Chip Ganassi gets 100% real on the mentors like Mario Andretti and Parnelli Jones that shaped his legendary IndyCar team

IndyCar team owner Chip Ganassi is a former motorsport driver who raced in the American open-wheel racing series. The 67-year-old recently came out and hailed the likes of Mario Andretti and Parnelli Jones for mentoring him, and helping shape his motorsports career, and then eventually the motorsports team.

Ganassi began his professional open-wheel racing career in 1981. However, the American’s career was cut short after a major crash in 1984. During the 1984 Michigan 500, Ganassi spun around coming out of the banked corner and collided with Al Unser Jr's car.

Chip Ganassi's car skidded across the run-off area and slammed into the barrier, followed by multiple tumbles before coming to a halt. He suffered serious head injuries and was airlifted to the hospital. Although Ganassi participated part-time after the crash, he didn't return for a full-time season.

1986 was the last year when Ganassi made a motorsport appearance and retired from professional racing. He then went on to start his own IndyCar team, Chip Ganassi Racing, just a few years later, and has achieved loads of success.

Chip appeared in the latest episode of Java with James, where IndyCar commentator James Hinchcliffe interviews drivers and team owners from the IndyCar series. He asked Ganassi whether he would've liked to race in the current IndyCar scene with the advanced safety.

Ganassi suggested that he was lucky to drive in the time period that he did, as he had mentors like Mario Andretti and Parnelli Jones. He said:

“I was happy to be born when I was born and I'm happy to be in the era that I was in. I had some great mentors along the way. Like I said, Parnelli Jones and Mario Andretti. I knew the Whittington brothers (Don Whittington and Bill Whittington), Danny Ongais.” (18:29 onwards)

“These were all guys, you know, people like got to work with Jim McGee, Mark Bridges, Max Luther. Some great guys that were big pivotal in my career. I was fortunate to take little bit from each one of those. These guys and hundreds more that touch your career, have their fingerprints on the team (CGR) that exists today.”

CGR has established itself as one of the most dominant teams on the IndyCar grid over the years.

Chip Ganassi Racing's success since its inception in 1990

CGR was formed when Chip Ganassi bought a part of Patrick Racing in 1989, and then, after Pat Patrick retired the same, he went on to take up all the assets of the team and begin his own team under the banner of CGR in 1990.

About a decade later, Ganassi also formed their NASCAR team, followed by teams in the IMSA, WEC, Global Rallycross Championship, and Extreme E. Over the years, CGR has managed to win 21 drivers' titles, which include four Champ Car, 12 IndyCar, and five Grand Am titles.

CGR has also managed 270 victories, which includes 100 IndyCar wins, out of which six are Indy 500 victories.