Free Agent Tony Kanaan to Make a Move to Ganassi?

Tony Kanaan is the most valuable player at Andretti Green Racing, but he’s also the most valuable free agent in American open-wheel racing and Chip Ganassi is poised to snap up the 2004 Indy Racing League champion.

SPEEDtv.com has learned that Ganassi has made a multi-year offer for Kanaan to join Scott Dixon at Target/Ganassi Racing starting in 2009 and the 33-year-old veteran is expected to sign the contract in the near future.

Click here for the full story reported by Robyn Miller of SpeedTV.com.

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Carmichael on August 7, 2008 at 12:34pm: Does this open the door for Dan Wheldon to be expendable? Wheldon is currently third in points right now and has been a very succesful drive for Ganassi. As much as I don't like Wheldon, messing up the Dixon/Wheldon combo doesn't make much sense to the casual fan.

Wheldon has already been at Andretti Green Racing when he won the 2005 Indy 500. What is his next step?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim Huntington on August 7, 2008 at 12:58pm: TC, your logic is unassailable. Wheldon hardly seems like a fungible commodity. Maybe, if the rumors are true. TCG goes to 3 cars?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kyle on August 7, 2008 at 1:15pm: I would be curious to see if TK brings 7-Eleven with him or if they are tied to AGR. They might have started with AGR but things change and as you develop a relationship with a driver...

I would love to see Ganassi go to three cars. IF and only if it doesn't detract from the quality of product they are currently producing.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mikey B on August 7, 2008 at 1:54pm: Agreed, Kyle. Ganassi is producing and as much as I would LOVE to see a three car lineup, I would hate to see the product falter.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by xorpheous on August 7, 2008 at 2:06pm: I think this is potential detraction is precisely what Target is concerned about and why TCGR hasn't expanded to a three-car team in the past.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kyle on August 7, 2008 at 2:28pm: If Ganassi's Tintop team really is for sale and he has a buyer looking he might have lots of extra people to expand his ICS program without sacrificing quality.

What about Lloyd though? Isn't he in the wings under Ganassi contract?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by xorpheous on August 7, 2008 at 2:37pm: He is for this year, anyway. I don't think the development contract between him and TCGR extended beyond this year, though. I'll try and dig back through the pressers and find out for sure.

Update: Here's the presser from TCGR.
Target Chip Ganassi Racing Signs Alex Lloyd
It appears to be a 1-year deal, but already it seems as Alex has been stricken from the TCGR record. He'd not listed anywhere on the site either as a current or a development driver. Alex's own website has no information beyond his preparation for the 500.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christy on August 7, 2008 at 8:36pm: Am I mistaken....but didnt Wheldon just sign an extension to his contract??? That would lead me to believe that ol "Cheap" would be pulling the "hat trick" out of his stables and going w/ 3 cars... I dont think any of his drivers would want to take any Nascar plunge w/ his team after seeing Dario fizzle out along w/ the whole team....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CC8820 on August 7, 2008 at 8:49pm: No he did not sign his contract yet. He said a few weeks back it was ready but they still needed lawyers and mangers to sign it and get everyone togther at one time ? I hope that TK does go to TCGR but I also hope they keep DW as well. I am sure TK can get some sponsor's and they could be a 3 car team.; ▶ Reply to This