Chip Ganassi Racing Teams reaches 100-win milestone!
Below are quotes from each of the drivers who have contributed to this important motorsports milestone.
Scott Pruett – 18 wins
"It's exciting for me as a driver to be a part of this milestone. I think Chip, Felix and I have always had the same philosophy in terms of winning races. It's been a total team effort and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to contribute."
Juan Pablo Montoya – 15 wins
"I have won a number of races in my career that I think could be considered pretty cool but winning all those races with Chip has been the ultimate. I think it is because I consider him such a good friend and we have won so many big races together and in so many different series. We have won the Long Beach Grand Prix in CART, the Indy 500 in the IRL, the Rolex 24 at Daytona in Grand-Am and also in NASCAR Cup and Nationwide. It's the reason that I am with Chip again - because I know he wants to win as much as I do and will do whatever it takes."
Alex Zanardi – 15 wins
"I’m really happy to congratulate my friends at the team for this fantastic achievement and let me say I’m proud as well, because I know my contribution to obtain this result was a two digit number. But this doesn’t tell you why the above result was gained. Sure, drivers are important in the equation and Chip would tell you that he’s always been lucky to have the right guys behind the wheel, but it’s not about this. I’m absolutely sure the credit goes to Chip himself and the people he has chosen to do the job. They’ve been able to create a group, where everyone is capable to recognize their responsibility for every defeat, but at the same way their hunger, passion and determination, gets the right award with every success of the team because they really feel part of it. It’s a little secret, but despite the fact I’ve been part of many organizations in my racing career, Chip’s team is the only place where I’ve seen the right application for it and I feel really lucky it happened to me once, especially in that fantastic way. Chip, for all the times you shouted at me over the radio ‘you are the man!’ let me tell you the same thing. At times I thought you were just lucky. But it’s not true, you are a hard worker, a passionate leader, and if sometime one of your duties is to look a little mean, you’re ‘bloody’ smart and that’s why I’m ‘bloody’ proud that along the fantastic way of the team you’ve put together, I was chosen to be part of this great success. Way to go!"
Scott Dixon – 15 wins
"Having been a part of this team for almost seven years now, you understand exactly what it takes to win the big races and championships at the highest levels of racing. I think the tremendous amount of success the organization has seen is a direct result of the team Chip has assembled over the years. The people are the ones that truly make a difference. When you combine those kinds of people with an owner like Chip who gives you all the tools to be successful, you get these kinds of fantastic results."
Jimmy Vasser – 9 wins
"This is a great achievement for a great organization. I am very happy for Chip and everyone involved with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. I will always be proud to have been a part of the team and helped to contribute to their success."
Luis Diaz – 8 wins
"When I think of Chip and Felix I immediately think back to the Grand Am race we won in Mexico City two years ago. It was the biggest race of my life, winning in front of my home country. That day I drove the best car I'd ever driven and it was a dream come true. The team represents performance, a great winning tradition and that day changed my life for sure."
Dan Wheldon – 7 wins
"I was fortunate enough to win in my very first time in a car for Chip in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, but one of the fondest memories I have was being able to win for him in my first IndyCar race as a TCGR driver. It was something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Driving for Chip is something to be very proud of. The most special thing about him is he's true to his word and you know you're always going to be in the best equipment. He's a tough guy at times but one with immense respect for racing. My personality fits well with Chip and I'm proud to drive for him. I'm not going anywhere until I win him another Indianapolis 500."
Casey Mears – 5 wins
"Winning my first ARCA race and Nationwide races felt good period. And, of course, it felt good to win those for Chip. He was the first guy who really believed in me and gave me a chance in Cup competition. I knew, from my open wheel days, the amount of success that Chip has had in racing. He was someone that I really respected and wanted to drive for. It feels good to me to know that I'm on that list of winners for Chip and all of Chip Ganassi Racing."
Sterling Marlin – 4 wins
"When Chip bought the team and said we were going to run Dodges, it was unheard of at the time but we did it and pulled out some great efforts throughout my career there. He really put together a great program for me and all of the guys to run which resulted in four great wins and some other great runner-up finishes. The most memorable one out of those four for me was winning at Charlotte, of course. All the teams want to win that one in their backyard so it was a great feeling to be able to check that one off the list."
Max Papis – 4 wins
"Chip Ganassi Racing has always been a great place to be if you are a driver. When I first came to the USA, I'll never forget that one of the first people I met was Chip. One thing I always knew when I drove for him was that as an owner he gave you all the tools you needed to succeed. I always had a special relationship with him. When you got past the tough exterior there is a completely different side of him which he showed me a few times, which reminded me a lot of my father. Having my picture hanging in the Indianapolis shop as a champion is one of the things I'm most proud of in life."
Reed Sorenson – 4 wins
"My first win for Ganassi was an ARCA race in Michigan. It was only my second race in the series. My most memorable win was my first NASCAR win which happened in Nashville. We dominated the race which is always a pretty cool thing. Being able to add to Chip's 100 wins is special. I hope to add a few more wins to help him get to his next milestone."
Bruno Junqueira - 3 wins
"TCGR gave me a great opportunity to race in America. The team has won the races you want to win. My greatest memory with TCGR was winning the Indy 500 pole. That was the longest day of my life because I had to wait six hours before I knew it was ours. It was a great feeling but I still had to wait two weeks until the race!"
Memo Rojas – 5 wins
"Driving for Chip and Felix has always being a goal of mine, and being able to contribute to such a great achievement is something that's very special to me. I'm proud to say I'm a race winner for this team and can't wait to get the next one."
Michael Andretti – 2 wins
"The time I spent with Chip Ganassi Racing was a great time. It was a difficult time in my career and Chip was there to give me a great opportunity to come back to the United States in a first-class way. We were able to win our very first race together in 1994 and I felt good for both Chip and I that we were able to do that our first time out. It was probably one of the biggest races in my career and Chip was the one who helped set that up. Throughout the years, Chip has always been a friend. I think he's built a great organization and it's not a surprise to me that he's won 100 races."
Jamie McMurray – 2 wins
"Winning at Charlotte for Chip is something that I will never forget. Chip and Sterling had a championship team that season, with great cars, great guys on the crew, which made it easy for me to fill in for Sterling. Chip was, and still is a really great guy, who has been very successful in all forms of racing. He gave me an opportunity that helped build my career, and to win in just my second Cup start in one of his cars is something that means a lot to me."
Dario Franchitti – 1 win
"In a way I couldn't be more happy for Chip and the whole team, but I have to say that for most of those 100 wins I was on the losing side unfortunately. Coming here last year and being a part of the team's third straight win in the Rolex 24 At Daytona right off the bat showed me what his teams are all about really quickly."
Jeff Ward – 1 win
"Winning for Chip meant a lot. I've known Chip as both a friend and team owner and it was cool to get my first IndyCar win with Chip. I've known Chip since the 1980's when I was running motocross at the time; and being the first to win an IndyCar race when we ran a full season in 2002 in the IndyCar Series was a great experience, especially because I got to share it with a friend (Chip)."
Kenny Brack – 1 win
"I am not surprised Chip's team has reached this level of success. For Chip and his dad there is only one way forward, and that reflects in the people that are working in their organization too."
Salvador Duran – 1 win
"Winning the 24 Hours at Daytona with CGR in my debut was one of the best memories I have not only for my career, but also for my life. I got the opportunity as a rookie and with one of the best teams around. I understand more and more how important is to work as a team and how important each member is to the team. I can only thank CGR for the opportunity and for the win and I will remember that moment all my life."
Scott Lagasse Jr. – 1 win
"Obviously, it was very special as it was my first ARCA win and to do it against a Roush Fenway car in the fashion we did it, coming down to side-by-side racing in the final laps, was pretty neat. The group of guys Chip teamed me with was a great and fun group that made the entire experience even more unforgettable."
Bryan Clauson – 1 win
"The win at Gateway was really special to me not just because it was my first win in a stock car but because it was my first win with the organization that brought me into the sport and gave me the opportunity to race at this level. Growing up around Indianapolis, always following the Ganassi teams and knowing about its past history and success, to win for the team I watched growing up was really cool."
"It's exciting for me as a driver to be a part of this milestone. I think Chip, Felix and I have always had the same philosophy in terms of winning races. It's been a total team effort and I'm glad I've had the opportunity to contribute."
Juan Pablo Montoya – 15 wins
"I have won a number of races in my career that I think could be considered pretty cool but winning all those races with Chip has been the ultimate. I think it is because I consider him such a good friend and we have won so many big races together and in so many different series. We have won the Long Beach Grand Prix in CART, the Indy 500 in the IRL, the Rolex 24 at Daytona in Grand-Am and also in NASCAR Cup and Nationwide. It's the reason that I am with Chip again - because I know he wants to win as much as I do and will do whatever it takes."
Alex Zanardi – 15 wins
"I’m really happy to congratulate my friends at the team for this fantastic achievement and let me say I’m proud as well, because I know my contribution to obtain this result was a two digit number. But this doesn’t tell you why the above result was gained. Sure, drivers are important in the equation and Chip would tell you that he’s always been lucky to have the right guys behind the wheel, but it’s not about this. I’m absolutely sure the credit goes to Chip himself and the people he has chosen to do the job. They’ve been able to create a group, where everyone is capable to recognize their responsibility for every defeat, but at the same way their hunger, passion and determination, gets the right award with every success of the team because they really feel part of it. It’s a little secret, but despite the fact I’ve been part of many organizations in my racing career, Chip’s team is the only place where I’ve seen the right application for it and I feel really lucky it happened to me once, especially in that fantastic way. Chip, for all the times you shouted at me over the radio ‘you are the man!’ let me tell you the same thing. At times I thought you were just lucky. But it’s not true, you are a hard worker, a passionate leader, and if sometime one of your duties is to look a little mean, you’re ‘bloody’ smart and that’s why I’m ‘bloody’ proud that along the fantastic way of the team you’ve put together, I was chosen to be part of this great success. Way to go!"
Scott Dixon – 15 wins
"Having been a part of this team for almost seven years now, you understand exactly what it takes to win the big races and championships at the highest levels of racing. I think the tremendous amount of success the organization has seen is a direct result of the team Chip has assembled over the years. The people are the ones that truly make a difference. When you combine those kinds of people with an owner like Chip who gives you all the tools to be successful, you get these kinds of fantastic results."
Jimmy Vasser – 9 wins
"This is a great achievement for a great organization. I am very happy for Chip and everyone involved with Target Chip Ganassi Racing. I will always be proud to have been a part of the team and helped to contribute to their success."
Luis Diaz – 8 wins
"When I think of Chip and Felix I immediately think back to the Grand Am race we won in Mexico City two years ago. It was the biggest race of my life, winning in front of my home country. That day I drove the best car I'd ever driven and it was a dream come true. The team represents performance, a great winning tradition and that day changed my life for sure."
Dan Wheldon – 7 wins
"I was fortunate enough to win in my very first time in a car for Chip in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, but one of the fondest memories I have was being able to win for him in my first IndyCar race as a TCGR driver. It was something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Driving for Chip is something to be very proud of. The most special thing about him is he's true to his word and you know you're always going to be in the best equipment. He's a tough guy at times but one with immense respect for racing. My personality fits well with Chip and I'm proud to drive for him. I'm not going anywhere until I win him another Indianapolis 500."
Casey Mears – 5 wins
"Winning my first ARCA race and Nationwide races felt good period. And, of course, it felt good to win those for Chip. He was the first guy who really believed in me and gave me a chance in Cup competition. I knew, from my open wheel days, the amount of success that Chip has had in racing. He was someone that I really respected and wanted to drive for. It feels good to me to know that I'm on that list of winners for Chip and all of Chip Ganassi Racing."
Sterling Marlin – 4 wins
"When Chip bought the team and said we were going to run Dodges, it was unheard of at the time but we did it and pulled out some great efforts throughout my career there. He really put together a great program for me and all of the guys to run which resulted in four great wins and some other great runner-up finishes. The most memorable one out of those four for me was winning at Charlotte, of course. All the teams want to win that one in their backyard so it was a great feeling to be able to check that one off the list."
Max Papis – 4 wins
"Chip Ganassi Racing has always been a great place to be if you are a driver. When I first came to the USA, I'll never forget that one of the first people I met was Chip. One thing I always knew when I drove for him was that as an owner he gave you all the tools you needed to succeed. I always had a special relationship with him. When you got past the tough exterior there is a completely different side of him which he showed me a few times, which reminded me a lot of my father. Having my picture hanging in the Indianapolis shop as a champion is one of the things I'm most proud of in life."
Reed Sorenson – 4 wins
"My first win for Ganassi was an ARCA race in Michigan. It was only my second race in the series. My most memorable win was my first NASCAR win which happened in Nashville. We dominated the race which is always a pretty cool thing. Being able to add to Chip's 100 wins is special. I hope to add a few more wins to help him get to his next milestone."
Bruno Junqueira - 3 wins
"TCGR gave me a great opportunity to race in America. The team has won the races you want to win. My greatest memory with TCGR was winning the Indy 500 pole. That was the longest day of my life because I had to wait six hours before I knew it was ours. It was a great feeling but I still had to wait two weeks until the race!"
Memo Rojas – 5 wins
"Driving for Chip and Felix has always being a goal of mine, and being able to contribute to such a great achievement is something that's very special to me. I'm proud to say I'm a race winner for this team and can't wait to get the next one."
Michael Andretti – 2 wins
"The time I spent with Chip Ganassi Racing was a great time. It was a difficult time in my career and Chip was there to give me a great opportunity to come back to the United States in a first-class way. We were able to win our very first race together in 1994 and I felt good for both Chip and I that we were able to do that our first time out. It was probably one of the biggest races in my career and Chip was the one who helped set that up. Throughout the years, Chip has always been a friend. I think he's built a great organization and it's not a surprise to me that he's won 100 races."
Jamie McMurray – 2 wins
"Winning at Charlotte for Chip is something that I will never forget. Chip and Sterling had a championship team that season, with great cars, great guys on the crew, which made it easy for me to fill in for Sterling. Chip was, and still is a really great guy, who has been very successful in all forms of racing. He gave me an opportunity that helped build my career, and to win in just my second Cup start in one of his cars is something that means a lot to me."
Dario Franchitti – 1 win
"In a way I couldn't be more happy for Chip and the whole team, but I have to say that for most of those 100 wins I was on the losing side unfortunately. Coming here last year and being a part of the team's third straight win in the Rolex 24 At Daytona right off the bat showed me what his teams are all about really quickly."
Jeff Ward – 1 win
"Winning for Chip meant a lot. I've known Chip as both a friend and team owner and it was cool to get my first IndyCar win with Chip. I've known Chip since the 1980's when I was running motocross at the time; and being the first to win an IndyCar race when we ran a full season in 2002 in the IndyCar Series was a great experience, especially because I got to share it with a friend (Chip)."
Kenny Brack – 1 win
"I am not surprised Chip's team has reached this level of success. For Chip and his dad there is only one way forward, and that reflects in the people that are working in their organization too."
Salvador Duran – 1 win
"Winning the 24 Hours at Daytona with CGR in my debut was one of the best memories I have not only for my career, but also for my life. I got the opportunity as a rookie and with one of the best teams around. I understand more and more how important is to work as a team and how important each member is to the team. I can only thank CGR for the opportunity and for the win and I will remember that moment all my life."
Scott Lagasse Jr. – 1 win
"Obviously, it was very special as it was my first ARCA win and to do it against a Roush Fenway car in the fashion we did it, coming down to side-by-side racing in the final laps, was pretty neat. The group of guys Chip teamed me with was a great and fun group that made the entire experience even more unforgettable."
Bryan Clauson – 1 win
"The win at Gateway was really special to me not just because it was my first win in a stock car but because it was my first win with the organization that brought me into the sport and gave me the opportunity to race at this level. Growing up around Indianapolis, always following the Ganassi teams and knowing about its past history and success, to win for the team I watched growing up was really cool."
 |
 |