Title
Proclamation congratulating Chip Ganassi on his Indy 500 win and declaring Tuesday, June 17, 2008 "Chip Ganassi and the Ganassi Racing Team Day" in Allegheny County.
Body
WHEREAS, on Sunday, May 5, 2008, Scott Dixon won the 92nd Indianapolis 500 race in the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda Dallara; and
WHEREAS, Chip Ganassi has long been a force in the racing world; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ganassi began his racing career in 1981, competing in the Indy 500 five times before an injury derailed his career as a driver; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Mr. Ganassi purchased an interest in Patrick Racing and was part of the team that won the Indy 500 in 1989. He then went on to form his own team in 1990, Chip Ganassi Racing; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ganassi's teams currently include two IRL IndyCars, and along with Felix Sabates, he has three cars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, two entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and a Daytona Prototype in the world of Grant-Am Rolex Sports Car Series racing; and
WHEREAS, his IndyCar teams have amassed five Championships and 59 wins since 1994, his NASCAR teams have 12 wins and two Rookie-of-the-Year titles and the Grand American Team has won two Rolex Series Daytona Prototype Championships and are the three-time defending Champions of the Rolex 24 at Daytona; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ganassi is also credited with finding and grooming talents such as Michael Andretti, Scott Dixon, Sterling Marlin, and Dario Franchitti, among many others;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Allegheny County Council congratulates Chip Ganassi on his win at the Indianapolis 500 and honor him for bringing the Indy trophy back to Pittsburgh. Furthermore, we hereby declare June 17, 2008 “Chip Ganassi and the Ganassi Racing Team Day” in Allegheny County.