McMurray likely to run Daytona 500 for Chip Ganassi Racing UPDATES: Kurt Busch is still expected to replace McMurray in the No. 1 next season.(11-6-2018)
UPDATE: Jamie McMurray hasn’t decided if he will race the 2019 Daytona 500 for Chip Ganassi Racing, but he has made peace with his NASCAR career essentially being over. And because of the advice of his peers and his own experience with pursuing a ride, he’s ready for it.(11-16-2018)
UPDATE 2: Left unsettled amid Tuesday’s fanfare that anointed Kurt Busch as the new driver of Chip Ganassi Racing’s No. 1 Chevrolet was the organization’s plan for Jamie McMurray, who has held the seat for the last nine seasons. Team owner Chip Ganassi says he anticipates that McMurray will stay, hinting at the potential for a new capacity with the team’s management. “Well, first of all, I do expect Jamie to stick around, yes,” Ganassi said.(12-5-2018)
UPDATE 3: McMurray is expected to run the Clash and Daytona 500 in the #40, then take on a CGR managerial role and a new role as a TV analyst.(12-8-2018)
UPDATE 4: Veteran NASCAR driver and 2010 DAYTONA 500 champion Jamie McMurray has landed his next full-time ride. McMurray joins FOX Sports for the 2019 season as a NASCAR analyst for NASCAR RACE HUB, the sport’s most-watched daily show, and NASCAR RACEDAY, among other duties.[More]
Kurt Busch confirms he will not return to Stewart-Haas UPDATE: Busch posted on Twitter: “I will miss everyone, especially the crew chiefs I worked with. … Unfortunately, it’s not in the cards for me to stay. I’m looking forward to the future & new opportunities ahead!”(12-2-2018)
UPDATE: Kurt Busch and sponsor Monster Energy will move to Chip Ganassi Racing next season for Busch’s 20th season in NASCAR. The partnership announced Tuesday is a one-year contract for Busch to drive the No. 1 Chevrolet with primary sponsorship from Monster. It is believed the one season as teammate to Kyle Larson will be Busch’s final year of fulltime NASCAR competition.[More](12-4-2018)
Ganassi offered McMurray a Daytona 500 ride, then leadership role at CGR: Jamie McMurray may be headed into the final Brickyard 400 of his career with Chip Ganassi Racing. McMurray won the race in 2010. Ganassi says he’s offered McMurray a contract to drive the Daytona 500 next season, then move into a leadership role with the organization similar to the one Dario Franchitti holds. Ganassi says McMurray has not decided if he will stay with the team or seek a full-time driving job elsewhere.[More](9-10-2018)
Ganassi examining options for 2019; Busch rumored to replace McMurray: McMurray’s contract ends at the end of the year; Kurt Busch has reportedly talked to the team. [More](8-10-2018)
Chip Ganassi Racing announces Digital Fan Fest: Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announced today the launch of their first-ever Digital Fan Fest surrounding the team’s activities leading into the biggest race weekend of the season. CGR will compete in the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500 in the Verizon IndyCar Series, the longest and most grueling race on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule, the Coca-Cola 600 and also the NASCAR Xfinity race, the Alsco 300.[More](5-21-2018)
Felix Sabates no longer bidding for Carolina Panthers: Charlotte businessman Felix Sabates, who has been working for months to pull together a local group to potentially buy the Carolina Panthers, says he now won’t be involved with any bids. The Observer reported last month that Sabates, a long-time fixture on the Charlotte sports scene, was looking to partner with another bidder, rather than assemble his own group. Now he is dropping plans to invest in the NFL team at all.[More](4-9-2018)
Steve Lauletta leaving Chip Ganassi Racing: He has been serving at President of Chip Ganassi Racing for more than 10 years.[More](2-27-2018)
GT Le Mans class victory for Chip Ganassi one for history books: The class victory — considered a win in this form of racing — was Ganassi’s 56th sports car victory (and eighth in the Rolex 24). The organization has 103 IndyCar wins, 39 stock car wins and two rallycross wins.[More](1-28-2018)
DC Solar to sponsor McMurray and Larson: After partnering with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) for three seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), DC Solar is moving to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) for the 2018 season as a primary partner with both Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray. Wasting no time getting on track with Larson, the No. 42 Camaro will feature DC Solar as the primary partner for ‘The Clash at Daytona’, the season opening non-points race. In addition to partnering with CGR in the MENCS, DC Solar will continue to be seen in the Xfinity Series for several races on the No. 42 Chevrolet with both Larson and McMurray behind the wheel.[More](1-16-2018)
Ganassi not talking to Danica Patrick about 2018 races: An executive from Chip Ganassi Racing said Thursday night that the team no longer is in discussions with Danica Patrick to have her drive for the team in either the Daytona 500 or Indianapolis 500. Steve Lauletta, president of Chip Ganassi Racing, made the comments on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio’s “Dialed In” show.[More](1-12-2018)
Sabates interested in Carolina Panthers ownership UPDATE: Over the previous week, Felix Sabates’ name arose as a possible buyer for the Panthers. Sabates currently has minority ownership in Chip Ganassi Racing and a minority ownership role in the Charlotte Hornets, the region’s National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise.(12-23-2017)
UPDATE: Felix Sabates, a Charlotte businessman who is part of a local group exploring a bid for the Carolina Panthers, said Wednesday he is talking to the Smith motorsports family about joining his group. Bruton Smith is executive chairman of Speedway Motorsports, the Concord-based operator of Charlotte Motor Speedway and other tracks, and his son, Marcus, is the CEO. In the past, they both have expressed interest in buying Charlotte’s NFL team if it ever came up for sale.[More](1-11-2018)
Chip Ganassi to Serve as Grand Marshal for 2018 Rolex 24: Renowned champion car owner Chip Ganassi will serve as Grand Marshal for the 56th anniversary Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, giving the ‘Drivers, start your engines,’ command. The twice-around-the-clock endurance race will take place on Daytona International Speedway’s 3.56-mile road course Jan. 27-28.[More](1-6-2018)
Doug Douchardt named COO at Chip Ganassi Racing: 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. 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.[More](1-3-2018)
