Ganassi Racing in NASCAR. Here, Forum gets the scoop on what drives this motorsports superstar.
No, we currently have six drivers in five cars, and although I may have the urge sometimes to give advice on how to drive, I don’t. Because I was once a driver I have a connection to what they’re going through, so I think I bring something to the table beyond just being an owner and manager.
When Lotus developed the ground effects car in the late 1970s, James Hunt retired from racing, saying he didn’t want to be an irrelevant part (less than 50 percent) of the driver/car equation. What percentage of the equation are drivers today?
IMAGE COURTESY OF CHIP GANASSI RACING WITH FELIX SABATES
Ganassi and Scott Pruett celebrate after winning the Grand Prix of Miami at HomesteadMiami Speedway
You’ve gone from being a racecar driver to a driving force in motor racing. Which role is more fulfilling? While I was growing up in Pittsburgh, I always had visions of sitting atop one of these buildings and running a company. When I started in motor racing I never thought it would be my career; I figured it would be a weekend activity, nothing more. Although there was no period in my life more exciting than the time I was a racecar driver, it was then that I realized I loved motorsports as a business. So I’d have to say what I’m doing now is most fulfilling.
As a former driver, do you ever have the urge to climb into the racecar yourself?
I have a lot of respect for James Hunt and he was a good driver, but as racing cars evolve technically, it may make some drivers obsolete. At the same time, it will bring other drivers along. These days, you need to have it all: 100 percent car, 100 percent driver, 100 percent crew.
You’ve been at this sport for 30 years; what has been your most memorable event? Qualifying for my first Indianapolis 500 in 1982, just 10 days after I graduated from college. I had just turned 23 and I was the fastest rookie at Indianapolis that year. Since then we’ve had a lot of great wins in great cars with great drivers, but that day in 1982 was when it all began.
The Target Chip Ganassi relationship seems to go beyond dollars and cents. How does a business relationship acheive this kind of synergy? I feel fortunate to have been a part
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of Target when their company was growing. When I first met them they had 400 stores; today there are 1700. Target embraces change and they’re often at the leading edge. Our values, our work ethics and our views of things are very much aligned, and when you are that aligned, you end up with a good relationship. It’s that simple.
When Jamie McMurray won the Brickyard 400, you became the first team owner to win America’s triple crown. How did that feel? I’m more pleased that all six of my drivers have won at least one race this year. That to me is more exciting than me winning the triple crown.
Since Forum is a fashion and lifestyle magazine, tell us about your fashion sense. I’m in the sports business and so my personal style is centered on casual sportswear. I enjoy wearing my Zegna suits, but obviously I would look a bit out of place at the race track dressed that way.
What was your last clothing purchase and what might you buy next? My last purchase was that Zegna navy blazer you see hanging on the wall over there. My next purchase will be a Loro Piana scarf.
What do you do to relax? A few years ago I moved out to Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania; I love being around my house, swimming in my pool in the summer and skiing in the winter. I enjoy feeding the fish in my fish pond and also doing yard work. It’s about as far from racecar driving as it gets.