TK signs a 5-year extension with AGR | FerrariChat
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TK signs a 5-year extension with AGR

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by GuyIncognito, Aug 7, 2008.

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  1. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 GuyIncognito, Aug 7, 2008
    Kinda surprised by this, given all the chaos that team is going through right now. sounds like he'll retire from Indycars after this contract is over unless he pulls a Favre.

    Poor Chipster didn't get his way, waaa waaaa


    Cribbed from Speedtv.com...

    Chip Ganassi wanted Tony Kanaan and the 2004 IRL champion was frustrated with the apparent direction of Andretti-Green Racing. But AGR avoided any chance of losing its leader Thursday by getting him to agree to a new deal. “I went to bed on Wednesday night thinking about my career options but when I woke up Thursday morning I was convinced I wanted to stay with my guys at AGR,” said Kanaan on Thursday night. “I decided to stay with AGR and 7-Eleven and it’s a good contract that should be my last one in Indy cars.” Ganassi, who said he began negotiating with the 2004 IRL champion on Aug. 2, claims he was floored by the news.

    “It’s unbelievable,” said Ganassi. “I talked to him (Kanaan) on Wednesday night and he said we were fine, we were great and we’re a go. “Then I get a call from his agent who says Tony has flipped and he’s staying with AGR. He said something about Tony not liking one of the clauses in the contract but I didn’t change anything.” SPEEDTV.com reported late Wednesday that Ganassi was poised to sign Kanaan for 2009. This news still leaves Dan Wheldon’s status up in the air, as the 2005 Indy winner’s contract with Ganassi is up at the end of the season. The IndyCar series begin practice this morning at Kentucky Speedway for Saturday night’s race.
     
  2. maxorido

    maxorido Formula 3

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    #2 maxorido, Aug 8, 2008
    I would have liked to see Tony at Ganassi. I hope this work out for him, baby sitting two useless brats and a rookie. It's funny how the Japanese pay driving rookie is more consistent that the two spoiled brats, who have years of experience.
     
  3. Whisky

    Whisky Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 Whisky, Aug 8, 2008
    Somehow, it doesn't make much difference to jump from one team that runs a Dallara/Honda to another one that runs... a Dallara/Honda.
     
  4. maxorido

    maxorido Formula 3

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    #4 maxorido, Aug 8, 2008
    It does if you're getting taken out by you're immature and whiny little teammates. It also doesn't help to have favoritism in the team, because Marco can apparently do no wrong.
     
  5. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 GuyIncognito, Aug 8, 2008
    Ganassi clearly has something figured out this year that no one else does. Of course that can change next year (or next week)

    I hope this works out well for Tony, it would be ashamed for the Dynamic Duo to drag him down. maybe they'll get Dario back and sanity will prevail.
     
  6. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

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    #6 jknight, Aug 10, 2008
    This is the best thing I've read today! I saw on the Speed Report that he signed for another 5 years - quite honestly it would be better to get Tony out of IRL and put him in the P2 car - it seems that Tony is the ONLY one who can drive it properly for AGR - this way he's not taking second fiddle to temper tantrums and arrogant attitudes and it would seem that the future there with Acura is far brighter - especially if Acura goes to P1 next year.

    Carol
     
  7. ZUL8TR

    ZUL8TR Formula 3

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    #7 ZUL8TR, Aug 12, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2008
    I completely missed this thread earlier. Just knew it had to be here. Anywho....

    I'm floored he stayed at AGR. Too much drama, especially with Marco. I really wanted him to go to Penske and team up with Helio. TK did state that AGR gave him his break and all the wins, so he felt it was important to stay there. Loyalty and all.

    Seriously, how many closed door team meetings have they had this year? Ugh...something is broken at AGR.

    Ganasi could have thrown so much support to TK and put him on top with his skill. Dario, you listening? Maybe you need to make a quick call to Chip and see if you can get a ride there?

    AGR needs TK's maturity level to rub off on Danica and Marco. I'm a Danica fan, but she needs to focus on the racing and not on teh drama. I'm not sure Marco has that ability. Too selfish in how he drives. He forgets that you actually have to cross the finish line with a functioning car if you are going to have a chance to win. He needs to stop taking out his team members. That's just boneheaded driving. I was a Marco fan when he first started, but he lost me. Until he shows some maturity in his driving, he just scares me.

    When TK retires, I'll miss him being around. Same with Helio.
     

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