Sage Karam is returning to where it all started for him in the Verizon IndyCar Series. The rising star driver will reunite with Dreyer & Reinbold – Kingdom Racing to compete in the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May.
The announcement came in Dallas with primary sponsor partner Gas Monkey Garage, which features its performance car builds on the Discovery Channel show “Fast N’ Loud.” Karam made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut as a 19-year-old high school senior in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 with Dreyer & Reinbold in association with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, when he made a sensational drive from 31st starting position to finish ninth.
In 2015, Karam competed in 12 races for Chip Ganassi Racing Teams with a pair of top-five finishes on ovals (third at Iowa and fifth at Auto Club Speedway). Now he’s set to drive the No. 24 Gas Monkey Garage Special (pictured below) for Dreyer & Reinbold – Kingdom Racing.
“I’m really thrilled to be associated with Gas Monkey Garage for the 100th Indy 500,” said Karam, a native of Nazareth, Pa., who climbed through the Mazda Road to Indy ranks by winning the 2010 USF2000 and 2013 Indy Lights championships. “It’s exciting to return to the Dreyer & Reinbold – Kingdom team as well. We had a great run in 2014 at Indy.
“As a kid, Discovery Channel was one of my favorite stations and, most recently, I really got into the ‘Fast N’ Loud’ show with the Gas Monkey Garage guys,” he added. “I love cars and these guys are fun to watch, so I can’t wait to work with them and drive the Gas Monkey Special in May.”
The distinctive look of the No. 24 Gas Monkey Garage Special will be the latest Indy 500 entry for Dreyer & Reinbold dating to the 1930s with legendary car builder Floyd “Pop” Dreyer. Dreyer’s grandson, Dennis Reinbold, has entered cars in the Indianapolis 500 dating to 2000.
Gas Monkey Garage has been a successful automotive brand and collector car restoration business since 2002. The Gas Monkey Garage brand is one of the world’s most visible globally within the automobile industry and will launch a new energy drink this year, using the Indianapolis 500 as a platform.
“We are extremely excited and proud to partner with Gas Monkey Garage,” said Reinbold. “We’ve been working very hard since last year’s ‘500’ to build a strong commercial and competitive program for the 100th running. We believe Sage Karam is a very talented driver and we can’t wait for the month of May. The Gas Monkey Garage brand is known worldwide and bringing them to the Indianapolis 500 for the first time is a thrill.”
Richard Rawlings, who leads Gas Monkey Garage, is just as excited to experience Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the month of May.
“The Indy 500 is the biggest race in the world and our Gas Monkey Garage brand ties in very well with the team and legendary race,” Rawlings said. “We can’t wait to see the Gas Monkey Garage Special on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”
Kingdom Racing returns as co-entrant with Dreyer & Reinbold for the 100th Indianapolis 500 for its ninth consecutive appearance at the Indianapolis 500.
“We at Kingdom Racing are extremely excited to be joining Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and Sage Karam for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500,” said Davey Hamilton, the former driver who serves as Kingdom Racing’s managing director. “We have past experience with Sage and have confidence we can be contenders for the win.”
