CHANGES NEEDED: How Penske can join the Big Four Aug 20, 2008
He was 24th in the points in '07 with Chip Ganassi Racing, which cut him loose when it wasn't able to find sponsorship for Stremme and signed Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti, whom it felt might be a bigger lure. He wasn't, though, and that team has disappeared. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
NASCAR needs good-guy rookie Carpentier Aug 14, 2008
" And NASCAR is fortunate to have someone with such international flair -- Carpentier is a native of Joliette, Quebec -- who so ardently wants to be in the series. Carpentier, 37, didn't come to stock cars with an Indianapolis 500 win or a Formula One championship on his resume, but his desire to learn and excel -- and his ability to qualify -- has kept him in the driver's seat while others in his rookie class with more luminous open-wheel credentials fell by the wayside. Dario Franchitti's team... (MSNBC -- Sports)
El Cajon driver has good reason to think he'll pass some rivals in standings this week Aug 14, 2008
Then there's Scott Dixon, who won his record-equaling sixth IndyCar Series race of the season Saturday at Kentucky Speedway, tying Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon (six wins in 2005) ... Tony Kanaan stopped rumors that he might be headed to Chip Ganassi Racing when he re-signed a contract with Andretti Green Racing that keeps the Brazilian with the team through the 2013 season ... 14 Team-record wins by Chip Ganassi Racing this season, eight in the IndyCar Series (Scott Dixon six, Dan... (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Microsoft's 'Free' NASCAR Sponsorship Aug 13, 2008
Retail giant Target (nyse: - - ), a longtime sponsor for the Chip Ganassi Racing team, has been known to offset its sponsorship costs by offering vendors a piece of the action: They might get a NASCAR-themed display in Target stores or even have their logo prominently featured on a car for a single race. But the Microsoft-Waltrip arrangement is unique in that the team is banking on the tech giant s ability to corral customers who ll foot the bill for the spot. (Forbes -- Technology)
NASCAR's Highest-Earning Drivers Aug 13, 2008
Instead, his team, Chip Ganassi Racing, reaps the lion's share of endorsement revenue generated by Montoya, who has a wide international following from his years competing on the Formula 1 circuit. Ganassi is leading NASCAR's push to go global, aggressively pursuing sponsorship deals in South America, China and Dubai; a far cry from a decade ago, when the sport was almost exclusively popular in the American South. (Forbes -- Technology)
Dixon overtakes Castroneves late Aug 11, 2008
It was the second win in a row and the sixth victory of the season for Dixon, tying the record of Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon as he races toward what would be his second IndyCar Series championship. Series runner-up Castroneves, still trying for his first victory of the season and his first series title as he chases Dixon, tried to get this one with fuel strategy. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Johnson has a tough road ahead Aug 10, 2008
It was the second win in a row and the sixth victory of the season for Dixon, tying the record of Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon. Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company. (Boston Globe)
Ambrose puts the international in Watkins Glen with first win Aug 10, 2008
Franchitti, who lost his Cup ride with Chip Ganassi Racing last month because of a lack of sponsorship, led 18 laps in the first of seven Nationwide starts the former Indianapolis 500 champion will make this season for Ganassi. was sixth and moved past into second place in the series standings, 128 points behind leader. (USA Today -- Sports)
Cup rookies struggle Aug 10, 2008
Franchitti, last season's IndyCar Series champion, lost his Cup ride when Chip Ganassi Racing closed it down when it could not find a full-time sponsor to fund it. Franchitti still does some Nationwide Series races for Ganassi but does not have a ride lined up for 2009. (News & Observer -- Sports)
DARIO'S BACK: Franchitti to run limited Nationwide slate Aug 9, 2008
By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. will run seven Nationwide Series races the rest of the season for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and the Scotsman whose Sprint Cup rookie season sputtered to a halt without sponsorship hasn't given up on resuscitating his stock-car career. "I'm going to talk to other teams in the NASCAR paddock," Franchitti said Friday at Watkins Glen International, where he's returning to NASCAR this weekend after taking nearly a month off since Ganassi... (USA Today -- Sports)
Road-course race at The Glen is a home game for Boris Said Aug 7, 2008
Rolex Grand-Am Sports Cars: Watkins Glen (90 laps; Speed Channel, noon) The Chip Ganassi Racing duo of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas leads defending Daytona Prototype series champs Jon Fogarty/Alex Gurney by 63 points. RaceLegal Drags: Qualcomm Stadium, west access road, 6 p.m.. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
This Week In Auto Racing August 8 - 10 Aug 7, 2008
The IndyCar Series roars into the "Bluegrass State" for a date at the Kentucky Speedway this weekend. Stay on top of breaking news. (ABC 7 News, DC)
PHOTOS: Pocono and Montreal Aug 3, 2008
Scott Pruett, driver of the #40 Chip Ganassi Racing Fastenal Dodge, after earning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Napa Auto Parts 200 Montreal. Robert Laberge - Getty Images. (Fox Sports)
Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car-Montreal 200 Results Aug 2, 2008
(01) Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas; DP; Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates; Lexus Riley; 69. Today in Sports. (International Herald Tribune)
NASCAR teams feel economic heat Jul 30, 2008
The biggest thing I ve seen is the timing and amount of work it takes to get a decision, says Steve Lauletta, president at Chip Ganassi Racing. It s so much more rigorous to get a sponsorship now. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Motivated Dixon gets fifth win Jul 28, 2008
After a lightning quick pit stop by his Chip Ganassi Racing crew helped him to his fifth IndyCar Series victory of the season Saturday on the temporary airport circuit at Edmonton, Dixon's gaffe earlier this month at Watkins Glen was clearly on his mind. I gave myself a bit of a kick in the bum after what I did at Watkins Glen, said Dixon, who spun himself out late in that race, finishing 11th and losing valuable points instead of contending for another win. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
* Dixon stretches Indy-car points lead with win Jul 28, 2008
Scott Dixon drives the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda during the IRL IndyCar Series Rexall Edmonton Indy on Saturday at the Edmonton City Center Airport in Edmonton, Canada. PHOTO: AFP. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Dixon closer to second IndyCar Championship Jul 27, 2008
Scott Dixon, drivingthe Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara Honda, won the Edmonton IndyCar event on Saturday ... After a lightning quick pit stop by his Chip Ganassi Racing crew helped him to his fifth IndyCar Series victory of the season Saturday on the temporary airport circuit at Edmonton, Dixons gaffe earlier this month at Watkins Glen was clearly on his mind. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Newman, Wallace clash over Penske departure Jul 27, 2008
Montoya's inconsistent second season in the series has been plagued by a revolving door at crew chief and symptomatic of the struggles of Chip Ganassi Racing, which shuttered Dario Franchitti's No. 40 team due to sponsorship problems. I think being realistic, our main goal is get ourselves better, said Montoya, who is 20th in the points race. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
NASCAR free agency primed to heat up Jul 23, 2008
Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle re-signed with Roush Fenway Racing before Stewarts exit became official, and long before he muddied any potential relationship by tangling with JGR star Kyle Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya reconfirmed his support of slumping Chip Ganassi Racing. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Briscoe gives Penske victory Jul 21, 2008
Dan Wheldon, Dixon's Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, was caught up in a crash midway through the race, wound up 17th and fell to fourth in the series standings, one point behind Kanaan. "I wouldn't say it's huge fun, trying to keep tabs on where people are, the people you're chasing for a championship," Dixon said of Sunday's messy race. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Penske's Briscoe, Helio finish 1-2 at Mid-Ohio Jul 21, 2008
Dan Wheldon, Dixon's Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, was caught up in a crash midway through the race and wound up 17th and fell to fourth, one point behind Kanaan. "I wouldn't say it's huge fun, trying to keep tabs on where people are, the people you're chasing for a championship," Dixon said of Sunday's race. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Dixon on target for title Jul 20, 2008
Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing is chasing his second IndyCar championship ... Dixon acknowledges that disappointment is never far from his mind as he chases his second series championship and first since 2003, even with Franchitti now racing in NASCAR.Still, with six races remaining on the 2008 schedule and leads of 63 points over Mid-Ohio pole-winner Helio Castroneves and 69 over his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon, Dixon insisted it's too early to be thinking about... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Brant JamesINSIDE RACING Jul 18, 2008
" That point was starkly illustrated last week when Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates closed down the Sprint Cup program of Dario Franchitti, the 2007 Indy Racing League and Indianapolis 500 winner. He'd been lured away from Andretti Green Racing or possible retirement at age 34 by the enticement of a final new challenge. Now the challenge is to either find work or peace with the ungracious exit. Though leaving NASCAR with an average finish of 34.6 in 10 starts will represent a failure, he... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Brilliant start for Busch Jul 17, 2008
Reed Sorenson had a lot of promise when he began as a full-time Cup driver for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2006. But through the first half of this season he still had not won a race with that organization and after points finishes of 24th in 2006 and 22nd last year, he stood 32nd in the standings after Chicagoland. (MSNBC -- Sports)
NASCAR team notes Jul 17, 2008
" Etc.: Michael Bartelli has been named senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Petty Enterprises and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. "We are excited to have a marketing executive of Mike's acumen and reputation join us," said David Zucker, CEO of Petty Enterprises. , No. 42 Dodge, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates This week: Montoya hopes the break in the schedule is a break for his team as it tries to get back on track. Since finishing second at Talladega in late April,... (USA Today -- Sports)
Struggling GM's cutbacks could deliver a blow or two to NASCAR Jul 17, 2008
100 Scott Dixon's IndyCar Series victory at Nashville last week was the 100th across the board (IndyCars, NASCAR and sports cars) for Chip Ganassi Racing. Sponsored Links. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
This Week In Auto Racing July 18 - July 20 Jul 16, 2008
Sorenson will drive the No.40 for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates ... There was a huge celebration for Scott Dixon and the whole Chip Ganassi Racing organization amid rain drops falling on the Nashville Superspeedway last Saturday night. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
NASCAR This Week Jul 16, 2008
Sorenson, instead of Dario Franchitti, will drive the No. 40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing because Sorenson is the defending race champion. Up next: Kroger 200 at O'Reilly Raceway Park on July 26. (Florida Times-Union)
Newman leaving Penske Jul 15, 2008
"I would also like to thank all of the sponsors, especially Alltel, who have supported me."Penske Racing said a new driver for the No. 12 will be announced "in the near future." Penske test driver David Stremme, who drove in the Cup Series for Chip Ganassi Racing, is considered a leading candidate. All rights reserved. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Kyle Busch capitalizes late as good fortune continues Jul 14, 2008
Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon, who purposely gambled on stretching his fuel finished second. Helio Castroneves, who started on the pole, finished third followed by Kanaan and Danica Patrick. (Cleveland.com -- Sports)
Unlucky Briscoe shunted out of the picture Jul 14, 2008
Dixon notched his fourth victory of the season and the 100th IndyCar victory for his Chip Ganassi Racing team, stretching his lead atop the driver standings. The race was halted by rain after 171 of 200 scheduled laps around the Nashville Superspeedway oval on Saturday and it was the storm that helped decide the race. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Luck seems to have turned for IRL's Dixon Jul 14, 2008
Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon, who purposely gambled on stretching his fuel and finished second, said Dixon is definitely on a roll like the one he enjoyed while winning the season title in 2005 ... It's the 14th career victory for Dixon and also the 100th overall in motorsports for Chip Ganassi Racing, the 62nd in open-wheel racing. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Auto racing notebook: Busch pads Sprint Cup lead with win Jul 14, 2008
Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon, who purposely gambled on stretching his fuel and finished second, said Dixon is definitely on a roll like the one he enjoyed while winning the season title in 2005. "He's very deserving," Wheldon said. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Auto Racing Notebook: Busch continues to dominate during pursuit of Cup crown (Today) Jul 14, 2008
It's the 14th career victory for Dixon and also the 100th overall in motorsports for Chip Ganassi Racing. NHRA. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
BEECH: Transition to ownership won't be easy for Smoke Jul 13, 2008
Look no further than Chip Ganassi Racing, where poor performance and lack of sponsorship forced the closure of Dario Franchitti's team, for an example of what owners are up against these days. Of course, I can't imagine Stewart having any trouble attracting sponsors, and his enthusiasm for the business side of racing has been thoroughly demonstrated by how hands-on he is as the owner of Eldora Speedway, a small dirt track in rural Ohio. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Rahal bebuilding with Hunter-Reay Jul 13, 2008
Having a one-car team can also be a definite disadvantage, especially when battling week after week against multicar teams like the four-car Andretti Green Racing team and the two-car operations at Penske Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing that get to pile up race and test data and share all of that information. But Rahal doesn't want to rebuild his team too fast. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Michigan's Rodriguez settles contract spat Jul 13, 2008
Franchitti will pilot the No. 40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing. Ganassi shuttered Franchitti's Sprint Cup Series team last week because of a lack of funding. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
A 'bittersweet' parting Jul 13, 2008
Elledge, most recently with Chip Ganassi Racing, replaces Ricky Viers at Red Bull Racing starting this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway ... FRANCHITTI TO DRIVE: Dario Franchitti will drive the No. 40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing this weekend when he races in the Nationwide Series at Chicagoland Speedway. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Rookie wins IRL race Jul 13, 2008
It looked like Scott Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi Racing) and Ryan Briscoe (Penske racing) were the ones to beat as the IndyCar Racing League took on the road course at Watkins Glen. The Ryan in victory lane, however, was Ryan Hunter-Reay of underdog Rahal Letterman Racing. (Brownstown Jackson County Banner, IN)
Dixon wins 3rd straight at Nashville Jul 13, 2008
Dixon won his 14th career victory and the 100th overall in motorsports for Chip Ganassi Racing with an average speed of 148. 072 mph. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
Hunter-Reay inherits win at Glen Jul 8, 2008
He shot forward and, suddenly, his Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara spun. I was a complete idiot, an obviously embarrassed Dixon said after getting restarted and finishing 11th. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Hunter-Reay gets 1st win victory Jul 7, 2008
He shot forward and, suddenly, his Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara spun out of control. ALSO SUNDAYBRITISH GRAND PRIX: Lewis Hamilton mastered wild and wet racing conditions to score a runaway victory at Silverstone, England, and throw the Formula One championship wide open. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Dixon looks for four at The Glen Jul 6, 2008
If Dixon is going to set an IndyCar record of four straight wins on the same track this weekend, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver is going to have to do it from fourth place. "There's a lot of pressure when you come to tracks where you have done well in the past," Dixon said. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Auto Racing Notebook: Penske's Briscoe on Glen pole (Today) Jul 6, 2008
If Dixon is going to set an IndyCar record of four consecutive wins on the same track this weekend, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver is going to have to do it from fourth place. Formula One. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Clauson, 19, claims Nationwide pole at Daytona Jul 5, 2008
(AP) -- The week has improved considerably for Chip Ganassi Racing. The team shut down one of its Sprint Cup teams Tuesday, knocking former open-wheel star Dario Franchitti out of NASCAR's top series and leading to 71 layoffs, but found plenty to celebrate at Daytona International Speedway. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Champ Car drivers hope to make up ground Jul 5, 2008
We ve seen where Ganassi [Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing are first and third in the standings, respectively] will qualify, and then literally from qualifying they ll just take their car, put it on the trailer and go home. And all of our guys are like, What are we doing here til 11 p. m.. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
NFL star Randy Moss buys NASCAR truck team Jul 4, 2008
Spiraling gas prices are starting to affect attendance and on Tuesday Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates shut down the No. 40 team of former Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, citing lack of sponsorship. Moss said his familiarity with NASCAR is more as a fan, and he took particular joy Thursday in meeting , the sport's most popular driver. (USA Today -- Sports)
Franchitti's next step in limbo: Sports cars or NASCAR? Jul 3, 2008
By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Dario Franchitti still was mulling over his future Wednesday after the shuttering of his No. 40 Sprint Cup car by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and one of his options could be returning to Andretti Green Racing in an American Le Mans Series car. Kim Green, one of AGR's three co-owners, told USA TODAY on Wednesday afternoon that though the team had not talked to Franchitti yet, the door was open for returning in its ALMS lineup, which isn't set after a recent... (USA Today -- Sports)
Franchitti's future unclear after Ganassi shutters team Jul 2, 2008
Franchitti is mulling whether to run the rest of the Nationwide Series season for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. Franchitti won't race this week at Daytona International Speedway because already was slated to run Friday's Nationwide Series race. (USA Today -- Sports)
Ganassi parks one car Jul 2, 2008
Advertisements Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates pulled the plug Tuesday on its unsponsored No. 40 Dodge, driven by 2007 Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti, and scaled back operations from three NASCAR Sprint Cup teams to two. The decision to shut down the No. 40 team resulted in about 70 people losing their jobs with the Ganassi team, a team representative said. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Mears looking for work Jul 1, 2008
"And without it, Mears couldn't survive the job of a lifetime with NASCAR's top organization. Although winless in four seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, Mears had mild success and finished a career-best 14th in the standings following the 2006 season. But a seat had opened up at Hendrick, where his best friend Jimmie Johnson was racing for championships and Mears had a strong bond with the owner.As one of Ricky Hendrick's close friends, Mears became a frequent guest at Hendrick family functions.... (Andalusia Star News, AL)
Mears facing unemployment after owner changes direction Jul 1, 2008
Although winless in four seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing, Mears had mild success and finished a career-best 14th in the standings following 2006. But a seat had opened at Hendrick, where his best friend, Jimmie Johnson, was racing for championships and Mears had a strong bond with the owner. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Smoke in the water Jun 30, 2008
Tony Stewart speaks with Chip Ganassi of Chip Ganassi Racing before the start of the Loudon race. (Getty Images). (CBS News)
Pole-sitter Kanaan gets victory at Richmond Jun 29, 2008
" Kanaan made it happen by taking advantage of an out-of-sequence pit stop by front-running teammate Marco Andretti and ran away with the SunTrust Indy Challenge. On a night when half of the 26 cars in the largest IndyCar Series field at Richmond International Raceway went home damaged, Kanaan got the good fortune he said he deserved for his first victory of the season. He got it by avoiding the near-constant mayhem caused by an event record-tying nine caution flags and beating Helio Castroneves... (Anchorage Daily News)
Stewart hasn't decided Jun 29, 2008
"That was a real low point for us, so to come back here, come back strong, was really, really good. It was a big confidence boost for everybody on the team and gives everybody a spring in their step again."Asked what would a good finish for him today, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver said, "Finish where we start would be awesome."CANADIAN FEAT: Patrick Carpentier, who will start from the front today, is only the second Canadian to win a pole position in the history of NASCAR's top stock car... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Stewart claims victory Jun 29, 2008
Helio Castroneves, who started 18th, used a blistering early pit stop to get into contention and finished second, followed by Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon and Dan Wheldon. Series rookie Oriol Servia was fifth, and Danica Patrick was sixth. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Auto racing roundup Jun 29, 2008
MOST E-MAILED STORIES. Kanaan takes IRL victory; Stewart gets fifth Nationwide win. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Free gas (but only for racing) Jun 29, 2008
"Our budget is nowhere close to being able to cover the costs," said John Fernandez, managing director at Chip Ganassi Racing. "When you have to cover the costs for fuel, it takes away from the other things you want to do, from the other programs. "And putting more money into fuel doesn't help us go any faster on the racetrack. (Florida Times-Union)
Casey Mears to leave Hendrick Motorsports Jun 28, 2008
Mears, a member of the famed Mears racing family of Bakersfield, has won only one race since moving to Hendrick last year from the team of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. He won the Coca-Cola 600 last year at Lowe's Motor Speedway near Charlotte, N.C., on a fuel gamble, and the victory also was Mears' only win since he began driving in the NASCAR Cup series in 2003. (Los Angeles Times)
Straight-line testing in IRL: Boring, but beneficial Jun 26, 2008
"It's kind of like wandering into Area 51," jokes Mike Hull, the managing director for Target Chip Ganassi Racing. "You might not get out alive if we gave you the answer.". (USA Today -- Sports)
This Week In Auto Racing June 27 - June 29 Jun 26, 2008
Currently Dixon holds 48-point lead over Helio Castroneves and 49 points over his Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dan Wheldon. Castroneves continues to contend for the championship despite not winning this year (Dancing with the Stars doesn't count). (ABC 7 News, DC)
NASCAR rolls into Infineon for Toyota/Save Mart 350 (31) Jun 26, 2008
He became the first Formula One driver to compete full-time in NASCAR when he made his debut for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates in 2006 and the Bogota, Colombia, native scored a season-best finish of second at Talladega in April. THE LONGEST RACE of the weekend takes place over the 10-turn, 2. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Schumacher wins in NHRA Jun 23, 2008
"What a great day for Target Chip Ganassi Racing and a great birthday present for me," Wheldon said. Indeed it was -- especially after Wheldon's risky decision not to pit for the final 90 laps paid off. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Wheldon takes Iowa Corn race Jun 23, 2008
Dan Wheldon of Target Chip Ganassi Racing isn't most people ... "It was a great race for everybody at Target Chip Ganassi Racing. I had a couple of ups and downs in the race."Kind of got caught up on the outside of Tony Kanaan , which kind of put me in the gray but was able to survive that and marched on. (Daily Iowan, IA)
