Ganassi: ‘I’ve never been in a program that touches so many lives’

With just two races remaining, Chip Ganassi Racing’s (CGR) Alex Palou has a 74-point lead over teammate Scott Dixon in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points race. No other driver is in contention for the season championship.

Palou has spent most of the season driving the No. 10 American Legion Honda featuring the Legion’s Be the One message. And team owner Chip Ganassi believes that car will be celebrating a series title – Palou’s second in three years.

“We are in a good spot to win the championship,” Ganassi told American Legion National Convention attendees during a fireside chat on Aug. 30. “Knowing that one of our two cars is going to win a championship takes a lot of the weight off. I think it's going to be The American Legion car. We all know that Alex has a big lead that’s almost insurmountable.

“I’m excited to go win another championship and win one for the Legion.”

Ganassi was joined in the discussion by Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) President Doug Boles, while NBC Sports auto racing pit reporter Marty Snider served as the moderator.

Ganassi called Palou – who has finished in the top 10 in every race this season – “so special. Every once in a while, you run into one of these athletes. At this level of sports, they’re all good. But every once in a awhile, one of these athletes comes along – he’s got that last little 1 or 2 percent that no one else has. Alex is one of those, so you can be very proud of that.”

But the majority of the discussion centered around The American Legion’s relationship with CGR, INDYCAR and IMS. Boles said the Legion being a part of racing is a natural fit.

“From the beginning of the Indy 500 in 1911, when it was called Declaration Day before we really had Memorial Day, we were there to celebrate the men and women who served the country,” Boles said. “More importantly, Memorial Day Weekend is to remind ourselves of the sacrifice the men and women have made to keep us free – the ultimate sacrifice. So, when you can connect somebody like The American Legion with an Indy 500 … and with a winning team like Chip Ganassi … it’s more than a sponsorship. It really elevates what that weekend is supposed to do. We don’t get to watch the Indy 500 without those men and women who served and are still serving. It really all ties together.”

The American Legion has created an activation truck that is on display during race weekends. It features info about Be the One, the ability to join the Legion, and also has on hand an American Legion-accredited service officer who can assist veterans with filing benefits claims.

Boles said it’s making a difference. “People are really seeing the program: The activation at all the races and how you’re taking care of those veterans that are at the racetrack,” he said. “They have somebody kind of help them. We get a ton of veterans that come to all the races. I think it really fits into the DNA of what Chip’s all about, what our series is all about and what The American Legion is all about.”

Ganassi said his team’s relationship with The American Legion is different than a normal sponsorship relationship.

“I’ve been in racing for over 30 years, and I’ve never been involved in a program that touches so many people,” Ganassi said. “Every city we go to throughout the country, our team will go by a (Legion) post and tell them what’s going on there connects with what we’re doing at the racetrack. More importantly than that, to have these veterans come up and just talk. They know they can come up to me at any time and just start talking about what the program’s about, where they’re from, how they served, where they served and what it meant to serve.

“It’s not your normal sponsorship where you have a product that we’re trying to sell. It’s a program that touches people and touches so many honorable people.”

Ganassi said it’s an honor to represent the Legion – and it’s an added bonus Palou has had so much success this year in the No. 10 car. “When you’ve had success like we’ve had, it means that much more,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many veterans I’ve met at these events, and how many are at the (Legion’s activation display) talking about Be the One. Obviously having the performance on the track is my job. But seeing the effect of that is something is very, very special in any sponsor relationship. But to physically see with your eyes, it’s incredible to see the impact this program has had.”

Boles urged Legionnaires to attend a race and see what the Legion is providing on site, while also offering a prediction.

“Many (veterans at INDYCAR events) are surprised when they see Be the One and the activation (display) and begin to figure out all the services they can take advantage of,” he said. “I would encourage you to come. Come watch Alex Palou win an INDYCAR championship. I will tell you Alex Palou is going to win the INDYCAR championship by the end of the year. You guys can celebrate that. And come and see how your activation unit is making a difference.”

Following the chat, American Legion National Commander Vincent J. Troiola presented Chip Ganassi Racing with the Legion’s Patriot Award for “its dedication in promoting the values of The American Legion through a strategic partnership, which has resulted in new members and wide exposure of the nation’s largest veterans organization to mass audiences. Most importantly, by raising awareness of The American Legion Be the One initiative, Chip Ganassi Racing has elevated the discussion of veterans’ suicide and has likely saved lives.”

“You can tell Chip is passionate about Be the One. He’s not simply hawking merchandise,” Troiola said. “We are not just a client or business partner to Chip. It is personal for him. His father was a World War II veteran, and Chip is a member of the Sons of The American Legion.”

Ganassi echoed Troiola. “As the commander said, this goes way beyond a sponsorship,” he said. “It is personal. My father drove a tank (in World War II). When we raced in France, he went with me up to Normandy. Just to understand all the stories from that place, it really brought home the meaning of what the Legion means and what the Legion is about.”