Sara Price has been revealed as the first driver to commit to the new Extreme E series and will race for American outfit Chip Ganassi Racing.
Price began her career on two wheels, racing in motocross where she was a 19-time national champion and X Games gold medalist.
She transitioned to four wheels in 2012 and has since raced in off-road trucks. She was the first female driver to compete in Stadium Super Trucks, making her debut in Toronto in 2016, finishing second on her trophy truck debut in the 2017 Best in the Desert Laughlin Desert Classic.
Price also tested a Global Rallycross Lites car in 2017 and won Hoonigan’s Driver Search program with Fiat. She later raced an Abarth 124 rally car to sixth place at Pikes Peak.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me and something I’ve been working my whole career for,” said Price. “When you think of the name Chip Ganassi, you immediately think about winning. It’s a team I’ve long admired whether it be in IndyCar, NASCAR, sportscars or rallycross.
“Chip’s teams define winning. As a racer, that’s the type of owner you want to race for. He’s a former driver and I’m honored to represent the team while also becoming the first female driver for CGR and Extreme E.
“The 2021 season seems far away but there is much to be done to get ready in a new form of racing and for the challenges the series presents. It’s a very exciting time not only for myself, but for this championship and the climate and environmental issues it intends to bring attention to.”
While a number of drivers have expressed an interest in competing in the new-for-2021 series by joining its Driver Program, Price is the first driver to officially be announced by a competing team.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Sara Price to Extreme E,” said Extreme E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag. “As a driver she has already achieved so much and with the support of an incredible team like Chip Ganassi Racing I’m sure she will be a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel.
“This is a great milestone as Extreme E now has its first confirmed driver. Chip Ganassi Racing has certainly set the bar high with Sara and we look forward to welcoming the rest of our competitor field over the coming weeks.”
As well as being Chip Ganassi Racing’s first confirmed Extreme E driver, Price is also the first female to race for the team in its 30-year history.
“Today’s announcement of Sara Price as a Chip Ganassi Racing driver is significant. Yes, she is a female, but first, Sara is an accomplished race driver,” said Mike Hull, managing director at Chip Ganassi Racing.
“She has proven herself in the all-terrain arena on two and four wheels from a young age. Her next step represents her craft globally with several firsts.
“The series promotes a world’s-first gender equality platform. The teams will each have a male driver counterpart who swaps the driving chore in the same race car ‘at the turn’ by driving head-to-head in multiple heat races to get into the final. Our drivers will unselfishly share in support of each other to get it done on-track and off-track.
“Equal teammates have always defined Chip Ganassi Racing’s culture. Extreme E is about innovation through engagement. Its message to preserve the environment and protect the planet will create social awareness. To be a part of what the future holds in partnership is a very positive step. Our entire team is excited to have such a quality person in Sara to help stimulate team growth.”
