Chip Ganassi Fined and Suspended

One Race after COVID-19 Violation

NASCAR officials issued a one-race suspension Monday to team owner Chip Ganassi for violating COVID-19 event protocols last weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

Ganassi violated Section 12.8.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, a subsection of the member conduct guidelines that includes compliance with COVID-19 event procedures. Officials said that Ganassi’s penalty was “for bringing into the competition area a non-essential individual that was restricted from the footprint.” 

Well how about that?!?! Man, our @CGRTeams @MonsterEnergy @TeamChevy crew was awesome. pic.twitter.com/uuH1je4u7i

— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) February 21, 2021

Ganassi was also fined $30,000. Pending any potential appeal, he is barred from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Chip Ganassi Racing is still permitted to field its two entries — the No. 1 Chevrolet for driver Kurt Busch and the No. 42 Chevy for Ross Chastain — in Sunday’s event.

Never give up!
Never give up!@KurtBusch @MonsterEnergy @NASCAR

— Chip Ganassi (@GanassiChip) February 21, 2021

Chip Ganassi Racing and The American Legion

Multi-Year NTT INDYCAR SERIES Relationship / The American Legion to sponsor the No. 48 driven by racing legends, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Kanaan

Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today a multi-year agreement with the nation’s largest veterans service organization, The American Legion, as a sponsor of the No. 48 Honda in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES represented by a combination of Seven-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson (street and road courses) and former Indianapolis 500 Winner and Series Champion Tony Kanaan (ovals).

“We’re excited about this new relationship with The American Legion as it allows us to further the sponsorship program on the No. 48 team with Jimmie and Tony, while also representing a very important relationship with an organization dedicated to supporting veterans,” said Chip Ganassi, team owner of Chip Ganassi Racing. “Jimmie in particular has a long-standing appreciation for the service of veterans, so it was just another reason why partnering with The American Legion on his debut in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES made sense.”

The American Legion will be featured prominently on Johnson’s No. 48 Honda during every race in the 2021 and 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The organization will also be the primary paint scheme for two races in 2021, including, “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend. Kanaan, winner of the 2013 Indianapolis 500, will be behind the wheel for those races.

“This is truly a win-win for all involved,” said James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion. “Teaming up with Chip Ganassi Racing allows The American Legion to showcase how it strengthens America every day through its programs, advocacy and support of veterans and their families. We’re looking forward to bringing that message and our mission to race fans across the country.”

The announcement comes on #GivingTuesday, a day of global giving designed to help change communities and the world. As a result, Johnson, who has family members that have served in the military, will be making a $10,000 donation to The American Legion. Johnson hopes his donation will motivate fans and the public to support our veterans by donating $48 to The American Legion. The $48 pays homage to the number 48 car that he and Kanaan will drive. Donors can visit legion.org/48 to make a gift and help celebrate this new relationship and veterans across the country.

“Our family knows firsthand how important it is to recognize our veterans,” said Johnson, who’s grandfathers and brother-in-law served in the military. “It’s exciting to be partnering with The American Legion to be able to show our appreciation to veterans and to continue to raise public awareness and support for this special organization. Giving Tuesday is a great day to announce this partnership and a way for fans to show their appreciation for our veterans.”

About The American Legion

 

The American Legion is the largest veterans service organization with nearly 2 million members in more than 12,000 posts across the nation. Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome community programs, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security and continued devotion to servicemembers and veterans.

ICYMI: @JimmieJohnson announces the new relationship between himself, @TonyKanaan & @CGRTeams, and The American Legion for the 2021/2022 @IndyCar seasons, as well as how via #GivingTuesday you can support our efforts assisting #veterans & families. https://t.co/JgV94U2yAw

— The American Legion (@AmericanLegion) December 1, 2020

About Chip Ganassi Racing 

Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 30 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include four cars in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, two cars in the NASCAR Cup Series, and one car in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Extreme E. Overall, his teams have 20 championships and over 225 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, eight Rolex 24 At Daytonas, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh. 

 

For more information log onto www.chipganassiracing.com

Source: Team PR

Rolex 24 Grand Marshal Chip Ganassi on Verge of 200th Overall Career Win as Team Owner

The boys are back in town and they’re ready for some serious racing action this weekend.

That best describes Ford Chip Ganassi Racing heading into Saturday’s 56th annual Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Not only are defending GTLM winners Joey Hand, Dirk Muller and Sebastien Bourdais back to defend their 2017 Rolex 24 title in the No. 66 Ford GT, team owner Chip Ganassi will be Rolex royalty, serving as Grand Marshal for the event.

And if that’s not all, Ganassi – who has been coming to Daytona since first serving as a crew member in 1985 – is going for his 200th overall race win as a team owner across all platforms he’s been involved in over his career, including IMSA, IndyCar, WEC and NASCAR.

#FordIMSA | Two hours to go in the #Rolex24 and the Ford GTs make their final driver change. @RWestbrook1 sits in p1 with @JoeyHandRacing close behind. pic.twitter.com/fHFpEEOXwH

— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) January 28, 2018

He’s also seeking his third overall Rolex win, having previously done so in both Prototype and GTLM.

“The Rolex 24 At Daytona is always a special race to me, not only because it signifies the beginning of the racing season but more importantly because of the magnitude of the event itself,” Ganassi said. “There are few races in the world that capture the imagination of race fans everywhere as well as the automotive industry and the Rolex is one of them.

“It also has a diverse group or manufacturers and drivers alike and when you win the Rolex 24 At Daytona, you know you have accomplished something special.”

The No. 66 will start Saturday’s 24-hour endurance race second in the GTLM class, just missing the top qualifying spot by 19/100ths of a second. It was on the pole for last year’s race.

“How cool would it be if we could win this thing for Chip’s 200th win after he gives us the call to start our engines?,” Hand said. “That would be something, for sure.

“In the history of Chip Ganassi Racing, they’ve always had good race cars at Daytona, so I think we have another good shot at it. Last year it came down to six or seven cars at the finish, so really it’s a no-mistakes race. You have to be clean for 24 hours. We spent a lot of time at Roar trying to make a good race car and obviously we did pretty well because we had the quickest lap.”

The No. 66 was the quickest in the Roar Before the Rolex 24 three weeks ago, while the No. 67 was third-quickest, giving them first and third choices of garage/pit space.

“The key for us on the No. 66 team is to always make a good race car, because you have to have a car you can put in position,” Hand said. “Sometimes you have to pass on the inside, sometimes on the outside. It has to be a good overall race car you can place anywhere. Hopefully we get back to the race and have a good car like we left the Roar with.”

Meanwhile, the No. 67 of Ryan Briscoe, Richard Westbrook and Scott Dixon will start fifth in the nine-car class (it finished 10th in last year’s Rolex), having qualified with a time of 1:43:091. The team was the No. 2 qualifier for last year’s race.

“Daytona is unique and like no other track we race on,” driver Richard Westbrook said. “It’s all about a compromise of top speed on the straight to get through the traffic and carrying enough downforce to help you through the infield.

“To turn consistent quick laps, you have to be quick through the infield but also make the passes on the straight, otherwise your laps are ruined following slower traffic through the infield.”

Added Briscoe, “I think last year was a really strong performance for our cars. “We had really good pace and we proved that we could win the race.

“I think we come into this year feeling fairly confident that we have done what we can to prepare, but there are so many unknowns. We have a lot of experience with the equipment and race, but it’s always a tough one. It’s a 24-hour race and a lot can, and will, happen. We just have to trust our preparation.”

source

Related Posts:

1. Ready for the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA?!
2. The #NASCAR FoundationOur Impact Over 12 Years
3. Premium Motorsports and Danica Patrick "Come Full Circle"
4. Todd Gilliland Adds More Races to The 2018 Schedule
5. Stenhouse Jr. Concentrating on His Racing Not Patrick

Chip Ganassi Racing Names Doug Duchardt Chief Operating Officer

Max Jones Promoted to Managing Director of the Team’s NASCAR Operation

Doug Duchardt

Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today that long-time racing executive Doug Duchardt has been named Chief Operating Officer of the corporation. Duchardt begins the role effective immediately in preparation for the upcoming 2018 seasons while Max Jones is promoted to Managing Director of the team’s NASCAR Operation joining Mike Hull, Managing Director of the team’s INDYCAR and IMSA Operations.

@EGRTeams Max Jones, team principal Chip Ganassi strategize on back of team hauler in #NASCAR garage @NHMS http://t.co/vzfY4pxd

— Dave Rodman (@DRodmanNASCAR) July 16, 2012

Additionally, a newly formed Corporate Office will include Team Owner and CEO Chip Ganassi, President Steve Lauletta, COO Duchardt, CFO Chuck Gottschalk and Vice President of Human Resources Rob Wilder. The Corporate Office will oversee all of CGR’s racing and commercial activities globally.

Duchardt will work closely with Managing Directors Max Jones and Mike Hull and team President Steve Lauletta to increase collaboration, performance and growth across all of CGR’s worldwide racing activities.

“We are all so pleased to get someone with both Doug’s racing credentials and his business acumen,” said Ganassi. “He has a lot of racing championships under his belt and a strong track record for running successful businesses and has the respect of the racing industry. Doug will be a great addition to help lead what I think is already a very good group of people.”

Duchardt brings a championship pedigree with him as he was most recently executive vice president and general manager at Hendrick Motorsports (HMS). He spent over 12 years at HMS where he directed all racing operations for a NASCAR team that fields four cars in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS). Under his watch, the team won seven MENCS Championships including a run of six consecutive from 2006-11.

“I am excited to become a part of Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Duchardt. “I, along with the rest of the industry have always admired Chip and what he does across so many forms of racing. What has been especially impressive of late has been the turnaround they have made in their NASCAR operation. I am also looking forward to competing in INDYCAR and IMSA once again. Along with Felix Sabates and Rob Kauffman, Chip has assembled a group of championship caliber people on each of his teams that I am looking forward to working with and helping them achieve even more success both on and off the track.”

Prior to HMS, the Morton, IL native spent over 20 years with General Motors where he most recently managed their entire North American motor sports initiatives with relationships in NASCAR, INDYCAR, NHRA, IMSA and SCCA.

He is a graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology with a mechanical engineering degree. He earned a master’s degree in engineering from Purdue University. Most recently he completed his Advanced Certificate for Executives at Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

Duchardt resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Pam and has three children, Jackson, Hannah and Matthew.

About Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi has been a fixture in the auto racing industry for over 30 years and is considered one of the most successful as well as innovative owners the sport has anywhere in the world. Today his teams include two cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, two cars in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, one car in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, two factory Ford GT’s in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and two factory Ford GT’s in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Overall his teams have 18 championships and 199 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, seven Rolex 24 At Daytonas, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ganassi boasts state-of-the-art race shop facilities in Indianapolis and Concord, N.C., with a corporate office in Pittsburgh, PA.

Related Posts:

1. Three Men Arrested In Attempted Burglary at the Childress Residence
2. Joey Logano Forms Close Bond With Make-A-Wish Buddy
3. Kyle Larson Wins Midget Race in New Zealand
4. Congratulations to the Harvick Family
5. Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout

Joey Hand – Racing Dreams #ILikeWinners

Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA - #Winners
2016 24-Hours of Le Mans LMGTE Pro Class

 

 

June 2016 represented a fantastic historical moment for the Ford Motor Company. The organization is assured enough to dared to return to Le Man, fifty years after an incredible 1966 victory, with the belief that they could take on that tough competition for the win once more. 

In 1966, this Ford GT40 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In case you are not aware, in June of 1966, Ford entered their Ford GT40 and secured their first event win. There was quite a rivalry between Enzo Ferrari and Henry Ford II. However, the victory wasn't easy. It came after years of testing and expense to improve engineering efforts. And it wasn't until great American Icon,  Carroll Shelby took over the program that the GT40 won. The 1966 winning Le Man’s Ford was piloted by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.

Fast Forward . . . . a half a century later, building a brand new car and racing it at Le Mans (Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France) for the win loomed a monumental commission . . . . the stuff dreams are made of.

NASCAR Race Mom was first introduced to Joey Hand when he was just a youngster and racing in the International Kart Federation Region 7 with her son. After karting, Hand apprenticed two years in the competitive Star Mazda Series.

“I did Star Mazda for two years, starting in 1998. I drove my own car; somebody bought the car for me and I did it out of my dad's garage. Me, my dad and my dad's stock car engine builder went along. I won a race at Pike's peak that year. The next year I won the West Coast Championship, Hand recalled. That Star Mazda car taught me a lot.”

Hand turned those earlier lessons into a very successful racing career. He was best known as a sports car driver, and is co-winner of the 2011 24-Hours of Daytona driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, and the 2012 12 Hours of Sebring GT class for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Then a chance meeting with his previous boss set the stage for a racing dream come true. Hand was running down the back of pit lane at Petit Le Mans to congratulate his friends at Turner for winning the 2014 Championship. He literally had to slide to a stop to avoid running into Chip Ganassi. Chip, known to be super blunt and to the point, invited Hand to race for him.

“What? I was saying, and Chip said ‘yeah come drive for me next year - this is the time.’ We had talked about it before . . . I said oh, can I call you - so short story that's what started this; basically running into him on pit lane and without that lucky meeting, I don't know if he would ever call me and invited me to drive for him.” Hand chuckled.

That unscripted encounter, put Joey into the driver’s seat at the 2016 24-Hours of Le Mans LMGTE Pro class for Ford Chip Ganassi Team USA driving the Ford GT* with teammates Dirk Müller and Sebastien Bourdais.

The number 68 Ford captured the pole position in qualifying, with Müller notching the fastest time. It was a pole-to-pole finish for Ford, although there were periods during the race, especially overnight, when Ford ran second to their old rival Ferrari.

“We had a steering wheel malfunction, the car wouldn't shut off as they fueled and we got a drive thru penalty. We lost about sixty seconds. In Le Mans, there are no yellow flags to bunches the field. I drove three - three hour stints. I was in second, it was really late, in the middle of the night, when I was lucky to be the guy in the car when we had pace and I passed the Ferrari for the final time with just four hours to go. I passed the Ferrari after catching him from seventeen seconds back. I got to passed him and then pulled away.” Hand detailed fondly.

After that immense battle with the No. 82 Ferrari, the No. 68 Ford GT took the lead for the final time in the twentieth hour of the race and Müller drove the race car across the finish line for the checkered flag. In addition to winning the race, the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing squad placed three of its cars in the top four in the LMGTE Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Almost a repeat of the 1966 ‘one-two-three’ finish.

“Fifty years between Ford's first win with the GT40 in '66 you know, they built this car to go back to win on 50th year anniversary, I mean they wanted to win - it was all about Le Mans, all about winning on the 50th year," Joey stated. "I keep attributing it to like somebody like Babe Ruth coming up to the plate and calling a home run and then hitting a home run.”

*The Ford GT features the ultimate in aerodynamics, lightweight carbon fibre construction and the ultra-efficient twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine, Ford’s most powerful production engine that produces over 600 horsepower. The Ford GT is the pinnacle product of the Ford Performance range so it is fitting that the road car version will make its dynamic debut at Le Mans.

Hangin' out at the #BarrettJackson auction in Vegas with some cool cars! How bout this beauty? A Mustang GT350R! #auctioneerpractice pic.twitter.com/oe3pnPynbo

— Joey Hand Racing (@JoeyHandRacing) October 14, 2016

NASCAR Race Mom just finished up a year of Barrett-Jackson Auctions. All were fun and exciting yet different in their own unique ways.

This interview with Joey Hand was the highlight of my Las Vegas Trip. Hand is a very sweet and humble talented driver – good things come to good people.



#ILikeWinners is Chip Ganassi's favorite twitter hashtag and he sure does know how to pick them.

"@GanassiChip always says #ILikeWinners. He’s got winners here." – @JoeyHandRacing. @FIAWEC @FordPerformance #FordGT pic.twitter.com/5zN3rQ2qaS

— Mobil 1 The Grid (@Mobil1TheGrid) June 19, 2016

Chip Ganassi To Be Inducted Into The Motorsports Hall Of Fame Of America

Chip is a great businessman and he is the definition of a racer. It doesn't matter what series, whether it's the Indianapolis 500 or the Brickyard 400, whether it's the Daytona 500 or the 24 Hours of Daytona, or Le Mans, Chip's teams will be battling for the win. It takes a great leader to accomplish the impressive victory resume he has. Chip is a very deserving honoree. - Jeff Gordon

Chip Ganassi, one of the most successful owners in all of auto racing, will be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) at the 28th Annual MSHFA Induction Ceremony, later today at The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Fla. Ganassi is joined in the Hall of Fame class by fellow NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, NHRA announcer Dave McClelland and racer and broadcaster Sam Posey. 

Also being inducted posthumously will be AMA dirt-track motorcycle racer Everett Brashear, land-speed racer Gary Gabelich and 1955 Indianapolis 500 winner Bob Sweikert.

Notes of Interest:

• • Winning the Big Ones: Ganassi is the only car owner in history to have won the Daytona 500,
  
  the Indianapolis 500, the Rolex 24 At Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, the Brickyard 400 in addition to adding the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this month. Between February 2010 and January 2011, his teams swept the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 followed by wins at the Brickyard 400 and the Rolex 24 At Daytona, giving him an unprecedented “Grand Slam” in America’s major auto races. Overall, his teams have won 18 championships and 175 races. His open-wheel teams have amassed 11 championships and more than 100 victories, including five in the Indianapolis 500. His NASCAR teams have 17 victories including wins in the Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. In addition to his recent win at Le Mans, his sports car teams have a record six Rolex 24 At Daytona victories to complement their seven WeatherTech Sports Car Series championships.
• • One Team: Ganassi’s teams include four cars in the Verizon IndyCar Series, two in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, two in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, two factory Ford GTs in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, two factory Ford GTs in the FIA World Endurance Championship and two Supercars in Red Bull Global Rallycross. In all he runs 14 cars in six different touring series. His current driver lineup boasts 18 drivers from seven different countries.
• • Ganassi on the Track: Before becoming one of the most successful team owners in American racing history, Ganassi raced himself. He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times with a best finish of eighth in 1983. Ganassi also made 27 career Indy car starts, scoring a best finish of second in Cleveland in 1984.

You can't think of Indy car racing without Chip's name and his organization coming to mind. He has been a pioneer for the whole world of motorsports and he has turned his organization into such a powerhouse across so many different series. I've had the pleasure of watching Chip's team grow into what it is today over the years and it's nothing short of impressive. It's really been an honor to have the opportunity to drive for Chip and I can't think of anyone more deserving of being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame.- Tony Kanaan.

2016 honoree @GanassiChip also fielded questions at the MSHFA Inductee Lunch. #MSHFAinduction @CGRTeams pic.twitter.com/Y5lq5y4PnG

— Motorsports HOF (@MotorsportsHOF) June 29, 2016