Chip Ganassi’s Class Act Apology Melts Over Former Rolex 24 Champ After IMSA Motorhome Tragedy Stole Furry Friend’s Companionship

There was a bit of an unfortunate accident involving Chip Ganassi which took away Devlin DeFrancesco’s puppy’s life at IMSA Motorhome. Ganassi let slip that he accidentally ran into Devlin’s furry friend. Ganassi expressed how gutted he was about the whole thing. That evening, he found himself chatting with four officers to sort things out. Despite trying to buzz DeFrancesco’s line a few times, it seems his calls just kept hitting voicemail.

Taking a step to set things right, Ganassi took to X, owning up to his slip-up. In a move to make amends, he announced a hefty donation, showing he’s really taking this to heart.

Chip Ganassi’s heartfelt post didn’t go unnoticed. He wrote, “The accident the other night with Devlin DeFrancesco’s dog was so unfortunate. I not only feel terrible about it I also feel terrible for Devlin, Katie, and the DeFrancesco kids. On behalf of their dog Lucky and the DeFrancesco family I am making a generous donation to the Indianapolis Humane Society.”

Initially, Devlin DeFrancesco wasn’t picking up Ganassi’s calls, but eventually, Ganassi’s sincere apology and thoughtful gesture thawed the ice. Devlin expressed his gratitude on X, saying, “I want to personally thank @GanassiChip for his apology to myself, my parents, my siblings and Katie. Nothing will be able to bring Lucky back or make the pain go away but I would also like to say thank you to Chip for his donation to the Humane Society of Indianapolis. In support of other dogs/puppies in a city that is so important to me. Where I spend a lot of my time doing what I love with great people.”

The loss of his dog Lucky brought a bad start to DeFrancesco’s 2024 racing season. He shared some touching snaps of his four-legged buddy along with a heart emoji. Lucky, still in his puppy days, was just beginning to be a big part of the DeFrancesco family. His sudden passing left a hole, especially with a race around the corner. Lucky had been with DeFrancesco at the event, staying in his motorhome when the tragedy struck. But, showing true sportsmanship, DeFrancesco still geared up for the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Since adopting Lucky in September 2023, DeFrancesco has filled his Instagram with memories of his canine companion. Amidst this personal loss, with the backing of his team, Forte Racing, DeFrancesco stayed in the race. But it’s clear it was more than just another day at the track for him and his team.

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A Rough Ride for Forte Racing at the 24 Hours of Daytona

The 24 Hours of Daytona proved to be a tough nut to crack for Forte Racing. Misha Goikhberg, who shared the driving duties with DeFrancesco back in 2022, found himself in a pickle when he sent their Lamborghini hurtling into a tire wall just 26 minutes into the marathon race. The team buckled down, patched up the car, and kept their heads down, crossing the finish line 40th out of 59 and landing 16th in their class.

Turning the page to DeFrancesco, his stint with Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar series wrapped up in 2023, as the team trimmed its lineup from four to three cars for the 2024 season. The next chapter in his racing career is still up in the air. However, apparently, he’s still sticking with Forte Racing for the quartet of IMSA sports car endurance races on the horizon, including a trip to the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring come March.

Read More: Tragedy Strikes IMSA as Former Daytona 24 Winner’s Furry Friend Loses Its Life

DeFrancesco took a moment to express his thanks: “Thank you to everyone who’s reached out to me over the last couple of days! I’m truly grateful. Thank you to Forte Racing and my awesome teammates, looking forward to getting home and going to Sebring soon!”