Ganassi team wins first Firestone Pitstop Performance Award

Scott Dixon in the Ganassi #9

Firestone Racing, a brand known for performance and innovation, congratulates the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing team on winning the first Firestone Pit Stop Performance Award of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season.

"Firestone’s recognition of Target Chip Ganassi Racing with the St. Petersburg Grand Prix Pit Performance Award validates teamwork," said Mike Hull, Managing Director of Target Chip Ganassi Racing. “The Verizon IndyCar Series’ competitive pit lane requires over-the-wall excellence at the highest level. Winning on the track combines the statistically measured performance in the pit box to the track position gained at pit exit. Multiplied over a race distance, that’s the difference between the steps on the podium."

At every race this season, with the exception of the Indianapolis 500-mile race, the Firestone Pit Stop Performance Award will recognize the team with the least amount of accumulated time in pit lane with a $10,000 award. INDYCAR will determine the recipient at the conclusion of each race. Teams must run at least 95 percent of the scheduled laps in order to be eligible. Firestone Racing will announce each Firestone Pit Stop Performance Award recipient via social media (@FirestoneRacing) and pre-race advance with a photo opportunity and award presentation taking place at the following race.

The No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing team posted a cumulative pit time of 95.36 seconds during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The top three teams in St. Petersburg registered total pit times less than two seconds off the winning time. Chip Ganassi Racing had a strong showing with three of its teams among the Top 10 pit times.

“The goal of the Firestone Pit Stop Performance Award is to recognize all members of a team for their contributions throughout the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season," said Lisa Boggs, Director of Bridgestone Americas Motorsports. “Racing is a team sport and we want to reward teams who demonstrate excellence at the highest level."

Firestone Racing will present Target Chip Ganassi Racing with their award during Firestone Racing will present Target Chip Ganassi Racing with their award during pre-race festivities at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from April 11-13 in Long Beach, Calif.