Chip Ganassi Racing has begun downsizing its number of cars for the upcoming NTT Series 2025 season that kicks off on March 2nd. The decision was reported at the season finale in Nashville after Team Penske’s plans to implement a formal charter. However, a certain level of optimism comes with the charter due to how it works. It will likely operate similarly to NASCAR’s.
A charter guarantees drivers entry to every race and recurring pay. Having the charter would allow team owners, drivers, and the series alike to connect with sponsors and create a more personable business dynamic, but this does not come without challenges. Charter restrictions would require team owners to reduce the number of cars in their lineups from five to three. But there may be a silver lining.
How Chip Ganassi Racing Plans to Downsize
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With the looming Team Penske charter set to take place at some point during the 2025 season, Chip Ganassi had a decision to make. Due to the charter restrictions, the team will be minus two cars after choosing to downsize. The team will run two cars for Indy NXT next year to make up for having to eliminate the two in the NTT Series. Downsizing will allow an easy transition to the charter’s rules and give everyone a chance to race.
The changes dividing Chip Ganassi Racing’s cars will toss up the team staff from IMSA and IndyCar to ensure that operations run smoothly in the NTT and NXT teams, respectively. Though the charter aims to change a lot moving forward, team owner Chip Ganassi is all in for it. He expressed how beneficial it will be for the IndyCar community. Ganassi is no stranger to charters, having owned two that were given to him during his tenure as a NASCAR team owner, a stint he ended in 2021.
He eventually sold the team to Trackhouse Racing and likely received a pretty good payout as they fetch a pretty hefty price in the millions range. He believes adding a charter to IndyCar will make the sport more valuable and give drivers more exposure. It certainly won’t hurt that there’s a million-dollar guarantee attached to being part of the proposed charter. “Because of changes that are happening in the industry and with our organization specifically, Chip Ganassi Racing needed to right-size the team as we move forward,” the team said.
What The Charter Means for the Team’s Future
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A formal IndyCar Charter would ensure set payments, a guaranteed spot in each race, and a more personable approach to managing teams like Chip Ganassi Racing. Additionally, the charter would constitute more equality for those teams that are indecisive about joining and give them additional funds at the end of each season to keep order within the team dynamic. IndyCar currently has the Socialized Financial Distribution Program, or Leaders’ Circle Program.
The program, rolled out in the early 2000s by the previous owner, the Hulman George family, was initially designed to provide a monetary reward for struggling teams. The only catch was that all entered teams had to place in the top 22 in every race scheduled to earn the reward.
Changes are good, but the idea has ruffled some feathers with drivers inside and outside Chip Ganassi Racing as they’re unsure of where they’ll stand in 2025. Two of the most critical, however, are Pato O’Ward and Michael Andretti, who feel the move could be a mistake. Nonetheless, Ganassi knows there’s still much to be done regarding paperwork and has continued to express his support for the idea openly. “It’s a really good thing. And it’s going to add value to every team. Granted it’s not the size of the NASCAR charter guarantee. But it’s a hell of a start. It’s a hell of a running start. So I think it’s a great thing.”
Final Thoughts
In 2025, Chip Ganassi Racing plans to downsize cars ahead of a proposed charter that would allow guaranteed payout. A benefit even for those who don’t place at the top. This will create more camaraderie. Though many are critical of the idea, owner Chip Ganassi has already mapped out how he’ll handle it. Three cars in his lineup will remain in the NTT Series, and two will be newly directed to the Indycar NXT, but the decision wasn’t easy. The decision seems like a catch 42. One thing remains sure: the owner will lead with loyalty and dedication.
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