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Sage Karam gets 2016 Indy 500 drive with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

Former Ganassi IndyCar driver Sage Karam has secured a 2016 Indianapolis 500 drive with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing

The 20-year-old made his series debut for DRR at Indy in 2014, finishing ninth after qualifying 31st, before contesting 12 events with Ganassi last year.

"It's exciting to return to the Dreyer & Reinbold - Kingdom team," said Karam. "We had a great run in 2014 at Indy."

Karam scored his first IndyCar podium with third at Iowa Speedway last year.

But his season ended on a tragic note when debris from his crash while leading at Pocono struck and killed Justin Wilson.

Karam sought professional counselling after that crash, feeling he was responsible for Wilson's death.

Ganassi rallied around the 2013 Indy Lights champion to help boost his spirits but as the off-season went on the team decided to exercise its option on Karam and release the young driver from his contract.

DRR team owner Dennis Reinbold is confident Karam can be a frontrunner at Indy with his squad, which will again partner with former driver Davey Hamilton's Kingdom Racing organisation for the event.

"We've been working very hard since last year's 500 to build a strong commercial and competitive programme for the 100th running," said Reinbold.

"We believe Sage Karam is a very talented driver and we can't wait for the month of May."

SPONSOR FOR INDY 500

For the first time in its history, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has sold presenting sponsorship for the 500.

In a three-year deal beginning with the 100th Indianapolis 500 on May 29, the race will be called 'the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.'

The deal is worth nearly $5million for three years.

PennGrade Motor Oil sponsored cars in the Indy 500 from 1955-58.

Last year it was an associate sponsor on Graham Rahal's car and will continue its involvement with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles said: "This historic announcement is welcome news for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and generates even more momentum for the entire Verizon IndyCar Series."

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