Alex Lloyd & Ganassi Part Ways

[Tim Northcutt]

The open wheel news site tracksideonline.com (a subscription site) has reported that Alex Lloyd will be leaving Ganassi Racing to pursue other racing options as a free agent.

They reported it via two "tweet" messages by Alex, and it was due to the facts that

1.Ganassi couldn't find the necessary funding to run a competitive and viable third car (they can't dilute the Target $$$ for the other two, and would not do it on a skinny budget), and

2.Alex has raced only 5 times in the past 18 months and needs to get back in a race car to keep growing and succeeding in his career.

I can't blame either one of them...sounds like there are no hard feelings, but Alex had to do what was best for his career and I'm sure that Chip would like to keep him, but understands where he is coming from on it...

[AndrewF31]

They also mentioned it just now on Radio Le Mans during the news segment.

[foreversideways]

It's a shame as it should have been a big opportunity but with the recession it can't be easy even for a big team like Ganassi to find money for a third car and a driver of Alex's calibre can't just sit around at home waiting. I was surprised they never did a deal with another team to loan Alex out for a season, but there you go.

[Mystery]

Originally Posted by foreversideways

It's a shame as it should have been a big opportunity but with the recession it can't be easy even for a big team like Ganassi to find money for a third car and a driver of Alex's calibre can't just sit around at home waiting. I was surprised they never did a deal with another team to loan Alex out for a season, but there you go.

I guess Alex isn't bringing money and that seems pretty much a prerequisite for most IRL drives right now.

[foreversideways]

Originally Posted by Mystery

I guess Alex isn't bringing money and that seems pretty much a prerequisite for most IRL drives right now.

As much as they may try to make you believe otherwise, it's a perquisite in most forms of motor racing.