Gigante declined to follow Rahal into the IRL.

"RuSPORT was at the top of my list of teams to work with," said Jourdain. "Although this will be their first year in Champ Car, the organization and Carl have shown they are not only committed to the series and making it successful, but they also know how to win races and championships.

"You only have to look at last season and their performance and attitude on their way to dominating the Toyota Atlantic Championship. I couldn't be happier to be here with RuSPORT and I am confident that along with Gigante, I have made the right decision with both the team and the series."

Russo said: "I dare say that we are running two only because Michel became available. So if there is such a thing as a gift from God, we'll take it. Obviously, we had a very successful season last year and we're very much looking forward to coming to the grid with one car at Long Beach with AJ Allmendinger. The opportunity to have Michel join us is too good to pass up. We're going to be stretching, putting two cars on the grid at Long Beach, and see how well we do through the season."