Ganassi to use Chevrolet engines in 2014 IndyCar season

The decision means that both its IndyCar and NASCAR programmes will be aligned with the same engine manufacturer.

Ganassi served as Honda's flagship team during the last two years of manufacturer competition, and team owner Chip Ganassi said that the surprise switch came about in a hurry.

"This kind of happened pretty quick," he said. "They've shown they have a great product, and we want to be a part of it.

"We want the opportunity to try to consolidate our manufacturers [in both programmes] and try to be part of a winning effort.

"We've had some great years with Honda, and the opportunity came up to be with Chevrolet, and they really showed a sincere effort in us wanting to be part of their programme."

Jim Campell, Chevrolet's vice-president of performance vehicles and motorsport, described the deal as a "proud moment" for his company.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for the entire team in the way they have organised themselves, the way they conduct themselves, and the way they've delivered results," Campbell said.

"This is a proud moment. We work together on the stock car side of the business, and it's going to be great to have a relationship with the entire organisation for 2014."

The two manufacturers go into this weekend's Houston double-header tied on wins in 2013 (eight) and in the manufacturers' points.

Dario Franchitti won last year's Indianapolis 500 with Honda power, however Chevrolet claimed the 2012 manufacturers' title and also secured this year's Indy win courtesy of Tony Kanaan, who will join Ganassi in a fourth car next season.