Andretti and Ganassi?

[Ward Burton]

Rookie Casey Mears may be on the hot seat at Chip Ganassi's, and crew chief Jimmy Elledge said he realizes the team will have to pick up its performance the second half of the season [seems to have done pretty good at Chicago so far]. Mears' best finish is a 15th at Las Vegas, and his average is 29.0. 'I'm sure the boss isn't too happy this team is on this side of the garage (34th in the standings),' Elledge said. 'I haven't heard anything ... but if we don't pick up, we may all be looking for jobs.' John Andretti [sure won't be Michael] is one name being mentioned for the ride. Andretti was under consideration for the ride last fall.

 

[97forever]

These open wheel guys stick together.An interesting third-hand rumor from friends of old Red Farmer (who stays in casual contact with Tony Stewart)has been circulating around Hueytown since LAST season that Ganassi would rather hire former open-wheel guys.NOW it is being reported that both Stewart and Andretti are names that are being dropped.Next time,I will pay closer attention to the shade-tree talk around locally.I would not be shocked at all to see Chip end up with either of these guys.(Tony or John)

 

[24and12Fan]

I could see this happening! It would be a good move for John because he would finally have a solid team and a ride for the Indy 500.

 

[Zekk]

i would think Ganassi would give Mears a longer time to prove himself.. he's a baby, my mom always says he looks about 12.

 

[Happy29]

I dont think Ganassi should let go of Mears. He's basically standing on top of the world now, it may not show, but he's got to think long-term. He has a veteran driver who's in the Top 10 in points, he's got Jamie McMurray, a young gun Winston Cup winner even before he started his full rookie year and Casey Mears a former open wheeler and a young gun, no wins yet but a good starting spot at Chicagoland might prove the critics wrong. I dont think Ganassi will want to make the mistake that Evernham made in cutting a young driver.