Chip Ganassi has sold his entire NASCAR operation, including the sought-after charters for his No. 1 and No. 42 entries, to the recently established Trackhouse Racing team run by former driver Justin Marks.
In a statement released Wednesday, Chip Ganassi Racing said the transfer of its NASCAR assets to Trackhouse Racing will be completed immediately following the final NASCAR Cup Series race of the season on November 7th, 2021. Trackhouse Racing, currently a one car team, will now field two entries in the NASCAR Cup Series and will stick with Daniel Suarez, the current driver of the No. 99 Chevy Camaro ZL1, for 2022. The driver of the second Trackhouse Racing entry is yet to be decided.
“Chip has built an iconic motorsports empire and the Ganassi brand is globally recognized as a winner in the auto racing industry,” Marks, founder and co-owner of Trackhouse Racing, said in a statement. “It is truly an honor that we can build from that foundation. This acquisition provides Trackhouse a platform for years to come, enabling us to field multiple teams, elevate our on-track performance, deliver great value for our sponsors and partners, build lasting community impact programs and continue to grow our brand beyond the sports conversation.”
Chip Ganassi says his NASCAR operation was “not for sale,” but Marks made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Marks approached Ganassi about buying his two-car NASCAR team after being outbid on two different charters he tried to secure in 2020, which he needed for Trackhouse to continue racing in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022. The team currently leases its charter for the No. 99 car from Spire Motorsports, which sold the charter to Kaulig Racing, leaving Trackhouse empty handed for next season.
Marks approached Ganassi as the two already had a working relationship, with Marks having won a NASCAR Xfinity Series Race for Ganassi back in 2016. Ganassi said he felt comfortable selling to Marks, as he plans to keep the majority of CGR employees on the payroll and will continue to add to the organization’s successful record on and off-track.
“As everyone knows, I care deeply for my employees so selling to someone like Justin, who is part of the CGR family, made the reality of selling much easier,” Ganassi said. “He knows our organization and the people. That gives me comfort.”
Ganassi will continue to run his IndyCar, Extreme E and IMSA racing teams going forward.
“Everyone needs to know that I am still completely dedicated to the motorsports industry and will continue to run my other teams in INDYCAR, IMSA and Extreme E with the same enthusiasm that I always have,” Ganassi said.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more NASCAR news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Uh-oh, looks like one of the highly experienced and knowledgeable pillars of motorsport is getting out of a declining sanctioning body while the getting is good.. True, his teams haven’t done well lately but this move is going to open some eyes and cause concern. Was the Bubba Wallace fiasco and lies part of the reason ?
You’re probably right. Was very surprised about this change, but I’ve not followed as closely the last year or so, due the politically correct BS. I rarely watch a live race due to all the commercials even with the side by side deal, & started watching more F1 & Indycar late last season. NASCAR may recover if they stick to the basics, but change is not always for the better.