Rob Kauffman buys in to Chip Ganassi Racing
Michael Waltrip Racing announced Thursday that co-owner Rob Kauffman had purchased part of Chip Ganassi Racing. The announcement comes a day after a Sports Business Journal report that said Kauffman was close to making the deal complete.
Rob Kauffman, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, has agreed to buy an interest in Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The companies will continue to operate separately and compete against each other for the remainder of the 2015 season. They are also currently evaluating ways to field the most competitive race teams possible to provide an excellent platform for their partners and employees for the 2016 season and beyond. More details will follow in due course.
Kauffman purchased part of Michael Waltrip Racing in October 2007 as the team was struggling in its debut season in the Sprint Cup Series. The team has had success since Kauffman’s arrival but has struggled since the race manipulation tactics it used at Richmond. NAPA, a long-time sponsor of the team, left after the shenanigans and went to sponsor Chase Elliott. The loss of the company forced MWR to move to two cars.
Ganassi confirmed the move.
The SBJ report said Kauffman was purchasing Felix Sabates’ stake in Ganassi. Sabates told SiriusXM NASCAR that he wasn’t leaving the sport.
“I’m not going anywhere. This is about making our team stronger, a three car team is stronger than a two car. But the rumors that Rob is buying me out are not true, my last race will be five years from September 9th. I will be 75 years old then and will be done.”
Sabates’ desire for the team to be at three cars also dovetails with the SBJ report. It said Kauffman was wanting to bring the No. 15 of Clint Bowyer to Chip Ganassi Racing. The move would leave Michael Waltrip Racing with one car. Both driver David Ragan and sponsor Aaron’s are not currently signed for 2016.
If MWR loses a car, it could face a very shaky future. Its best bet for survival may be to find a team to align with if another investor can’t be found.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
