Ganassi begins downsizing of its IndyCar operation

Yesterday at 08:53 AM

Chip Ganassi Racing has started the process of downsizing from five cars to three for the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series.

Team leadership met with select crew members at its Indianapolis-based shop Tuesday morning to inform them of their release, which comes as a result of Penske Entertainment's upcoming charter program, which limits each team to a maximum of three charter agreements. Without the cap on charters, RACER understands CGR would not be cutting entries from its IndyCar team.

Due to the charter restriction, CGR knew it would need to cull two cars from its IndyCar program, and with the upcoming departure of its factory Cadillac Racing effort, the team found itself with more staff than racing projects to deploy its personnel. The formation of a new two-car Indy NXT program will see a blend of IMSA and IndyCar staff re-assigned to run the cars next season, and for those who were released, members of the back-to-back championship-winning team will be coveted by a number of IndyCar squads and should be able to find new teams within days.

"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 in a statement provided to RACER. "The decisions did not come without anguish, but it puts Chip Ganassi Racing in a better position as we begin preparations to defend our IndyCar Series championship in 2025."

The new PREMA Racing team has been on a hiring spree as it prepares for its debut, and with the AJ Foyt Racing team looking to move its second car from Texas to its shop next to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, local employment opportunities are growing.