American Supercars invasion could continue with Andretti predicting a NASCAR legend will follow him
ANOTHER American racing legend could make the 15,000km trip to join the Supercars fight with Michael Andretti predicting Chip Ganassi may join him Down Under.
V8
Don't miss out on the headlines from V8. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ANOTHER American racing legend could make the 15,000km trip to join the Supercars fight with Michael Andretti predicting a NASCAR legend may join him in his bid to bring down Roger Penske.
Fresh from becoming the second US racing heavyweight to buy a stake in a Supercars team, Andretti said the American invasion could continue with NASCAR legend Chip Ganassi following him to Australia.
Regarded as the most successful team-owner in US history, Ganassi is an American racing hall of famer who owns both NASCAR and Indy teams.
And now he wants an Aussie V8 team, according to new Walkinshaw Racing co-owner Andretti.
“It is possible that it could (spark an American invasion),’’ Andretti said.
“I can see Chip Gannasi getting interested in this. Anything is possible.’’
Supercars boss James Warburton said Andretti joining the championship was a major coup for the sport.
QUALIFYING: McLaughlin fastest ahead of shootout
“This is a powerful endorsement of the Supercars Championship” Warburton said.
“To have two of the biggest names in world motorsport take an active part in our sport is tremendous. It shows just how widely recognised Supercars is on the global stage.
“Congratulations to Ryan Walkinshaw and his Holden Special Vehicles team this will well and truly get them on the path to returning as a powerhouse of our sport.”
US billionaire Penske began the US invasion in 2015 when he bought a stake in the famous Dick Johnson Racing team.
An American racing institution, Penske has turned DJR — now known as DJR Team Penske — into a championship heavyweight that is the favourite to win this year’s Bathurst 1000.
Andretti has declared he will do the same for the fading team formerly known as the Holden Racing Team.
“Yeah I am here to win,’’ Andretti said.
‘I have come here to win races.’’
Cutting his first ever lap of Mount Panorama yesterday in an HSV Commodore piloted by James Courtney, Andretti also spoke of his desire to see Supercars return to the US.
The sport abandoned a five year deal to race in Austin Texas after just one failed event.
“I wish they would return to race in America again,’’ Andretti said.
“And maybe this will spur that. I don’t know what the goal is for the future of the sport but it would be great if they came back to the US to race. I think it could work, especially if me and Roger started go head to head.
“I think a big rivalry like that would help.’’
The American Mustang is also expected to be put on the grid in 2019 in a move that would favour Americanise the championship.
Walkinshaw boss Ryan Walkinshaw also refused to rule out switching to a General Motors built Camaro in 2019 in move that would see the American muscle icon go head-to-head with the Ford Mustang.