Chip Ganassi Racing was a part of the NASCAR Cup Series from 1989 to 2021 and over that time, the organization won 27 Cup Series races while claiming 22 races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
During the 2021 season, Justin Marks called Chip Ganassi and asked to buy his team. Ganassi thought about his offer and shockingly decided to take the deal. The entire NASCAR operation was sold to Marks and became Trackhouse Racing.
Chip Ganassi Racing still competes in several different racing divisions, such as the NTT IndyCar Series; however, is a return to NASCAR still on the table? Based on the owner’s recent comments, that sure sounds like the case.
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Chip Ganassi Racing doesn’t shut the door on a potential return to NASCAR
The 2022 Indianapolis 500 represented a great one for Chip Ganassi Racing as Marcus Ericsson, the full-time driver of the No. 8 car, claimed the victory. It gave Ganassi his fifth Indianapolis 500 as an owner and the first one in 10 years.
The organization is all about winning and that was even on display in NASCAR when Jamie McMurray won the 2010 Daytona 500. It marked Ganassi’s first Daytona 500 victory as a NASCAR owner.
Fast forward 13 years and Chip Ganassi Racing no longer has a shot at winning the Daytona 500. The organization’s last race in NASCAR represents the finale at Phoenix Raceway in 2021. Well, that is just for now.
Ganassi hopped on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, The Dale Jr. Download, last week. Earnhardt said he misses Ganassi in NASCAR and wishes he would have stayed. Well, the NTT IndyCar Series owner did not rule out a possible return.
“(Chip Ganassi Racing) can be here in a second. I’ll come with you. I wouldn’t say I’d never come back (to NASCAR) or anything like that. I’m not saying I’m gone forever…I’m happy to come back if someone just gives us the right opportunity.”
Chip Ganassi to Dale Earnhardt Jr. on returning to NASCAR
It is surprising to hear Ganassi not completely rule out a return to NASCAR. The price of charters has gone through the roof and Chip Ganassi Racing has been focusing on different racing divisions more since its departure.
Ganassi still loves NASCAR and while he may not field a team at the top level, it does not mean he cannot return if the right opportunity does present itself. The famous racing owner did not say what that opportunity would be to make his team return to the sport.
For now, the door is not closed and that is a positive for those who want to see Chip Ganassi Racing return to the NASCAR Cup Series sooner rather than later.