Tributes pour in for Floyd Ganassi - MotorSportsTalk

Floyd Ganassi, who passed away Monday at age 87, left an indelible impact on the racing community. Tributes, statements and tweets have poured in in the less than 24 hours since the news, and what’s below is merely a sampling of the outpouring of support the racing community has for Chip Ganassi’s father.

The team has announced a funeral service to be held Thursday, August 22 at 10 a.m. at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but here are a selection of reflections on Floyd Ganassi, either statements or tweets:

TWEETS

Mike Hull, Ganassi managing director: The loss of Floyd Ganassi today is hard to accept; life’s fragile nature is measured by how much we mean to each other.

Dario Franchitti, Ganassi IndyCar driver: Today our friend Floyd Ganassi passed away, he was a massive part of the team & our good luck charm. Rest in peace Floyd, you’re a great man

Charlie Kimball, Novo Nordisk Ganassi IndyCar driver: Floyd Ganassi will be very missed in the paddock. No matter what, he always brought a smile to everyone’s faces. A great man.

Ryan Briscoe, Ganassi IndyCar driver (2005 and 2013 Indianapolis 500): I will miss Floyd Ganassi dearly. He was always so good and kind to me. My thoughts are with Chip and his family now. #ripFloyd

Juan Pablo Montoya, Ganassi Cup driver: It’s a shame we lost today a great person. Floyd Ganassi we really gonna miss u. He was a great friend.

Graham Rahal, former Ganassi IndyCar driver: RIP Floyd Ganassi. One of the greatest all around men you will ever meet. I cherished the time spent with him. He will certainly be missed.

Joey Hand, Ganassi GRAND-AM winner of 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona: Happy to be back in the USA but very very sad to here that Floyd Ganassi has passed away. Glad to have met him. RIP Floyd.

Kyle Larson, Ganassi development driver: Sadden to hear about the passing of Chip Ganassi’s father Floyd. Thoughts and prayers go out to their family.

Tony Kanaan, IndyCar driver: RIP Floyd RT @CGRTeams Statement from Chip Ganassi Racing Teams on the Passing of Floyd Ganassi: pic.twitter.com/VG9FQ242es

Marino Franchitti, Dario’s brother, sports car driver: Rest in Peace Floyd Ganassi, going to miss his smiling face at the track & all the fantastic pics he’d take. We’ve lost a great man.

Holly Wheldon, sister of the late Dan Wheldon: Just heard the news that the very lovely Floyd Ganassi has passed away! Such a great guy at the track, will definitely be missed! #RIPFloyd

Kevin Lee, NBC Sports Network IndyCar pit reporter: Like many have stated, very saddened to hear of the passing of Floyd Ganassi. Always enjoyed visiting & will miss receiving his pics

Jenna Fryer, AP auto racing reporter: Floyd Ganassi was a special man. I’ll miss him, his photos, and the envelopes that arrived on Tuesdays. Such an honor to have known him.

Calvin Fish, former driver and current broadcaster: Tough day. Saddened by another loss in our paddock. Floyd Ganassi was a really cool guy who loved racing and Chips teams @CGRTeams #passion

Nicole Briscoe, racing broadcaster: Floyd Ganassi was always smiling & taking pictures. He’ll be greatly missed.

Pat Caporali, former Ganassi PR ace: I LOVE that Robin Miller talked about pix Floyd took every race wknd. I always looked forward to sorting through them for distribution.

Michael Andretti, IndyCar team owner, former Ganassi IndyCar driver: Really sad to hear of the loss of Floyd Ganassi today. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Ganassi family.

Bobby Rahal, IndyCar team owner: RIP Floyd Ganassi. A wonderful, generous man who epitomized “class”.

RLL Racing, IndyCar team: Our thoughts are with Chip, his family & all at CGR

IndyCar Ministry: Pray for Chip Ganassi Racing Teams on the Passing of Floyd Ganassi. Pray for Chip and their family.. Godspeed Floyd.

Sebastian Saavedra, IndyCar driver: Thoughts for Chip Ganassi and the whole family on the passing of an amazing person. Floyd Ganassi.

John Barnes, Panther Racing team principal: Sad day yesterday learning of the passing of an old friend. The IndyCar paddock will never be the same. RIP Floyd Ganassi. We all loved you!

STATEMENTS

A.J. Foyt: “I’ve known Floyd for quite a few years–he was a real gentleman. I always looked forward to seeing him at the track. I know it’s going to hit Chip like it did me when my father died because Chip and Floyd were very close too. He was a great person and I thought the world of him.”

INDYCAR: INDYCAR offers its condolences to Chip Ganassi and the Ganassi family on the passing of his father, Floyd Ganassi. Floyd was a beloved member of the racing community who always was quick with a smile and handshake. He will be missed.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “Everyone at IMS is saddened to learn of the loss of Floyd Ganassi. He was such a kind, approachable man who took the time to enjoy the company of drivers, officials and fans. The photographs he took at the racetrack and sent to so many friends and acquaintances will provide lasting, fond memories of his love of people and racing. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers are extended to the Ganassi family and everyone at Chip’s racing teams.”

Brian France, NASCAR Chairman/CEO: “Floyd Ganassi was a special man. He loved racing and was very important to me and my family. We wish him Godspeed and extend our sincere condolences to the entire Ganassi family. I hope they will find peace at this difficult time.”

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It took four attempts for Kyle Larson to win his first High Limit Sprint Car Series race in the series he co-owns with brother-in-law Brad Sweet, but once he found victory lane, he has been undefeated with his win at Eagle (Nebraska) Raceway. For the second week, Abreu led early only to fall prey to Larson.

The win was Larson’s third straight victory and the fifth consecutive top-five, giving him a perfect sweep of the season after finishing 10th in last year’s inaugural race at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Indiana.

Larson started third behind Abreu and Brent Marks but was embroiled in a fierce battle with Anthony Macri for third during the first dozen laps. Larson slipped by Macri in traffic until a red flag waved for a flip by Lachlan McHugh.

Meanwhile at the front of the pack, Marks retook the lead from Abreu on Lap 18. Larson followed one lap later and then caution waved again. Tyler Courtney lost power and fell to 24th after starting eighth.

Marks scooted away on the restart but tragedy struck in Lap 26. Leading the race, Marks hit a pothole in Turn 1, bicycled and then flipped, handing the lead to Larson.

Abreu caught Larson again during the final laps and in a reprise of their battle at Tri-City Speedway, the two threw sliders at one another for several laps until Larson built some separation and ran away to the checkers.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧. 𝗪𝗔𝗦. 𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗖.@EagleRaceway went above and beyond in their return to the main stage with the High Limit Sprint Car Series tonight!

pic.twitter.com/H3XKQEOpg6

— High Limit Racing (@HighLimitRacing) June 7, 2023

“I didn’t feel like my pace in [Turns] 1 & 2 slowed down a ton,” Larson said from victory lane. “I missed it once there and then I saw his nose in 3 & 4. I didn’t know if he nailed the bottom that well behind me and I think he might have slid me in the next corner, so he was definitely on the top.

“I was nervous to move up there because my car was really pogoing up in the entry of 1. I got up just in time, made a few mistakes and he threw a couple more sliders at me but he was just a little too far back and I was able to squirt around him. Then I really had to commit to hitting my marks – back my effort down a bit to avoid mistakes.”

After leading early, Abreu fell back as far as sixth, but faith in his car kept hope alive.

“I just needed to do a few things a few laps before I did and fix some angles, then my car got a whole lot better,” Abreu said. “I’m thankful for this team; they do an amazing job. They don’t give up on me. I know my car is going to be there right at the end of these races, so it’s just the discipline of being patient.”

For Abreu, it was his third near-miss this season. He was leading at Lakeside in the 2023 opener until a tire went flat in the closing laps and he lost the lead to Larson late in the Tri-City Speedway race. Abreu has finished sixth or better in his last three High Limit races with each result being progressively better until his pair of runner-up results.

Third-place finisher Scelzi was the hard charger, advancing from 17th.

“I had a very specific plan; don’t go near [the hole in Turn 1],” Scelzi said. “It worked out. No one wanted to start on the top. I think I gained a couple of rows there on the choose cone and ran the middle, which seemed to be better than right around the bottom.”

Michael “Buddy” Kofoid in fourth and Macri rounded out the top five.

World of Outlaws star and former NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne was one of 41 entrants, but he was not among the 26 starters. He failed to advance to the Main after finishing eighth in the B Main and seventh in his heat.

Feature Results

A Feature (40 Laps): 1. 57-Kyle Larson[4]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu[1]; 3. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[17]; 4. 71-Michael Kofoid[5]; 5. 39M-Anthony Macri[3]; 6. 9-Chase Randall[9]; 7. 26-Zeb Wise[14]; 8. 1X-Jake Bubak[15]; 9. 8-Aaron Reutzel[10]; 10. 14D-Corey Day[18]; 11. 11-Cory Eliason[12]; 12. 5T-Ryan Timms[11]; 13. 88-Austin McCarl[13]; 14. 21H-Brady Bacon[22]; 15. 48-Danny Dietrich[16]; 16. 7S-Robbie Price[19]; 17. 21-Brian Brown[23]; 18. 22-Riley Goodno[26]; 19. 52-Blake Hahn[25]; 20. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[21]; 21. 3J-Dusty Zomer[6]; 22. 14-Cole Macedo[7]; 23. 19-Brent Marks[2]; 24. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[8]; 25. 25-Lachlan McHugh[20]; 26. 53-Jack Dover[24]

2023 High Limit Sprint Car Series

Race 1: Giovanni Scelzi wins at Lakeside Speedway
Race2: Anthony Macri wins at 34 Raceway
Race 3: Kyle Larson wins at Wayne County Speedway
Race 4: Kyle Larson wins at Tri-City Speedway

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