Chip Ganassi Racing Downsizes

Posted by Jeremy Dunn Jul 1, 2008

Dario Franchitti's much-heralded transition from IRL to NASCAR came to an abrupt ending on Tuesday when Chip Ganassi announced that the 40 team was shutting down. Franchitti was supposed to attract new sponsorship opportunities after Coors Light pulled out last year. Unfortunately, the 2007 IRL champion and Indianapolis 500 winner is on the sidelines.

Ganassi stated that he would like to retain Franchitti, at least in the Nationwide Series. Fastenal is the primary sponsor so Franchitti will get to race.

"This is a difficult decision for [co-owner] Felix [Sabates] and I that did not come without its share of anguish," Ganassi said in a news release. "In this tough business environment, continuing to run the car without proper funding has become increasingly difficult."

Juan Pablo Montoya and Reed Sorenson are expected to remain with their respective teams, at least until the end of the 2008 season.

What is the future of Chip Ganassi's NASCAR program? A couple of months ago, there were rumors circulating the Ganassi and rival Roger Penske could merge. With both teams struggling and losing sponsors and drivers, this may not be too far-fecthed. Kurt Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya, Sam Hornish Jr, and Reed Sorenson could be the Penske/Ganassi driver lineup in 2009, if Sorenson is retained. Again, this is all speculation.