Chip Gannasi Racing has let go more than 40 staff after it announced it would move a two-car IndyCar team next year.
When Gannasi made the announced, it noted it would have to let go of a number of "good people," and that's what happened.
The cuts were sweeping, with mechanics, engineers, machinists, painters, graphic designers and more all shown the door.
"It was one of the saddest days of my life and it hurt because we lost a lot of good people," said the chief mechanic, Ricky Davis, who will be back next season. "But it's part of the business and I think it bothered Chip as much as anyone," he told Racer.com. He also said he was hopeful most of those let go can find other positions.
Ganassi announced it would cut the IndyCar team in a media statement, as posted in a tweet by Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal..
"We will be returning to a two-car team beginning in 2018 with Scott Dixon on the No. 9 and a yet to be determined second driver in the No. 10. The decision was based on the fact that we felt we needed to get back to our core business of running TWO championship caliber teams, It was a tough decision to make as it affects a lot of people. With news like this comes contraction and as such we had to let a number of good people go. The decision was not taken lightly but we felt it was the best for our business. It is one of the toughest things you experience as a business owner -- especially because I am all too aware that it is the people who make the company tick. We will be back in 2018 and ready to compete for our 12th INDYCAR Championship."
Full statement from @GanassiChip: pic.twitter.com/JZZDXyzM48
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) September 20, 2017
This season, in addition to the No. 9, Ganassi raced the No. 83 with Charlie Gimbrell. and the No. 10 with Tony Kanaan.
Dixon finished third this season.
Ganassi also runs teams in the Cup series, Xfinity, IMSA and WEC."