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Chip Ganassi Racing Celebrates 30th Anniversary in 2020
CONCORD, N.C. (February 3, 2020) – Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with the start of the 2020 season, currently fielding five cars across the NASCAR Cup Series and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. CGR, which began in 1990, is recognized as one of the most successful teams in the motorsports industry.

Beginning with its first win in the 1994 INDYCAR race in Australia, the organization has compiled historic victories in some of the most iconic races around the globe. CGR has claimed eight wins in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, four Indianapolis 500s, the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In total, CGR has now tallied 19 series championships and more than 220 race victories.

Following a strong career as a driver, Team Owner Chip Ganassi now maintains partnerships with PNC Bank, NTT DATA, Monster Energy, Credit One Bank, Clover, McDonald’s, GEARWRENCH, AdventHealth, HUSKI Chocolate, Chevrolet and Honda among many others.

Over the years, CGR has won races and championships with eight different manufacturers (Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Dodge, Oldsmobile, Lexus and BMW) in seven touring series across NASCAR, INDYCAR, IMSA, WEC, ARCA and GRC.

To celebrate the landmark, a year-long, multi-car exhibit titled “Chip Ganassi Racing: Fast Tracks to Success” debuted last December in the legendary Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, while CGR plans to roll-out a season-long social media campaign with elements including a commemorative logo throughout the year, a CGR Special Edition Prize Pack for fans, and a CGR Memorable Moments video series.

QUOTEBOARD:

Chip Ganassi, Team Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing: “It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years. I’ve been lucky to have great people, great partners and great drivers work with me in that time. I always tell people I had a fossil fuel-fired youth having raced karts, motorcycles, Indy cars and sports cars. I could have never in my wildest dreams imagined owning a race team back then, and now it’s incredible to see where it is now. I’m not going anywhere, and I think we have a lot of wins and championships left in us. I can’t wait for the 2020 season to open for us in Daytona and St. Petersburg.”

CGR NOTES OF INTEREST:

Key Statistics: In celebrating the team’s 30th Anniversary, CGR has had 88 drivers (1990-2019), producing 223 wins over 3,630 starts across NASCAR’s Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series, INDYCAR, IMSA, WEC, ARCA and GRC.

Award Worthy: In 2012, Ganassi was named by Complex Magazine as one of the “50 most influential people in the Auto Industry”. His ranking of 17th was the highest rank for a person from North America from the racing industry. In 2016, Ganassi entered the Motorsports Hall of Fame for his many contributions to the world of auto racing on the strength of being the only team owner in history to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, Rolex 24 At Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2018, Ganassi received the Bruton Smith Legend Award for his success, innovation, and positive example across multiple levels of motorsports.

KEY FACTS AND FIGURES
- In 2010, Ganassi’s teams turned in an historic season by setting an organization record with 19 wins across three touring series, including victories in the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, making him the only team owner in history to win all three crown jewels of racing, and he accomplished it in a single season.
- In 2011, his IMSA team finished off the “Chip Slam” by also winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona, making Ganassi the first owner to hold all four titles at one time.
- First Win – March 20, 1994 (INDYCAR, Australia, Michael Andretti)
- First NASCAR Win – August 19, 2001 – (Michigan International Speedway, Sterling Marlin)
- First Sports Car Win – May 23, 2004 – (Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Scott Pruett and Luis Diaz)
- Indianapolis 500 Wins – (2000-Juan Pablo Montoya, 2008-Scott Dixon, 2010-Dario Franchitti, 2012-Dario Franchitti)
- Daytona 500 – 2010 (Jamie McMurray)
- Brickyard 400 – 2010 (Jamie McMurray)
- 12 Hours of Sebring – 2014 (Marino Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas)
- Global Rallycross two-time winner and X-Games Silver Medal Winner (2015, Brian Deegan)
- 24 Hours of Le Mans – 2016 (Joey Hand, Dirk Muller and Sebastien Bourdais)
- Rolex 24 At Daytona Wins – (2006-Dan Wheldon, Scott Dixon and Casey Mears, 2007-Scott Pruett, Juan Pablo Montoya and Salvador Duran, 2008-Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, Juan Pablo Montoya and Dario Franchitti, 2011-Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, Graham Rahal and Joey Hand, 2013- Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, Charlie Kimball and Juan Pablo Montoya, 2015-Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Jamie McMurray and Kyle Larson, 2017-Joey Hand, Dirk Muller and Sebastien Bourdais, 2018-Scott Dixon, Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook)
- Championships – (INDYCAR – 1996-Jimmy Vasser, 1997-Alex Zanardi, 1998-Alex Zanardi, 1999-Juan Pablo Montoya, 2003-Scott Dixon, 2008-Scott Dixon, 2009-Dario Franchitti, 2010-Dario Franchitti, 2011-Dario Franchitti, 2013-Scott Dixon, 2015-Scott Dixon, 2018-Scott Dixon), (Sports Car – 2004-Scott Pruett and Max Papis, 2006-Scott Pruett and Luis Diaz, 2008-Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, 2010-Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, 2011-Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, 2012-Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, 2013-Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas)
- 100th Win – July 12, 2008 (INDYCAR, Nashville SuperSpeedway, Scott Dixon)
- 200th Win – January 28, 2018 (IMSA, Daytona International Speedway, Scott Dixon, Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook)
- 223rd Win (most recent) – October 6, 2019 (NASCAR, Dover International Speedway, Kyle Larson)
DRIVER LIST A-Z (1990-2019, 88 Total):

A.J. Allmendinger
Alex Bowman
Alex Lloyd
Alex Tagliani
Alex Zanardi
Alexander Wurz
Andy Priaulx
Aric Almirola
Arie Luyendyk
Billy Johnson
Brendon Hartley
Brennan Poole
Brian Deegan
Bruno Junqueira
Bryan Clauson
Bryan Herta
Casey Mears
Charlie Kimball
Cort Wagner
Dan Wheldon
Dane Cameron
Dario Franchitti
Darren Manning
David Stremme
Dirk Muller
Dorsey Schroeder
Ed Jones
Eddie Cheever
Felix Rosenqvist
Giorgio Pantano
Graham Rahal
Harry Tincknell
Jamie McMurray
Jaques Lazier
Jason Leffler
Jeff Ward
Jimmy Morales
Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Vasser
Joey Hand
John Hunter Nemechek
Jonathan Bomarito
Juan Pablo Montoya
Justin Marks
Justin Wilson
Kenny Brack
Kevin Hamlin
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Kyle Krisiloff
Kyle Larson
Lance Stroll
Luis Diaz
Marino Franchitti
Martin Truex Jr.
Mauricio Gugelmin
Max Chilton
Max Papis
Memo Gidley
Memo Rojas
Michael Andretti
Michael Valiante
Nicolas Minassian
Olivia Pla
Pipo Derani
Reed Sorenson
Regan Smith
Richard Westbrook
Rob Finlay
Robby Gordon
Ross Chastain
Ryan Briscoe
Sage Karam
Salvador Duran
Scott Dixon
Scott Lagasse Jr.
Scott Pruett
Scott Speed
Sebastien Bourdais
Sebastian Saavedra
Stefan Johansson
Stefan Mucke
Sterling Marlin
Steve Arpin
Tomas Scheckter
Tony Kanaan
Tony Stewart
Tyler Reddick

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 three cars in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and two cars in the NASCAR Cup Series. Overall his teams have 19 championships and more than 220 victories, including four Indianapolis 500s, a Daytona 500, a Brickyard 400, eight Rolex 24 At Daytonas, the 12 Hours of Sebring and 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.www.chipganassiracing.com
February 3, 2020
Pagenaud Drinks In New Attitude after Seeing Iconic Moment on 2020 Indy 500 Ticket

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 – When Simon Pagenaud unveiled the ticket for the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, he savored a snapshot of the pinnacle of his racing career and one of the greatest memories of his life.

The ticket features a profile photograph of Pagenaud drinking the traditional winner’s bottle of milk in triumph after earning his first victory in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” last May 26.

That image also signaled the start of a personal transformation for Pagenaud. He’s a different guy than the one who strapped into the No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet three hours earlier for his eighth start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

“I think I’m a new person,” Pagenaud said about how winning Indy has changed him. “If you knew me before, I think you can see it. I think it shows.

“I’m very relieved but also very enthused going forward and very motivated. I desire winning again so much more than I did before. It’s incredible. Now that I know all of the culture, the traditions, even better than I did before, it makes me want to win it even more.”

Pagenaud will get that chance as part of the powerful Team Penske lineup during the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24. The ticket featuring the iconic image from IMS photographer Chris Owens will be mailed soon to fans in all 50 states and approximately 50 other countries worldwide.

The Indy 500 ticket, one of the most coveted keepsakes in sports, is printed on thick stock with spot-raised MVP coating and gold foil stamp. Pagenaud unveiled the 2020 ticket during ceremonies at the Indianapolis City Market, joined by Penske Entertainment Corp. President & CEO Mark Miles and IMS President J. Douglas Boles.

“This moment of me drinking the bottle of milk is the moment I realized it happened,” Pagenaud said. “It’s a sweet moment for me. And I didn’t know it was the picture, so it’s pretty cool to see it now and realize that it transpired. People saw it was a very, very, very special moment for me.”

The unveiling ceremony also featured a special gift for Norman, the beloved Jack Russell Terrier owned by Pagenaud and his wife, Hailey. Norman, a constant companion of the Pagenaud’s, captured hearts and the imagination of race fans worldwide when he barked and wagged his tail in delight in the winner’s circle after Pagenaud’s victory.

So, a special ticket featuring a shot of Norman barking next to a celebrating Pagenaud in victory circle was presented Tuesday to Simon and Hailey Pagenaud and Norman, who also attended the ceremony. The ticket was for a fictitious seat in “Terrier Terrace” at IMS, Section 20, Seat 20, Row K9.

The special ticket for Norman also reminded Pagenaud of the similarities between his pursuit of a second “500” victory this May and the Jack Russell breed, which has origins in fox hunting in England.

“I’m a bit like my Jack Russell – when I have my prey, I never give up,” Pagenaud said.

Tickets for the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May activities are on sale at IMS.com, by calling the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700 or by visiting the Ticket Office.

January 28, 2020
Indianapolis 500 Veteran, Short-Track Standout Jones Dies at 78

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020 – Norman “Bubby” Jones, a short-track dirt racing standout who competed in the 1977 Indianapolis 500, died Jan. 18. He was 78.

Jones, a native of Danville, Illinois, started 33rd and placed 21st in the No. 72 Bruce Cogle Ford Eagle/Offy owned by Bobby Hillin’s Longhorn Racing team.

Dirt specialist Jones had limited asphalt experience before Hillin picked him to replace Jan Opperman in 1977 while Opperman recovered from injuries. But Jones bumped his way into the “500” starting field and ran as high as ninth before an engine valve problem ended his race.

Jones also made a second United States Auto Club (USAC) National Championship start in 1978, finishing 27th at Pocono Raceway. He was unsuccessful in Indianapolis 500 qualifying attempts in 1978 and 1981.

After giving up his job as a barber in a shop co-owned by Indy 500 veteran Larry Cannon to race full time in the early 1970s, Jones thrived on dirt tracks in sprint cars and midgets for nearly two decades.

The quiet, friendly Jones won many races in various series around the country before earning his first USAC victory in 1976, in a Silver Crown car. He also earned his first USAC Midget victory that year, winning the prestigious Turkey Night Grand Prix.

Those victories launched a streak of success for Jones in USAC competition in the late 1970s. He earned 20 of his 22 career USAC feature wins between 1977 and 1979. Jones enjoyed perhaps his strongest season in 1979, winning 11 USAC Sprint Car features and finishing second in the standings by 32 points to champion Greg Leffler.

Jones then moved to Southern California and reigned over the California Racing Association (CRA), winning that series’ Sprint titles in 1983 and 1984.

After retiring as a driver, he stayed in the sport as one of the top crew chiefs in USAC Sprint Car racing during the 2000s, including working for Tony Stewart’s team, among others. He also helped develop and promote Perris Auto Speedway in Southern California.

Jones was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1998.

January 20, 2020