2015 Team Spotlight Preview: Chip Ganassi Racing

Ganassi Racing 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

2014 Team Stats of Returning Drivers

Races: 72

Wins: 0

Top 5: 15

Top 10: 30

Pole: 3

2014 Chase Drivers: 0

If we learned one thing after the Media Tour it was this: That the team strongly believes that the zero in the Chase Drivers column will be two next year. I love the confidence coming from the organization who seemed like they took big strides in 2014.

The best thing about the statement is it could happen. Kyle Larson had one heck of a rookie season but was left win-less. I can see him pulling off a couple of wins in 2015 which puts him in the Chase. Also, McMurray is one of the more underrated drivers at the Cup level and has 7 career wins and has proven he is a threat at every superspeedway stop. 

Will they get two in? The percentages should say no. After a wild 2014 Chase I think drivers will have a better understanding of the system in 2015. That means more aggressive finishes which leads to more wrecks and people left out.

I think the last laps at Daytona and Talladega (McMurray's best shots) will be even crazier because everyone (including small teams) saw that a guy like Almirola can get in. That's bad news for Jamie because the more others push, the higher his chance of being involved in the "big one" is. I do think Larson wil make the Chase in year two, so one of two isn't bad and will still be a proud moment.

Kyle Larson

• This time last year doubters were aplenty. I will admit even as a Larson fan I didn't think it would go as well as it did. Now, I wasn't one who said it was too soon, but I didn't think he would run top 5 and top 10 as much as he did (just want to be up front). That being said he had one heck of a rookie season. The next step will be having a productive year two where he will be searching for a few wins and making the Chase. I think Ganassi will get at least one driver in and my money is on Kyle.

Jamie McMurray

• 2014 was one of McMurrays more consistent seasons in awhile even though he ran into a lot of bad luck to start the season. With the new Chase system Jamie has new life when it comes to making the Chase. All it takes is one win and he is in. He has three chances at superspeedways and if he gets in, and advances to round two, he will have another shot at shocking people with a win at Talladega like BK did in 2014.