This season of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has showcased the remarkable talent of Alex Palou, whose efforts have capped a historic achievement for Chip Ganassi Racing. Last weekend at Portland International Raceway, Palou secured the team‘s 17th series championship, a milestone that matches the all-time record held by Team Penske. This achievement reflects the sustained excellence that has defined Chip Ganassi Racing for three decades.
Building a Legacy from Early Beginnings to Consistent Success
Since its debut in 1990 with Eddie Cheever behind the wheel, Chip Ganassi Racing has gradually grown into a powerhouse. Initially running only one car, the team expanded its operations to two full-time entries by 1994, the year Michael Andretti delivered Ganassi’s first race win at Surfers Paradise in Australia. This victory marked the start of a period during which Ganassi Racing established itself as a formidable competitor.
By 1996, the dynamic pairing of Jimmy Vasser and Alex Zanardi helped the team dominate races, with Vasser securing the first series championship for the team. Zanardi then captured back-to-back titles before joining Formula One. He was succeeded by Juan Pablo Montoya, who earned Ganassi its fourth consecutive championship in 1999, solidifying the team’s place at the top of the sport.
Scott Dixon’s Era and a Longstanding Tradition of Champions
Scott Dixon, one of the most successful drivers in IndyCar history, claimed his first title in 2003, and his 2008 championship began a period that is still ongoing. Over the past 18 seasons, Ganassi has amassed 12 championships, with three sequences of four consecutive wins, including those shared by Dixon and Dario Franchitti from 2008 to 2011. Dixon alone holds six of these titles, while Palou has risen quickly with four, including the last three seasons.
In total, six different drivers, including Jimmy Vasser, Alex Zanardi, Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, and Alex Palou, have contributed to 17 championships since 1996, creating a winning rate above 56 percent for the team over this period.
Comparing Ganassi’s Success Across Major Sports
Chip Ganassi Racing’s dominance extends beyond IndyCar, comparing favorably with legendary sports organizations globally. NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports trails slightly with 13 titles over the same span, while Formula One’s Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari have earned eight, seven, and six championships respectively. In team sports, the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Lakers have each won six titles since 1996, while the New York Yankees and Detroit Red Wings lead their leagues with five and four championships correspondingly.
Within IndyCar itself, rival teams have struggled to keep pace. Since 1996, Team Penske has achieved eight titles, Newman/Haas five, and Andretti Global four, with no other team surpassing two annual championships. Since the sport’s unification in 2008, Ganassi has further pulled ahead with 12 titles, well beyond Penske’s five and Andretti Global’s single championship.
Leadership Reflections on the Historic Winning Streak
Chip Ganassi himself acknowledges the magnitude of this historic run, recognizing the broader impact it holds for everyone involved with the team.
“something you talk about someday with your grandkids.”
—Chip Ganassi
Following Palou’s third-place finish clinching the title, Ganassi expressed the deep significance of this achievement:
“It means an awful lot to me, It means an awful lot to a lot of people in Indianapolis at our headquarters. It means a lot to my family and to Alex’s family, I’m sure, and 150 other families that rest on our shoulders week in and week out.”
—Chip Ganassi
He emphasized that Palou’s role is critical to the ongoing success of the organization:
“When you have a group of people like we do, and you plug in the right driver at the right time with the right engine, the right tires, the right chassis, the right engineering, this is the result of that,”
—Chip Ganassi
Team Dynamics and Future Outlook with Alex Palou
Mike Hull, Chip Ganassi Racing’s managing director, compared Palou’s importance to an elite quarterback in football, highlighting the collective strength behind the driver’s talent.
“In football, you have an elite quarterback, not (just) a quarterback. That’s what we have in Alex. We have an elite athlete who drives a race car. You have to have people on the offensive and defensive line. That’s what we have in the building, and that’s what we have, as we saw today, in all three pit boxes.”
—Mike Hull
Hull further noted:
“That’s what it takes. Alex represents all of us. He represents the past, the present and the future of Chip Ganassi Racing. We’re really proud to be part of having a driver like Alex be with us hopefully for a long period of time. Hopefully he never gets tired of what he does.”
—Mike Hull
With this blend of experienced leadership, an outstanding driver lineup, and technical excellence, Chip Ganassi Racing’s record-tying 17th IndyCar title signals a continuation of its unrivaled status. As Alex Palou continues to deliver at the highest level, both the team and its supporters anticipate further success on the horizon, reinforcing the legacy built over the past 30 years.