Changes afoot at Ganassi Racing

UPDATE #2 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today as our moles deep within the Ganassi organization were spot on. Papis has left the team and Century Mortgage has signed on with driver Cort Wagner, who brought the sponsorship with him as a ride-buyer. See Hot News page for Ganassi announcement. 12/15/04 Max Papis is leaving the team with which he won this year’s Daytona Prototype crown. The Italian is parting company with the Lexus backed Ganassi squad because of his links with General Motors. He already races its Chevrolet Corvettes in the American Le Mans Series and is tipped to make a switch to a Pontiac team in the 2005 Grand-Am series. Autosport Magazine 12/01/04 Our moles deep inside the Ganassi Racing organization tell us that Cort Wagner will drive one of their Lexus powered Prototype cars next year with backing from Century Mortgage. Wagner drove GT3 this past year for the Racers Group. No word on who will team with Wagner, but Kelly Collins' name came up as one possibility. In Chip's other Daytona prototype will be Scott Pruett and either Luis Diaz or Jimmy Morales with Mexican sponsorship. Word on the street is that Scott Pruett's teammate this year, Max Papis, will become a works GM driver in 2005 and to look for him in the powerful Corvette team in the ALMS and at LeMans…..among other things. Mark C.