Ganassi selling Cup team to John Menard?

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If there's any truth to this there could be a significant shakeup in the garage affecting multiple teams, possibly including the future destination of Kyle Larson.

Jayski:

One of the hottest stories in the garage Thursday was intense speculation that veteran team owner Chip Ganassi may be considering selling his two-team NASCAR operation to John Menard. Menard, who owns the Midwestern home improvement chain Menards, is a long-time racer, and he is currently sponsoring his son Paul's NASCAR team, part of the Richard Childress organization. Ganassi and Childress are both Chevy men. Childress supplied Ganassi's two teams (with #1-Jamie McMurray and #42-Juan Pablo Montoya) with engines until this season, when Ganassi switched to Hendrick motors. Of the sport's top eight team owners, Ganassi this season ranks seventh in finishes. Of particular disappointment is Montoya, who is averaging a 27th place finish; Montoya's last top-10 was at Michigan last June, and his last tour win was at Watkins Glen in the summer of 2010. McMurray's seventh at Martinsville last weekend was his best finish in over a year.
 
Interesting indeed. That organization has been in free fall for 2 years now. What would be really interesting is if HMS would provide engines to a competing team sponsor to the Lowes 48.

I was thinking Childress would get out when Harvick leaves.
 
FenderBumper said:
Doesn't Tony have plans for Larson?
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As far as I know Kyle's contract is with Ganassi. That's who brought him up the ranks and that's who is backing him with a joint effort with Turner Scott. The other obvious issue is with RCR. If this is true, that leaves all 3 RCR cars with no drivers and no sponsors going in to 2014.
 
How could RCR hang on long enough for the Dillons to get sponsors? If this is true, things sure would get messy in the garage. Mac could be out, but Target seems happy with Juan.
 
I think McDonalds is happy with Jamie too. Plus if Jamie keeps running like he is, he will have a damn good year.

McMurray's contract ends this year.
 
That would be nice. Menard would be out of RCR, Someone would finally give Montoya the boot, and Mcmurray would have a good team again. And whoever said that Larson could take over the 24 -- I doubt it happening, but it would be cool if he did!
 
Captain Coyfish said:
That would be nice. Menard would be out of RCR, Someone would finally give Montoya the boot, and Mcmurray would have a good team again. And whoever said that Larson could take over the 24 -- I doubt it happening, but it would be cool if he did!
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I just can't see Menard going anywhere, he has an open billfold.
 
might end up Manard/Gannassi racing with a three or four car team as long as we are having our wish lists.
 
Captain Coyfish said:
What if his daddy owned a team?
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John Menard has dabbled in racing for years. They have raced ARCA, Nationwide, truck and cup. He has also raced NHRA. Because Menard's is a privately held company, the old man can spend his money as he wants to.
 
Smoke14 said:
John Menard has dabbled in racing for years. They have raced ARCA, Nationwide, truck and cup. He has also raced NHRA. Because Menard's is a privately held company, the old man can spend his money as he wants to.
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True...
 
if you are menard why not, RCR is a sinking ship. I can't believe these smaller teams are still building their own cars. why not just get cars, tech support and engines from roush or hendrick or possibly even gibbs. put together a pit crew and mechanics on sunday as well as a limited staff in the garage back home. and your in the cup racing business. This is alot easier to pull off if you are bringing your own sponsorship to the table. RCR is in trouble and when an orgainization is in trouble it must make attracting further sponsors even harder.
 
Montoya goes back to IndyCar driving for Ganassi, Mendard ends up in the 42 with Daddy's name on the car, Harvick to SHR, Burton leaves RCR, A. Dillon ends up in the #3/#29, McMurry stays with Mendars or goes to RCR to drive the #31.
 
hidesert cowboy said:
if you are menard why not, RCR is a sinking ship. I can't believe these smaller teams are still building their own cars. why not just get cars, tech support and engines from roush or hendrick or possibly even gibbs. put together a pit crew and mechanics on sunday as well as a limited staff in the garage back home. and your in the cup racing business. This is alot easier to pull off if you are bringing your own sponsorship to the table. RCR is in trouble and when an orgainization is in trouble it must make attracting further sponsors even harder.
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Disagree the RCR is a sinking ship. he is not going anywhere, has a couple of young hungry guns in the pipe for the future. Just because Boyer went to MWR and did well and Harvick leaving isn't a sinking ship. Boyer fits better at MWR with his personality and Harvick will fit better at Tony's place IMO. The post is about Menard and Ganassi racing. I think it will be a partnership of the two hopefully, I don't think Menard wants the whole thing, I don't think he has any experience running a racing team, but he has the money to buy into a running organization. Time will tell.
 
stand on it, what planet are you on?? RCR is in trouble. harvick is taking bud to SHR, no it hasn't been announced but there is no way this deal would be done this far our without money behind it. jeff burton, he should be been let go 2 years ago. add in rumors of menard buying chip out, what is left!?!?!?! personally I like childress it would be a sadday to see him not in the sport. I don't like saying it but reality is reality. if we get to august and september before 2014 plans are set, they are set out of desperation and at a huge discount. WHO IS DRIVING FOR RCR IN 2014?? WHAT SPONSORS ARE IN PLACE FOR ANY TEAMS?!?!? none of these things are in place for next year and its mid april right now.

the linch pin is menard if somehow RCR can keep menard I think they can cobble together at least enough sponsorship to run one more car and drop to a 2 car team. basically they live to fight another day. if menard bolts its a very scary situation for RCR. The fact is its tuff to get sponsorship. why do you think kenseth left roush?? because jack ran the car out of his own pocket last year for quite a few races and the sponsorship that was on the car for other races speculation rooted with common sense says those sponsorships were last minute deals and done at a steep discount. we are talking a former champion and recent race winner having trouble with sponsors why is RCR going to do any better at attracting sponsors??
 
hidesert cowboy said:
stand on it, what planet are you on?? RCR is in trouble. harvick is taking bud to SHR, no it hasn't been announced but there is no way this deal would be done this far our without money behind it. jeff burton, he should be been let go 2 years ago. add in rumors of menard buying chip out, what is left!?!?!?! personally I like childress it would be a sadday to see him not in the sport. I don't like saying it but reality is reality. if we get to august and september before 2014 plans are set, they are set out of desperation and at a huge discount. WHO IS DRIVING FOR RCR IN 2014?? WHAT SPONSORS ARE IN PLACE FOR ANY TEAMS?!?!? none of these things are in place for next year and its mid april right now.

the linch pin is menard if somehow RCR can keep menard I think they can cobble together at least enough sponsorship to run one more car and drop to a 2 car team. basically they live to fight another day. if menard bolts its a very scary situation for RCR. The fact is its tuff to get sponsorship. why do you think kenseth left roush?? because jack ran the car out of his own pocket last year for quite a few races and the sponsorship that was on the car for other races speculation rooted with common sense says those sponsorships were last minute deals and done at a steep discount. we are talking a former champion and recent race winner having trouble with sponsors why is RCR going to do any better at attracting sponsors??
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I agree , RCR is not bringing in new sponsors , losing Bud ,5 hr. energy , and Menards would be a killer. Sadler also took his Nationwide sponsor with him ,did he not ? If they lose Cat when Burton retires , it's gonna be real bad .
 
I wonder why the Ganassi organization never caught up with other teams. I expected better results this year with Hendrick engines. Montoya has been a disappointment.
 
ted@economy said:
I agree , RCR is not bringing in new sponsors , losing Bud ,5 hr. energy , and Menards would be a killer. Sadler also took his Nationwide sponsor with him ,did he not ? If they lose Cat when Burton retires , it's gonna be real bad .
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again this isn't an RCR is in trouble thread, but how in the heck do you know that Childress isn't bringing in new sponsors? His grandson Austin went out and got his own sponsors to run Finches 51 in cup for Texas. the kid is marketable. And BTW desert cowboy I said I disagree, don't start insulting me, I didn't you. Again, the topic
is:
Ganassi selling Cup team to John Menard?
 
Not sure why one couldn't draw an assumption from (Ganassi selling Cup team to Menard ) to RCR may lose Menard's sponsorship , but RCR sure has lost some big name sponsors lately. Course they still have Childress Wineries , I don't see them going anywhere .
 
I think it's important to realize that Menard sponsors 4 teams across 4 series. Is there anyone else who does the same?
 
Does Theresa have barely a minority stake in EGR?
 
Menard buys Ganassi, what happens to Sabates? I'd hate to see RCR fold. Could Kurt save them
?
 
DUN24 said:
Does Theresa have barely a minority stake in EGR?
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maybe she wants out, or maybe Chip wants out, that is why there is so much speculation I would think. Three people would have to all agree to the terms of the deal.
 
I don't see Theresa giving up one red cent. She wouldn't let Jr buy the #8.
I'll take money grubber for $1,000 Alex
 
Zerkfitting said:
I wonder why the Ganassi organization never caught up with other teams. I expected better results this year with Hendrick engines. Montoya has been a disappointment.
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Look at the drivers they have. Neither are top 10 talent when it comes to stock cars.
 
I think AdvoCare should be able to follow Austin into the Cup Series. The #51 also doesn't have much sponsorship when Smith or Allmendinger run but Dillon got Tag Heuer and Realtree for his two races in it so far along with Cheerios when he ran for papa in the 500. I don't know about Ty being able to bring Bass Pro all the way up though, they are already spreading themselves a little thin sponsoring both McMurray and Stewart part-time.
 
EGR has alliance to Hendrick. RCR has alliance to themselves, but using Menard's money.

If John takes part in EGR, then Paul is out of RCR.

If John takes part in EGR and Paul stays at RCR, where dies the Hendrick alliance go?

Do EGR and RCR and Menard all bandwagon together, with John footing the partial bill? Then do they use RCR or Hendrick power? It would make a 4 car funded team (JB-Cat, Paul- daddy, JM- McD, JPM- Target).

Bring Larson and Dillon into the picture, and I see 2 of the above out of a ride, monopoly style (bye bye JB and JM).

Or do they pull a Hendrick/SHR satellite movement, and pull off the 6-teams-in-one-house hat-trick, assuming the young guns bring their own money?

Hendrick/SHR- Kahne, JGo, 5-time, Jr, Danica, Tony, Newman, Harvick (That's 8)

RCR/EGR/Menard- Jbu, Paul, JMac, JPM, Larson, Dillon (That's 6)

MWR- Musical Chairs (3 full time cars?)

Roush- 4 full time cars

That's 21 cars in 4 stables.
 
Smoke14 said:
John Menard has dabbled in racing for years. They have raced ARCA, Nationwide, truck and cup. He has also raced NHRA. Because Menard's is a privately held company, the old man can spend his money as he wants to.
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Don't forget Indy cars. John Menard fielded a team JUST for the Indy 500 for many many years. When the split happened and the IRL reserved the first 25 spots at Indy for IRL team regulars, he also fielded a regular IRL team too.

DUN24 said:
Does Theresa have barely a minority stake in EGR?
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A very small stake, it seems. When's the last time you saw Teresa doing any talking about the #1 or #42 publicly? I imagine she must be a very small silent partner.
 
StandOnIt said:
again this isn't an RCR is in trouble thread, but how in the heck do you know that Childress isn't bringing in new sponsors? His grandson Austin went out and got his own sponsors to run Finches 51 in cup for Texas. the kid is marketable. And BTW desert cowboy I said I disagree, don't start insulting me, I didn't you. Again, the topic
is:
Ganassi selling Cup team to John Menard?
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the point wasn't to insult sorry you took it that way. austin dillion getting a local sponsor for the 51 car is a whole lot different than putting together a package of sponsors paying $20 million to run the car for a year. the deal on the 51 car for the texas race is likely just paying the tire bill and maybe some other expenses. there is also a big difference between running a cup car vs NW car. on the magnutite of 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of cup.

no one says RCR can't and isn't bringing new sponsors however we haven't seen any announced yet, its mid april, and we don't have a clue who is even going to be driving for the team next year. you must admit this isn't an enviable spot to be in. another problem as I see it in bringing new sponsors, lets say you run the marketing department of a large company and the CEO wants to expose the company to the nascar demographic. LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER TEAMS LOOKING FOR SPONSORS. many of these teams are top shelf teams. I think the 14 car and certainly the 39 car could use some additional sponsorship. roush has sponsorship open. I think even dale jr has some room, however they are holding out for a major long term deal instead of such a piece meal deal. The point is why not sponsor another team or driver that gives you more exposure, than signing on with a largely unproven driver like Austin Dillon driving for a struggling owner like RCR. we have seen teams disappear, robert yates is done, evernham and later gillitte is out of the sport. I hope I am wrong. the other factor with ganassi maybe they are out of sponsorship as well. frankly EGR is way down on the list I would put sponsorship money maybe the thinking is sell out now vs selling off the equipment at a fire sale.
 
Chevrolet wants one source for engineering and manufacturing and beginning in 2014 all Chevrolet teams will get their engines from one supplier. This means RCR either gets engines from Hendrick Motorsports or they make a deal to switch to Dodge which would make them #1 with a manufacturer again.
 
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